Following the establishment of teams in each age division, which will be posted on September 22nd 2024, practice times will be released which commence on Tuesday September 24th . Typically within that first week, the head coach will work to select a Team Manager who will establish a parents meeting.

This is a great opportunity for everyone to get on the same page regarding expectations, roles needing to be filled and the plan to set the team up for success for the remainder of the year. Here are some things that are typically discussed that you should be prepared to provide input into:

1) Who is interested in filling the following roles:
a. Manager (if not filled already)
b. Treasurer
c. Jersey Volunteer (who will wash jerseys and bring them to games)
d. Fundraising Volunteers

2) How many tournaments and what type of tournaments the team is looking to enter:
a. Overnight tournaments or one day tournaments?
b. Time of year

3) Fundraising / Cash Call
This is one that many new families haven’t considered. Although you have paid your registration fees to play hockey, your team will need funds to enter tournaments, fund special events, purchase socks or pant shells and handle any year end parties or awards. Typically each team will discuss whether they wish to raise these funds through team fundraising efforts or through a cash call (parents paying directly towards the account). The amount of the funds needed will be dependent on decisions surrounding the team’s expenses.

4) Other Expectations
a. What time kids should arrive for practices and games;
b. What dress code is expected (if any);
c. Communication of absences, illness, injuries etc.
d. Penalty Box Assignments
e. Team specific rules

Fundraising is an integral part of keeping costs low for players in our Association. As such, the Association puts on a number of fundraising efforts annually that require volunteers. Each family is responsible to volunteer for 8 hours per child (to a maximum of 16 hours per household) towards Association Fundraising Events. In addition to volunteering for Association Fundraising Events, parents can also work off these hours by being any of the following team specific roles:

Head Coach – 8 Hours

Assistant Coach – 6 Hours

Team Manager – 8 Hours

Team Treasurer – 4 Hours

Team Jersey Parent – 4 Hours

No other team duties, including working the penalty box or team specific fundraisers are eligible towards your Association Volunteer Requirements.

In 2024/25, the Association intends to:
1) Host three tournaments;
2) Hold a Bottle Drive;
3) Hold a Christmas 50/50.

Further, volunteer hours can also be worked off during the Association Evaluation process and other special events that the Board determines that volunteers are required throughout the year.

We strongly recommend that parents focus on hours early in the year (evaluations and first tournaments) as it is common that lots of hours are remaining to be worked later in the season with minimal opportunities left!

The CMHA Board reviews the tournament assignments in the fall each year with the current mentality that tournaments are hosted to maximize revenue for the Association. With this in mind, the Board is planning on hosting two U9 tournaments, which raise the most funds, and one U11 tournament in 2024/25. The exact times of these tournaments and which teams will be in each tournament will be determined shortly.

The Board meets once per month, currently on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm unless otherwise determined by the Board. All Members are welcome to attend these meetings! Stay tuned to our Social Media accounts or website to find out when and where our next meeting is.

You are also encouraged to reach out to any of our Board Members if you ever have a question or suggestion for consideration.

Other than always being at the rink, you can also find our contact
information here: https://www.carstairsminorhockey.ca/about-us/board-of-directors/

The Carstairs Minor Hockey Association website is our hub for all information regarding the
Association: www.carstairsminorhockey.ca

Further, once established your Team Manager will be a great source of information and a conduit for information between the Association and your team.

When in doubt, give us a call or send us an email and we can point you in the right direction.