FAQ (St. George Minor Hockey)

This section of the website contains information about us, answers to frequently asked questions and information on who to contact regarding other questions.

Please see the bottom section for 2020/21 specific questions.

ABOUT US
We are located in St. George, Ontario, Canada and play out of the South Dumfries Community Center 7 Gaukel Dr., St. George ON (519.448.1831)


Our mailing address is:
   PO Box 59

   St. George, Ontario

   N0E 1N0

St. George Minor Hockey is a member of Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).  All players in the Association are affiliated with Hockey Canada (H.C.) and will conform to player categories as established by the constitution of H.C.

We are an association that fields local league, A/E and Representative (Rep) teams. The local league teams play within Grand River Local League.  Typically, the teams would compete against other local league in the surrounding area. These areas include (but not limited to) Woolwich, Paris, St. George, Twin Centre and Beverly. The A/E and Representative teams play within the Southern Counties League. Depending on the number of teams within their division in any given season, these teams could play in a variety of centres including (but not limited to) Alymer, Ingersoll, Port Dover, Tavistock, Hagersville and Caledonia. Please refer to the OMHA website under Southern Counties for a more detailed list.

To register with us you MUST live within our boundaries as established by the OMHA. Please contact us to determine if you are in our boundaries.

The mission statement for the SGMHA is To support the youth of our community in a positive hockey experience

SGMHA (St. George Minor Hockey Association)
All authority of the SGMHA shall reside and be exercised by the Board. The Board shall in general be responsible for all aspects of the hockey program, for establishing the strategic and policy goals of the SGMHA and to ensure that all it's By-Laws, rules and policies are administered fairly and equitably and where necessary to adjudicate and resolve disputes.
The SGMHA Board is comprised of;

President*

Vice President 1*

Vice President 2*

Vice President 3*

Vice President 4*

Treasurer*

Secretary*

Junior Convenor*

Senior Convenor*

Registrar

Coach Mentor

OMHA Representative

Scheduler - Ice

Scheduler – Time/Score Keepers

Director at Large (could be multiple positions)

* Denotes part of the Executive

** Vice Presidents will select a function based on their area of experience and interest i.e. Fundraising, Communications, Training, etc.

HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOCKEY IN ST. GEORGE

WHAT AGES CAN REGISTER?

Players from ages 3 to 21 may register with us to play within their age appropriate division as listed below - based on the age of the participant as of December 31 of the current year.

AGE

LEVEL

3

Beginner

4,5,6

U7 (Initiation Program -Junior &Senior)

7,8

U9 (Novice)

9,10

U11 (Atom)

11,12

U13 (Peewee)

13,14

U15 (Bantam)

15,16,17

U18 (Midget)

18,19,20

U21 (Juvenile)

CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD IN A DIFFERENT AGE GROUP?
No. Players are to be registered within their age group. All players go through our evaluation process in the fall and in the very rare case a child may be moved up a division, but this is only done in special circumstances.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED?

Equipment List:

·         CSA approved Helmet with face cage (clear or wire)

·         neck protector

·         mouth guard

·         shoulder pads

·         elbow pads

·         hockey gloves

·         knee/shin pads

·         hockey skates

·         athletic jock (or jill for girls)

·         hockey pants

·         hockey socks (will be provided by association each year)

·         hockey jersey (for practice, home and away)

·         hockey stick

·         hockey tape (for stick and socks)

* The association supplies game shirts for only U7 players and 1st year U9 players
* The association supplies goalie equipment up to the Novice level if required.  By Atom the expectation is that goalies have their own equipment. 

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE BEGINNER PROGRAM?

  • Our intention is to focus on skating and basic stick and puck handling
  • Parents are required to assist their child on the ice until the child can skate on their own
  • There will be every attempt to set the BEGINNER ice times to make them consistent.
  • Game sweaters/socks are sponsored by Tim Horton's.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT U7 (INITIATION PROGRAM)?

  • Our intention is to focus on the basics with our IP program.
  • Development is the focus at the start of the season with teams formed later being based on the player’s ability.
  • Senior IP games are played amongst other teams from surrounding associations and generally begin in November in that given season. These games are considered exhibition in nature and are organized by the Jr Convenor and/or the Registrar.
  • There will be every attempt to set the IP ice times to make them consistent.
  • Game sweaters/socks are sponsored by Tim Horton's.

HOW DO I GET A JERSEY?

  • U7 (Beginner – Sr IP) – SGMH will provide a Timbits jersey and matching socks for your child
  • 1st year U9 (Novice) – SGMH will provide a home and away jersey for your child with their name on the back, you will just need to pick a number from the available numbers list
  • 2nd year U9 - On (Novice – Juvenile) – You are responsible for your jersey(s). If your jersey(s) from last year still fits, you can wear it again.  If you require a new jersey, you can visit Brant Sports and order a new one with your current number and sponsor if you have one to offset the cost

WHERE CAN I BUY SWAG?

Swag can be purchased through Brant Sports – 415 Fairview Drive, Brantford or 19 Broadway Street W, Paris.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
Refunds will only be given by using the refund process as outlined in the 
SGMH Rules of Operation.   


CAN YOU PLEASE UPDATE MY EMAIL (PHONE NUMBER… ETC.)?

Now that you are registered with us through Hockey Canada Registration you can, at any time, go back into the system, and make these types of changes. Using the ID and password that you setup the first time you went into the system simply go in and using edit you can adjust your information. This will ensure that your information is always current. You will find our associations registration website at https://registration.hockeycanada.ca/registration/?ID=5263.

I HAVE SENT EMAILS AND NO ONE HAS RESPONDED
All of our volunteers work for a living. Phone calls and emails are generally returned in the evenings or on weekends. Please be patient, as most of our board members will make every attempt to get back to you as soon as possible.


WHO DO I CONTACT WITH OTHER QUESTIONS I HAVE?
Once teams are in place, there is a normal protocol to be followed regarding most questions and concerns you may have. You should start with your parent rep and coach, who should escalate if necessary, to the convenor etc...… However, many questions not of that nature may be directed as noted below

·         By Laws: President

·         Coaching: Convenor

·         Cheques: Treasurer

·         Equipment: Vice President of Fundraising

·         Representative: Junior or Senior Convenor

·         Hockey Development: President

·         Local League: Junior or Senior Convenor

·         Ice: Ice Scheduler

·         Registration: Registrar

·         Rosters: Registrar

·         Sponsorship: Vice President of Fundraising

·         Tournaments: Tournament Convenor

 (Names and contact information for the people filling the roles indicated above can be found under the 'About Us' tab for the current season)

 

2020/2021 Season Specific Questions

WHAT WILL THE 2020/2021 SEASON LOOK LIKE?

For the 2020/2021 season there will be no Rep or Local League play.  We will be separating players into teams of 10 and playing 3 on 3 hockey with teams from Burford and Paris.


WHAT IF WE ARE NOT READY TO REGISTER IN AUGUST CAN I REGISTER LATER?

Please reach out to Dan Phillips when you feel comfortable and accommodation will be done on an individual basis.  


WHAT DOES IT COST?

Fees will be finalized early September for September-December and revisited in December for January-March.


WILL THERE BE USE OF THE CHANGE ROOMS?

Players U7-U13 (IP to Peewee) will be expected to arrive at the arena fully dressed, with the exception of goalies who will have access to a change room.

U15-U17 (Bantam and Midget) players will have access to change rooms with the limit of 4 per room, although if possible, please come dressed.

WILL THERE BE SPECTATORS ALLOWED?
We are waiting for the County of Brant to finalize the procedures and protocols for the arena.

WHAT PROTOCOLS CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE AT THE ARENA?
We are working with the OMHA and the County of Brant to develop a plan that works for us and keeps everyone safe.


WHEN DO THEY PLAY AND PRACTICE?

Ice time will be mostly consistent for all teams at each age group and days and times will be similar to previous years.

U7 (IP) and U9 (Novice players) will start September with 2 practices and games will be arranged starting later in the fall.

Players in U11-U17 (Atom to Midget) can expect to play 2 games each week and have one combined practice with a similar age group.


WHAT WILL THE 3 ON 3 RULES BE?

The rules are currently being drafted and will be sent out when finalized.

HOW WILL GAMES BE PLAYED FOR THE YOUNGER AGE GROUPS?
U7 (IP) will be playing 1/2 ice games for the entire season.
U9 (Novice) will play 1/2 ice until January, then switch to full ice.


HOW WILL TEAMS BE SELECTED?

Members of the Executive and Coaching staff from different age groups will attend initial practices and rank players.  Players will then be equally divided into teams.


CAN WE MAKE REQUESTS ON WHO WE PLAY WITH?

No. We are a small community and there will only be 2-3 teams per age group, so by default you will be teamed up with friends.


WHAT HOW MANY COACHES WILL EACH TEAM HAVE?
Each team will only have a Head Coach and Trainer.


WHEN WILL WE KNOW WHO THE COACHES ARE?

Early September. Once the registration numbers have been confirmed, we will be determining how many teams and will need to have additional coaches volunteer.


GRANTS AND SPECIAL ASSISTANCE?

St George Minor Hockey is happy to have created a bursary fund for those families that find it tough to find the finances required to play hockey in St George. Also, to support those that have been significantly financially impacted by COVID, we will be working with sponsors to ensure that everyone that wants to play can. 

Please fill out a bursary form if you need assistance.





What do I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19? 
Keep your child home and out of the hockey environment. It is also important to communicate with your physician and public health authority, ensuring you follow the steps identified. 

What if a parent/family member tests positive for COVID-19? What protocols do we follow? 
If a parent or family member tests positive for COVID–19, the player and their family will need to stay out of the hockey environment. They should contact their physician and public health authority for instructions. The player will need a note from their physician or public health authority to return to play. 

If someone on my child’s team tests positive for COVID-19, will the team be allowed to continue to play hockey? 
If someone on your child’s team tests positive, public health authority guidelines will determine contact tracing and isolation requirements. It is possible, therefore, that one diagnosis on a team could lead to that team being required to pause hockey activities until the public health authority determines it is safe to return. 

What if my child is sick but does not have COVID-19? 
The player should follow up with their physician and the public health line. They will require a note from their physician to return to play. 

What should I do if my child is exhibiting signs of COVID-19 but has not been tested? 
The player should remain out of the hockey environment and contact their physician or public health authority for required steps to be taken. The player will require a note from their physician or public health authority to return to play.