Coaching & Volunteer Certifications

   

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Updated:  September 20, 2023
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The Deadline for Coach Certifications is December 1, 2023.

Here is an overview of the items covered on this jam-packed page.

Click the links to jump to the appropriate section below.

Other Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respect in Sport: Parent Course

Respect in Sport: Parent Course

At least one parent per Minor Hockey Family must complete this course. The course costs $12, and the certification does not expire.

There is no Pre-Registration Code for the Parent Course; It is paid for by the family.

 

 

 

 

Types of Volunteer Roles

SMHA Volunteers filling the roles listed below require an HCR #.

These roles require a valid Criminal Record Check and/or Safety Training and Coaching Certifications via "Hockey University" (See: Certification Requirements)

  • Head Coach
  • Assistant Coach
  • Parent Helper
  • On-Ice Volunteer
  • Trainer
  • Manager
  • Safety Person
  • Team Treasurer
  • Team 50/50 Coordinator

 

Definitions - Taken from the Hockey Nova Scotia Coaching Requirements page.

 

Parent Helper: Someone who is listed on the official team roster and is used for assistance with the Two Deep Policy in the dressing room before and after games. Parent Helpers require the Respect in Sport program and a Criminal Record Check (with the Vulnerable Sector Check).

On-Ice Volunteer: Someone who only assists on-ice during practices. These people require all the same qualifications as any other coach on the team. It is recommended to list them as an Assistant Coach in case they are required on the bench at some time. Registered players that help with younger age groups on the ice can do so through our On-Ice Helper Policy. These players are not required to be on the team list of the team they help out with. However, they are not permitted on the bench during games.

Trainers: Trainers are not permitted on the ice for practice other than to tend to an injured player. Teams may list more than one (1) trainer although only one (1) trainer is permitted on the bench in any game.

 

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SMHA Volunteers in the roles listed below do not require an HCR#.  These roles to not require Online Certifications or a Criminal Record Check.

  • Team Hockey Pool Rep
  • Fundraising Coordinator
  • Event Helpers
  • Team Website Administrators

 

 

 

 

How to Become a Volunteer or Coach 

If your role requires an HCR # due to the need for Criminal Record Check or Online Training, follow these steps to get started:

  1. HCR Login Page

    • Create a New HCR Account, or recover an Existing HCR account.

    • If you are the person who typically registers the player(s) in your household, you probably already have an account.
      • If you're not sure, try the Forgot Password link to see if you have an existing account.

  2. Once logged in, Search For Your Unique HCR# by using your Name and Birthday.

 

 

 

 

Certification Requirements

The Coach & Volunteer Requirements Deadline is December 1st, 2023.

Failure to complete requirements will result in your removal from the Official HCR Roster, and it may impact the team's ability to practice and participate in Games & Tournaments.

All coaches U11 and up require HU Safety Program. U5 to U9 teams require one approved bench staff to have HU Safety. 

All approved team staff are required to have HU Planning a Safe Return Hockey Course.

Use the following link from Hockey Nova Scotia as a quick reference to find out what requirements are needed: https://hockeynovascotia.ca/coach/coaching-requirements

 

**New to 2023: at least one coach on the bench for all levels will need CSA Basic First Aid (often called Emergency First Aid), CPR (Level C) and AED certification.  This volunteer must be present for all on and off-ice team events and activities.  SMHA will be conducting a one day training session within the next few months (details tba).

**By the 2025-26 season, all Minor and Femail AA and A team volunteers (exclusing dressing room supervisors) will be required to have CSA Basic First Aid (often called Emergency First Aid), CPR (Level C) and AED certification. 

 

 

 

 

 

Criminal Record Checks w/ Vulnerable Sector Search

Hockey Nova Scotia - MyBackCheck Link
Select "Sackvillle MHA" from the drop-down list.

The following roles MUST COMPLETE a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search:

  • Coaches
  • Managers
  • Trainers
  • Safety Reps
  • Parent Helper
  • On-ice Volunteer
  • Treasurers
  • 50/50 Coordinators 

Please use the link above so that your result can be linked to your HCR Profile. 

If for any reason a volunteer's Criminal Record Check requires fingerprinting, it can take quite a long time to process. Backlogs with the system can also occur near the the December 1st deadline. Please do not delay starting this step.

  • An email will follow, containing a .PDF attachment with a Serial Number or instructing you to go for finger printing (this email gets filtered by Junk Mail filters). 
    • Sign into your MyBackCheck account, and add the Serial Number to allow the system to share your results with SMHA (results must be shared with SMHA and NOT Hockey NS). *this step is important, SMHA will not get information until this is completed. 
    • Instructions for this are laid out on the MyBackCheck page.
  • If you don't receive an email from Halifax Regional Police, you can call them at 902-490-1329.
  • If you receive a reply indicating you require fingerprinting, please reach out to Craig Foley at RiskManagement@FlyersHockey.ca. We will provide you with a Fingerprint Request letter, and you will need to bring that to Halifax Police Headquarters at 1975 Gottingen St.
  • After all is completed, you should receive an email stating the Criminal Record Check is completed (if you haven't received an email within 10 days, check your hcr to make sure it has been completed).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respect in Sport: Activity Leader Program

Respect in Sport: Activity Leader Program

ALL Coaches, Managers, and Trainers must complete the Respect in Sport: Activity Leader Program.

It will be automatically linked to your HCR Profile.

We offer Coaches, Managers, and Trainers a Pre-Registration Code to have the fee for this course billed to Sackville Minor Hockey Association.

The Pre-Registration Code is: SVMHA-C8X7N9X

 

 

 

 

High School Students as On-Ice Helpers

There is a Hockey Nova Scotia On-Ice Helpers Policy that our SMHA Coaches could be capitalizing on. It allows High School Students to help with practices as On-Ice Helpers. The On-Ice Helper must be registered as a player with Hockey NS, and they can be playing at any level be that Recreation, Competitive, High School, Major Midget/Bantam. They also must work under the direction/supervision of a Certified Coach.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our SMHA Coaches at U7, U9, and U11 to have some on-ice assistance, and creates and encourages leadership opportunities for High School Students. 

It has recently come to my attention that some Lockview students - and possibly other schools in our area - have a program where students can get School Credits toward a Leadership Course for becoming an On-Ice Helper.

If anyone seeing this message has connections to High School Students who are playing at any level this season and who might want to be on-ice helpers, please encourage them to get involved. Interested High School Students can contact any SMHA Coach directly, or reach out to Susan Butler or Ryan Sebean (Certifications@FlyersHockey.ca) and your information can be shared with a Coach who would like some help.

 

 

Coaches Checklist

Returning coaches/volunteers:

1. Log into HCR https://register.hockeycanada.ca/home 
2. Click on members.
3. Click on adult account name.
4. Click view profile.
5. Click qualifications and scroll down to review the latest Criminal record check.  
6. If it has expired a new one must be completed, click https://www.backcheck.net/hockeynovascotia/.
    a. Select Sackville Minor hockey in the drop-down.
    b. Follow the steps.
       If you are new - click new
       If returning - enter details
       If it prompts a returning user to change / update your password please do so. If this happens, you will need to go back out and hit the SMHA link again.  
    c. An email will follow, containing a .PDF attachment with a Serial Number or instructing you to go for finger printing (this email gets filtered by Junk Mail filters). 
    d. If you get a serial number, sign into your MyBackCheck account, and add the number to allow the system to share your results with SMHA (results must be shared with SMHA and NOT Hockey NS). *this step is important, SMHA will not get information until this is completed. 
   
e. If instructing you to go for fingerprints, reach out to Craig Foley (RiskManagement@FlyersHockey.ca) and he will provide a finger print request letter. Finger prints can be done at the Lower Sackville RCMP detachment or HRP Burnside or Gottigen St offices.  Fingerprints are usually required if someone has the same name or date of birth as a person convicted in Canada of a criminal offence.
    f. After all is completed, you should receive an email stating the Criminal Record Check is completed (if you haven't received an email within 10 days, check your hcr to make sure it has been completed).

Note: In your crc/vsc on my backcheck , your results need to show all three sections with a green check mark as completed.  In the event a criminal record is present, there may be red x.   That is fine, continue to share the check.  

 

Coaches: please email Susan Butler or Ryan Sabean (Certifications@FlyersHockey.ca) with the name(s) of your helper(s).

**NEW EMAIL:  if you have any questions or need assistance, contact Susan Butler or Ryan Sabean at Certifications@FlyersHockey.ca.

 

Thank you everyone

Craig Foley
Director, Risk Management
RiskManagement@FlyersHockey.ca