INITIATION
Required Equipment
Please insure your child is properly equipped, below is a listing of the required equipment. To insure their safety, if your child does not have all the equipment listed below they will not be permitted on the ice.
- Hockey helmet and face mask (Must be CSA approved and properly fitted)
- Socks and garter belt (or undergarment with Velcro to hold socks – normally holds Protective Cup/Jill as well)
- Neck guard (BNQ certified) which is neither too loose nor too tight
- Shin pads (proper size and length)
- Mouth guard (proper size)
- Elbow Pads (proper size)
- Skates – properly fitted and sharpened
- Hockey Gloves (proper size – avoid short cuffs as they do not provide proper protection against slashes to the wrist area)
- Stick - properly measured while on skates – should be at chin level; end of stick (knob) must be thick enough to not fit through any facemask openings.
- Hockey Pants (proper size and length)
- Protective Cup/Jill (proper size)
NMHA Initiation Program Philosophy & FAQ's
WHAT IS THE INITIATION PROGRAM?
The Initiation Program (IP) is a Hockey Canada sponsored program that introduces the basic skills of hockey in a fun and safe environment, and focuses on the development of skills in a non-competitive environment.
The Goals of the IP Program are the following:
- To have fun while playing hockey and engaging in physical activity
- To learn the basic skills required to-play the game of hockey.
- To develop an understanding of basic teamwork through participation in a variety of activities and adapted game situations.
- To create and refine basic motor patterns.
- To be introduced to the concepts of cooperation and fair play.
WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM START AND WHO IS THE INITIATION PROGRAM FOR?
The IP program in the Nepean Minor Hockey Association runs from mid September until mid April and is for boys and girls who are 6 years old (5 year olds are allowed if space permits).
WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS?
The on-ice instruction is led by 2 groups of instructors who are all certified Initiation Instructors , interviewed and selected by the NMHA. The head instructors, with their team of instructors, follow the CHA IP Program manual that is broken down into two levels. Each level has 25 pre-planned on-ice sessions which focus on the basic skills of hockey; forward and backward skating, stopping, crossovers, balance, agility, puck control, and shooting etc.
CAN AN NMHA IP TEAM PARTICIPATE IN TOURNAMENTS?
The NMHA does not encourage IP teams to participate in tournaments; the IP program is to introduce the basic skills of hockey in a non-competitive environment. If a team would like to enter an IP fun day, it is up to the parent representative and the willingness of the team parents; approval and signature of the Fun Day entry form is required from the Initiation Director.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES MY CHILD REQUIRE?
- Hockey helmet and face mask (Must be CSA approved and properly fitted)
- Socks and garter belt (or undergarment with Velcro to hold socks – normally holds Protective Cup/Jill as well)
- Neck guard (BNQ certified) which is neither too loose nor too tight
- Shin pads (proper size and length)
- Shoulder Pads (proper size to protect shoulders and upper arms area)
- Mouth guard (proper size)
- Elbow Pads (proper size)
- Skates – properly fitted and sharpened
- Hockey Gloves (proper size – avoid short cuffs as they do not provide proper protection against slashes to the wrist area)
- Stick - properly measured while on skates – should be at chin level; end of stick (knob) must be thick enough to not fit through any facemask openings.
- Hockey Pants (proper size and length)
- Protective Cup/Jill (proper size)
WILL MY CHILD BE PRACTICING AT THE SAME TIME EACH WEEK?
Due to shortage of ice times throughout the City of Ottawa, it is not feasible for your child to be practicing at the same time each week. The schedule for each season is done, as best as is possible, on a rotational basis from 7am to 12pm on Saturday’s. Under no circumstances can a player show up at a different ice time. Please show up at your child’s assigned team’s practice.
WHO SPONSORS THE INITIATION PROGRAM?
For the NMHA Initiation Program, like many other associations, Tim Hortons is the main sponsor. Tim Hortons supplies all the team sweaters and hosts an event each year called the TIMBITS Jamboree. This event is usually held in March of every year. In the past, this event has been held on the Corel Centre ice, teams play a 20-minute ‘mini-game’ on the same ice surface of many of their hockey heroes and role models. Information will be passed along to the parents once it becomes available.
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