Hockey is a complex sport, especially in its administration to ensure a successful and enjoyable season. This section of the website will help you navigate our website to answer some of the more frequent questions. If you do not see your topic listed here, feel free to browse the detailed pages on our menu bar or contact KGHA.

Volunteering:

1. What kind of volunteers does KGHA need?

Most of our volunteer requirement centres on the team staff of coaches, trainers, managers and other administrative team functions (treasurer, scorekeepers, web manager).  KGHA does however always need people to make the Association and leagues run for the benefit of your daughter and the community.  Specifically, we are always looking for people to join the executive and represent us in our parent leagues (ODWHA and MOGHL).  We strongly encourage everyone to get involved; look on our website under volunteers and talk to the executive about how you might help your association. 
 

1. I think I have unique abilities but don’t know how they might benefit KGHA.

If you think you have unique skills, abilities or qualifications but are unsure if we can use them, please talk to the Volunteer Coordinator or any member of the Executive and they will help identify a good fit. 
 

1. I want to get qualified so I can help my daughter's team.  What do I need to do?

Getting involved is very easy but there are a few things you need to do.  First talk to your team staff or the Volunteer Coordinator.  They will gladly help you on your way.  You can also look at the volunteering pages on the website and the development pages for any clinics you may need to take depending on the position.

Getting Qualified:

1. What are the qualification requirements for volunteering?

All KGHA volunteers that interact with the players must complete the Hockey Canada Speak Out! clinic on safety, conduct, harassment and abuse prevention and awareness.  Other qualification requirements depend on the position you wish to fill.  These are explained in our Development Library pages on this site.  

 

1. How do I get loaded on a course?

To get loaded on a course, first check with the Development Director to confirm what course(s) you need.  He/she can help you find a course or point you to a number of hockey clinic webpages to find a clinic near you.  For more information, you can check out our Development Library.
 

Risk and Safety:

1. How does KGHA promote the safety of its players?

We adhere to the Hockey Canada Safety Guidelines with respect to equipment, injury prevention and safety programmes, the standard of play, player development, volunteer screening and staff training.  For more information, please visit our Risk and Safety page on this website. 
 

1. I have heard about the dangers of children being exploited; what are you doing to prevent this?

Hockey Canada has taken a number of constructive steps to prevent this from happening including an environmental and social awareness course called Respect in Sport that every volunteer that comes in contact with our players must take.  As well, we require our volunteers to coplete a Police Record Check on a regular basis.  A simular course Speak Out! Is also acceptable.

1. I completed the Respect in Sport or Speak Out! course some time ago but have lost my certificate.  What can I do?

Respect in Sport maintains a record of all individuals who have completed a course, regardless of the organization.  Logging into the website will allow you to retrieve your certificate as well as register it with KGHA.  For those who took Speak Out! through the boys’ side or any else, you must go through the Association who put ran the course or the granting body (e.g. ODHA, OMHA).  Failing this, you need to retake the course.

1. You mentioned Police Record Checks, what are you looking for?

To show due diligence in protecting your daughters, KGHA mandates that ALL volunteers MUST complete a Police Record Check every four years from a recognized firm or organization.  The intent of this check is to flag potential risks to our children; but we also respect your privacy as a volunteer, using a trusted professional as the screening officer to identify potential risks and discuss them with you. 
 

1. You mentioned Police Record Checks, what are you looking for?

To show due diligence in protecting your daughters, KGHA mandates that ALL volunteers MUST complete a Police Record Check every three years from a recognized firm or organization.  The intent of this check is to flag potential risks to our children; but we also respect your privacy as a volunteer, using a trusted professional as the screening officer to identify potential risks and discuss them with you.  If you are volunteering with the KGHA, Police Record Checks are free of charge when accompanied by a letter of intention from the league. Email safety@kgha.ca with your full first, middle, and last names for a letter.

Insurance:

1.  What type of coverage do we have and what are the limits of coverage for different situations?

This information is detailed in the "Safety Requires Teamwork" booklet available on the Hockey Canada web site.   
 

1. What type of coverage do we have?

• Comprehensive General Liability
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Major Medical/ Dental Coverage
• Sexual Misconduct Liability Insurance
• Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

For more details involving insurance coverage, please refer to the "Safety Requires Teamwork" booklet.

1. If someone has Hockey Canada insurance through another association in Ontario, including as an Executive, does this also cover them if they volunteer with KGHA?

Yes, only one association has to pay for insurance since everyone ultimately belongs to the same Hockey Canada insurance policy. If you are staff on a KGHA team but are already registered with another Association, you do not have to be insured again. The teams do have to validate the volunteer's Proof of Insurance (POI) by completing the form from the website. This must be done at the time of team registration.
 

4. Is a parent covered if they are driving his or her own children to a hockey event?

No, coverage is in place for volunteers of the association while performing volunteer duties; there is no coverage for parents who are exercising their parental responsibility in getting their children to the game/practice. Coverage is in place for the insured whose game or practice is being driven to from the time in which they are going directly to and from the sanctioned event. Not for other side trips, etc.

The insurance covers volunteers directly associated with the team or performing a team function. It is a parental responsibility to get their sons or daughters to the rink. Unless the parent is the coach / asst. coach/manager or trainer or has been assigned a specific duty by the team (i.e. picking up another player, bringing equipment, getting skates sharpened) then they simply are not covered.

 

5. What happens if a player says they've had an injury for several months, but haven't told you? Are they covered?

In order to obtain coverage injuries must be reported within 90 days. Prompt reporting is crucial.
 

6. Some volunteers are accused of specific acts involving harassment/abuse.  Is there any coverage for the accused to clear their name?

The Hockey Canada Insurance program will not fund an action against an individual for libel and slander.  If the individual believes he/she has been wronged and seeks damages from the individual who spreads the story,  Hockey Canada may actually defend the individual in the aforementioned action.
 

7. Does Hockey Canada Insurance cover the Local Association Directors and Officers Liability Insurance?

Hockey Canada’s D&O insurance program covers the directors and officers of all Minor Hockey Associations, Junior Teams, Branches, and Major Junior Hockey Teams and Leagues for their exposure to legal action arising from alleged wrongful acts, which they are believed to have committed while on the board of directors of one or more of these organizations.  In the event that a director or officer should receive an action against him/her the Branch Office must be advised immediately so that proper steps can be taken to investigate and defend the case.

8. Are named and unnamed volunteers covered to go on the ice?

Only those volunteers that have been placed on the local association or club lists approved by the local association and forwarded on to the branch are insured for on and off-ice activities within the direct approved operations of the association.

9. Are Off-Ice officials covered?  For what?

Yes, if they appear on the approved list of volunteers that the local association or club recognizes  This list should be forwarded to the branch.  Once added to the MHA list the off-ice official is covered as all other approved volunteers are, under the same coverage and limits.  For on-ice activities, these volunteers are not covered. (For example if they decide to help out at practice on the ice.)
 

Discipline, Complaints and Grievances:

1. What is unacceptable behaviour?

This is defined on our Discipline webpage.  An example could be where a spectator shouts, gestures or throws things at a participant (player, staff, official, other spectator) in a way that the participants become aware of the activity.