A Simple Thank You…

Volunteers!  Without these wonderful people there is no team for our children. There are no drills for development. There are no team Christmas parties and end of season celebrations. There are no line-ups. There are no games scheduled. There are no restaurant reservations. There are no uniforms. Basically, without these incredible men and women behind the scenes working oh so tirelessly there is no team, and without a team means there is no success, no unforgettable moments, or life lessons.

Thank you to the Head Coach who so bravely wears this hat. They step into the line of fire and field endless complaints. They lay awake at night wondering if they made the right decision. They feel like a great big bag of dirt when they know they must cut a child, knowing they have in turn hurt their feelings. Your head coach tries with everything in him / her to come up with the winning line-up knowing not everyone will agree with it. Endless hours on taking courses in order to receive all the requirements to coach often eating away their own weekends with their families. This individual also advocates for your child and will do everything in their power to ensure the safety of your child. They will be your child’s voice, sometimes paying a heavy consequence. They also know they lead by example and are role models, and even if they are having a bad day they come with a smile and lead the way.

Thank you, Head Coaches, everywhere!

Thank you to the Assistant Coaches, who just like our head coach is taking on a tough role. They are there game in and game out. Their heads are always in the game to ensure everyone is getting ice time and recognizing when to line change while monitoring a tired player, a long shift etc. Again, they take their own personal time to enroll in courses to have all required certification to teach and demonstrate drills at practice accurately to ensure development. They come to games in dress pants, a dress shirt and tie, while I am sure they would much rather wear track pants and hoodies. They know they are being counted on by the Head Coach as well as all the players.

Thank you, Assistant Coaches, everywhere!

Thank you to the Manager, who never stops working! Managers work all summer long preparing everything for the next season (something I don’t think many people realize). Managers who attend meetings to create a 6-month game schedule. Managers who while others are in the bar having a pre-game drink are at the rink preparing game day lineups, paying referees, paying timekeepers, chatting with coaches to ensure everything is good to go, and after the games submitting scores and stats. These managers plan parent meetings, team bonding events, write and send emails around the clock, and work on fixing any and all issues. They manage Team Snap and oversee keeping 17 players, bench staff and all parents in order – this is not an easy task. We (yes, I am a Manager), book restaurants reservations for 50 and submit food orders for 50, and even help the wait staff direct the meals to the right individuals. We organize weekend hotel stays, working on deals for good pricing, and finding hotels that are in safe neighbourhoods while being local to the rink. Managers arrange for team photos, Christmas parties, tournament fun, end of season parties, gifts etc. Plain and simple they never stop.

Thank you, Managers, everywhere!

Thank you to our Trainers. Trainers who keep our pride & joy safe game in and game out, and are there to monitor practice and react instantly to any whether it be physical injuries, or nausea, flu etc. They keep our young athletes hydrated, and lug around heavy water bottles and awkward first aid kits. They assist with equipment issues, skate tying, helmet repair, pad straps etc. They are always prepared to make a quick-thinking decision and provide a calm re-assurance to players on the bench.

Thank you, Trainers, everywhere!

Thank you to the fundraising / sponsorship committee. Fundraising is not always a glamourous task but is so needed in the competitive sporting world. This committee and their efforts bring in much needed funds to the team in order to compete and have a fun filled season.

Thank you, Committees, everywhere!

Thank you to the team Treasurer for doing all that lousy banking that the rest of us do not want to even think about. Depositing cheque after cheque and handling the banking fees. They also create the end of season detailed report on the expense breakdown of where our money has gone to, while making sure that we as a team stay within the “green”.

Thank you, Treasurers, everywhere!

Yes, thank you a million times to all these terrific human beings who go above and beyond! And, thank you to those who weren’t mentioned (yes, I know there are more, statisticians, those who “work the music”, the on-ice helpers that come out when in need and many more). We salute each and everyone of you!

We know we are not perfect. We know not everyone will agree with every decision. But we hope you can and do appreciate all that is done, after all you don’t get to see your superstar do what they love without us! Next time you feel hot under the collar about something, please remember this, and hey, maybe even try volunteering your time as well – it is always needed!

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless”