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Answers to questions from coaches
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do I find the UMHA rules and regulations?
- Are team officials required to wear a helmet during practice?
- What is the new Head Contact Rule?
- What are the coaching certification requirements?
- Where do I find a listing of current certification clinics?
- I have obtained my certification outside the OMHA. How do I transfer it to the OMHA?
- How do I obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening?
- What is the procedure to be reimbursed for my coaching expenses?
- What recognition programs and awards are available to teams?
- Where can I find out more information about hockey?
Coach & Convener Manual
The Coach & Convener Manual is intended to help conveners and coaches in all divisions of the UMHA perform their roles in a consistent manner and with minimal investment in administrative functions. It is also intended to help coaches and other team volunteers understand how the UMHA House League Program is organized to ensure the hockey programs operate to the benefit of the players involved.
Section 5.2.3, Page 31 has been amended by the UMHA Board of Directors as of November 8, 2011 to read as follows:
4. In the Tyke to Juvenile divisions, any player accumulating a total of three minor penalties in one game shall be suspended for the remainder of the game. For the purposes of this section only, any double minor penalty shall be considered one minor penalty.
Download the Coach & Convener Manual.
Head Contact Rule
The new Head Contact Rule was unanimously approved at Hockey Canada̵s 2011 annual general meeting, held in May. The new rule calls for zero tolerance on any head contact in minor hockey and will come into effect immediately for the 2011-2012 season. The rule changes, combined with education, awareness, strong player development and respect for the game, will reduce injuries such as concussions and help to keep the game fun for all.
- OMHA Memo to Members on Head Contact Penalties
- OMHA Head Contact Rule web page
- Hockey Canada Head Contact web page
Certification Requirements
All coaches must be properly certified. Certification is vital to ensure that players can consistently play hockey safely, enjoy the game, and develop their skills, as well as gain a better understanding of the game of hockey. Certification is also important for the UMHA to meet its insurance requirements. The requirements for certification of coaches at each level are noted below:
Head Coach
| Novice and Below | Atom | Peewee and Above |
|---|---|---|
| CHIP | CHIP or NCCP Coach Stream |
NCCP Coach Stream |
| PRS | PRS | PRS |
| VSS | VSS | VSS |
Assistant Coach
| Novice and Below | Atom | Peewee and Above |
|---|---|---|
| PRS | PRS | PRS |
| VSS | VSS | VSS |
Trainer
| Novice and Below | Atom | Peewee and Above |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Trainer’s Certificate | Level 1 Trainer’s Certificate | Level 1 Trainer’s Certificate |
| PRS | PRS | PRS |
| VSS | VSS | VSS |
Other Bench Staff
| Novice and Below | Atom | Peewee and Above |
|---|---|---|
| PRS | PRS | PRS |
| VSS | VSS | VSS |
Clinics and Online Courses
Trainer certification now available online!
HTCP Level 1 and Level 1 Refresher e-learning courses are available online through the Hockey Development Centre of Ontario (HDCO).
Trainers whose certification is going to expire can complete their refresher clinic online through the Hockey Development Centre of Ontario website.
Once completed, submit your certificate (available as a printable form upon successful completion of the course) and the OMHA Application for Conversion/Upgrade of Certification form to the OMHA office. They will update your Hockey Canada Registration system record.
Please read the memo from the OMHA regarding the new online Trainer’s Certification course for details.
OMHA PRS (Speak Out!) now online!
The PRS (Speak Out!) course needed by coaches is now available online. When you complete this course online, please advise the UMHA so that your coaching records can be updated.
Visit the OMHA website for further information on PRS courses.
Certifcation Obtained Outside the OMHA
Conversion of Clinic Certification
If you have obtained a coach or trainer certification with an association outside of the OMHA, please complete the Application for Conversion/Upgrade of Certification form and forward it to the OMHA so that your certifications can be added to your Hockey Canada Registration (HCR) system record for UMHA rostering purposes. You may have to follow up by phone or email to be sure that the process is completed quickly.
Conversion of HDCO HTCP Online Certification
If you obtained your trainer certification or recertification through the HDCO e-learning course, , please complete the Application for Conversion of HDCO HTCP Online Certification form and email it to the OMHA so that your certifications can be added to your Hockey Canada Registration (HCR) system record for UMHA rostering purposes. You may have to follow up by phone or email to be sure that the process is completed quickly.
Vulnerable Sector Screening
The UMHA requires a clear Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) be filed when someone volunteers for the first time and every four years thereafter. No VSS submitted may be dated more than four months prior to submitting to the UMHA. For more information on the Vulnerable Sector Screening process, visit the York Regional Police website.
In order to expedite the process of obtaining a VSS, the applicant may request a letter from the UMHA which confirms that the applicant is a volunteer with the UMHA. The letter will allow the YRP to waive the extra fee should you need to be fingerprinted because your date of birth matches someone in the RCMP database. To obtain a letter, please send an email to info@umhahockey.org with your full name, full address including postal code, and date of birth. Please allow a minimum of one week for processing.
Download the YRP VSS application form.
Reimbursement for Team Official Expenses
The UMHA will provide 100% refund of certification fees for those individuals who are volunteering in our house league program. Individuals who are only volunteering in the Jets select program should seek reimbursement directly from their team.
VSS Reimbursement
For all volunteers in our house league or Jets select program, original Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) letters must be submitted to the UMHA. Photocopies will not be accepted.
VSS is refunded at 100% or $20.00. Please submit the original, stamped VSS form as soon as you receive it, even if you will be submitting other coaching expenses later. The $20.00 receipt is not mandatory.
What qualifies for a refund?
- The UMHA will provide reimbursement for clinic fees that provide the minimum qualifications to be a certified volunteer in the house league program:
- PRS: All volunteers
- CHIP: Hockey School to Atom coaches**
- Coach Stream: Atom through Juvenile coaches
- Trainer Certification Level 1: Conveners & game volunteers
- Should you submit a refund request for higher level courses (Level 2 Trainer Certification, Coach Development, etc.), we will provide a refund based on standard rates for the courses outlined above.
- If you choose to take several Continuing Education Courses to accumulate points as opposed to one recertification course, once you accumulate sufficient points to qualify for recertification, please submit your refund request with proof that you have been recertified. You will be refunded the standard rate for the cost of a recertification course if the combined cost of the Continuing Education Courses exceeds this amount.
- Other expenses are not refunded (lunch, parking, mileage, etc.).
- If attendance at a certification course is after January 30th of the current hockey season, refunds will be processed in the next hockey season. This ensures that we are refunding only those volunteers who will be continuing in our program.
- Photocopies of receipts and proof of course completion are required and must be submitted with this form.
**CHIP certification is valid for coaching up to the Atom division. We recommend that for first time certification, coaches wishing to coach in the Atom division take Coach Stream.
When are refunds processed?
Refunds will be issued after January to team officials in good standing with the UMHA at that time and who are listed as volunteers.
Find out how to obtain a refund and download the application for refund form.
Recognition Programs and Awards
In addition to the UMHA Awards Banquet where all teams receive trophies, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association has an Award of Hometown Excellence Team Recognition Program. This Program recognizes up to six teams in Ontario which demonstrate excellence in the community and/or excellence on the ice. The deadline for applications to this Program is May 15th. Learn more and download the application form.
Information about Hockey
There is a lot of additional information about hockey available on the OMHA website in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
