Dear Players/Parents,
Congratulations - and welcome to the 2022-2023 edition of the Ottawa Sting U11B!
I am very excited to be working with this squad this season. We have a lot of talented and committed young athletes. The Coaching staff (to be finalized) looks forward to doing everything possible to support their development.
As an FYI, I think we have 6 returning Sting Players (a Goalie and 5 skaters), BUT that means we have 11 new additions. We are super excited to welcome everyone, including a very a steady left-handed female defenceman. I think I have mentioned my son plays and will help out, but I also have a daughter who plays - now on the Carleton University USports Women's Team and a Dman to boot. My daughter was excited to hear about this and has agreed to come skate as time permits. Again, welcome to all!
Now that the team has formed, we have a number of administrative items to get through.
Please read the following carefully:
Volunteers
We will need a large number of volunteers to keep things going - and I encourage each family to think about how you are best able to contribute. First and foremost, I will need a Manager to help me, but most importantly to keep us all organized. At the same time, I am looking for two (2) Assistant Coaches, and possible one or two on-ice staff to help at practices. A goalie coach is also welcome, and so too are trainers.
Fortunately, Catherine Sodha (Nikhil's mom) has volunteered to take on the roll as Manager - after having become an "expert" in the position last year. I am sure Catherine will need help here and there, so please chat with her if you have a passion for managing/helping.
I have also recruited three Assistant Coaches - Trevor Stewart (Jack's dad) and Ashley Austin (Cole's dad), and my son Patrick to work the bench with me / handle practices. However, there is always room for others - on-ice helpers, folks to work with the goalies etc. So, please if you can skate (lol) and are keen please reach out to me for a chat.
Finally, we are in need of Trainers. Please consider this important role - which may require you to take a First Aid Course, or similar training (paid for by the Sting). Many thanks.
In addition, we will need other folks and we hope that every family will make a meaningful contribution in a volunteer capacity. Positions include:
Timekeeper/Clock Operator/In-game DJ (TBD)
Statistician
Social Media guru
Photographer/Videographer - videos of all games is an incredibly valuable tool for coaches and players, and is often welcomed by extended family or parents who have to miss a game.
And lastly locker Room Supervisors to "keep an eye on things". The Coaches and I will be around, but we welcome extra hands as needed. We will run a semi tight ship - in the locker room and on the ice, for safety reasons, but also because we will require everyone to be respectful of each other. We expect to have fun, but will also do so in a safe way! At the same time, parents are welcome in the locker room - for now - but we will be encouraging / building autonomy, so at some point, perhaps in 2023 we will gently encourage players to carry their equipment, dress themselves, tie skates etc. All to be negotiated.
Others volunteers TBD.
Schedule
Please always refer to our team schedule -
http://ottawasting.com/team_schedule.php?team_id=183767
It will be updated on a continual basis throughout the season. You can subscribe to this schedule so that it appears on all of your electronic calendars.
NOTE: Sting ice is being allocated, and we will be buying additional, including in the next few days; anticipate ice this weekend - Saturday or Sunday, or maybe both. Fuel up lol! :-)
I was able to get ice - Saturday 6 to 7 pm at Ottawa U and Sunday 10 to 11am at McNabb. See you there! Please bring / wear tryout jerseys.
IN ADDITION: There will be a Parent Meeting (Date and Time TDB) and a Sting Apparel night coming up soon - @ Houle Sports in Orleans. Date TBD.
Tournaments
We are planning to attend 3 or 4 tournaments, including the Bell Capital Cup (TBC) and one out of town (also TBC).
Budget
Preliminary projections, without sponsorship, we are looking at $1,000/player as team fees for the season, in addition to Sting Association fees. This is of course TBC until we can work through the final calculations with the team Treasurer.
At the Parent’s Meeting, we will go over the details of what this includes. We will ask for a first payment in very short order as the team has already incurred a few expenses.
Closing
I think that’s more than enough information to get started. There will be much more to follow and of course, we will get into greater detail on all aspects of the season and discuss at the Parents meeting.
I look forward to meeting all of you!
Best,
Stephen
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