BACKGROUND
The three Hockey Canada Members in Ontario - Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), have had a dressing room policy since 2009 and updated in 2016. Both policies were created in conjunction with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. In 2023, Hockey Canada passed a new Dressing Room Policy that was not in complete agreement with the Ontario Dressing Room Policy.
NOW WHAT
Hockey Canada and the three Ontario Members have worked together to draft a new policy that meets both the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal requirements and satisfies the new Hockey Canada Dressing Room Policy. The new Ontario Dressing Room Policy applies to Minor Hockey Associations at both recreational and competitive programming. It does not apply to Junior Hockey.
NEXT
On February 1, 2024, the new hybrid policy will be in place and is another step towards creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for all players, while enhancing the safety of Minor Hockey participants through proper supervision and minimum clothing expectations.
IN PREPARATION
The Ontario Hockey Federation wants to give you the opportunity to hear the steps and process required for the policy to take into effect on February 1, 2024. This education session is open to all OHF Members and their Associations.
Please forward to your Associations to register at the link below:
January 8, 2024, 6:00pm – All Association Call Registration
The updated policy can be found at the following link:
We hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season, and a prosperous New Year!
The NOHA Office will be closed for the holidays from December 22nd to January 8th.
If you have any questions during this time, please reach out to your Council Director
Steve Anstey is a dedicated Minor Hockey volunteer who has taken up a variety of roles, including Equipment Manager, Coach, Vice President, and President of Nickel Centre Minor Hockey Association.
A lifelong participant of many different sports throughout his life, Steve decided it was time to give back. He began his coaching journey in 2016 at the Tyke (U7) division both in Minor Hockey with Nickel Centre as well as Nickel Centre Soccer. He joined the Board of Directors of Nickel Centre Minor Hockey Association as a Convenor and worked together with a strong group of volunteers to learn how to best support the participants of the Association.
He served as an Equipment Manager and a Vice President, and helped spearhead the transition from Nickel Centre Flyers to Nickel Centre Blast, as well as countless other initiatives. During the fall of 2020 in the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve became the President of Nickel Centre Minor Hockey Association, and for the next 18 months, worked diligently to keep programming alive during such a difficult time. The Board of Directors launched an in-house development program for players and goalies, which has continued to grow.
Steve has remained a dedicated coach while he took on a reduced role on the Board of Directors as the Try Out Chair and Ice Convenor. Steve is always looking for ways to give back and make the most out of programming for every participant.
Steve is a thoughtful, dedicated volunteer who’s always ready to do what he can to make sure the kids have the best hockey experience possible. His time and devotion has been noticed by many, and the NOHA is incredibly honoured to present him with the Volunteer of the Month award for November, 2023.
Congratulations, Steve, and well deserved.
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Do you have a volunteer in your community you would like to highlight? Make sure to nominate them for NOHA’s Volunteer of the Month! Selected nominees will be featured on the NOHA website and social media accounts, as well as receive a certificate and prize package.
