DEFINITIONS

• Coach (Head Coach or Assistant Coach) - Coach means a head coach or assistant coach and is defined as someone who is both on the bench during games and on the ice during practices. 
• Trainer - A trainer is a person who is on the bench during the games to attend to any injuries. A trainer is on the bench or in the rink during practices as well – but does not go on the ice to help with practices. Must be HU-Online Safety certified. 
• Manager - A manager is someone who volunteers to help out a team with booking ice time, submitting tournament applications, making travel plans, coordinating team budgets and fundraising events, and other administrative tasks. This person does not go on the bench during games and does not go on the ice during practices.
• Team Safety Rep - A Team Safety Rep is someone that meets with participants, parents/caregivers, coaches, and managers before the season begins to walk through the Rebound Plan and the COVID-19 guidelines of their local facilities. They will also ensure that the COVID-19 participant self-screening is conducted for each participant before each training (on and off-ice) session. They will also complete and store the screening registry.

For the Hockey Nova Scotia certification breakdown, click HERE

Coach limits by level

• U7: 9 Coaches + 1 Manager + 1 Team Safety Rep
• U9: 5 coaches (1 head + 4 assistant) + 1 manager + 1 Team Safety Rep
• U11/U13/U15/U18/ (Recreation): 4 coaches + 1 manager + 1 Team Safety Rep
• U11/U13/U15/U18 (Rep): 4 coaches + 1 manager + 1 Team Safety Rep

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• All Trainers must be HU-Safety certified.  Click here for Online Course

• You must be at least 16 years old to take a coaching course with Hockey Nova Scotia

• Individuals who are 16 or 17 years of age and wishing to volunteer must complete the required certifications except for the Criminal Records Check (CRC) with the included Vulnerable Section Check (VSC)

• Anyone under the age of 16 wishing to volunteer must be on a hockey team registered with Hockey Nova Scotia. These individuals must wear full gear and complete the Respect in Sport Program. All other requirements are waived for these individuals.

• Coaches must register for the clinic appropriate to the division in which they are coaching - This means if you are assigned to U7, you must take Intro Level Coach and cannot take Development 1

• The HU-Online Safety certification must be renewed every three years Trainer/Safety - HU Online Safety

• Regardless if you are a medically trained professional, you must take the Trainer/Safety HU Safety Course. It deals with rink safety, hockey equipment fitting, and various other non-first aid topics that are specific to hockey.

• All teams at the "AAA", "AA", and "A" levels have at least one Coach or Trainer with the Hockey Canada Safety Program Level II certification. Hockey Canada Safety Program Level II is available to individuals who hold a valid First Aid certificate and CPR Level "C" from a recognized agency. Hockey Canada Safety Program Level II certification is granted once an individual provides proof of qualification. There is no clinic training required for this certification. This certification is renewed every five years for those that are eligible. Individuals interested in obtaining this certification may do so by providing proof of the required qualifications to Hockey Nova Scotia.

• Coaches who require the Coach Development 1 Clinic but already hold the NCCP Coach or NCCP Intermediate certification are not required to take the new Coach Development 1 clinic. The NCCP Coach or NCCP Intermediate certification is sufficient to meet the requirement.

• Individuals who require the Respect in Sport Program but already hold the SpeakOut certification are not required to take the new Respect in Sport Program. The SpeakOut certification is sufficient to meet the requirement.

• Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check "CRC and VSC” must be completed every three years. If you are not working with children under 18 the check does not have to be completed, all Coaches, Trainers, and Managers must complete this check. 

RESPECT IN SPORT Leader

• The Respect in Sport Program is offered online through the Hockey Nova Scotia website -  (Click HERE)

CLINICS

• Registration for all courses is now done online using your eHockey account. Complete information regarding the registration process and course schedules (once available) can be found HERE.  Bench Staff/Volunteers are required to pay for courses at time of registration.  Once completed, receipts can be forwarded to countyminorhockey@gmail.com for reinbursement

• All certification courses are scheduled and administered by Hockey Nova Scotia. Hockey Nova Scotia books the facilities, obtains the necessary resources, assigns the Course Facilitator and administers the registration process. 

CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK / VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK

• Any volunteer who does not have his/her Criminal Record Check completed and received by Hockey Nova Scotia by December 1st of the current hockey season will be suspended immediately

• Volunteers can request a letter from CBCMHA (countyminorhockey@gmail.com) for CRC/VSC application.  This letter must be submitted to Police Services at time of application.  Once application is processed, volunteers can pick up the documentation at Police service and forward to countyminorhockey@gmail.com  

• Finger Prints may be required and take longer to process.  If you require fingerprints, please have Police Services provide a letter indicating the need for prints.  This letter will be forwarded to Hockey Nova Scotia and noted on your file and permit you to be eligible to remain on the Bench after December 1st.