Each season, countless volunteer coaches give freely of their time to work with the young players in their local minor hockey associations. The dedication and effort demonstrated by these coaches enables the children in each locality to enjoy the sport of hockey, benefit from the game, and to learn to work with others through the team environment. The contribution made by these volunteer coaches is critically important to the overall success of minor hockey and through these dedicated individuals, the sport remains accessible to thousands of children each season.

Hockey Nova Scotia appreciates that being a hockey coach, while rewarding, is never an easy task. From selecting teams, running quality practices, managing player ice time, organizing the schedule, and the many other activities that the coach is responsible for, all make coaching a challenging role. We also understand that to succeed in this important role, the coach must possess skills such as leadership, desire, patience and drive. These valuable attributes are what makes our many volunteer coaches in Nova Scotia very important in our efforts to offer quality programs each season.

To recognize the efforts of our coaches, Hockey Nova Scotia will be holding its 5th Annual Coaches’ Day on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Through this event, we are asking all minor hockey associations and their players to demonstrate their support and appreciation for their respective coaches. Be the gesture big or small, we are asking our members to join with us in showing that we care about our coaches and we understand that each plays an important role in helping our players through the sport of hockey.

We are asking each association to take some time to demonstrate their appreciation as well. We appreciate that not all coaches are involved on the 28^th and would encourage you to recognize them in the week leading up to the official Coaches’ Day so that no coach is overlooked.

Some ideas on how associations and players may demonstrate their appreciation are:

·         Contacting the local media to do a write-up on coaches or the Coaches' Day initiative;

·         Conducting a social for coaches and their spouses;

·         Hosting a coaches’ shinny game with some food afterward;

·         Asking players to bring a card or a coffee to their coach on game or practice day;

·         Encouraging parents to organize a team get together for the coach;

·         Making announcements recognizing coaches before all games for the week preceding the 28^th; or

·         Providing some small token of appreciation to your coaches.

Remember, the intent here is to say thanks no matter how big the reward, it is the thought that will count. I look forward to hearing about the many good stories that will come out of this initiative and wish each of you all the best in whatever you decide to do around appreciating your coaches.