U13B Coach's Letter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

l am excited to welcome you to the U13 Girls Competitive hockey season. It is an honor to coach this group of athletes and I am looking forward to a season built on growth, hard work and a genuine love for the game.

Philosophy

At the U13 competitive level, our focus will be on developing strong hockey players and confident young athletes. Practices will be fast-paced, challenging and purposeful with an emphasis on skating, puck skills, hockey sense and team systems. Just as importantly we will work on habits like effort, accountability, resilience and supporting one another-skills that matter both on and off the ice.

Our team culture will be rooted in respect, commitment and teamwork. Every player is expected to give their best effort, be coachable and contribute positively to the team environment. Mistakes are part of learning and I want our players to feel confident taking risks, competing hard and pushing themselves to improve.

Commitments

Players are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to both individual development and team success. This includes regular attendance at all practices, games and team events (typically totalling approximately four ice touches per week), arriving prepared and on time and maintaining a positive, hardworking attitude on and off the ice. Additional outside activities or instruction, such as skill sessions, power skating or strength training may be recommended to further support development. Consistent attendance is expected, players' health, family responsibilities and school commitments always take priority. In these situations, timely communication with the coaching staff regarding absences is an important expectation.

Tournaments

The team is expected to participate in approximately four hockey tournaments throughout the season. A primary team goal is to earn qualification and compete at Provincials.

Budget

Team fees for this competitive season are expected to range from approximately S2000 tO S2400 per player. These fees do not include separate registration or try out fees. This range is an estimate and the final team budget will be determined and approved at a later date.

Tryouts

Please refer to the KGHA website for the tryout schedule. The tryout process is a stressful time for players and families and I want to be respectful of that throughout the process. There will be a parent meeting during tryouts to review expectations and answer questions. I will evaluate each player fairly while building a team that is competitive, committed and coachable.

Miscellaneous

At the competitive girls hockey level, ice time and positions are managed with the goal of both player development and team success. Coaches strive to provide fair and meaningful opportunities for players but in meaningful games coaches will take measures to ensure success. Players are encouraged to be flexible and open to learning multiple positions as this supports overall hockey IQ. skill development and adaptability.

I ask that parents support the team by encouraging effort, sportsmanship and respect for teammates, officials and opponents. The goal is to provide a positive, competitive experience where players can grow and enjoy the game.

This season will bring challenges, successes and plenty of learning opportunities. If we stay focused on our goals and support one another, it will be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Thank you for your commitment to the team. I'm excited to get started and to see what this group can accomplish together.

Sincerely,