SMHA has an AGC Communications role across all six age groups (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, and U18). This role is specifically designed to support our team managers and coaches in each division and to bring operational consistency to our team leadership groups regarding SMHA internal policies and Hockey Calgary regulations.
This role is for SMHA managers and coaches to utilize first and foremost when questions on “how-to” or “what should I do” arise. In the absence of an immediate answer, the AGC Communications coordinator will formally inquire with SMHA Operations on your behalf.
Team leadership is welcome to contact SMHA Operations in tandem with their Age Group Coordinator (AGC) Communications representative. Operations’ role is to oversee the AGC Communications network to ensure absolute policy and operational consistency is maintained across all division groups.
Core Responsibilities & Support Provided:While team staff are free to contact SMHA Operations at any time, it is highly preferred that you contact your assigned AGC Communications representative first to help maintain smooth and consistent communication across the association.
The League Chair is an official Hockey Calgary volunteer role. It is the explicit duty of the League Chair to supervise and direct the conduct of all teams, managers, coaches, players, and spectators coming under his or her jurisdiction. They hold full authority to rule on any team, team official, or spectator who contravenes or breaks any rules and regulations established by Hockey Calgary.
Core Responsibilities & Support Provided:
The Governor is an official Hockey Calgary volunteer role responsible for high-level oversight. It is the explicit duty of the Governor to supervise and direct the individual League Chairs coming under his or her jurisdiction. They hold full authority to rule on any team, team official, or spectator who contravenes or breaks any rules and regulations established by Hockey Calgary.
Core Responsibilities & Support Provided:
*A Memory Mate is provided as part of SMHA association fees, parent orders are anything over and above.
Prime Sports Team Photography
Contact:
orders@primesportsteamphotography.com
The links below are where you can find tournaments approved to be hosted by Alberta’s Minor Hockey Associations (MHA). Each tournament coordinator has their own unique way of posting information on either the Hockey Calgary Website or the Hockey Alberta Website, so we encourage you to check both.
Be mindful that only hosting Calgary teams have access to the Hockey Calgary listings as all teams in Calgary hosting a tournament anywhere (even outside of AB) are required to be sanctioned by Hockey Calgary first.
NOTE: If you are hosting outside of Calgary, you will be responsible for finding and booking your own referees. Hockey Alberta rates apply, and often mileage and travel fees are included.
Hockey Calgary has rules and regulations for all Calgary teams hosting or attending tournaments and you are required to understand and follow those policies (links to these are found in the toolbox above)
If you are looking to travel outside of Alberta to play a non-Alberta hosting team you will need to search the web for the location you desire, for example
When searching for Tournaments to attend you need to be aware of Hockey Calgary’s important dates and when our teams are permitted to travel
Springbank Minor Hockey Association secures ice & sanctioning for the below SMHA home teams where ice and Hockey Calgary regulations permit.
All of the U7, U9, U11 and U13 teams will receive an SMHA Home tournament – See ‘Home Tournament Schedule’
Home tournaments offer hosting teams the chance to fundraise, potentially participate in another tournament, and ensure they have at least one tournament experience this season.
SMHA organizes its home tournaments with follow-through financing, and the board determines the entrance fees. If the home hosting team(s) desire additional services beyond what is included in the provided list, they are responsible for covering the associated incidental costs.
Examples of other tournament Boards:
Player board template 10X10
The high demand for ice in Calgary is making it increasingly difficult to provide all SMHA teams with home tournaments. However, SMHA has secured ice and hotels within rural Alberta towns for the Home “AWAY” Series of Tournament for our U15 and U18 age groups.
This will allow our U15/U18 teams the opportunity to participate in an away tournament during their season, and at best, it can be leveraged into a reciprocal arrangement for additional tournament experiences.
All U15 and U18 teams will be eligible to participate in the lottery draw.
The draw will happen at the U15/U18 managers’ meeting – attendance is mandatory – someone with the authority to make a decision needs to be there
Process:
Tournament packages themselves will be randomly assigned a draw order, for example: the weekend of Nov 24th package might be assigned to be drawn third.
Applications for each tournament package bid will be collected via a Google form – no other source will be allowed
Applicants are strongly encouraged to volunteer at PPP and Pathways. This provides the selection committee an opportunity to get to know you and observe your coaching style in action prior to final selections.
To be considered for a coaching staff position (Head Coach or Assistant Coach) or a Team Manager role, all volunteers must complete this registration application.
The Springbank Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) committee has established specific guidelines and practices to ensure a fair, complete, and transparent evaluation and selection process.
The Vice Presidents & President will only review applications from candidates who meet all of the following:
Completed Application: Submission of this registration form.
Certifications: All required coaching certifications must be up to date. Visit the Coaching Requirements tab for more information
Police Check: A current, valid police check must be submitted. Visit the Background Check info tab for more information
Strict Compliance Policy: Failure to meet any requirements or submit documentation (including the police check) by the designated deadline will result in immediate removal from your position without exception.
As part of our commitment to quality instruction and leadership, previous coach/manager reviews and season evaluations are taken into consideration during the selection process for all positions.
Important:
All volunteers—including Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Managers—must be officially approved by the VP overseeing the specific age group before they are rostered.
The Head Coach must submit their request list of Assistant Coaches and Manager(s) for approval before officially appointing any individual to a position.
Head Coach Selection: Selection is conducted by the Lead Age Group Coordinator, with support from the Age Group Board Liaison and then approval from the VP overseeing that specific age group.
Assistant Coach Selection: Selection is primarily handled by the Head Coach using the vetted and approved applicant list. This list is then given to the Lead Age Group Coordinator who gain approval from the VP overseeing that specific age group.
Manager Selection: Selection is primarily handled by the Head Coach, often with support from the Age Group Communications Coordinator and SMHA Operations. Managers must be approved by the VP overseeing that specific age group.
To maintain safety and certification standards, no volunteer may be appointed unless they appear on the approved applicant list.
New Volunteers: If a volunteer “puts their hand up” but is not on the vetted list, they MUST immediately go through the formal application process.
No Exceptions: Approval will only be granted once the application is processed and the volunteer is cleared by SMHA Operations.
Have questions regarding your application or the requirements?
All Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Team Managers must have a valid Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSC) on file with SMHA.
The “Full Season” Rule:
While background checks are valid for three (3) years, SMHA enforces a “Full Season” requirement to ensure continuous coverage:
Recording:
Application:
This process begins with your application. All volunteers must have a completed SMHA Coach/Manager application on file for the current season before we can verify or initiate a background check.
Vulnerable Sector Checks are performed in tandem with a standard Criminal Background Check.
Fingerprinting & Secondary Interviews
Occasionally, the RCMP or CPS may require an applicant to provide fingerprints or attend a secondary interview.
Please do NOT begin a police check on your own. SMHA Operations must verify your volunteer status and provide the correct instructions and no-cost access codes.
Step 1: Wait for SMHA Operations
SMHA will contact you with:
2. Submit Your Application
Follow the instructions sent by SMHA based on your jurisdiction:
Cochrane Police Services (Rocky View County)
Calgary Police Services(Calgary)
Tsuut’ina Nation Police Services (Redwood Meadows)
3. Submit Your Background finds
Accepted Providers: Only checks through CPS, TTNPS, or RCMP are accepted. Third-party checks are not permitted.
To be officially rostered and cleared to volunteer, all applicants must pass a final review by the Vice President(s) and SMHA President. Approval is strictly dependent on:
Final Note: Eligibility is not guaranteed by application alone. Failure to meet the requirements above will result in removal from the volunteer pool and possible disciplinary action.