It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce on behalf of the Board and volunteers who assisted, that we have signed an agreement with Fort Saskatchewan Minor Hockey. This agreement is a three year pilot project which, in essence, allows us to partner with FSMHA to provide the opportunity for our children to play hockey at all levels. As well, it gives JMHA the opportunity to assess our situation after three years as we try to grow our Association.
I encourage families to got to the FSMHA website. There is ample information about the various schedules and programs. The tryouts, camps, and evaluations are either happening or are begiining to.
Players will need to register on line with FSMHA. Anyone who has registered early with JMHA has had their fees paid by JMHA. Therefore, when registering with FSMHA, check off “paid by check” to confirm your registration as paid. You will pay the remainder of your registration fees to JMHA. Contact Keith and or Liana Hull for specific details. (khull@albertacom.com or 780-998-7572)
Any players who did not register with JMHA through the early registration can directly register and pay on line with FSMHA. Again contact Keith or Liana for specific details.
All players who normally would fall within JMHA boundries will be jointly registered with both associations. Anyone require a release for a try out can apply on line directly with FSMHA. The intent is to carry the registration for the term of the pilot project thus new releases would not be required.
I am sure there may be some nuances that we may need to address. I encourage you to contact either the JMHA or FSMHA registrar. You are certainly welcome to contact any Board member including myself and we will try to look after your concern.
I would also like to note that FSMHA has announced their welcoming of our families and players into thier Association. They, like us, are willing to work together in the best interest of our children and families, so we all have a good hockey experience. On behalf of JMHA we thank the FSMHA for their willingness to work with us and for welcoming us into their organization. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding they have extended to us.
I encourage JMHA familes to understand that we are now engaged within the FSMHA organization as one group. Please become familiar with their bylaws, policies, and general way of conducting affairs. The easiest appears to be through FSMHA website. We also want to encourage a “we” philosphy where it is not just FSMHA families and JMHA families.
I would also like to thank Board Members and other volunteers for contributing their time to evaluate what is best for JMHA. Equally important, thank-you to all the families who have been very patient waiting for direction. Hopefully now we all can move forward and continue to work together to fine tune this arrangement as well as look for opportunites to grow our organization. Both will be a challenging, however through cooperation, understanding and support we will continue to progress.
We plan to have an information open house very shortly. Please check our website for specific details. Keep your calendar open for August 29th, 2009. There will be an equipment exchange in the afternoon at the Josephburg community hall, 1-3 PM. At the same time there will be registration opportunities at the same location and again, later in the evening at Pots Bar and Grill in Fort Saskatchewan. More details will come out shortly.
Wishing everyone had a great summer and even better winter playing hockey.
Cheers,
David Ference
Prior to capturing some questions, I offer an update: We met with FSMHA and Hockey Alberta. Hockey Alberta has given us the verbal go ahead to complete our agreement. At this point we do not have a signed agreement, but are working towards it.
A few questions that have arisen:
as of Aug 5th/09
1) Registration: we will work out the mechanics in the next few days and advise, including how to register and the costs. Early registration is currently being negotiated.
2) Register elsewhere- unless there is a compelling reason, we will all register through JMHA to the Fort and become part of their association
3) Releases- currently JMHA will issue any releases until an agreement is signed and you are registered in FSMHA- fax your fully completed release form to my attention 780-992-1791 with a return fax number
4) FSMHA- please keep checking their website for tryout, tiering, and other activities with deadlines,
5) schedules- unknown at this point - keep checking FSMHA website
6) Coaching- check FSMHA website for details and applications.
Hope this helps
David Ference
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