EMHA Families,
Over the past couple of years we have been hearing a lot of feedback regarding the current method utilized to schedule our teams into weekly practice time slots. While our schedule is a constant juggling act due to limited ice times, specific needs of certain age groups with higher player numbers, game schedules, other centres availability, and last minute adjustments due to rescheduling and cancellations, we recognize the need for structure and consistency for our families to assist with planning. As our hockey organization grows in size and increases in player and team numbers and ice availability lessons or are not desirable times/locations, this can be very challenging.
Currently, our ice scheduler uses two programs to assist in the management of ice schedules. The OneDB is connected with all of our leagues and centres that we play against. This is utilized to schedule games. The Sportsheadz Scheduling feature that is built into the back end of our EMHA website is a great management tool to help organize ice times and practices. As with every scheduling app or program there are limitations and circumstances that these programs will never be able to take into consideration. Our ice scheduler has done an amazing job taking a look at all factors and accommodating our teams the best we can but unfortunately this sometimes results in last minute changes or last minute practice additions.
The executive formed a small internal committee under the expertise of our ice scheduler to take a harder look at our schedule and to look at a potential 4 week rotation that we could use as a template for the remainder of the season and upcoming seasons. We currently have a draft template that is being finalized. This template
allows for 1 practice per team each week. In order to make this work, practice times will not be as flexible as they are now. Teams will be placed into a rotation, with younger teams (U13 and below) rotating through 7ams once every 4 weeks, older teams (U15 and up) rotating through 9pm and 10pm practice time slots and teams will be rotating through Lakefield, Warsaw and potentially even Apsley ice slots. EMHA would no longer be able to provide ice times for team funded practices. Team funded ice would have to be sourced out by the individual teams. With this being said, this rotation is still allowing for teams who have agreed to take the less desirable time slots as their weekly practice to remain in those spots, allowing for less teams having to rotate through them. This
rotation would be posted for the remainder of the season, allowing teams to look ahead and plan their schedules accordingly. It is important to note that changes will always occur due to unforeseen circumstances and playoff game scheduling as all leagues that EMHA teams participate in have upcoming scheduling meetings in January and February that may create some conflicts. We would do our best to provide as much notice as possible to teams if changes occurred but sometimes situations are beyond our control.
Before we make any changes we would like you to answer a quick survey. Your response is important so you can have your say and we can make sure we are meeting the needs of the majority. The survey will consist of two statements and you will be asked to agree with one of them. One submission per family will be recorded.
1. We are happy with the current method of scheduling practices and would
like to remain as is.
2. We would like to trial a 4 week rotation taking all of the circumstances
mentioned above into consideration.
If a 4 week trial is implemented, it would start Jan 6th 2025 and run until the end of the 24/25 season. We will be conducting a survey after the season to gain input from the membership.
Please click the link to access the survey EMHA Practice Survey
Submissions will be due by Dec 15th at 11:59pm. The survey can also be found on the EMHA website.
Sincerely,
EMHA Executive