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:This is a practical resource designed specifically for Head Coaches. It outlines your role as the primary leader of the team and provides a clear framework for managing team-level issues. For a more comprehensive overview of SMHA’s Misconduct and Discipline, please visit that tab on our website.
Proactive Management: Best practices for setting team expectations and the 24-hour rule.
Chain of Command: Guidance on when to involve Age Group Coordinators or the VP of Hockey.
Documentation: How to effectively record incidents and resolutions to protect yourself and the Association.
Support: Clear steps on how to access the Discipline Committee when formal intervention is required.
Access the Head Coach’s Guide (coming soon)
Access the Coach Minor Incident Report (CMIR) (coming soon)
Link to the Hockey Canada Registry of clinics – Be sure Hockey Alberta Clinics are showing via the sort tab at the top
If you do not have a Spordle account, please follow this link to create an account:
As of April 15th, Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta have officially transitioned to The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture. This program replaces the former Respect in Sport – Activity Leader certification for all coaches, trainers, and team staff.
In an effort to support a successful transition to The Shift Forward, Hockey Canada & Hockey Alberta continue to recognize existing Respect in Sport Certification for the duration of each individual’s expiry.
Please complete this program immediately. If you do not have a valid Activity Leader. Do not wait until the season begins. Completing this now ensures your eligibility is verified early and helps avoid delays in recruitment and team placement.
Note: This requirement is exempt from the standard Hockey Alberta deadlines and must be fulfilled before admission on the ice with the team. Coaches without valid certification cannot be added to rosters or participate in any team activities.
The Shift Forward – Coach program is a modernized, role-specific training module designed to support a positive hockey culture.
This program is accessed through the Hockey Canada Learning Lab via your Spordle account.
Per Hockey Alberta regulations, any team official without a valid certification:
SMHA requires all coaching staff to complete the Hockey Canada Safety Program.
Required for All Coaches
All rostered coaches and team officials must submit a cleared background check before taking part in any team or on-ice activities.
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE:
No third-party background checks will be accepted. SMHA strictly accepts only official clearances processed directly through Calgary Police Services (CPS) or the RCMP Vulnerable Sector Check network.
Accountability and Leadership
As leaders in our association, all coaches are expected to set a positive example and maintain a respectful, safe environment both on and off the ice.
Coach Responsibilities Include:
Course Structure: A two-part course consisting of an online component followed by an in-person clinic.
The Hockey Alberta Mandate:
💡 SMHA Advice for Teams: To easily account for unexpected absences, we strongly advise teams to establish either Two Head Coaches (Co-Head Coaches) or ensure that at least one Assistant Coach has also fully completed this course.
Course Structure: A two-part course consisting of an online component followed by an in-person clinic.
As per Hockey Alberta, all Local Minor Hockey Associations and Club Teams must ensure that by November 15th, all Teams meet the requirements outlined by Hockey Alberta, with the exception of Shift Forward (formerly Activity Leader) and Vulnerable Sector Check, which are required immediately. Any Team that does not meet the requirements outlined within the Hockey Alberta Regulations is not eligible and is not able to participate in sanctioned games.
Once the certification deadline passes, any team that does not meet the required certifications for their Team Officials will be notified that they are ineligible to participate until they have obtained the proper certifications.
Coaches are required to ensure they have the required certifications. Please visit the Hockey Alberta website for more information.
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 gains 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?
Springbank Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) provides reimbursement for course costs that align with the current Hockey Alberta Coach Requirements Grid.
Current Season Only: Reimbursement is only available for courses completed in the current season. Retroactive reimbursements for previous seasons will not be granted.
Required vs. Elective: SMHA only reimburses courses deemed “Required” by Hockey Alberta for your specific role. While we highly encourage Assistant Coaches to obtain training that mirrors the Head Coach requirements, any training taken electively (not required by the grid) will not be reimbursed, except for the specific instances listed below.
U7 & U9 Teams: Due to ratio mandates (1 coach with Safety and Coach Level 1 for every 10 players), SMHA will reimburse up to two coaches per team for Coach 1 and Safety.
Safety Certification: SMHA internal policy requires all coaching staff to have Safety training to ensure a certified individual is present at all sanctioned team events (as required by Hockey Alberta) and to cover potential absences. Therefore, this course is eligible for reimbursement for all staff.
Shift Forward (formerly Respect in Sport Activity Leader): This is a mandatory prerequisite for ice/bench access and must be renewed every 4 seasons (typically expiring May 1st of the fourth year). This course is not reimbursed by SMHA.
Police Checks: SMHA provides specific “no-cost” channels for background checks. Because of these free options, SMHA will not reimburse background check fees for coaches who pay for them independently.
No Third-Party Checks: SMHA does not accept third-party background checks. All checks must be completed through the appropriate official channels using:
A Calgary Police Service (CPS) access code (for Calgary residents).
A Letter of Volunteer for the RCMP (for those living in RCMP jurisdictions).
Late Submissions: Any requests received after the seasonal deadline will not be honoured.
To streamline the process, SMHA Operations and the Treasurer vet all requests through a specific seasonal window.
Wait for the “All Call”: Do NOT reach out for reimbursement until you receive the official “All Call” email from SMHA Operations. This typically occurs shortly after the November 15th Hockey Alberta deadline.
Use the Live Link: Coaches in the current season’s database will receive an email containing a link to the official reimbursement form.
Submit by Deadline: You must complete the form and submit your expenses before the specified deadline.
Payment: Payouts are processed and sent via the Plooto e-transfer platform.
SMHA reserves the right to deny any application that does not meet the current season’s 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.