What is the Valley East Progressive Hockey Association (VEPHA)?

The VEPHA is a non-profit association which was formed to organize and promote competitive hockey (i.e. rep teams) within the Community of Valley East as a part of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (N.O.H.A.).

back to top

What has changed now that 'Valley East' is part of the 'City of Greater
Sudbury' ?

For hockey purposes, absolutely NOTHING has changed. Boundaries, releases, etc. remain exactly the same as prior to amalgamation.

back to top

Who can be a member of the VEPHA ?

Members include:
1) The parents or legal guardians of any player signed to a current season's N.O.H.A. validated C.H.A. Player Registration Certificate (Player Card), providing that player has not been granted a Playing Release by the VEPHA or been removed from a VEPHA team during the current season for whatever reason.

2) The executive members (coaching staff) of each recognized VEPHA team.

3) Any Committee Chairpersons who were appointed to the Board of Directors.

4) Any resident of Valley East who has been properly nominated and accepted by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the General Membership of the VEPHA.

5) The elected Board of Directors of the VEPHA.

Membership, except for the Board of Directors, is for the current season only. The current season is defined as beginning when players have signed valid C.H.A. Player Registration Certificates (usually in September) and ending following the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the VEPHA (usually in May). Members of the Board of Directors are elected for two year terms, and continue to be members throughout their term of office.

back to top

When and where are VEPHA meetings held ?

Regular monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month throughout the playing season. The meetings are scheduled for 7:30 pm in the Arts & Crafts Room at the Ray Plourde (Confederation) Arena. These meetings are open to all VEPHA members and to the general public.

back to top

Do we have to attend meetings ?

No, not everyone, but at least one parent representative from each team is obliged to attend. Team Managers should also attend monthly meetings.

back to top

Are Board of Directors paid positions ?

No. Each director, and indeed each member of each coaching staff of each team is a VOLUNTEER. The Board of Directors are elected at the Annual General Meeting each spring and each Board member is elected for a term of two years. Each year, four officers are elected. In even numbered years, the President, Treasurer and two directors are elected. In odd numbered years, the Vice-President, Secretary and two directors are elected. 

back to top

What qualifications do coaches have ?

Any person approved for a coaching position in this Association must possess a minimum Coaches Certification Program Level 1 Certificate. Any person serving as a Trainer must have a minimum Trainers Certification Program Level 1 Certificate. Body Checking clinics must also be completed where applicable. In addition, ALL coaching staff (and All members of the Board of Directors) must have completed the Harassment and Abuse Clinic and possess an N.O.H.A - CHA Speak Out Program Certificate. Valid Criminal Reference checks are also a requirement for all Coaching Staff and all Board Members.

back to top

Who is eligible to play for a VEPHA team ?

Any player residing in Valley East has the opportunity to play for the Association. Players from other municipalities or communities are also eligible, provided that they have obtained a valid Player Release from their home association or municipality, their signing is approved by the Board of Directors of the VEPHA, and they have signed an N.O.H.A. validated Hockey Canada Player Registration Certificate (Player Card).

All players, prior to attending tryouts, must provide a receipt proving that they have registered with Valley East Minor Sports. Prior to signing a card, each player must also provide a valid Birth Certificate, a valid Ontario Health Insurance card, and the required VEPHA registration fee.

back to top

How many teams operate within the VEPHA ?

Currently, the VEPHA operates eight teams which play in the Nickel District Minor Hockey League - one team in the Novice division, two teams (major and minor) in the Atom, Pee Wee and Bantam divisions, and one team in the Midget division. A second Bantam team (the Consbec AAA Cobras) plays in the Great North Midget AAA League.

back to top

Can I just show up for tryouts or do I have to be invited ?

No - you do not have to be invited. Normally, the coaching staff for each team will call every player who was registered with Valley East Minor Sports during the previous season. If you do not receive a call, or if you are a new resident in Valley East, you may certainly attend tryouts. The times and locations will be posted on this Web Site and at both arenas as soon as they are available. Tryouts normally begin in early September.

back to top

If I am a Minor age player, am I allowed to tryout for the Major Team ?

Yes, but you MUST attend tryouts for your own age group first. Then, if you are INVITED by the coaching staff of the major team, you may attend. Any minor aged player simply showing up without an invitation will not be allowed on the ice.

back to top

Can I move up a division (i.e. Atom to Pee Wee) ?

Yes, but the same rules apply. You MUST attend tryouts for your own age group first and then you must receive an invitation. If you are successful in making the lineup of the older team, the coaching staff must then receive approval from the VEPHA Board of Directors for this move.

back to top

Do I need a "Release" to play for another Association ?

Yes - you require an NOHA Permission to Skate - Release form signed by the appropriate officials of the VEPHA before you can  tryout with another association. A player must have a new tryout form for each team that they tryout with. This new form is a combination Permission to Skate / Player Release Form. In other words, if an Association allows a player to tryout with another team and that other team decides that they wish to sign the player, the player is automatically released. There is no more separate "Skating Release" and "Player Release".

back to top

If I make a VEPHA team, what equipment is supplied ?

For skaters, one (1) set of sweaters (home & away) and two (2) pairs of socks are supplied. In addition to this, goaltenders may also be provided with one (1) set of leg pads and one (1) trapper and one (1) blocker. All other equipment is the responsibility of the player.

back to top

What does it cost to play VEPHA hockey ?

Three costs are involved. First, you must register with Valley East Minor Sports prior to attending tryouts. Second, if you make a VEPHA team, you must pay a VEPHA registration fee. Third, each team is responsible for it's own budget. This cost will be dependent on the number of tournaments entered, the amount and method of traveling (if out of town games are scheduled) and other team functions which may be planned. An exact cost cannot be given, but we will post VEPHA registration fees on this Web Site prior to the start of tryouts and we will also publish Valley East Minor Sports registration fees if they are available. You will be presented with a team budget at the first Coaching Staff / Parents meeting following the selection of the teams.

back to top

What about Team Sponsors ?

Some teams are lucky enough to have corporate sponsors who will pay for many of the team's expenses. In most cases, however, it is the responsibility of each family to pay the costs or to obtain individual player sponsorships from the many businesses throughout the area. Most area businesses (and even many outside the Valley) are more than willing to sponsor individual players as part of their commitment to the youth of our community.

Do all teams have to participate in VEPHA tournaments ?

Yes. It is only proper that VEPHA teams participate in VEPHA tournaments. No VEPHA team will be given permission to attend any other tournament that is scheduled on the same weekend as a VEPHA tournament. While VEPHA teams must participate, they do NOT pay any registration fee. The only fee that each team pays is the 'gate receipt' portion that all teams pay. This allows any spectator into the tournament at no charge.

back to top

Does each team have to provide workers for VEPHA tournaments ?

Yes. Teams MUST provide workers for ALL tournaments. There is much work to be done at every tournament, and if each team did not provide the people to perform this work, the Association would have to pay people to do it. This, in turn, would only result in higher registration fees for all players.

back to top

How much fund raising do we have to do ?

The Association currently has two 'Comedy Night' fund raisers each season and the only participation we ask of parents is that they attend. When parents actively support these ventures, they are successful and the more money we can generate through these functions, the less parents have to pay in registration fees. 

back to top

Why do we have to get Board approval for team fund raisers ?

These days, it seems that EVERYONE is fund raising for EVERYTHING. The Board is not trying to discourage fund raising, rather they are trying to ensure that every team is not doing the same thing at the same time. We depend on a limited number of members of our business community and the relatively small population of Valley East to provide a great deal of support for our ventures.

We are only one of a great number of organizations who fund raise, and we do not want to alienate those people and businesses who are currently supportive of us.

back to top

Why do we host N.O.H.A or O.H.F. tournaments ?

Any tournament makes money for our Association. While N.O.H.A. or O.H.F. tournaments, on average, make less for our Association than our own tournaments, they certainly have the potential to make a great deal of money, especially from program advertising revenue. The Association expects parents to actively pursue advertising revenue for these tournaments and if this is not done, then obviously our revenues will suffer.

In addition, when we host an N.O.H.A. tournament (Playdowns) for a particular division, our teams in those divisions do not incur expenses for travelling to out of town locations to attend these tournaments (the Playdowns are mandatory).

As for O.H.F. tournaments, these are the All Ontario's. In other words, if we host one of these tournaments, we are hosting a championship tournament featuring the winners of the 'A' Playdowns of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, the Greater Toronto Hockey League, and the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario. As host, our Association is also entitled to enter a team. As well as generating revenue for our Association, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of our players. Just ask any youth who has ever participated in an Ontario Championship.

back to top

How can I recover expenses due to a hockey related injury ?

CHA Accident Report Forms are available from your Team Manager. If your son or daughter has suffered a hockey related injury, get one of these forms from your manager, fill it our COMPLETELY (including your physician's portion), and send it in within ninety (90) days of the injury. The form gives details of all information that is required by the CHA. Regardless of the severity of the injury, SUBMIT THE FORM. If you do not, and complications arise later relating to the injury, you in all likelihood will not be able to claim any out-of-pocket expenses (eg. physiotherapy) that you may incur.

back to top

Will my son/daughter get Equal Ice Time ?

This is a great concern to many parents, especially those who are new to N.O.H.A. competitive hockey. There is no guarantee that each player will receive equal ice time during the course of any individual game. Our Constitution states (Article 7g) that the VEPHA "will develop and play everyone on each team as equally as possible throughout the year".

This is no longer house league hockey, where every player receives equal ice time regardless of his or her ability, commitment or work ethic. This is now progressive, competitive hockey and no coach can have his or her hands tied by insisting on equal ice time, especially in the older age categories.

As an Association, we  promote and insist on the development of every player that a coach has selected for his or her team. At the same time, we realize that in game situations, some players will see more ice time than others. This may be due to penalty killing situations, power play situations, situations where a goal is needed to tie a crucial game, or simply cases where the coach is rewarding a player for exceptional effort or reprimanding a player for lack of effort. In reality, ice time is one of the few tools that a coach has at his or her disposal to reward or reprimand a player, and most coaches will use this tool wisely.

In cases where a coach is obviously and blatantly abusing ice time, complaints will certainly be investigated. But parents who take a stopwatch to every game should possibly re-evaluate their decision to allow their son or daughter to play hockey at this level.

back to top

What do I do if I have a complaint ?

The first step is to apply the 24 Hour Rule. In other words, wait at least 24 hours before you voice a complaint. So many times, problems are caused when complaints are brought forward in the heat of the moment. Wait the 24 hours, re-evaluate your complaint, and if you still think it is valid, then follow these steps.

1) Bring the complaint to your team Manager. DO NOT TALK TO THE COACH. Your manager will investigate and in most cases, problems are solved at this level.

2) If you are still not satisfied following the Manager's investigation, contact your Convenor and explain the problem to him/her (all Convenors are listed on the Contacts page of this site).

3) If you are still not satisfied, then put your concern in writing and address it to the Board of Directors.

back to top

Do I get a refund if I quit after the season starts ?

A refund for part or all of the registration fees paid will only be given when:

1) a signed player, as the result of injury cannot complete the playing season

2) a signed player's place of residence changes to a location outside of the recognized boundaries of the former City of Valley East

3) a signed player is released for whatever reason by the VEPHA.

The amount of such refund will be calculated, based on the percentage of the season the player has played prior to such a refund being granted. A regular season is deemed to be six months in duration (from the beginning of October to the end of March).

back to top

Can I go on the ice from time to time to assist the Coaching Staff ?

No. While you may possess the same qualifications as the coaching staff, no unsigned uncarded person is allowed on the ice.

back to top

How are expenses split between the Association and the Teams ?

Currently, the Association pays ice costs for all home games and one practice per week during the course of the regular schedule and playoffs. The Association also pays for all officiating costs for all home games.

Each team pays for timekeeping for their home games and any additional practice ice which they may obtain. All additional expenses (e.g. tournaments, buses, exhibition games, coaching staff expenses, etc.) are also the responsibility of the team.

back to top
 

Will I, as a player or a parent, have to sign a Contract ?

You may have to. Although this has not yet been implemented by the VEPHA, this is a policy which the CHA is implementing across the country, and if players or parents do not wish to sign this agreement, then they will not play for or be a part of the association. Playing minor hockey is a PRIVILEGE, not a right. Every participant has the right to join a minor hockey association. However, once a participant joins, they must abide by the rules of that association.  If participants don’t wish to abide by the rules, they give up their right to belong to that association.

back to top

What is 'Fair Play'  ?