NIHA-Canada looking ahead to 2010

Dauphin, MB - NIHA-Canada continues to move forward in our ever-growing sport as the 2009 Annual General Meting (AGM) wrapped up in Calgary, Alberta this past month. Some new faces have been voted into the National Executive as well as some familiar faces in new positions. Expect to see some “Meet the Board” writeups on our Board Members right here at www.niha.ca.

The Minutes of the 2009 AGM are posted on the Documents page of this website as well as the updated Policies and Bylaws with more updated documents to come.

“The AGM was a huge success with some serious conversation and decisions being made around the structure of NIHA-Canada and the programs that we provide to our membership”, says Nathan Fleck, Executive Director, NIHA-Canada. “A restructuring of the Officials Program to allow for smoother clinic procedures as well as a timeline and outline for a Coaching Certification Program are just the beginning of what NIHA-Canada will be releasing and working on in 2010.”

One of the main focuses of the AGM was around a Coaching Certification Program that would be accessible and affordable for coaches across Canada using online resources. “NIHA-Canada feels that it is absolutely vital that we offer a Coaching Program for our members that utilizes our resources as well as our access to Hockey Canada’s Coaching resources through our Associate Membership status,” explained Kevin Sharp, President, NIHA-Canada. ” We are in the final conversations to lock-in the final pieces of this program but will have an announcement outlining the details prior to the New Year, with the launch to come in January/February.”

NIHA-Canada has also set up an official National Office in Dauphin, MB where the staff will run all NIHA-Canada programs out of. “We’re excited to have a public office in dowtown Dauphin that allows us the ability to better serve our membership base,” Scott Hill, VP High Performance stated. ” By having the available storage space we are able to make bulk orders, have a shipping hub and allow the ability for walk-up traffic. This is just another step that NIHA-Canada is making to allow ourselves as an organization to grow as our sport does.”

NIHA-Canada will be focussing on the membership base and the resources that they are able to provide them throughout the 2010 season, expect several announcements in the near future.

If you have any questions or comments - feel free to contact NIHA-Canada directly at:

126 Main St.

Dauphin, MB

204-638-5245

nfleck@niha.ca