The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) continues to break down barriers by accentuating positive experiences and challenging myths surrounding families involved in minor hockey.
Three wide-ranging vignettes have been produced to highlight a “Day In the Life”, a series of true stories of average hockey families across the province. The inaugural videos share individual stories with common threads – love of the game and sense of sports community.
“In many ways, these stories present the broader picture of what it means to be a hockey family – the commitment, the teamwork, highs and lows of a hockey season,” says Ian Taylor, Executive Director of the OMHA. “It’s more than simply playing the sport of hockey. At the end of the day, it’s not the wins and losses that will be remembered, it’s the experience where entire families benefit from the sport and are fulfilled through lifetime friendships and memories.”
Often, myths around travel, inclusion and simply being too busy keep families away from minor hockey, when in fact, the tendency is for families to become closer, meet new people and share a passion at the rink. “We provide numerous levels of hockey, each with varying levels of time and financial commitment,” adds Taylor. “For players and families who want to participate in our sport, we have an option that fits their needs.”
The Wong Family
Markham Minor Hockey Association
“The Social Environment”
In a house full of hockey fans, that passion carries over to the rink. With two young sons in minor hockey the Wong family has mastered the schedule of games, tournaments and practices and you’ll find them on the ice more often than not during the week. Hockey has brought out a sense of self-confidence and taught the importance hard work.