About Leaside Hockey Association

Leaside Hockey Association is a community based organization offering Hockey School for Instruction, Houseleague for recreation, and Leaside Flames Select & GTHL “A” “AA” teams for competitive play. The “Spirit of Leaside Hockey” ensures that you will find a strong sense of community and a healthy attitude towards hockey within our well-managed program.

THE LEASIDE HOCKEY COMMUNITY

The LHA provides an excellent hockey program because of the tremendous volunteer efforts of over 200 coaches, managers, convenors, officers and directors. We recruit volunteers with the right skills and attitudes to ensure that we provide safe and enjoyable hockey for our players and their families. Each of these individuals give many hours of time, motivated by their enthusiasm and desire to provide the best for our players.

The LHA, founded in 1952, is incorporated as a non-profit organization. It is governed by a nine member Board of Directors elected by our membership. We ensure democratic and innovative management by limiting directors’ terms.

Our Houseleague is operated by a staff of Convenors. The Convenor and coaches for each age group share a collective responsibility for the well-being of their teams. Open lines of communication and accessible officers ensure that the needs and views of all members are acknowledged.

We carry the Canadian Hockey Association’s standard policy of liability and accident insurance to protect players and volunteers.

HOCKEY ACTIVITIES

Hockey School Program consists of one session of instruction each week for Mite, Tyke and Minor Novice Divisions. During the first several weeks of Hockey School all players are assessed in order to assign them to an appropriate skill level for development, based on initial abilities.

The Director of our Hockey School is Mr. Bill Richardson, well known for his progressive views on hockey and skating instruction. The focus of our Hockey School is improving skating skills. On this foundation we add the fundaments of puck control, shooting and team play. This development approach gives players a firm grounding that ensures they enjoy hockey and can achieve their highest level of play. The success of our Select and GTHL program reflects the quality of our Hockey School instructional program.

Novice level players participate in the Houseleague games, which is complemented by instruction to help them make the transition to regular team play.

Houseleague Divisions Novice and older provides one game per week. Players receive essentially equal ice time regardless of abilities or experience. Players are encouraged to play different positions including goalie. Our best efforts are made to achieve balanced teams. For this reason, we can not guarantee requests for players to be placed on the same team . Some players may be traded during the season to achieve better balance. All convenor decisions are binding and final.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO COACH?

We welcome anyone who would like to coach a Houseleague team or assist in our Hockey School Program. Coaching experience is not necessary, and hockey experience is not required to be an Assistant Coach. All coaching volunteers are required to attend the “Abuse and Harassment Course” offered through the GTHL.(See their website for details of upcoming courses). All coaching volunteers are also subject to a confidential Police Check, to help ensure the safety of our players. In our continuing effort to support our volunteers and improve our hockey program, the LHA will cover the cost of these requirements.