Hello Parents of the West Lorne Comets Initiation Program [U5/U7]!
This letter contains important information to kick off the West Lorne Comets 2022-2023 season. West Lorne Minor Hockey Association (WLMHA) is very excited to welcome you all to the new season!
IMPORTANT: If you would like an additional email contact added to our communication list, please let me know. This list will be used for all communications from WLMHA and will be shared with the team coaching staff. It will also be used for our NEW Sportzhead App [more info below].
Season Start Dates & Regular Weekly Times
First practice will be Saturday September 24th, from 9:00 - 9:50AM at the West Lorne Arena. Weekly practices will be Saturdays from 9:00 - 9:50 AM and Thursdays from 5:00 - 5:50PM. The first Thursday practice is Thursday September 29th.
Any upcoming games for the U7 kids will be scheduled as the season progresses. Team calendars online will be updated. Schedules may need to be altered depending on games and skills sessions. Communication will come directly from the coaches.
Coach of U5/U7
The head coach for the U5/U7 group is Carson Simpson. Carson coached this age group last year and did an excellent job.
If you have any questions specifically, please reach out to Carson at: [email protected]
The Director of Coaching is Rob Tait. Coach Rob will also be involved on the ice with the U5/U7s, and can be reached directly at [email protected] Parents that indicated an interest in bench staff positions and helping on ice will be contacted directly by Rob Tait.
First Practice
For your first practice, please ensure your child has all their equipment. Jerseys and socks are provided by WLMHA as they become available. Please bring an old jersey or practice jersey for the 1st week or so. Here is a link to the OMHA equipment list: https://www.omha.net/page/show/2796144-equipment
Used equipment can be purchased at Herms Sport Exchange in London.
When you come into the arena, check the dressing room board to your right. Dressing rooms will be specified on the white board to the right inside the arena. You should arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled ice time. Some parents dress their children at home with everything except their skates and helmet, to make it a quicker time in the dressing room.
Respect in Sport - Parent Course
One parent of each NEW registrant must complete the Hockey Canada Respect in Sport Course. Please ensure at least one (1) parent has completed this course prior to September 24. https://westlornecomets.com/Pages/2184/Respect_In_Sport/
Payment
Please ensure all your registration payments are up to date. For the Gooday Lets Play, WLMHA makes a bulk submission to the organization in the new year, at which time when it is approved the Treasurer works with families to send their refunds out.
Fundraising
Later in the year, you will receive a booklet for raffle tickets as part of your fundraising fee. More info to come.
Volunteer Hours
Each player is required to have a parent complete their volunteer hours in order to get the $150 volunteer fee reimbursed. Please monitor the website for upcoming volunteer opportunities. https://westlornecomets.com/Pages/2212/Volunteer_Requirements/
Website & Social Media
Please be sure to follow us on Facebook @westlornecometshockey and browse our website on an ongoing basis. The website is a great resource for all information about WLMHA and the upcoming season.
SportsHeadz App - Mobile Team Management
SportsHeadz App is an app managed by WLMHA website interface. It is a team management app that allows coaches to communicate via a chat function with players/parents, allows schedules and team activities to be set up, and allows players to respond to their availability for practices and games.
All players will be added to the app with their email. Players under the age of 13 will be added as a parent/guardian managing their player. You will be added via the email you used when you registered yourself/child. If you would like a second player/guardian added for your child, please let us know.
In the coming days, you will receive an invitation to download the app and you will be added to a team. Please see the attached document: 
How_To_-_Sportsheadz_App_for_Parents
Subscribe to Your Team’s Calendar
Team Calendars and all Team News is available on westlornecomets.com under “Team Finder” and select your team name.
If you use your electronic calendar on your Apple/Android device, make sure you subscribe to your team calendar. The calendar updates continuously, so if a game or practice is scheduled/canceled, this will show up in your electronic mobile device calendar.
Visit: https://westlornecomets.com/Teams/1248/Webcal/ for instructions on how to Subscribe directly to the Team’s calendar.
Questions about the Upcoming Season
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Registrar or your coach. Throughout the season, any concerns can be sent directly to the WLMHA Board.
On behalf of the West Lorne Minor Hockey Association, thank you all for joining the West Lorne Comets hockey family! Let’s get a great season going. GO COMETS GO!!!
Jessica Small