OGHA Coaching Application and Selection Policy Updated January 2024

Statement of Purpose

1. To establish the criteria, process and manner for the application and selection process for coaches within the Orillia Girls Hockey Association (OGHA).
2. To ensure the procedure for the selection of coaches in a fair, transparent and equitable manner.
3. OGHA will recruit the best possible head coaches for all teams, seeking the best fit and most qualified candidates. The OGHA encourages female applicants at all levels.
4. To ensure that OGHA coaches abide by the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) Code of Conduct and the rules governing hockey within Ontario and in Canada.

 General

5. Experience and coaching certifications alone shall not be the only criteria for coach selection. Attitude, reputation and coaching philosophy are important criteria to be considered.
6. All applicants must provide the completed coaching application package for the present year (found on the OGHA website) indicating their interest in coaching within the timelines provided otherwise they will be excluded from the process.
7. All persons applying for an OGHA competitive level head coach position will be required to go through an interview process. No exceptions.
8. The Coaching Selection Committee will evaluate the applicants’ credentials, experience, references and any other criteria as indicated in the policy to ensure the candidate is suitable. In addition, for all candidates, if applicable, an in-depth evaluation on whether the candidate’s daughter can be a contributing player at the level the candidate has applied for.
9. All persons applying for an OGHA Rep/House League and/or Fundamentals head coaching position will be selected by the Coaching Selection Committee.
10. Maintaining confidentiality of the interview process during any coach selection procedure is of utmost importance by all individuals involved in the process. The Coaching Selection Committee may reach out to the OGHA membership for feedback on their experiences as a parent/assistant coach/player on the applicant’s former team. The member and information provided will remain confidential and only shared with the Coaching Selection Committee.
11. The interview process will include a set of standard questions to provide pertinent information for coach selection, including a technical aspect. Follow up questions may be asked to provide further clarification as needed.
12. All coaching candidates must be qualified to serve on the bench as stipulated by OWHA policy as well as OGHA Policy on Coaching and Bench Staff Requirements.

Coach Requirements

13.  For eligibility to apply for the coaching position, the minimum coaching certifications must be in place at the time of the application or a plan provided including timeline as to when these requirements will be met. Minimum coaching certifications are defined by the OWHA.

14. Respect in Sport: All coaches are required to take the Respect in Sport Leadership Module. 

15. Making Ethical Decisions: By successfully completing the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions training, coaches will be fully equipped to handle ethical situations with confidence and surety. The training helps coaches identify the legal, ethical, and moral implications of difficult situations that present themselves in the world of team and individual sport.
16. Police Record Checks: Criminal Reference Checks are valid for two (2) years within OWHA. If you do not have a valid police check on file you will be required to provide one.  Police checks are a mandatory requirement for liability purposes and OGHA will be strictly enforcing adherence to this policy. Vulnerable Sector Checks are valid for 1 year and must be completed and submitted as such. Please refer to OGHA Policy on Background Screening Requirements.

Application Process

17. Once the general call for coaching applications is released by the Board of Directors, all interested applicants will be provided a minimum 2-week period to submit their application at which time the Coaching Selection Committee will be put together to review the applications and identify the potential candidates.
18. If the application meets the minimum requirements set out by this policy, the applicants will be contacted to discuss a time for the interview to occur.
19. The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject a candidate’s application if they have been suspended by the OGHA, OWHA or another hockey governing body during the current or previous seasons.
20. Once all applicants have been interviewed, all due diligence completed and the Coaching Selection Committee has selected the coach, all remaining applicants will be contacted by email individually with the results of the application process.
21. Candidates not chosen for a coaching position can request an additional meeting with the Coaching Selection Committee to discuss the reasons why their application was unsuccessful. A minimum of two (2) members of the Coaching Selection Committee will be required to be present during any face-to-face discussions to answer these questions.
22. Successful candidates will be announced on the OGHA’s website and social media pages.
23. The general dates for coaching applications are as follows:

• For all competitive level teams, the application will occur during the current year of the upcoming season, no later than the end of February.
• For all house level teams, applications will occur no later than August 15th.

Selection Committee

24. The Coaching Selection Committee will consist of three (3) individuals with a minimum of one (1) female committee member.

Note: The OGHA will ensure that all committee members possess the correct skill sets/knowledge to participate in the selection process (e.g.: persons such as certified coach, trainer, interviewing background, knowledge of the Association, etc.)

25. The Coaching Selection Committee shall be convened and appointed by the Board of Directors.
26. To avoid a conflict of interest, potential parents and/or coaches at a given division will not be allowed to participate in the selection process or vote on coach selection for that division. If such an occurrence or other perceived conflict of interest exists, the person shall be removed by the interview moderator. Another member with the requisite knowledge and experience will be sought to replace such member.
27. Coaching Selection Committee members will not be permitted to vote for any coaching candidate that could be coaching their child or that of a a family member.
28. The Coaching Selection Committee shall use a combination of the coach’s application, coaches’ references, interview, history with the OGHA (i.e. other volunteer positions held) and review of previous player and parent coach’s evaluations during the selection process. This will be applied equally for all competing applicants.
29. Other attributes that will be assessed include, but are not limited to, coaching philosophy and style, organizational abilities, adherence to fair play, conduct with officials, conduct with OGHA membership and adherence to OWHA & OGHA code of conduct, policies and guidelines.
30. Following the interviews, the Coaching Selection Committee will provide recommendations of coach selection to the OGHA Board of Directors for approval. In the event there are no qualified applicants for coaching positions, the OGHA Board of Directors will secure coaches from qualified persons known to the subcommittee.
31. In the case where a coaching position remains vacant after the interview process, that position may be filled by any party as approved by the Selection Committee.

Appeal Mechanism

32. If any disagreement arises between coaches, parents or players regarding this policy, the OGHA Board of Directors has the authority to intervene to uphold the intent of this policy.
33. A formal appeal can be requested by the candidate upon receiving the intended decision of the selection process. This appeal must be made in writing to the OGHA Board of Directors within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving the intended decision, and include a fee of $200 (non-refundable). The official written letter must be signed, dated and indicate the reason for the appeal including details of how the policy and procedures were not followed or violated. An independent sub-committee will be established to review the appeal and Coaching Selection Committee’s process. This independent assessment will be provided to the Board of Directors.  Should a formal appeal not be received within the 48-hour period, a formal announcement will be made and it will be deemed that the unsuccessful candidates have accepted the decision.
34. The Board of Directors will evaluate this assessment and decision process to validate the outcome. The Board reserves the right to overturn the Coaching Selection Committee decision if deemed that the selection was bias or unsubstantiated. If the coaching selection decision is overturned based on this appeal, the fee of $200 will be returned to the person who filed the complaint.
35. Should the candidate or OGHA member not be satisfied with the outcome of the appeal process by the OGHA Board of Directors and independent sub-committee, they have the ability to further their appeal to the OWHA.

Coaching Tenure

36. All OGHA head coaches, at any level, are appointed for the coming season only. There is no explicit promise of a second or subsequent term with the same player group. However, the OGHA Board of Directors has the right to extend the coaching position to the following season, provided the coach has an interest in doing so, worked well with the team, has good relationships with the players and parents and the team is progressing from a development perspective. OGHA recognizes the importance of developing the coaches as well as their players.
37. The Board of Directors reserves the right to extend the coaching tenure for a subsequent year if unprecedented extenuating situations arise.