Coaches Corner (Mississauga Girls Hockey League)

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Coaches Corner

Thank you for volunteering to be a Coach for the Mississauga Girls Hockey League (MGHL)!

COACH DESCRIPTION & COMMITMENT

Each team must have at least one Head Coach (or two Associate Coaches). A team may also have several Assistant Coaches as part of bench staff. At least one member of the bench staff must have a Hockey Canada accredited Coaching Certificate, according to the Team's division within the House League or Rep programs (e.g., Coach Level 1 or 2; Development 1 Trained or Certified). The cost for this certificate will be reimbursed by the MGHL (Reimbursement Policy.)

As a Coach, some of the main things you will do for your team are:

Evaluate athletes and share input on team rosters.
Select appropriate drills for practices from available repositories.
Assign and direct on-ice help to drill stations.
Lead the team and staff on the bench during games.
Promote healthy habits, safety, fairplay and good sportsmanship.

Additionally, Coaches with Rep Teams will:

Prepare and distribute the season’s Coaching Plan and Budget.
Liaise with the MGHL Development team to arrange appropriate skills training.
Participate in Coaches Meetings, Coach Forum Seminars, Player Assessment Program.

VOLUNTEER PREREQUISITES

There are a few mandatory tasks that every volunteer must complete before working with youths in any league. Please submit all screening results and certifications to the MGHL President (at [email protected]) as soon as possible to avoid delays in season startup.

PREREQUISITE	DESCRIPTION
Police Check	A clean vulnerable sector check (VSC Level 3) is required for volunteering with children under the age of 18 years. The Peel Regional Police provides record checks for those living in Mississauga and Brampton. If you live outside of those areas, please visit your regional police website for more details on obtaining a records check. If needed, download the MGHL VSC Level 3 for Volunteers Letter to submit with your application.
Respect In Sports	The Respect in Sports (Activity Leader) certification can be completed once online and does not expire. This program gives all volunteers aged 14 and up the background needed to help recognize and prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination in sport. The cost for this certificate will be reimbursed by the MGHL.
Gender Identity and Expression	The Gender Identity and Expression certification can be completed once online and does not expire. This program gives all volunteers aged 15 and up the background needed to create inclusive hockey experiences for transgender and gender diverse participants, and includes a review of the Ontario Dressing Room Policy. There is no cost for this course.

COACHING PREREQUISITES

The National Coach Certification Program (NCCP) is Hockey Canada’s competency-based coach education program. It’s designed to help coaches develop the knowledge and skills they need to effectively support their players—on and off the ice. Coaches complete training through specific streams tailored to the age and level of athletes they work with.

For MGHL coaches, certification requirements are outlined by the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA), our Member Partner under the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF). Please refer to the OWHA Certification Requirements below to ensure you are meeting all necessary standards for the upcoming season.

Find the latest Coaching Clinics offered by the Hockey Canada Registry and OWHA below:

ADDITIONAL COACHING RESOURCES & INFORMATION

RESOURCE	DESCRIPTION
	The Locker is the central location to easily access, manage, and maintain your coach training and records. It is also where the MGHL will confirm your completed training and coaching certifications, offer sport - specific eLearning, schedule events, and generate reports. Visit the following link for instructions on accessing an account: Access to Coach.ca Locker Account.
	Spordle is the registration and profile management platform used across Hockey Canada. All MGHL coaches must create a Spordle account to access their Hockey Canada ID (HCR#), complete required certifications, and register for clinics. Follow the OWHA Account Instructions to set up your account and ensure your qualifications are properly linked.
	CoachThem is a digital drill drawing and practice planning tool designed specifically for hockey coaches. Through our league subscription, MGHL coaches have access to this resource to create, customize, and share drills, or explore a library of professionally designed practice plans for all levels.
	Hockey Canada Drill Hub is a free resource from Hockey Canada offering coaches access to hundreds of searchable, easy-to-follow hockey drills and complete practice plans. Browse by age level, skill focus, or drill type to support player development and enhance your team’s on-ice sessions.
	The Hockey Canada Coaching Essentials resource hub offers downloadable tools and reference materials to support coaches at every level. Access practice templates, skill development guides, seasonal planning tools, and more to help structure your coaching approach both on and off the ice. The Yearly Plan Template is one example of a useful coaching resource you may wish to utilize.