Evolution of a Partnership Model in Hockey Associations
The process of developing a partnership model between two hockey associations began approximately a year ago, aiming to address mutual challenges and enhance the Rep Program. Through exploratory discussions, negotiations, and approvals, both associations reached a satisfactory agreement to maintain community spirit while cooperating at a higher level. The model preserves the hometown hockey experience, ensures independence of local boards, harmonizes programs, and creates a new program benefiting both centers. Key elements include standardizing fees, fair representation on boards, balanced coaching decisions, and shared service models. Existing players are protected by grandfathering provisions, and affiliations see no immediate changes.
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This process began approximately 1 year ago with high level discussions between the two Associations Mutual challenges being faced as small centres and how we could better help each other Wanted to explore flexible options that would allow us to keep the best of what we now have in terms of Hometown Hockey experience Maintain community spirit, while cooperating at a higher level to benefit the Rep Program where both Clubs currently struggle Led us to develop a Partnership Model that would result in both SMHA and NKMHA remaining as Local League Centres Create a New King Township Rep Program to be run jointly by both Partners
Exploratory Discussions over the past year Developed a Preliminary Partnership Proposal August of 2016 Presented Original Proposal to OMHA Board of Directors permission to proceed September of 2016 Special Membership Meetings where both Clubs authorized Boards to negotiate Appointed Negotiating Committees including several Sub-Committees on specialized issues Negotiations proceeded for several months until we achieved a satisfactory Agreement in Principle Reviewed and Approved by OMHA Legal Advisor January 28, 2017 OMHA Board Grants Final Approval February 6 & 8 Local Association Boards Grant Final Approval February 21 Special Membership Meetings Final Approval
Preserve Our Hometown Hockey Experience Preserve Independence of Local Boards on Local Issues Ensure Local League Teams Remain in Local Rinks Harmonize Programs and Ice Time to Create Standard Fees Create a New A Program that both Local Centres Feed Into Secure Existing Borders with OMHA Create New Board Structure with 50/50 Representation Ensure Fair Rotation of Executive Positions All Coaching Decisions 50/50 Balance on Committees Pre-negotiate key policies on Coaching Selection and Tryouts to ensure fairness and reduce any friction points Upload business functions to shared service model to help reduce burden and workload on volunteers AAA Affiliation no immediate changes and existing players protected by grandfathering provision AA Affiliation no changes
The existing Local Leagues will continue in a modified form: Provide fun, recreational hockey for 70% of players Kids playing locally in their community rinks with their friends Pride of representing their home communities Streamlined roles & responsibilities for local organizations Provide a legal mechanism for communities to elect their local Minor Hockey Directors & to engage local sponsors & volunteers Schomberg Local League NobleKing Local League
The two Local League community organizations will be bound together with a clearly defined and written Partnership Agreement setting out the relationship between the Parties: Clearly defines the rights, obligations and relationship between the 2 Partners Provides the legal platform to create a new jointly administered Minor Hockey Association covering the entire Township that both LL programs would then flow into for Rep Hockey Partnership Agreement Schomberg Local League NobleKing Local League
Proposed Structure: Local League organizations would transfer their OMHA Rep hockey rights, and all higher level hockey operational functions to the newly created King Township Minor Hockey organization to be run by the combined Board at the Partnership level Elected Directors from the Local League level would flow upwards and represent their communities on the combined Board of the new Centre, providing equal representation from both community groups King Township Minor Hockey will provide high level business services to entire organization (e.g. Registration, Admin, OMHA, Ice Contracts, Treasury, etc.) King Township M.H.A. (Rep Program) Elected Directors Elected Directors Partnership Agreement Schomberg Local League NobleKing Local League
Membership Rights: Players and families will continue to be Members of their existing Local Associations (SMHA & NKMHA) based on the Bylaws and Constitutions of those organizations Same membership rights and entitlements will continue Members of the Local Associations will participate indirectly in the administration of King Township Minor Hockey by electing their Local Directors who serve as Delegates on the King Township Minor Hockey Board to represent them Members are still entitled to attend KTMH Membership Meetings, be informed about Association activities, ask questions and participate in meetings but their elected Delegates will represent their local community interests on the King Board
Proposed Structure: For the first 1 year period, the existing SMHA and NKMHA Boards will continue as before, and both Parties will appoint 6 Board Members each to form a 12 Member Transitional Board of Directors at the King Township Minor Hockey Level After the first year, existing Local League Boards will be reduced to 6 Elected Directors, comprised of 2 alternating Slates, elected for 2 year terms
Proposed Structure: The New King Township Minor Hockey Board will consist of 12 Directors with Voting Rights, with both Partners having the authority to appoint 6 Directors from each Association Provides a 50/50 Balance between the two Associations There will also be 3 Appointed Directors mutually agreed two by both Partners, to fill the specialized roles of (i) Treasurer, (ii) OMHA Representative and (iii) Risk Management A total of 15 Directors on the King Minor Hockey Board: President rotates annually between the Presidents of the Local Associations First VP alternate Local President becomes first VP Second VP (Rep Hockey Operations) two Local Rep Directors alternate annually as 2nd VP Third VP (Local League Hockey Operations) two Local League Directors alternate annually as 3rd VP Alternate Rep Hockey Director rotates annually as 2nd VP Alternate Local League Hockey Director rotates annually as 3rd VP Treasurer Secretary OMHA Representative Fundraising Director Tournament Director #1 Tournament Director #2 Technical Director / Head Coach #1 Technical Director / Head Coach #2 Risk Management Director / Head Trainer
Proposed Structure: In addition to Director positions on the King Board, the new Bylaws provide for certain roles to be added as Officers of the Board, in a non-voting role such as one Equipment Manager from both Associations, to co-chair an equipment and purchasing sub-committee Board will have authority to appoint additional Officers and Convenors to assist with other volunteer roles considered necessary from time to time Board will have authority to retain employees to support critical business functions necessary to the combined organization, such as Registration, Administrator, Timekeeper/ Referee in Chief where the volunteer burden has become too heavy for larger organization
Proposed Structure: Overall Board structure ensures that Voting Directors are equally balanced between the 2 Associations Key Leadership Positions Rotate Annually to create balance All Board Sub-Committees, like Rep Hockey Committee, Coaching Selection Committee, Skill Development Committee, Disciplinary Committee all have equal representation from both Associations Special Provision in Section 14.9 any future issue that might seek to change the basic partnership structure would need the mutual consent of both Local Associations Day to Day Business: Simple Majority of the Board would determine decisions. In the event of a deadlock between the SMHA and NKMHA Directors on major issues, a mutually agreeable OMHA Representative will help to resolve the concern
Financial Issues: Local Associations will maintain their existing cash reserves Both Local Associations will jointly contribute $15,000 (total of $30,000) as start up capital to assist the new King Association in getting up and running Establish a coordinated player registration process Standardization of registration fees at both the Local League and Rep Levels similar ice time and program requirements to create fairness and equal opportunity across the Township Future revenue share will be on a per capita player basis Player registration fees will follow the player to whichever Local League Association they play for Rep Player fees will remain with the King Township Minor Hockey Association
Territory and Border Issues: No significant changes to OMHA Borders new King organization will consist of combined borders of two original Local League organizations Existing families grandfathered to maintain King territorial rights New Centre Point at corner of Weston Road and Lloydtown Road near Carrying Place will help firm up territorial rights in areas of potential growth No changes for AA purposes player s AA rights relate to closest Centre Point of other organizations, so zero impact AAA Rights no change for 2017-2018 / Schomberg players continue to affiliate to YSE & NobleKing players will continue to affiliate to Richmond Hill Coyotes OMHA will re-evaluate AAA rights in the future, subject to grandfathering provision to protect existing players
Category of Play for Rep Teams: OMHA intends to categorize King as an A Centre With 600-700 players we should be competitive in YS Loop Allows for Minor and Major Teams at all Age Divisions Overall goal is to create more quality hockey opportunities for players and not less Intent is to allow kids play and develop at appropriate age and skill level where they are best positioned to be successful and have fun Larger pool of players should allow for more successful teams at both the Rep and Local League levels Possible opportunities for additional AE Teams in situations where there are strong player numbers and interest Also possibility of Rostered Select for the Local League teams to help provide additional development opportunities there Local League players can AP to King Rep Teams from both Local Associations
Board of Governors: Both Associations will appoint a 3 Member Board of Governors for a 3 year period following implementation of the Partnership One senior member of each Association, and one External Neutral Audit and review the transition process to ensure things stay on track and in compliance with the negotiated terms and conditions Board of Governors will report their observations annually to Members Name and Colours for New King Rep Teams: Not yet decided upon Both sides want a fresh name and logo unique from existing Local Teams Will need to be decided upon soon in order to be ready for next season New Board will likely seek suggestions from Membership for possible ideas
Association Policies and Procedures: Future work needed in order to streamline and harmonize Policies between the two Associations Why we have 1 Year Transition Period Both Parties have already determined core Policies that will be important as part of an initial launch of Rep Hockey Program Main focus so far: (i) Coaching Selection Policy, (ii) Tryout and Player Selection Policy Both Parties on the same page in terms of wanting to ensure fair and objective procedures in place for both Coaching Selection and Tryout / Player Selection Avoid perception of politics or favouritism Equal balance of members on selection committees Promote geographical representation on Bench Staff Use of objective evaluation panels to help evaluate players Basic Principles have been pre-negotiated as part of the Agreement
Termination of Agreement: Automatic Review Period at the 2 Year Mark Up to and including 2nd Anniversary, either Party can terminate, and both Local Associations return to previous status quo with fully independent LL and Rep Programs split assets 50/50 After the 2nd Anniversary the terminating party returns to be an independent Local League Centre only and full OMHA Rep rights remain with the King Township Minor Hockey Organization Provides reasonable opportunity for both Parties to try out this arrangement and see how it works 2 year deadline creates some certainty going forward and consequences to motivate Local Associations to cooperate
Partnership Model consistent with history & traditions of King Township communities and Township s official Sustainability Plan which promotes preserving the local identities of King Township s primary villages Achieves a large, competitive and robust A Centre with Rep Program drawing from 600 700 players Reduces NRP losses and promotes player retention Well structured and stable model that will clearly define roles and responsibilities easily manageable by both Centres Provides a flexible win / win for both Associations leaves some independence at the Local League level, while allowing cooperation in areas where both Clubs currently struggle Neither Local League Centre loses its identity and partnership of equals provides better hockey opportunities for all players For 70% of membership at Local League level nothing changes For 30% of membership at Rep level better quality hockey experience and more competitive teams
