Trainers

hockey trainer certification program

Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada. Each year over one million Canadians play in organized amateur leagues. Most of these individuals are children.

Due in part to the high participation level, hockey is also one of the leading activities resulting in accidental injury.

With this in mind, the Hockey Trainers Certification Program (HTCP) was initiated in 1980 by the late Bob Firth, a staff member of the government sponsored Hockey Ontario Development Committee (HODC). With the assistance of a Medical Advisory Board, a board of consultants, and the St. John Ambulance, the program was officially launched in November 1980.

During the next three years the program continued to grow and develop until the HODC was restructured in 1984 into two different organizations; the Hockey Development Centre for Ontario (HDCO) and Sports Medicine Ontario (SMO). The HTCP became the responsibility of Sports Medicine Ontario until April 1, 1985 when the responsibility for the program was transferred to the Hockey Development Centre for Ontario (HDCO) where it remains today.

The HDCO is comprised of representatives from the three Hockey Canada (HC) Ontario Branches and their Divisions. In 1985, one of these representatives, the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), responded to the sudden increase in hockey injuries and proceeded to incorporate the HTCP into their development programs. They ruled that all OMHA registered trainers, or in the absence of a trainer, at least one member of the coaching staff must obtain trainer certification by October 1986. Subsequently, Hockey Eastern Ontario (formerly Ottawa District Hockey Association), and the Northern Ontario Hockey Association also required each carded team to have an HTCP certified trainer. Over the next several years the GTHL, OHA, ALLIANCE, HNO, and OWHA have enacted rules mandating certified trainers for their association teams.

In 1994, Hockey Canada implemented a National Safety Program (HCSP) based on the HTCP for other provinces in Canada. Today, the HDCO and HCSP work closely to provide education for trainers across the country. It is the goal of these two organizations to have trainers available for all teams in Canada regardless of age category.

Mission Statement

The Hockey Trainers Certification Program will endeavour to provide the amateur hockey volunteer a simple, effective approach: to the prevention and management of injuries in hockey, understanding risk management principles and the Speak Out Program. The HTCP strives to be an educational program for the purpose of increasing communication, awareness, personal knowledge and as an end result enhancing a safe, positive environment with respect and encouragement for hockey volunteers and participants in Ontario.

Code of Ethics

The Hockey Trainers Certification program is dedicated to the ideals of safety, enjoyment, sportsmanship, education and honesty in the game of hockey. the program is intended to promote the highest standards of proper conduct and integrity in the filed of hockey training. The HTCP has identified several principles by which certified members are encouraged to practice:

  • Should strive to enhance the safety of all hockey participants at all times
  • Use only those techniques that you are qualified to administer
  • Always err on the side of caution and never practice any behaviour that may ultimately harm a participant or worsen an injury
  • Never mislead or lie about their qualifications, education or professional affiliations
  • Strive to achieve the highest level of competence and continue to educate yourself to update and improve your skills
  • Strive to promote the values of Fair Play, integrity and friendship in hockey, and never condone, encourage, engage in or defend unsportsmanlike conduct, including the use of performance enhancing substances
  • Always put the player's best interest first and ensure that all players are treated with respect and integrity; from from any form of physical and/or emotional maltreatment
  • Never practice, condone, defend or permit discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sexual orientation, age, religion or ethnic origin
  • Respect all participant information as confidential. Such information shall not be disclosed to any person without the consent of the participant and their parents or guardians, except where required by law or in the event of an emergency

For further details or clarifications please contact:
Jeff Robert, HEO Development Programs Officer
Email: jrobert@hockeyeasternontario.ca
Phone: 613-224-7686