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National Volunteer Week - Christine Brunet
April 18, 2024
During National Volunteer Week, HEO will be sharing stories of some of the incredible volunteers we are so lucky to have involved in hockey in Eastern Ontario. This story features Christine Brunet, a volunteer with multiple minor hockey associations and junior teams.
"Christine has been an outstanding member for the last 20 years. She has been a scheduler, president, coach and a referee in chief. She has been my right hand person in helping me run tournaments for the last 17 years. She has stayed on to mentor our young referees . There are not enough good things to say about this woman. If we had more people like her it would be easier to keep volunteers in minor hockey". - Pina Velocci, Eastern Prescott Russell Minor Hockey Association President
Q: What volunteer roles do you hold within HEO? Can you briefly describe what you do in these roles.
A: I hold a few roles and am involved in several minor hockey associations.
These are the roles I currently hold:
- Secretary and Ice Scheduler for the Eastern Ontario Wild AAA MHA
- Ice Scheduler for the Eastern Ontario Cobras A/AA MHA
- Referee in Chief for Eastern Prescott Russell minor hockey association (in this role, I get to mentor the young officials and to help them develop as referees in a sport I love).
- Executive member on the District 3 Referee Association
- Timekeeper for Vankleek Hill Cougars Junior C
- Timekeeper For The Hawkesbury Hawks Junior A
I am also a level 3 referee in District 3
Q: How did you get involved with volunteering?
A: I started volunteering in 2004 when my first son started playing IP, when he was 4 years of age. I was one of the coaches while my boys were playing IP and Novice. They are 5 years apart, so I was able to coach them both from Age 4 to 8 years of age.
It was in 2005 when I was ‘recruited’ to join the executive committee for Vankleek Hill Cougars MHA, and I was a member until Vankleek Hill merged with the Hawkesbury Hawks MHA in 2015 to form Eastern Prescott Russel (EPR) Fusion MHA. I have been on EPR’s Executive Committee ever since.
I have served as President, VP IP/Novice, Registrar, Clinic Coordinator, Ice Scheduler, and Referee in Chief.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part about volunteering?
A: The most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing the smiles on the kids' faces and watching them have fun. For me, it is and always will be about the kids. That’s why I continue to give my time and volunteer.
One of the things that has made me happy and proud for doing what I do, is that my youngest son (Hunter Gaspar) has followed in my footsteps by becoming a hockey referee and shares the same passion about this wonderful sport. Having mentored him from the start and watching him excel to the levels he is doing today, is unexplainable.
What’s even better is that he mentors the new officials with the same passion and enthusiasm.
I am always so proud of the younger officials who improve, develop, and move up to the higher levels - all while having fun!
Q: Why do you think others should get involved in volunteering?
A: I think others should get involved in volunteering because it helps create an environment that promotes the community, friendship, good sportsmanship, passion for a great sport, and most importantly, for all the kids.