When the Oceanside Minor Hockey Association convenes this fall to start the 2016-17 season, leadership should not be a problem.
All but two members of the OMHA executive were returned by acclimation Wednesday as the association held its Annual General Meeting at Bayside Resort.
Awards were also presented to outgoing midget players, and several resolutions were approved, including a prohibition on cell phones and other recording devices in the change rooms at Oceanside Place Arena, to ensure the privacy of all players.
“We want to be among the most proactive associations on the Island with this,” said Andrew Copley, who was returned as OMHA president. “There’s a lockbox on the wall outside each dressing room and a team official will be in charge of securing these devices.”
Copley was re-elected to the executive along with Larry Chand (second vice president), Sharyn Sandauskas (secretary/registrar), John Sloan (referee-in-chief) and Devon Roberts (junior house coordinator).
Several other executive members have completed the first year of two-year terms and will also return.
Departing executive members include Leah Brown, who will be replaced by Carla Snyder as female hockey coordinator, and equipment manager Daryl Cain, who steps down after five years of service. Cain’s spot will be taken over by Noni Smith.
Copley expressed his thanks to Brown and Cain to applause from attendees.
Also joining the executive for the coming season are Kelly Barnes, who fills a vacant spot as rep hockey coordinator, and Jason O’Connell, who takes over the senior house co-ordinator vacancy.
Plaques were awarded to several midget players who have completed their minor hockey eligibility. Recipients include:
• Jenna Hall (Female Merit Award);
• Kyla Squire (Female Leadership Award);
• Stirling McCullough (Recreation Merit Award);
• Dawson Abdurahman (Rec. Leadership Award);
• Kurtis Woods and Tyler Woods (Rep Merit Award); and
• Austin Hykaway (Rep Leadership Award).
In addition to the change-room ban on devices capable of recording photos or video, the association also brought forward resolutions to address players trying out for competitive teams late due to injury; qualification requirements for serving on the OMHA executive; and a review of equipment purchasing policy to more evenly spread costs from year to year.
“I’d like to get accurate numbers on our equipment,” said Copley. “Last year we were up $5,000 in our budget, which is good, but three years ago we were down $20,000. It seems there’s a big fluctuation.”