2022/23 Osgoode Richmond Romans U16
My name is Keith Warnock, and I am proud to be the coach of the Romans U16 team for the 2022/23 season. I have played hockey my whole life and still do to this day. I have been involved in coaching for many years as an assistant coach and this is my 3rd year as head coach.
Team Philosophy
We will build a strong, respectful, and fun team environment, where we will work hard with purpose every time we step on the ice. We will bring a positive attitude to the rink, hard work, and a willingness to learn. There will be a strong focus on being a team, “Teamwork makes the dream work” and an “all for one” mindset, we will celebrate and build up players’ individual ‘wins’ and as the confidence of the player increases, so does the confidence of the team.
Coaching Philosophy
Our team will have a strong emphasis on fitness, skill development, and team systems. As a competitive team, and at the age the boys are now, understanding team play and positioning is what will bring our team success. Practice makes perfect, we will work at developing the decision-making and encourage creativity. Mistakes will happen, these are teaching opportunities and when presented positively and constructively the player will learn from them.
Conduct:
Coaching staff, team officials, and players represent the Romans Competitive Program, and the Ottawa B-League. They are expected to set a high standard of personal conduct in both on-ice and off-ice behavior, demonstrating good sportsmanship.
Coaches:
• Treat officials, players, bench staff, and all the team parents with respect and dignity.
• Develop players in their individual, team, and tactical skills.
• Provide players with an environment that promotes respect for all.
• Encourage players to work hard and maximize ice time.
• Create a positive learning environment.
• Promote and develop life skills, through team sports.
Players:
• Treat fellow teammates, opposition players, the coaches, and all the team parents with respect and dignity. Swearing, punching, pushing, name-calling, or any other type of bullying is not tolerated.
• Be on time and prepared to start every game and practice in keeping with the schedule established by the coach.
• Offer positive encouragement and support to all teammates.
• Strive to be the best hockey player you can be, both in games and in practice.
• Always demonstrate good sportsmanship and treat all game officials with respect and understanding.
Parents:
• Parents must be role models for their players and demonstrate respect for players, opposition, referees, coaches, and other fans always.
• Parents are encouraged to keep support positive, helping all involved enjoy their hockey experience. Positive cheering from the stands is rewarding to see and hear.
• Support players in arriving at the rink prepared for all games and practices – well rested, well fed, and ready to play.
What to expect for the 2022/23 season:

• Roughly 55 games throughout the season. For us, the planned breakdown is:
• Tournaments – ~16-24 (4 tournaments * 4-6 games)
• Regular Season – 30
• Playoffs – will vary depending on the format
• Exhibition – 2+

• Practices at the start of the year will include a lot of skating to bring the boy’s fitness levels up, this will help protect them from injury throughout the year. We will also be including off-ice dryland to help with this.

• Tournaments – we plan to have 3 to 4 tournaments this year, I have information on some local tournaments but will plan 2 away tournaments at least.

• Development - we will plan for development and training for both skaters and goalies in addition to our regularly scheduled practices and games, with a particular emphasis on individual skill development.

• Team fees - to support team activities such as tournaments, player development, and other team activities, there will be an additional team fee of approximately $500 to $800 per player. Final team fees will be subject to the development of a budget and team approval. Sponsorship and fundraising activities will help offset team fees.

• Timing – expect 3-5 team sessions per week, including on and off-ice activities. This is a competitive team, and it is expected that players will make a commitment to the team. For practices, players are expected to be dressed and ready to go on the ice for the start of practice (i.e. on the bench when the Zamboni is leaving the ice). For games, players, players are expected to arrive at the rink no later than 45 minutes prior to game time. There will be an off-ice warmup prior to the game, and players are expected to be fully dressed 10 minutes before game time

• Ice locations – our primary ‘home’ arenas will be Manotick, Osgoode, and Richmond. We will also have practice times in Beckwith, Kemptville, and Winchester. Practices will typically be 50 or 80 minutes. Our ice schedule, when available, can be found on the U16 team site on the Romans website

• Tryouts will guarantee each player will be at least three (3) tryout ice times, and sessions will be a mixture of skating, skills, scrimmage, and exhibition games. Players will be evaluated based on their effort level, decision-making, sportsmanship, and skill. Players will be asked to rotate positions (except goalies) during the tryouts. Tryouts will be evaluated by independent evaluators (i.e. evaluators who do not have a child trying out for the positions being evaluated) with hockey knowledge and experience in evaluating players.

Overall, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season, and am quite happy for the opportunity to coach the kids this season.

Sincerely,
Keith

keith.warnock@outlook.com