Queen City Hockey Association

First, I want to thank everyone associated with the new QCHA for their hard work over the last 75 days.  We have made some significant progress and we look forward to a great first year, but we also have much more to do throughout 2009.  I will highlight the progress first.

We have received approval of the MidAM district and USA Hockey for the QCHA to be sanctioned as a new hockey association.  This now allows us to move forward with our goals of becoming the preferred place to play youth hockey in the Tri-state area regardless of ability, age or gender.   We have also been accepted to participate in the Buckeye Travel Hockey League.  Even though we were not able to schedule try out sessions as early as other associations, due to the timing of our sanctioning approval, we have been able to begin the year with 5 teams currently.  
I would also like to thank the ownership, and all the staff, of Sports Plus who have been working tirelessly to make this new venture a success.  There is tremendous synergy occurring between the QCHA and Sports Plus and that is very exciting as we move forward.
A final thanks to the new coaches, and parents, who have joined the QCHA family.  Nothing happens without the leadership of the coaches’ and the support of the parents.  It is obvious that these two groups are already working together towards our common goal of providing a very positive environment for all youth hockey players.
I only ask for everyone to continue to be a bit patient with the QCHA as we continue to work through the completion of the administrative, and team selection, process and please keep checking our web site on a regular basis for weekly updates.  We look forward to great year of youth hockey!

Sincerely,

Steve Penman

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Coaching Announcement

Steam Travel Teams

Mites 

Andy Pokupec

James Mitchell

Squirt 

Shayne Schnell

Alex Pardo

Pee Wee 

Ellery Savage Jr.

Bantam 

Joe Murphy

Midget 

TBD

QCHA is excited to announce the tryouts for our Travel A/AA Hockey Teams.  The tryout fee is a non-refundable fee of $25 due at the time of the first scheduled skate for that age group.  Players are required to attend both open try-out sessions for their age group.  Upon acceptance to a team, the player will be required to pay an $850 QCHA membership fee, a payment plan will be available upon request.  The payment membership fee will include:

40 Full Ice Practices

24 Games (12 Home and 12 Away)

Year End Tournament and Awards

At time of the first try-out session each player is required to submit; (1) Completed registration form, with one check for $25 for try-outs and one check for $250 for membership/registration fee (payable to the QCHA) to be deposited upon player acceptance on a team (otherwise check will be return if team offer is declined), (2) Consent to Treat form, (3) Player/Parent Code of Conduct, (4) USA Hockey Waiver form and (5) your current USA Hockey membership card. 

These forms can be found in the “Documents” link to the right and completed and brought to the first try-out session listed below.

Coaches

If you are interested in coaching in the QCHA your application can be found in the “Documents” link and may be emailed, faxed or dropped off to Carl Robinson at Sport Plus. crobinson@sportsplusohio.com, Fax # (513) 856-3789

Mite (2001-2002 birth years)
May 3 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM Sports Plus
May 6 6:00 PM - 6:50 PM Sports Plus

Squirt (1999-2000 birth years)
May 3 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM Sports Plus
May 7 8:00 PM - 8:50 PM Sports Plus

Pee Wee (1997-1998 birth years)
May 3 Noon - 12:50 PM Sports Plus
May 7 7:00 PM - 7:50 PM Sports Plus

Bantam (1995-1996 birth years)
May 4 7:00 PM - 7:50 PM Sports Plus
May 7 9:00 PM - 9:50 PM Sports Plus

Midgets (1991-1994 birth years)
May 4 8:00 PM - 9:20 PM Sports Plus
May 11 7:30 PM - 8:50 PM Sports Plus

Check back to the website for additional information, registration forms, and additional schedules.

QCHA Coaches Meeting Summary

 QCHA Coaches Meeting April 5 2009 at SportsPlus 5:00PM to 7:30PM

QCHA wants to Thank all the Coaches that attended our initial meeting at Sports Plus.  QCHA will be following up soon with a schedule for Open to the Public Tryouts as well as Coaching Sponsored Tryouts in the coming days.  Here is the information from the presentation below, feel free to contact Carl Robinson with questions or additional information.

MISSION – Steve Penman, President

The QCHA is committed to the growth and development of an organization  bringing  fun and enthusiasm to Youth Hockey in the Greater Cincinnati Area focusing on High Quality Coaching that promotes sportsmanship, competition, and skill-building in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for our Members

VISION   QCHA desires to build a strong, dedicated, and Member-oriented Association that will deliver a professional, high quality support and guidance to its Coaches, Players, Members, and their Families.

QCHA Core Values - Steve Penman

TRANSPARENCY   QCHA is committed to open communications with its Members in all aspects of its operations.  It will be accountable to its Members in all aspects of its operations, including open meetings, financial disclosure statements, and freedom of its Members to have information disclosure and budgetary reviews.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY   QCHA will value fiscal responsibility with the development and adherence to the goal of offering fun and affordable Hockey, with High Quality Coaching to its Members.

RESPONSIVENESS   QCHA will strive to be responsive to its Coaches, Players, and its Members needs through honest and frequent communication, with a focus on the ever-changing dynamics within our sport and the community. The Association will encourage full participation, cooperation, and open communication from all of its Coaches and Members that will lead to a superior organization.

PASSION   QCHA will have a can-do attitude and commitment to our Coaches, Players, and Members advancement.  Our Passion will create successful Association that will be fulfilling and exciting for its Members.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICE   QCHA will perform its work with the objective of providing the Coaches, Players, Members, and their Families with satisfaction and the Goal of reaching our Vision.

PREPAREDNESS   Through accurate and up-to-date information, QCHA will be action oriented in order to maximize our effectiveness in achieving our Goals.

Queen City Hockey Association

QCHA STRATEGY FOR LONG TERM SUCCESS - Steve Penman

•  Differentiate from any other Tri-State Program
•  Rink ownership committed to a quality product
•  Youth Hockey Director to implement the program
•  Professional Coaching leadership
•  Implement USA Hockey Development Model
•  Diversity of Program Offering (levels of play now - girls; HS in future)
•  Partner with local business leaders to reduce costs
•  Move players to higher level of competition if desired

DIFFERNITATE OUR PROGRAM FROM ANY OTHER - Steve Penman

•  Local rink ownership committed to success
•  Board of Directors with both business and hockey expertise
•  Youth Hockey Director dedicated to making it work
•  Coaching Director with proven professional experience
•  House Hockey Director who has House program underway
•  Have a youth hockey structure from beginner to JR A
•  Enhancements at rink that will improve / excite players

Local rink ownership committed to success – Greg Martini, Vice President                   

•  Desire to provide a cost effective alternative
•  Facility that can accommodate any venue moving forward
•  Affiliations with local business leaders – fundraising opportunities
•  Real time scoring on website
•  Electronic monitors in rink with game and practice assignment
•  Full service pro shop
•  Ability to purchase extra ice via website at good prices

Youth Hockey Director (Carl Robinson) to implement the program  crobinson@sportsplusohio.com

•  Full time position at SportsPlus
•  Implement USA Hockey Development Model
•  Ensure that entire program grows through quality actions
•  Ensure that we follow our Vision and Values
•  Ensure that the players are the benefactor

 Coaching Director (Don Biggs) with Professional Experience                        

•  Implement USA Hockey Coaching Clinics
•  Develop skills sets of all coaches every year
•  Develop the skill sets of every player regardless of level
•  Move players to higher level of competition if desired
•  The player’s improvement and enjoyment is the focus
•  Off-ice facility for conducting video and chalk talk sessions
•  Off-ice conditioning area being explored
•  Exclusive use of practice assistance from JR A Steam Player

House Hockey Director (Joe Pols)

•  MYHL in place right now
•  Every player will have a place to play / Every player will have fun
•  Every player will be given opportunity to move up
•  Affordable but professional

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS – Steve Penman

•  USA Hockey / MID-AM approval May
•  Set Tryout Dates / Player evaluations – week of May 4

• $25 Non Refundable fee regardless of level – 2 sessions
• Would like to conclude all evaluations  by Mid May
• Team Level determination – House / A / AA / AAA – House Level Costs / Travel A & AA Costs

House Level Program – Steve Penman

• Projected Cost $350 (without extra games) to include:
• 2 evaluation sessions concluded by May 15
• Season Nov 1^st and concludes end of February
• Practice Ice on Friday nights at SportsPlus
•  11 Full ice and 11 Half ice for 22 total (might be more)
• 16 games total – 8 Home and 8 Away
• 1 Jersey and 1 Pr of socks
• Goalie equipment will be supplied if necessary
• Year end awards
• Year end tournament
• 2 Coaches Clinics

 Travel A / AA Level – Steve Penman

• Projected Cost $850 (minus extra games) to include:
• 2 evaluation sessions to conclude by Mid May
• Begins week of Sep 7 and concludes end of February
• 40 Full ice practices on Mon & Wed nights at SportsPlus
• 24 games total – 12 Home and 12 Away (not including tournaments)
• 15 players per team
• Year end awards
• Year end local tournament
• Minimum of 2 Coaching clinics

Queen City Hockey Association

To: All Hockey Coaches

Re: QCHA Coaching Opportunities

Queen City Hockey Association, also known as, QCHA, announces the start of both house and travel programs for the upcoming season based out of Sports Plus!

Bring full teams, group of players, or individuals to a new kind of organization with the player and family in mind.

We need great coaches! Interested?

QCHA will hold two coaches meetings, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM or Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 5:00 PM at the 2^nd floor conference room in Sports Plus.

We ask that only coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers attend these initial meetings.

Please R.S.V.P. via email, crobinson@sportsplusohio.com or call Carl Robinson at 513-956-3832 with what meeting you are planning on attending.

Please include; where you are currently coaching, desired age group and phone number.

Check out our website at www.cincinnatiyouthhockey.com for updates and progress of the Queen City Hockey Association.

Queen City Hockey Association

QCHA

March 19, 2009

The QCHA is pleased to announce that it will be operating a youth hockey association that will focus on providing area youth with an affordable alternative to playing youth ice hockey.  Our philosophy is simple - promote sportsmanship, competition, and skill-building for players in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.  QCHA has attracted a group of talented hockey minds such as Steve Penman, Don Biggs, Joe Puls, Carl Robinson, and other area hockey experts to serve the Association.  The new association will be fully sanctioned by USA Hockey and will follow any and all rules and regulations set forth by USA Hockey.

QCHA is in the process of finalizing its modified USA Hockey Charter to include Learn to Play Hockey, House Leagues, and Travel Leagues from A through AAA.  The House League teams will play as the Queen City Railers in the Midwest Youth Hockey League "MYHL", and the AAA/AA/A teams will be the Queen City Steam.

We will be offering coaches, individual players, and teams the opportunity to register in our program very soon!  The tryout dates and times for the travel teams will be announced soon, along with a date for a coaches meeting to discuss the upcoming season. 

We are excited that Sports Plus, 10765 Reading Road, Evendale, OH will be our home rink.  Sports Plus offers two quality ice rinks, an on-site pro shop, dining selections, as well as an arcade center for family entertainment.

We are currently designing and updating our QCHA website.  However, you can visit this site, Sports Plus website at, www.sportsplusohio.com or the QC Steam's website at www.queencitysteam.com for updates until our site is completed.

If you would like to be added to the QCHA email list for coaching, player, volunteer or Board Member opportunities, please contact Carl Robinson, Sports Plus Youth Hockey Director, at crobinson@sportsplusohio.com

We look forward to you becoming a part of our new and exciting QCHA!!

For additional information call Carl Robinson at Sports Plus.

513-956-3832

Previous Announcements

March 17, 2009

The QCHA is pleased to announce that it will be operating an Amateur Hockey Association that will focus on providing area youth with an affordable alternative to playing amateur hockey.  Our philosophy is simple - promote sportsmanship, competition, and skill-building for players in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.  QCHA has attracted a group of talented hockey minds such as Steve Penman, Don Biggs, Joe Puls, Carl Robinson, and other area hockey experts to serve the Association.

QCHA is in the process of finalizing its modified USA hockey charter to include Learn to Play Hockey, house leagues, and travel leagues from A through AAA.  We will be offering coaches, individual players, and teams the opportunity to register in our program.  The tryout dates and times for the AAA and AA travel teams will be announced soon, along with a date for a coaches meeting to discuss the upcoming season. 

We are excited that Sports Plus, 10765 Reading Road, Evendale, Ohio will be our home rink.  Sports Plus offers two quality ice rinks, an on-site pro shop, dining selections, as well as an arcade center for family entertainment.

We are currently completing our QCHA website, so visit frequently for updated information on our programs. 

If you would like to be added to the QCHA email list for coaching, player, volunteer or Board Member opportunities, please contact Carl Robinson, Sports Plus Youth Hockey Director, at  crobinson@sportsplusohio.com.  

We look forward to you becoming a part of the QCHA!

Board of Directors