To:  All SHA Goalie Parents and Goaltenders
 
This new tab will soon be updated to provide additional resources for coaches, parents and goalies.
 
Southland Hockey Associaton recognizes the pressing need for better goalie instruction at the team level.  In the good ole’ days, the goalie position was all but ignored by many coaches who basically figured it did not matter how goalies stopped the puck, just as long as they did stop the puck!!  With today’s new improved game, we now know that the position is very specialized in technique and that there are various styles available (which is evident by the number of goalie instruction businesses available in this city!!).  Goaltenders deserve to get quality instruction during their minor hockey seasons as well.

SHA is attempting to address the best practice and ice usage for goaltenders by implementing a few alternatives to traditional coaching.  In all fairness, many of our coaches do not have the background or experience to actually "coach" a goalie, so WE ALL MUST BE PATIENT.  It is not something that is included to any degree in mandatory hockey coach courses, so as it stands SHA is on its own to educate its own coach’s. Hockey Calgary is also looking at educating and providing resources for its member associations in the future.
 
Southland's 2009-10 initiatives:
 
1.  We will be holding an in house coaching clinic Nov 22/09 - specifically relating to incorporating goalies into regular practices, and what to do when they are not involved in a particular drill.  It will be mandatory for at least one coach from each team in Atom & Pee Wee and Bantam to attend.
 
2.  We are in the process of certifying two goalie coach mentors who will have the ability to float throughout the organization to any team in need during the season.
 
3.  We have been tapping into the inherent knowledge of our older SHA goalies at the Bantam and Midget levels, by having some of them "junior" coach where possible. 
 
Goalie parents, please be patient - remember SHA registration fees only covers the cost of ice, all of our coach’s are volunteers and we are working hard at trying to help them up the learning curve as fast as possible. Positive change is coming, but as with anything worth waiting for, it does take time.  Some lucky teams have a dedicated goalie coach, while others are patiently waiting for some extra help.  We would like to see the development of our goalie positions progress quickly - but with the proper instruction.