Development Plan

Gosport Ice Hockey Club
Development Plan 2001 to 2005
Future Success

Mission Statement 

The mission of the non-profit making Gosport Ice Hockey Club (GIHC) is to provide every individual associated with the club including players, coaches, on and off ice officials, club representatives and others the  opportunity to develop to their full potential. 

 GIHC will work towards achieving it's mission over the next 4 years through the following objectives:

To promote  Ice Hockey both locally in the Southern Region, and Countrywide by raising the awareness of, and interest in the sport of Ice Hockey in order to provide opportunities to as many individuals as possible within the community to enjoy and participate in this fast and dynamic sport

to develop talented players, coaches and officials

to develop policies and procedures that promote and encourage the pursuit of excellence

to develop individuals that can participate at increasingly higher and more competitive levels

to enhance the status of ice hockey in Gosport, England and on the international stage

to seek and obtain support to further the mission of GIHC

To promote the establishment of an ice stadium within the Southern Coastal Strip

To promote Gosport Ice Rink as a commercial sporting venue for the family enjoyment of Ice Hockey.

To make known and enhance the name of Gosport by success in Ice Hockey competition.  (The naval heritage of Gosport is reflected in the team names)

GIHC is a member of the EIHA which is recognised by the British Ice Hockey Association (BIHA). The (BIHA) is  the Governing Body for ice hockey in Great Britain, and the Governing Body for ice hockey in England.  All clubs in England must affiliate to the EIHA and play to the rules of the EIHA and therefore the BIHA and the International Ice Hockey Federation.  Each club that affiliates must have a constitution.  The EIHA also encourages each division within a club to operate to a formal constitution or procedures.

Position Statement

 The GIHC has been in existence at Gosport Ice Hockey Rink, Holbrook Centre since 1983 being formed by the members of the previous Southampton Ice Hockey Club (1977 - 1983). The club in 1997 had 102 members. This had grown in 1998 to 98 juniors and 45 adults registered players plus on average 30 newcomer attending starter classes. 

Organisational Structure

The daily running of GIHC is carried out by the Secretary, Treasurer and Director of Coaching

with the assistance of the other members of the Organisational Division.   

GIHC is managed by 14  Officers who decided on all policy decisions. These 14 Officers  are divided into an Organisational Division of seven elected members and a Sport Division of seven appointed members.

The structure and responsibility of the Officers are as detailed below: 

Sports Division 

Coaching  Co-ordinator                                                         Co-ordinate and monitor  development of                                                                                     players and club coaching staff.                                                                           . 

Lightning Representative (ED1)                                   Lightning team matters.

Scorpions Representative (Recreation)             Scorpion team matters.

U19 Representative                                                          Under 19 team matters. 

U16 Representative                                                          Under 16 team matters. 

U14 Representative                                                          Under 14 team matters. 

U12 Representative                                                          Under 12 team matters. 

U10 Representative                                                          Under 10 team matters. 

Organisation Division 

Chairman                                                                    Management of Club 

Secretary                                                                    Co-ordinate all internal & external club                                                                                        matters. 

Treasurer                                                                   Co-ordinate all financial matters of the                                                                                                   club. 

Youth Development Manager                                             Youth Development

 Social Secretary                                                        Displays, Social Events.

 Minutes Secretary and Internal Information                   Committee Minutes, Co-ordinating                                                                                                    Programs.

 Public Relations Officer                                     External & Internal Publicity.

 Sponsorship Secretary                                                       Obtain Sponsorship.

 External Co-ordinator                                                         External  matters including fixture and                                                                                                       statistics.         

The Sports Division looks after the running of the following teams: 

The Solent Lightning Senior ED1

The Scorpions Senior Recreational

The Solent Storm under 19

The Cruisers under 16

The Hunters under 14

The Destroyers under 12

The Solent Warriors under 10 

In 1997 GIHC had 102 members. This had grown in 1998 to 98 juniors and 45 adults registered players plus on average 30 newcomer attending starter classes. 

Introduction 

GIHC is committed to a number of policy statements within the plan.  In addition the Committee and Officers are committed to set a number of key performance indicators and other performance measures against which it can evaluate progress that has been made in achieving it's objectives. 

For each year of the Development Plan, the Committee will produce an annual Operational Statement which will identify specific objectives and targets. 

GIHC through it's affiliation with the EIHA, is committed to participate in the EIHA Development Plan and the operational statements of the association 

The Development Plan will be reviewed and updated annually.  The review will be reported in an annual Assessment Report.  At which time the indicators and measures will be adjusted.  The annual Operational Statement will take account of the findings of the Assessment Report. 

Both reports will be published within 4 weeks following the AGM. 

Commitment 

The following policy statements describe the Development Plan and act as a focus through which GIHC will work toward meeting it's mission.  With each statement there are operational commentaries from which annual Operational Statements will be based. 

GIHC is committed: 

1.         To develop systems that promote attainment standards, using both existing and new criteria, for players, coaches and officials. 

1.1 Players.  

i. To offer a youth training and development programme teaching the skills of Ice Hockey, whereby youngsters can progress from novice stage to team place, and thereby ensure that the club has a continuity of players through all age groups, for every team

ii. To establish a programme of skills development using 'Merit Awards' for junior players which includes:

Skating skills and ability Rules knowledge

Puck and stick skills 

1.2 Coaches.

i. To manage the coach training programmes based on the 'NCP' model..

iii. To investigate training opportunities for coaches that include national vocational qualifications to enhance their professional status and career opportunities.

iv. To provide other training opportunities including First Aid. 

1.3   Officials.

i. To promote training programmes to support the training of on ice officials from level 1 to level 4.

ii. To establish training for off ice officials through seminars and other learning materials. 

2.         To establish baseline standards necessary for selection to participate at different competitive levels. 

2.1 To set the entry standard for team selection at different competitive levels using 'Merit Award' levels. 

3.         To introduce quality assurance systems that ensure standards are maintained and improved. 

3.1 To encourage liaison between the Director of Coaching and the BIHA Technical Directors. 

3.2 The Director of  Coaching to establish quality standards and implement control measures by liaison with EIHA  appointed regional coaching co-ordinators and regional referee supervisors. 

3.3 To establish funding arrangements that will support the quality control programmes 

4.     To introduce a programme that supports the development of personal (key) skills. 

4.1   To promote opportunities that develop:

-          self motivation and discipline

-          abilities to work and play in teams

-          leadership skills

-          problem solving and communication skills

-          greater understanding of health, nutrition and safety

-          challenge

4.2 To become involved in local general sports initiatives within the Southern Area with special regard to the Gosport Festival of Leisure and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Games 1999 

5. To promote and support a drug awareness programme for all involved in the sport. 

6.         To introduce procedures that promote respect for the sport and enhance standards of discipline. 

6.1 To Define coach and manager responsibility with special regard to disciplinary matters. 

6.2 To improve standards, including disciplinary procedures for coaches and officials by the introduction of a formal disciplinary procedure with the right of appeal before full GIHC  committee. 

6.3 To introduce quarterly meetings with coaches and managers to review progress (ability and discipline) through each age group. 

7. To promote a professional image of GIHC and to raise public awareness of Gosport Ice Rink.  

7.1 Specifically to promote Gosport Ice Hockey Club by establishing a family sporting  venue at Gosport Ice Rink where an entertaining sport can be watched for a modest sum of money. 

7.2 Produce a full yearly programme of Sunday games to establish to the public concept of a sporting venue. 

7.3 To co-ordinate an official awareness  programme of GIHC to include contact with the community, press and media. 

7.3 To increase the advertising of Gosport Ice Rink and GIHC in the press and media. Also specifically to promote additional information signing on the site's road frontages (Fareham Road and Forest Way).  

7.5 To enhance the general image of the club and rink by promoting a refurbishing programme in conjunction with other ice users clubs. 

7.6 To carry out an architectural feasibility  study on  Gosport Ice Rink, with regard to increasing the size of the ice pad and the spectator seating 

8. To review the organisational structure of GIHC 

8.1 Determine the club's constitution, financial rules, committee structure and definition of who is a voting member of the club

 8.2 To complete the publication of rule books and support manuals for all sections of GIHC

9. To review funding sources and seek alternative means of funding to invest in new equipment, facilities and training and to ensure that proper management and secretariat resources are available 

9.1 To increase the number of spectators at Gosport Ice Rink to the advantage of the rink owner (by the increased use of the bar and catering facility) and the club by generating increased gate money, programmes and raffles 

9.2 Seek financial advice on the benefits / dis-benefits of the club becoming a company, association, charitable trust etc. 

9.3 Monitor and if need be revise club fees. 

9.4 Revue the cost of  transport arrangements for away games and seek to enter into a competitive contract with a transport operator 

9.5 Promote fund raising and social events. 

9.6 To investigate additional sources of funding, through sponsorship, local and regional grants and bursaries

10. To direct policies and practices that will reduce the effect of the factors limiting the development of team training at GIHC 

10.1 Review and seek to improve the amount of ice time available to the club and seek to enter into a formal contract with the rink. 

10.2 To promote the benefits of dry land training within a teams training programme. 

10.3 To promote the concept of 'Quality Ice' at all on ice training sessions.
10.4 To examine alternative training strategies.

10.5 To use off ice training for rules interpretation, game theory, drills, videos, discipline and behaviour and personal development. 

10.6 To examine availability of resources, including equipment and facilities.            

10.7 To encourage links with local in-line hockey clubs to increase number of competitive games out of season within the summer months.

11. To establish guidelines that identify practices and procedures for the coaching, playing and officiating of players of different ages. 

i. Under 10 - Concept of Sport for All, based on local summer leagues, with multi game opportunity for as many potential players as possible  

ii. Under 12 - Concept of Sport for All, using full player benches and providing equality of ice time.  Conference team opportunities will be used to support players with potential. 

iii. Under 14 - Concept of Sport for those with Potential, recognising the emphasis on regional and national teams 

 iv. Under 16 - Concept of Sport for those with Potential, with emphasis on talented players for regional and national teams and for elite training programmes. 

v. Under 18 - Concept of Sport for those with Potential, with emphasis on talented players for regional and national teams and for elite training programmes 

vi. Under 20 - Concept of Sport for those with Potential, with emphasis on talented players for regional and national teams and with for the elite training programmes

12. To support international competition at club, regional and national levels.

13. To  maintain links with the BIHA and through them links with, IIHF, Scottish Ice Hockey Association, English Sports Council, CCPR, Sports Aid Foundation, the National Coaching Foundation and other bodies as appropriate.

14. To complete the review of the business and communications structure most suited

to GIHC  

14.1 To seek to standardise  Information Technology with regard to software and  hardware. 

14.2 To explore opportunities to use the Internet

15. To review and establish other policies as required 

15.1 To introduce a child protection/abuse vetting procedures for those involved with children. 

15.2 To ensure that the club is aware of and undertakes appropriate health and safety checks 

15.3 To establish other policies as required including Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and Disability Discrimination. 

15.4 To ensure that clubs undertake appropriate health and safety checks.

16. To promote the establishment of an ice stadium within the Southern Coastal Strip.

Acknowledgements

In producing this Development Plan GIHC would like to thank the EIHA for their guidance.