Taking Hockey to 2000 and Beyond

Ten years ago, the workshops to be offered at the Nova Scotia Hockey Association's Fair Play in Hockey Conference 1999 would have been unthinkable. Today, the principles of Fair Play form the basis of the workshops, which are designed to provide the tools for success as hockey moves into the year 2000 and beyond.

"The Nova Scotia Hockey Association, and especially the Dartmouth Whalers, have been instrumental in bringing about positive changes in what is considered acceptable behaviour in hockey in this province," said Robbie Harrison, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission.

"Interest from across Canada in what we are doing will surely increase as a result of Bob Nicholson, Canadian Hockey Association president, giving the keynote address at the conference."

The Fair Play program seeks to encourage positive behaviour in sport by promoting the principles of respect, equal participation, self-control and responsibility.

Three of the five workshops being offered at the April 23-24 conference are groundbreaking topics for hockey in Nova Scotia and, indeed, Canada.

In the workshop The Changing Role of Minor Hockey Executives, Dave Reid will address new and complex issues facing minor hockey executives, such as: risk management, financial accountability, team officials' liabilities, directors' and officers' insurance, and abuse and harassment programs.

John Sellars, vice-president of rules and officiating in Nova Scotia, will give a workshop titled Junior Officiating Program. This is part of a continuing effort to improve officiating in minor hockey. Topics for discussion include how minor hockey associations can implement a junior officiating program at minimal cost and how associations can develop their players as officials.

Bill Cowper, known as Sergeant Internet, will give a workshop on Computerization of Minor Hockey Associations in Nova Scotia.
The workshop will present means and methods by which minor hockey associations can become computerized and, perhaps, develop their own websites.

The other presenters will be: Bill Schipilow, president of the Dartmouth Whalers Minor Hockey Association, speaking on Fair Play in Minor Hockey; and Kevin Stubbington, originator of the Safety Toward Other Players, or STOP, program, who will explain how stop-sign emblems on the back of players' jerseys help prevent checking-from-behind injuries.

The Fair Play in Hockey Conference 1999 is being presented by the Nova Scotia Hockey Association, the Nova Scotia Minor Hockey Council, the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission and the Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia.