BAHA Mission Statement
The mission of Berrien Area Hockey Association, a non-profit organization, is to cultivate each participant's love of rink sports while developing individual team skills. Our mission is to enhance self-esteem, build character, teach the importance of sportsmanship, foster team involvement, encourage healthy competition, and promote self-respect for players, spectators, parents, coaches, officials, and opponents. We're committed to providing a program that is open to everyone in our community, offering a safe and fun place to partake in the exciting sport of hockey and rink events.
Berrien Area Hockey Association (BAHA Blades) Guidlines & Philosophy
In order to play hockey for the BAHA, players and parents are asked to follow a few simple guidelines. We need, and appreciate your input. If you have an idea or suggestion, say something or contact one of the Board members listed in the Board Members section of the Website.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Understand that parents who saw a need for this opportunity in our community formed this league. Consider what you could do in the future to help out.
ATTENDANCE AT PRACTICES, SCRIMMAGES, & TOURNAMENTS. Players are expected to attend all practices, scrimmages, and tournaments. If a player is unable to attend, the head coach or manager should be notified as soon as possible so that necessary adjustments can be made. In fairness to other players, excessive or unexcused absences (for reasons other than medical or educational) can result in partial or total loss of game playtime.
HERE TO PLAY. We are here to play a game and have fun. Please take the following into consideration to allow for optimum enjoyment. Unless otherwise instructed by the coach or manager, players are expected to be ready to skate 10 minutes before ALL practices, scrimmages, and games. This time allows the coaches the time to organize and prepare players and to use our ice time more efficiently.
Players should not leave practices or scrimmages early without a parent notifying the coach.
Players should not leave the ice at any time during a practice without the coach's permission.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY. Every participant in this league signed, or had a guardian sign a code of conduct. Simply put, at all times, players, parents, and spectators are asked to respect and listen to coaches, officials, and rink personnel. No profanity, obscene gestures, tobacco, drugs, or alcohol will be tolerated. We need to display excellent sportsmanship and behavior during games and practices. It is expected of all game participants to shake hands after a match is over.
WORK ETHIC. Coaches are volunteers trying to make optimal use of a limited amount of ice time. Players are expected to work hard and make a best effort to do what coaches request. If a parent or player feels strongly about an issue, he/she should save the discussion for the next off-ice opportunity. If the safety or well being of a player is at issue, then the player or parent should bring this to the coach's attention immediately.
ICE FACILITIES. Players, parents, and spectators are the guests of the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena and must behave appropriately by following the rink rules. All trash should be properly disposed of. Destruction of property, or not following rink rules, at the Howard Ice Arena will not be tolerated. The perpetrator can be suspended from participating on the team without refund and can be held responsible for damages.
