Dear Williams Lake Minor Hockey,

I hope everyone is in great spirits as we gear up for another exciting season of hockey! As your new president, I am both honoured and thrilled to serve our community and lead our association into a year filled with growth, teamwork and fun. I come from a high-performance sport background and have been a part of numerous youth sport boards, including my work as rep coordinator for WLMHA last season. I have 3 children playing in this association and my husband earned the ‘Coach of the Year’ honour in the Spring.

I believe that player development is the cornerstone of the new programming we have already started to implement. My goal is to create an environment where every player, regardless of skill level, can thrive and improve. We have, and will continue throughout the season, to implement power skating sessions as well as referee and coach mentorship and specific training geared towards our goalies and female players to ensure that each player has the opportunity to reach their full potential. I encourage parents to engage with their children’s development and share feedback with our coaches and board members, as communication is key to fostering a supportive atmosphere.

I am proud to introduce our dedicated volunteer board members who will be working alongside me this season:

  • Mike Rispin: Past President
  • Chris Ford: 1 st Vice President and Referee in Chief
  • Karen Chabot: 2 nd Vice President and 15/U18 House Coordinator
  • Robin Ford: Treasurer
  • Jenny Huffman: Secretary
  • Jennifer Brown: Female Coordinator
  • Bal Uppal: Rep Coordinator
  • Rob Weetman: U11/U13 House Coordinator
  • Amanda Fuller: U7/U9 Coordinator
  • Jamie Kinley: Fair Play
  • Tiffany Camille: Discipline
  • Abigail King: Parent Auxiliary
  • Shannon McCartney: Risk Management
  • Chelsea Hamblin: Policy and Procedure

I would also like to recognize the following individuals who work tirelessly for the betterment of our association:

  • Michelle Toulouse: Office administrator and Registrar
  • Tanis Rosa: Ice Scheduler and First Shift Coordinator
  • Brad McKinnon: Coach Coordinator
  • Mike Rosa: Equipment Manager

Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience and passion for the game, and we are all committed to making this season a memorable one for our players and families.

As we embark on this journey together, we recognize that our association thrives on the involvement of our community. I am calling on parents, guardians and family members to volunteer throughout the season. Whether you can help on the ice, organizing tournaments and fundraisers or supporting our teams during games, your contributions will make a significant difference. Please reach out to us if you are interested in volunteering – every little bit helps!

Hockey is not just about winning; it’s about building friendships, learning valuable life skills, and enjoying the game. This season, we will focus on fostering teamwork and sportsmanship both on and off the ice. Our aim is to create lasting memories for our players and families. I am excited about the season ahead and look forward to working together with all of you to make WLMHA a fantastic place for our young athletes. Let’s lace up our skates, hit the ice, and make this season one to remember!

Yours in hockey,
Heather McKinnon
President, WLMHA
hmckinnon.wlmha@gmail.com