If you are an interested parent, a seasoned hockey player, and/or an experienced skater, please consider taking your Hockey Canada certification.

Certification levels are easily obtained in condensed weekend courses and we are always interested in adding new head coaches and assistant coaches at every level of play.

Prospective coaches must apply to VFIHA for each year they wish to coach (head and assistant coaches). The VFIHA Coach Coordinator selects coaches for each team before the season starts.

Our association offers players the opportunity to benefit from female and male coaches who are strong role models. All of our coaching volunteers, many of whom are parents, show tremendous dedication and a passion for teaching our players.

Each team at the recreational level practices once or twice a week and typically plays two games a week at the U13 level and higher and one game per week at the U11 and U9 level.

Playoffs generally begin in February and run until the finals are complete in mid-March. The hockey season involves pre-season practices beginning in late August, Rep tryouts in early September, and on-ice practices beginning in September and going through the March playoffs.

All players in the association are provided with opportunities during the season to advance their performance through power skating sessions, dryland training, and other skills and drills sessions with experienced coaches.

There is a pre-season camp for all program levels in the second to last week of August before the players return to school in September.

2023-24 Coaching and Team Volunteer Credentials

  1. Register as a volunteer on Team Snap HERE.
  2. All team volunteers are required to complete Respect in Sport (RIS), Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) and Criminal Record Checks prior to stepping onto the ice (coaches, on-ice helpers, safety, team manager, team moms):
    1. Complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC): The Criminal Record Check is free through the Ministry of Justice, and good for three seasons expiring on July 31st. Please note this process has changed as of August 2021. Use the following link and access code to complete:https://justice.gov.bc.ca/criminalrecordcheck
      ACCESS CODE: VBQDP4LYHL Important notes: You will need to have verified your BC Services card to complete the CRC; this may require you to upload a photo or video, and have had it manually reviewed and verified before you can complete this request. You may need to do this on your mobile phone with the BC Services app. Please do not use the option to “Share” an existing check, but instead be sure to request a new check. At the end, please note the SERVICE NUMBER (not the Session ID) provided and email it to safety@vfiha.com. This will act as proof of submission until the final clearance letter comes in.
    2. Respect in Sport (RIS): You also need to complete the Respect in Sport program for Activity Leaders (note that there is a parent module here as well, which cannot be used towards coach/team volunteer certification). The course is about 2.5 hours, all online. If prompted, please select Vancouver Female IHA. Once complete, submit your receipt for reimbursement – please note that reimbursement will be made after December 1st and only when all credentials are in place and you are rostered to a team. Respect In Sport can be found HERE.
    3. Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT): BC Hockey’s Concussion Awareness course must be completed HERE (be sure you’re completing the course for Coaches, not the one for Parents.) At the end, send the certificate for verification to safety@vfiha.com.
  3. Coaches need to do additional online and practical training. For up to date information, find what certificates are required for your level HERE.
    1. Coach 1/Coach 2 Online (e-learning modules that take about 4.5 hours to complete; can do at own pace)
    2. Coach 1 Practical (via Zoom; 3 hours at set days/times; several options available)
    3. All coaches for U11, U13, U15 and U18 require Coach 2 – Coach Level training
  4. Safety people need to do additional online training (e-learning modules that take about 3 hours to complete; can do at own pace).

On-Ice Helpers

Minor hockey teams periodically enlist older hockey players or other volunteers to assist with practices, scrimmages and other activities. To validate insurance, on-ice helpers must follow these guidelines:

  1. Any on-ice helpers must be a current registered member of BC Hockey / Hockey Canada. If the individual is not currently registered through a minor association, junior team, senior team or as an associate member, the association wishing to have this person help must register the individual.
  2. All on ice helpers must wear a CSA certified helmet with chin strap fastened and appropriate face protection required for the player’s level of play. A BNQ certified neck guard must also be worn by all minor hockey aged players assisting as an on ice helper.
  3. U15 and below on ice helpers must wear full gear. All other helpers (above U15) are to wear what is appropriate to their division.
  4. Any helper who is not a BC Hockey minor or junior player must have certification in Respect in Sport (RIS). Additionally, they must be under the direct supervision of the certified team officials.
  5. Non Members offering coaching or other on-ice help for a fee is not a volunteer, and must become an associate member prior to participation.
  6. Non Members offering coaching or other on ice help must also have passed our Criminal Record Check (CRC).