The
Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program’s staff,
families and players are looking forward to our 9th season of playing hockey
commencing on Saturday, September 23rd, 2017 at the Evinrude Centre. The Komets have four hours of ice most Saturdays
throughout the hockey season from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The 2017-2018 schedule has not yet been
finalized and posted. As soon this is
done we will post the schedule on our web site @ kawarthakomets.com
The Kawartha
Komets program welcomes new players and is accepting Registrations which is
something we always do year round.
Registration forms are available on this website which you can print
off. The registration fee is $300.00 for the season. Registration fees can be
paid by cheque, online by e-transfer or by Credit Card.
This
$300.00 registration fee covers:
- The loan of two new Komets hockey
jerseys, one white and one blue and two new pairs of socks a white pair and a blue
pair. We can also provide hockey equipment and skates on loan to be returned if
or when the player ceases to play.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
through Hockey Canada
- A Year-end
Banquet and Trophy/Medal Presentation
- An opportunity to interact with the
Peterborough Petes in a fun-filled hockey game (year to year as scheduled)
- Ice rental fees & referees fees
- Financial assistance to attend out of town
annual tournaments ( funds permitting)
- Transportation costs for players to tournaments
- Komets team jackets and caps in the
player’s second year of membership.
- There is some scholarship money
available and we can help players and families find funding sources to help pay
the registration fees. Most often full funding is available through the
information on funding sources provided. We really try to break down all barriers for
those that wish to play hockey so we can provide payment plans upon arrangement.
We are very grateful as an organization to again receive
a $10,000 team sponsorship from Mary
McGee in honor of her late husband Jack McGee who founded the present day
Jack McGee Chevrolet Cadillac dealership in our city. This will be the sixth
year that Mary has sponsored the Komets program and this sponsorship pays for
the majority of the Komets ice fee rental for the season.
We participate in some additional fundraising for
the good of all families and players and all funds raised are used to sustain all
facets of the program and finance attending tournaments. We anticipate that
everyone will be involved in both fundraising and offering up their gifts and
talents to the organization in some way which will enable the Komets to
continue providing the quality program that we offer.
The Komets’ Founder and Co-Founder, Carol &
David Fisher, the Komets’ Board of
Directors, Coaches, Trainers, On-Ice
Volunteers and Bench Support staff are all volunteers and the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey
Program is a Registered Charity with Canada Revenue. Our registration # is 801414939 RR0001 The Kawartha
Komets can gratefully accept donations and all donations over $20.00 will
be receipted.
The families of individuals who have passed away
can choose to request that donations be made to the Kawartha Komets in memory of their loved ones. This Tribute
Giving can also be done by including the Kawartha Komets in your will so
that our hockey program can continue to grow and make a difference in the lives
of these uniquely gifted hockey players.
This Tribute Giving can be done through two organizations, MY TRIBUTE GIFT @ www.mytributegift.org or CANADA
HELPS @ www.canadahelps.org Both organizations take a very small
percentage of your donation for administration purposes and they both receipt
the donations directly.
We have a Board of Directors of 11 people, the majority
of whom are parents that provide governance to the Komets program . We have an
Annual General Meeting (AGM) every year and new board members are elected or
those who wish to remain on the board can stand for re-election. We welcome
members of the community who are interested in furthering the objectives of the
Komets to consider a position on our Board of Directors.
The Kawartha
Komets players attend at least one out of town tournament during the season
and we play other teams during the regular hockey season both in our city and
theirs. So there is some out of town travel but out of town games are optional
for families who may not be able to travel for whatever reason. We recognize
that some families/players do not have a vehicle and often families can car
pool to assist in this area. There may be times where it may be necessary for
the Komets to provide transportation to out of town games on a limited basis to
enable players to participate.
The Kawartha
Komets at present have four teams of players who have physical, emotional
and/or neurodevelopmental challenges and therefore cannot play hockey in a
regular hockey program for many varied reasons. Players registering with the
Komets must have a medical diagnosis. Individuals with Down Syndrome will be
required to have a yearly X-ray for Atlanto Axial Dislocation confirming that
it is safe for them to participate. The players are teamed according to ability
and not age. Each team consists of both males and female players aged 5-55
years of age.
We gratefully received an amazing donation of a
piece of equipment from a company in the U.S. called UCT based in Columbus,
Ohio. This piece of equipment is called a Kaye
Trainer and is an amazing Learn-to Skate device that can accommodate
children and adults who wish to learn to skate without the fear of falling as
it provides a harnessed vest to support the individual while on skates. This apparatus can be used to physically
support those with Cerebral Palsy.
Attention
All Girls: Our female
players are always looking for more females to play hockey because the majority
of players we have are males. Come on out girls and have fun learning to play
hockey!!!
The Kawartha
Komets program provides a modified, structured form of recreational ice
hockey that is both fun and inclusive. All Special
Hockey International (SHI) programs
are non-contact hockey. We have very few rules and the program could be
compared to pond hockey for that reason. The Komets coaching staff are
certified hockey Coaches and Trainers (must have First Aid Certification) and
we are very fortunate to have a qualified skating instructor who teaches power
skating. The Komets program pays for the certification of all staff and
reimburses individuals for Criminal Reference Checks which are a requirement of
all volunteers in any capacity including board members. Our coaching staff is
supported by a document called a Player Support Plan that is similar to an
Individual Education Plan when dealing with the triggers and behavioural
challenges that some player diagnoses present. This information is provided by
parents to the coaching staff. We also have Bench Support Staff who work with
the Komets staff and players under the direction of our Co-ordinator of
Coaching.
The Kawartha
Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is a member in good standing with Special Hockey International to whom we
pay a yearly membership fee. This governing body has a Board of Directors who
hold an Annual General Meeting and elections. There are over 26 SHI teams in
Canada and there are also teams in England, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Russia.
In the US there are over 80 special hockey teams that are part of an
organization called American Special Hockey Association as well as additional
teams under USA Hockey. Special Needs Hockey is a fast growing sport.
Being a family enrolled with the Kawartha Komets provides a great
networking source for parents and individuals alike. We have social events
throughout the year such as our Annual Picnic/Barbecue, Year End Banquet &
Trophy/Medal Presentation, participation in both the Canada Day Parade and the
Santa Claus Parade, an annual visit from Santa Claus, attending tournaments where
we always stay in a great hotel which is usually the highlight of the Komets
season for players and their families. We
also have other year to year endeavours as decided upon. Many of the Komets
players are involved with Special Olympics, playing many sports all year around
as well as playing baseball with the Peterborough Challenger Baseball program which
helps to forge strong friendships in the wider community outside of hockey.
The Kawartha
Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is always looking for coaches,
trainers, on ice volunteers and those that really enjoy fundraising. If you have any questions about the Komets
program please call Carol Fisher at 705-750-0655 or e-mail us at dwfisher@nexicom.net
My Tribute Gift Foundation operates in both the US and Canada acting as granters of memorial donations to single charity funds. 
