Volunteer Certifications & Requirements

2026–27 Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association

Thank you for volunteering with the Halifax Hawks! Our association relies on dedicated coaches, managers, trainers, safety volunteers, dressing room monitors, and other volunteers to provide a safe, fun, and positive hockey experience for our players.

While we are here to support you throughout the season, it is the responsibility of each volunteer to ensure all required certifications remain current and are completed by the required deadline – December 1.

Course Fees – Remibursment

• Volunteers are responsible for paying course fees upfront.
• Please email your receipt to admin@halifaxhawks.ca for reimbursement where applicable. 
• Reinbursement for your CRC/VSS is $30. If you pay full fees through Triton or HRP, you will only be reimbursed for $30.

Keep Your Spordle Profile Up to Date

Your Hockey Canada/Spordle profile belongs to you.

Many volunteers originally registered as players, which means your profile may still contain outdated contact information.

Please log in and verify:

• Home address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Emergency contact information

Create or access your account:

• https://myaccount.spordle.com

To view your qualifications:

• Log into Spordle
• Select Member
• Choose View Profile
• Open the Qualifications tab
• IMPORTANT - Your Criminal Record Check can be found under HISTORY. 

Criminal Record Check (CRC) & Vulnerable Sector Check (VSS)

• The information below is copied directly from the Hockey Nova Scotia website. Please follow these steps to complete your CRC AND VSS.
   
   
   

NEW LINK: https://secure.tritoncanada.ca/v/public/landing/HalifaxPoliceService/home

Please read the "How To" guide below

CRC VSC How To Guide - 2026

Key Points

• Halifax Regional Police will only process Criminal Record Checks for residents of HRM. Volunteers who live outside HRM must apply through the police service responsible for their own jurisdiction.

• All applicable volunteers must complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC) including a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).

• A Hockey Nova Scotia letter is required to receive the reduced screening fee. The fee-reduction request letter is available here: https://5647e90c-cdn.agilitycms.cloud/VSV%20Request%20letter%202025-2.pdf 

• Applications can be completed online or in person at Halifax Regional Police Headquarters.

• If fingerprints are required, applicants will receive instructions to complete that step at Police Headquarters.

• If identity verification is required, applicants must attend within 15 days of the email being sent, or the application will be cancelled, and fees will not be reimbursed.

• Checks are typically processed within 14 days, depending on volume.

• Completed results are only accessible for 30 days, so please retain a copy promptly.

 Important

• CRC/VSS documents appear under History in your Spordle profile—not under Qualifications.

Fingerprint Requests

If Triton requires fingerprints:

• Forward the received fingerprint request letter to info@hockeynovascotia.ca immediately.
• Schedule your fingerprint appointment as soon as possible.

Volunteers who have been flagged for fingerprints may continue volunteering while the process is underway, provided the fingerprint appointment has been arranged before the required deadline. Failure to complete the process may result in removal from the bench until Hockey Nova Scotia receives the final results.

Required Volunteer Certifications

All coaches and rostered volunteers must complete the certifications required for their position.

Current Hockey Nova Scotia requirements can be found at:

• Coaching Requirements - https://hockeynovascotia.ca/coach/coaching-requirements/
• Coaching Clinic Schedule - https://hockeynovascotia.ca/coach/coaching-clinic-schedule/

Hockey Nova Scotia tracks all volunteer qualifications and updates Hockey Canada Registry records as certifications are completed.

NEW Mandatory Education

The Shift Forward – Evolving Hockey Culture

Hockey Canada has replaced Respect in Sport with a new national education program called The Shift Forward - https://page.spordle.com/hns/clinics/

Beginning with the 2026–27 season

Required for:

• All new coaches
• All new rostered team staff

Current Respect in Sport Certifications

Existing Respect in Sport certifications will continue to be recognized during Hockey Canada's multi-year transition period.

Beginning in the 2028–29 season, all participants will be required to complete the appropriate Shift Forward course. 

About the Course

• Online and self-paced
• Role-specific learning
• More engaging and interactive
• Focused on creating a safe, respectful hockey culture
• Course fee: $25

Registration is available through the Hockey Nova Scotia clinic portal.

Volunteer Role Definitions

Coach / Assistant Coach / On-Ice Volunteer

Works with players during practices and games and is on the bench during games.

Trainer

Attends to player injuries and is on the bench during games. Trainers do not participate in on-ice instruction and must complete HU Online Safety certification.

Manager

Supports the team administratively by coordinating schedules, tournaments, travel, finances, fundraising, and communications. Managers do not participate on the bench or on the ice.

Dressing Room Monitor

Assists with Hockey Canada's Rule of Two before and after games. This role may also be fulfilled by rostered coaches.

Maximum Bench Staff

Competitive & Recreation (U11–U23)

Maximum roster:

• 4 Coaches
• 1 Manager
• 2 Dressing Room Monitors

(Coaches may also serve as dressing room monitors.)

Teams that exceed these limits may be responsible for additional certification costs.

Additional Information

• Coaches must be 16 years of age to complete coaching clinics.
• Volunteers aged 16–17 must complete all required certifications except the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Registered Halifax Hawks players may assist with younger teams.
• Player helpers may never be alone with players and must wear full equipment while participating on the ice.

Certification Deadline

All required certifications must be completed by the deadline established by Hockey Nova Scotia for the current season.

We strongly encourage volunteers to begin completing their certifications as soon as they are assigned to a team to avoid delays in being eligible to participate.

If you have questions regarding certification requirements, please visit the Hockey Nova Scotia Coaching Requirements page or contact Beth at admin@halifaxhawks.ca.