In an ongoing effort to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for our kids in hockey, the OMHA has implemented a program to ensure they are a complete Respect integrated organization. At least one parent or guardian of each family registered in the OMHA
is required to complete the online Respect in Sport Parent Education Program as a condition of their child’s participation.
The Respect in Sport program is an online certification program designed to protect our youth as well as enhance the OMHA’s mandate of providing a safe and fun environment for all participants. It is Canada’s leading online bullying, abuse, harassment, and neglect prevention program for parents, coaches, and community leaders.
At least one parent or guardian of each player registered in minor hockey in the OMHA will be required to complete the Respect in Sport - Parent Program as a condition of participation. The one-hour online course is a proactive, educational program that empowers parents with the tools to ensure the game is enjoyable and respectful for themselves, their children and all other stakeholders in the game.
The cost is $12 per family (each child in your family can be registered under one family account). The other parent, grandparents, children can take the program for free if they desire, by using the certified parents username/password.
Respect in Sport Parent
A program providing information on parents' natural influence over a child, the coach or leader’s role in an activity, the role parents play in their child's enjoyment of a sport or activity, and protecting your child when they are outside of your immediate control. The program also provides parents with tools to evaluate their own behaviour by highlighting 5 key "behavioural traps" frequently exhibited by parents, particularly in competitive sports. It demonstrates negative behaviours and provides ideas of how a situation may be better handled, includes valuable information from subject matter experts delivered in a clear and concise fashion, and asks questions of parents based on scenarios presented.
Specific topics include:
· 5 common negative parent behaviours
· Child development/nutrition and hydration/rest/injuries.
· Interacting with coaches, officials, and other parents.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – PARENT PROGRAM
I have completed the Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program, is this sufficient for satisfying the parent program as well?
No. It is necessary for parents that have completed the Activity Leader Program in the role of Team Officials to also complete the Parent Education Program. This program is tailored to the Role of the parent, providing information specific to the parental involvement, while the Activity Leader program has a different focus. During the introduction of the module, the differences are outlined. While there are some commonalities in messaging, the message is positive, and is only reinforced through repetition.
Why am I required to complete the Program?
In addition to being an OMHA condition of participation, it provides tools to deal with various situations that could arise in the course of your child’s participation in hockey, both as a parent, and in any leadership role you may have. This is a positive program to make good parents better, and will empower all of the good parents in the organization. Beyond hockey, this will contribute to the greater good of all parents in the wider community. This is also a significant step toward the long-term goal of social and culture change.
What will happen if I do not complete it by the specified compliance deadline?
After the deadline for compliance, participation may be denied until such time as the program has been completed.
How do I complete the Parent Program?
The program can be accessed through the OMHA website (www.omha.net). It is a one hour online curriculum with both audio and visual features that allows flexibility and does not have to be completed in one session.
Is this required every year?
No, once you have completed it you are certified and there are currently no plans for recertification.
My child is 18 and is a registered player, am I still required to complete the Program?
Completion of the Parent Program is not required for parents of player’s aged 18 and above.
What if the household/individual has no access to a computer/internet?
Most public libraries provide internet access.
**PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR THE OMHA DOCUMENT ON ACCESSING THE RESPECT in SPORT - PARENT PROGRAM WEBSITE.
Respect in Sport - Parent Program