Ho Ho Holiday Newsletter

Greetings Lightning Families!

As we hit the halfway mark of the Lightning Season, we wish to thank all coaches, volunteers, managers, officials and den moms, seasoned and new! Thank you for your continued support, providing opportunities that benefit all girls. 

To date, we have cleared 150 VOLUNTEERS!! Thank you to all Volunteers for complying with the OHF/OWHA volunteer task list. AMAZING, and incredible it takes this many people to help run our organization. 

News at a Glance:

• Presidents Message
• Ice Time
• The Rule of Two
• Lightning Attire
• COLGHA Raffle
• Santa Claus Parade
• Skill Development Program
• Hockey for Hope
• Financial Assistance
• MURFA
• Call for Banquet Lead and SMGHL Championship Day Volunteer
• Save the Date- Photo Day, SMGHL Championship, Lightning Banquet

Lightning President’s Message

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of you! It does not matter if you are a coach, a member of the executive, a den mom, helping out on a bench, volunteering for grassroots programs, official or just pitching in to help your kids team......you are what makes this Association such an amazing organization. I cannot tell you just how much it means to us as a volunteer driven organization! Priceless!!!

We often hear comments about how we operate our teams, and our group in general. It is always said, with no small amount of envy! There are so many girls associations in the OWHA and most of them are not run like ours and it is all thanks to you!

Next Season, we will celebrate our 10th year as an organization and we will continue taking steps to make our group bigger and better. It goes without saying that growing can be stressful and we don't always get things just right. However, we always look through the lens of "what's best for the girls" both long and short term, and we will continue to do so, everyday!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!

Brad Rawn

Ice Time

Game schedules are up to date and 2026 additional practice ice is now posted until mid February. If you find conflicts or have questions regarding ice time, please reach out. Changes WILL occur so please keep yourself up to date!

The Rule of Two 

The ‘Rule of Two’ requires two trained and screened adults to be present in the dressing room or immediately outside the dressing room. If you are unsure whether your team allows parents/guardians (generally only U9, U7 and Fundamentals), into the changeroom to assist players, please speak to your team coach/manager for the rules of the team. And be sure to pass the guidelines onto grandparents/guardians. 

Lightning Attire

COLGHA encourages all players and team staff to agree to a Lightning uniform. There's no better feeling than showing up to a game or event as one unified team. Uniforms contribute to team spirit, motivation, solidarity and confidence. Your team uniform is what gives you your superpower feeling!

Socks and swag are available for purchase through the UNIFORM FACTORY. Please note that all U9HL players must purchase their game socks this year. If you have not purchased U9 socks, then the sock package has been added to your player registration account.
 

Lightning Raffle Winners!

Thanks to everyone for participating in the COLGHA Lightning Annual Raffle Draw!

Winners have been posted to our WEBSITE.

The Annual Lightning Raffle

• helps COLGHA maintain a low registration fee
• provides opportunities for skill development programs
• funds the purchase of association-wide equipment (pucks, jerseys, goalie equipment)
• helps the association provide player assistance to families in need
• reimburses coaches and volunteers for their certifications
• provides individual player and team photos
• allows our teams to celebrate the season at a year-end banquet and awards night

Collingwood Santa Claus Parade

Sincere THANKS to the Wice Family for taking the lead and organizing this year's Santa Claus Parade in both Collingwood and Wasaga Beach! Participating in the parade has always been a highlight for our Little Lightning, and it’s an easy way to give back to communities that continue to support our Lightning programs and our athletes. Thank you!!

Lightning Skills Program Reminder

Special thanks to Liz Manley, Jill Moffat and Ryleigh Young for facilitating our Lightning Skills Program. If your team wishes to book with any of the above instructors, please reach out for their contact info. 

The last skills sessions will take place Dec 28th with Liz Manley and Dec 29th with Justin Azevedo, for the below Lightning teams.

Sunday Dec 28th, Central Arena

3-4pm U13 White & Blue

4:10-5:10pm U13 Silver & U15 Blue

5:20-6:20pm U15 White & U18

Monday Dec 29th, Central Arena

4:30-5:20pm U13BB

5:30-6:30pm U15B

6:40-7:40pm U18B

7:50-8:50pm U18BB

Hockey For Hope

Save the date- Saturday March 7th is Hockey For Hope! This is our annual fundraiser in honour of My Friend’s House. My Friend’s House is a non-profit agency offering support for abused women and children living in the Georgian Triangle. Whether your team is booked for a home game or you play out of town that day, plan to stop in and support this important initiative. If you wish to help out please email Lindsay Gosnell, l_gosnell@hotmail.com

Town of Collingwood Affordable Recreation Fee Subsidy Program

The affordable recreation program is directed at individuals and households who face financial barriers participating in sport and recreation programming by providing fee assistance to Collingwood residents.

Eligible households can access financial credit which may be directed at subsidizing programs delivered by the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department including swim or public skate passes, swimming lessons, and Museum day-camps as well as community recreation or minor sports delivered in Collingwood recreation facilities. Check it out HERE.

Expression of Interest: Land Acquisition for Community Spaces

Do you own land that would be suitable for a Multi-Use Recreation Facility and/or Arts Centre?

The Town of Collingwood is exploring opportunities to enrich our community through the development of an Arts and Cultural Centre and a Multi-Use Recreational Facility. They are seeking your assistance to identify potential sites for these projects! These future-focused spaces will celebrate creativity, promote active lifestyles, and provide inclusive, year-round programming for residents of all ages. 

For more information please visit the TOC WEBSITE. 

Save the Date and Call for HELP

COLGHA Lightning Picture Day is February 3rd, retakes Feb 6th. More details to come!

Simcoe Muskoka Girls Hockey League Championship Day is set for March 28th and 29th. This year COLGHA Lightning is hosting the U9 and U11 divisions. We are looking for a LEAD Volunteer, willing to learn, plan and run the Championship Day! This is a super fun day that celebrates all HL players in a meaningful year end competition. 

COLGHA Lightning Banquet is set for Saturday May 9th and we are looking for a BANQUET LEAD! This is a VERY rewarding position, (and will give you all the feels) planning a night to celebrate our Lightning players and volunteers.

Lightning Website and Social Media

Please follow our Facebook and Instagram  feeds for the latest photos and news. If you have news to share then please update us! You can either send your photos and caption to us at collingwoodgirlshockey@outlook.com or post it on Facebook, it will be approved and copied to Instagram. Don’t forget to check out our WEBSITE for schedules and Lightning updates. 

As always, thank you for choosing Collingwood Lightning to pursue your athletic and hockey endeavors. Thank you for trusting us to provide the best possible programming and experience for your athlete. Each and every one of us has an obligation to contribute to someone else's hockey experience, not just our own. Please be kind to one another, know that mistakes do happen, emotions can run high and that everyone deserves compassion and respect. 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year!

Season 9 Motto! “Teach girls to be BRAVE not perfect”.

Cheers, COLGHA