NOHA Launches Game-Time Unity: Comprehensive Initiative to Foster Respect and Safety in Minor Hockey

The Northern Ontario Hockey Association Introduces Multi-Faceted Program to Address Inappropriate Adult Behaviour and Protect the Spirit of the Game

North Bay, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) today announced the launch of Game-Time Unity, a comprehensive initiative designed to create a safe, positive hockey environment where Players, Referees, Coaches, and families can learn, grow, and have fun. The program addresses the growing concern of inappropriate adult behaviour at Minor Hockey events, which has contributed to the loss of Officials, volunteers, and community support across the region.

"Poor adult behaviour is hurting the spirit of hockey," said Jason Marchand, NOHA Executive Director. "We are losing Officials, struggling to recruit Coaches and Volunteers, and seeing diminished community support for travelling teams. Game-Time Unity represents our commitment to protecting Players, Referees, and Team Officials from any inappropriate behaviour while building a culture where everyone can focus on development and enjoyment of the game."

Pilot Program Launch and Expansion Timeline

Game-Time Unity will launch this season with three pilot Associations: Temiskaming Shores Minor Hockey Association, Timmins Minor Hockey Association, and Espanola Minor Hockey Association. These pioneering Associations will implement all four program components and provide valuable feedback to refine the initiative.

The NOHA aims to expand the pilot to an additional 20-25 Minor Hockey Associations by January, with full implementation across all NOHA Associations planned for the start of the 2026-2027 season.

"We're taking a thoughtful, measured approach to ensure Game-Time Unity is effective and sustainable," said Marchand. "Our pilot Associations are leading the way, and their experiences will help us bring this program successfully to every community in Northern Ontario."

Key Components of Game-Time Unity

The initiative introduces four major components working together to ensure accountability and transparency:

1.      Sign-Before-Skate Code of Conduct -- Parents and Guardians must sign a comprehensive Code of Conduct before their child's first game. The policy covers behaviour at arenas, hotels, and during travel, and includes a clear Severity Matrix outlining transparent consequences for violations ranging from verbal warnings to permanent bans from Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities.

2.      "Sin Bin" Behaviour Dashboard -- Visual boards will be installed at rinks across the NOHA territory to track incident trends, celebrate progress, and display "days since last incident." The dashboards create visibility and accountability while encouraging Associations to compete for the lowest number of incidents throughout the season.

3.      60-Second Online Incident Reporting Form -- Anyone—Parents, Families, Team Staff, Officials, or Players—can quickly and confidentially report inappropriate behaviour through a simple online form accessible via QR code at all rinks. This removes confrontation from the reporting process and speeds resolution.

4.      Multi-Channel Communication Plan --- The NOHA will maintain consistent communication throughout the season with weekly email updates, monthly social media roundups, and regular check-ins with Team Staff and Referees to ensure everyone remains aligned on standards and expectations.

"We understand that it will take practice for parents and adults to adjust to these new standards," said Steve Lawrence, NOHA President.  “That’s why we’ve committed to clear communication throughout the season and a fair, transparent process for addressing violations. We’re building this together.”

Vision for the Future

Game-Time Unity envisions a positive rink environment where:

• Referees are energized by officiating the game

• Coaches and Players can focus on growth and development

• Communities and local businesses are excited to host out-of-town teams

• Young athletes can make mistakes and learn in a supportive atmosphere

The initiative was developed over several months by an NOHA task force including Executive Leadership, Board Members, Association Presidents, and Program Coordinators representing communities across Northern Ontario.

Pilot Association Leadership

The three pilot Associations are represented on the Game-Time Unity task force by Anna Eckensviller, 2nd Vice President from Temiskaming Shores; Jason Brazeau and Steven Vachon, both from Timmins; and Kim Armstrong, President from Espanola.

Call to Action

All Parents and Guardians in Pilot Associations are required to sign the Code of Conduct before their child's first game. The incident reporting form is accessible 24/7 via QR codes posted at participating rinks or online at https://www.noha-hockey.ca/gametimeunity.

Associations interested in joining the January expansion are encouraged to contact the NOHA to learn more about program implementation and support resources.

"Sportsmanship begins in the stands," added Marchand. "We're asking every adult involved in Minor Hockey to play their part in creating the positive environment our young athletes deserve."

For more information about Game-Time Unity, including the full Code of Conduct and Severity Matrix, visit https://www.noha-hockey.ca/gametimeunity or contact the NOHA office.

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