Stittsville Minor Hockey Association would like to inform all families and team staff of an important change coming for the 2026–27 season.
Hockey Canada has introduced The Shift Forward: Evolving Hockey Culture, a new national education and training program that will replace the long-standing Respect in Sport program for both parents/guardians and bench staff (coaches and team officials).
What This Means for SMHA Families
Parents / Guardians
- All new families must complete The Shift Forward – Parents/Guardians course for the 2026–27 season
- Only one parent/guardian per player is required to take the course
- Families who have already completed Respect in Sport:
- May use their certification during the transition period
- Must complete The Shift Forward before the 2028–29 season
👉 Register for the Parent/Guardian course:
https://page.spordle.com/heo/clinics/1f12ec7f-20d7-6d76-81a0-0233802c013f
👉 Learn more (Hockey Canada FAQ):
https://cdn.hockeycanada.ca/hockey-canada/Hockey-Programs/learning-lab/downloads/2026-the-shift-forward-frequently-asked-questions-e.pdf
Coaches / Bench Staff
- All new coaches and bench staff must complete The Shift Forward – Team Official course for the 2026–27 season
- This applies to all rostered team staff (coaches, assistants, trainers, and managers)
- By the 2028–29 season, all bench staff will be required to complete The Shift Forward, even if they previously completed Respect in Sport
👉 Register for the bench staff/team officials course:
https://page.spordle.com/heo/clinics/1f12ec58-c913-675a-b17f-0233802c013f
Important Notes
- The Shift Forward is a mandatory Hockey Canada program
- It replaces Respect in Sport for both parents and team staff
- Certification is being phased in, but will become fully mandatory for everyone by the 2028–29 season
- Course fees are not reimbursable by SMHA
