Parents Training Session

There is a One Hour training session next Saturday (8th May) for those parents wanting to play in the end of season game. The session starts at 6pm prompt so please be there in plenty of time to get ready.

SHUTDOWN UPDATE
Unfortunately we have been advised that the Galleon Centre's annual shutdown period will be in August as usual rather than June. The rink will therefore be closed from 18 Aug to 8 Sept 2010. We will try to make alternative arrangements for training sessions during this period as usual. The good news is that KJIHC can run drop-in hockey sessions throughout June. Please watch the website for details.

COACHING OPPPORTUNITY

KJIHC are looking for a Coach to co-ordinate and run our Learn To Play Programme. We have a number of enthusiastic youngsters who need their skills shaped and developed to get them ready to join Killie's Under-10's team and League Teams and maximise their enjoyment of the game. You will need you to be able to commit to running a training session on Saturday afternoons at the Galleon Centre between 3.30 and 4.45pm and be able to devise sessions which will keep the interest and attention of the group.

You will be well supported by Team Manager Evette Stalker and other parents who are keen to make the Programme work. You will also be able to call on on-ice helpers from among our older league teams and SNL players to assist the kids during the practice and to work through the Programme you devise. To keep you in contact with the rest of the Club you will be welcome to join any of our league team training sessions as an Assistant Coach on Thursday and Friday night.

Our Learn To Play Programme is vitally important to the success of our Club and we would welcome the services of an enthusiastic and committed Coach. If you think that you can help us, please register your interest by contacting Fiona Paton, Club Secretary by phone on (01563) 525142 or 07967 602985 or by email om fiona.paton@kjihc.org

Following the article in last week's Kilmarnock Standard which raised concerns about our rink closing, KJIHC Chairperson Susan Kerr has made contact with David Carey, the Galleon Centre's General Manager and received a most reassuring response. David says that the reported 5% reduction on funding for the next year has already been budgeted for by him and so it is not new news. He also said that there have been unsubstantiated rumours of closure for some years now but that, and we quote "There are no plans at present or in the future that he is aware of to close one of Scotlands most successful multi purpose wet and dry Leisure centre's although we all have to recognise that the R22 gas issue will have to be resolved by 2014". David hopes that this offers some comfort to the Club and he assures us that he is doing everything possible to ensure longivity of our Ice rink in all of the circumstances. We are fortunate that David Carey and his management team have always been so supportive ice hockey in Kilmarnock teams and KJIHC remains in a good position for next season with regard to ice availability and of course our much valued players and supporters.

CHANGE TO ANNUAL ICE SHUT-DOWN

The Galleon Centre have advised us that the annual ice shut-down will be in June this year instead of August. This actually suits the Club much better and it is something that the Committee have been requesting. It means that we can finish our season and go straight into our "Summer Drop-in Hockey" weeks through July (details to follow). More importantly, we can get started training properly at the start of the new season in August 2010 without having the disruption of the shut-down.

Please note that if you pay your fees by standing order, you will want to stop it early from 1st rather than 30th June.

KJIHC AGM

The 2010 AGM will take place on Tuesday, 1 June 2010 upstairs at the Galleon Centre at 8pm. Please try to come along to vote in a Committee for next season and to have your say in the future of the Club.

PRESENTATION NIGHTS

The Learn to Play, U10's, U12's, U14's and U16's teams' presentations night will be on Friday, 4 June 2010 at 8pm. As there will be no ice at the Galleon Centre that night for our usual ice disco and as the upstairs room is less than ideal, the Committee are looking for a suitable venue elsewhere in Kilmarnock. If anyone has any suggestions, please drop a member of the Committee a note.

The U20's team will be having a joint Presntation Night with the SNL team. Stuart Wilson will let players know what the arrangements will be nearer the time.