Billet Information
Join our team. Become a SAHA billet family!
Every season our hockey program will welcome players from around the world to become part of the SAHA organization. This wouldn't be possible without the support of local Medicine Hat families who serve as the 'home away from home' for our out of town players.
Learn More About our Billet Program
» Billeting is a great way to support our team. Please read through our information and guidelines package prior to submitting your application.
Billet Information and Guidelines PackageFAQ
What makes a great host family?
A caring and supportive family! It can be overwhelming for a player to be so far away from home. A thoughtful host family appreciates that each player is unique and that communication and mutual understanding take effort. Host families also serve as authority figures, role models and extended family to their assigned player(s). While hosts receive a monetary honorarium to help off-set some of the costs, the true rewards are in the lasting relationships that are developed..
May a family billet more than one player?
Yes, provided each player has his/her own private bedroom and closet. Two (or more) players can share transportation expenses, and often times provide camaraderie for one another. All of our players fill out a detailed application and must comply with specific guidelines for behavior and academic performance.
What is a host family expected to provide?
We ask that you provide: » A separate, private bedroom furnished much like a dorm room (bed, desk & chair, clothing storage). » Nutritious meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snacks to meet the needs of a high performing youth athlete. » A caring, friendly, and family oriented home atmosphere. » The same guidance and attention you would want for your own children.
What is expected of billeted players?
» Must follow all team and host family house rules and show respect for other host family members. » Must help keep commonly used areas of the host family home tidy and clean, keep their room clean, assist in preparing and cleaning up from meals and doing their own laundry unless other arrangements are made with the billet family.
Dos and Don'ts of Billeting
Host Family:
» Establish a set of guidelines early on so the player knows what is expected of them. » Find out what types of foods the player likes to eat and understand the nutritional requirements of an elite athlete. » Understand a player’s practice and game schedule to plan mealtime. » Respect a player’s privacy and need for independence. » Create an open line of communication with the player’s parents. » Make the player feel comfortable, not only in your home but in your community. » Be a good listener if a player is stressed about playing time, team issues, homesickness, etc. » Take an interest in player’s season and go to games whenever possible.
Player:
» Know what is expected and acceptable in the host family’s house. » Be respectful of your new surroundings. After all, you are a guest in someone else’s house. » Don’t take things for granted. Just because something may be acceptable in your own house doesn’t mean it is acceptable with your host family. » Be willing to participate in family dinner and activities where appropriate. » Serve as a positive role model for younger children in the host family. » Be willing to communicate with host family. » Don’t take out your problems on the host family.
Process
APRIL/MAY Complete Host Family Application Form: This provides us information about your family that will help match players to host families. The Connection & Engagement Coordinator will arrange a home visit with host families. If you are accepted as a host family you will complete your criminal record checks and send them to the Connection & Engagement Coordinator. Players requiring a billet home will complete their application as they are accepted into our program. MAY/JUNE Billet Coordinator will begin process to match players to families. JUNE/ JULY Families (player and billet) and Connection & Engagement Coordinator connect through a zoom interview where questions can be asked. If the host family feels the player is a good fit for their family, the host family gets the final decision to host. AUGUST Players will move into the host family homes in late August prior to the start of the school year and hockey season.