WMHA injects new blood into its executive

HAVING SEEN A LARGE turnover in the executive ranks, the Woolwich Minor Hockey Association is still looking to fill three of its 10 positions.

Among the six members who stepped down this week at the association’s annual general meeting April 15 were long-serving president Steve Hanley, vice-president of Rep teams Paul Wilson, local league VP Tom Arndt, VP of player de- velopment Eric Brubacher, equipment director Garry Mayberry and photo director Chris Schnarr.

“We’re short three positions that were not filled at our AGM last night,” said Hanley on Tuesday.

Hanley’s position was taken over by Rob Waters, formerly VP of coaching, who’s the group’s new president.

All of the positions are filled by volunteers and require a certain amount of commitment; some execs stepped down after several years with the organization. So how do longstanding members feel about leaving their posts?

“Sad in one way and happy in another I guess,” Hanley said.

“I think it’s important to keep fresh blood and new ideas in the association. I’ll still be quite involved in the association, being past-president. Rob is more than capable of taking over the president position, so I’m very excited that he’s in there.”

After nearly seven years on executive, first as VP of coaching then as president, Hanley is hoping to stay involved with the association.

Other positions up for grabs at the meeting were three VP opportunities (local league, player development and coaching), an executive secretary, equipment manager, chairs of fundraising and tournaments and a photography director.

The association still needs an executive secretary to take over for Leanne Rollins, who is now co-chair of the tournament committee. Also needed are an equipment manager and a photo director.

Filling the remaining three positions by the start of the 2013-2014 season will not be a problem, Hanley said, as the association has a history of pulling through.

Last year the organization failed to find a fundraising chair, yet WMHA saw one of its most successful years for fundraising, he explained.

The current executive recruited at the recent meeting is starting to look for volunteers to fill the three positions. An appreciation dinner was held to thank coaches April 17, with the association’s annual hockey banquet scheduled for Sunday.

“It’s a bit of work on the executive but it’s very rewarding, especially giving back to your community and the kids,” Hanley said.