This season marks the ninth year of the OMHA Coach of the Month presented by The Coaches Site. We asked for nominations of deserving coaches and after much deliberation, Britt Ricker of the Dunnville U11 Orange team was selected as the Coach of the Month for March.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their stories this season. The Coach of the Month program is now over for this year.

Here's her story as told by her nomination:

Our coach deserves to be the coach of the month for her ability to balance four children, and a farm while coaching 2 minor hockey teams. She creates positive and supportive environment where every player feels valued and encouraged. My child has a disability and she accepted him with open arms, always taking the time to explain things to him, celebrate all the accomplishments and growth big or small. He has grown so much this season as a hockey player but even more as a person confidence, attitude that he can do hard things, and team work.

I watch her work with all different players that come from all different backgrounds personally + in hockey experience. She is always showing them that she always has there back, believes in them on and off the Ice. These kids never feel down on them selves because even in a loss she is finding the silver lining in what did go great and that they are great because they all have each others backs, and work together as a team. Which would not be possible with out her taking time from her busy family to volunteer her time for our players. We can't say enough how much we appreciate Coach Britt!!!

What is your background in hockey and coaching this team?
I grew up playing Dunnville local league, since age 5 . I played Dunnville boys rep in peewee, then moved to girls AA in Niagara Falls until Junior where I played for Burlington Barracudas. This is my very first year coaching U11 as it's my daughter's second year playing.

How do you keep the game fun for U11 players?
I keep the game fun by getting to know the players on a personal level so I can best know how to keep them all happy and smiling. I always have a fun game or games at the end of every practice. I provide a player of the game each game, so the kids are excited to strive for it. I arrange team functions like bowling, IceDogs games, parents vs. kids, kids vs. siblings scrimmages to have them all try to beat their family members. I bring treats for everyone after special games and we celebrated with a pizza party in the Jr. Locker room for their big win the other night.

What do you love most about coaching House League hockey?
What I enjoy most about coaching this team, is getting to know these great kids and see them enjoy themselves, make new friends and push themselves to always do their best. Also having the privilege to coach a team I so greatly remember playing for as a kid, is something I will never ever forget. 

How do you build confidence within your players?
I try to build confidence in each of the kids by having a relationship with them, so I know how to speak to each individually. Hear their concerns, or maybe worries, figure out a way to help them overcome those, constant encouragement, our pre and post game talks in the dressing room and praising them whenever possible.