Billet Program

Hockey Away from Home

There are many sacrifices to be made by players who choose to pursue junior hockey. Being away from home is one of the major ones.

The Billet Program eases this situation. Keeping a player in a family environment maintains a sense of home and enables him to focus on hockey. Billet families play an integral role in the Truro Jr. “A” Bearcats success.

Players wanting to achieve their hockey dreams often move from towns and cities across Canada. Part of being drafted by the Truro Junior “A” Bearcats entails some sacrifices. For many players the Junior A route is their stepping stone to academic scholarships and a chance move up the ladder to university, major junior, AHL, NHL and European leagues. Our alumni numbers attest to our success in assisting players to accomplish their goals. The role billets play in this success is immeasurable.

Billet families ease the transition between the player, a new team, and community. Providing a secure, stable, and supportive home environment allows the player to focus on hockey, and their education.

WHAT DOES THE TEAM NEED?

Some of our billets have been with the Truro Jr. “A” Bearcats for over a decade. There are a number of opportunities for billeting. Sometimes we require short term involvement for training and preseason camps with a duration of about one to two months. We also need billets for the entire season. Some billets have hosted two or more players at a time over the course of one or two seasons.

Billets can be two parent families, empty-nesters, or single parent families.

BILLET REQUIREMENTS:

  • To become a billet, please fill out an application form complete with references.
  • Follow up. Usually an in house interview by the billet coordinator.

BILLET RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide a private room for the player with closet space, a bed, dresser, and desk.
  • Provide nutritious meals and snacks.
  • Laundry. To be determined between the billet and player.
  • Provide supportive communication and a family like atmosphere.
  • Helping the player feel that this is their home away from home.
  • Any concerns regarding the player should be directed to the coach.

PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Players have the responsibility of treating your home with respect and observing house rules. They may assist with some household chores. The players tend to lead very busy lives with school, part time work, volunteering, practices, and team activities. There is also curfew and player expectations set by the team.

Players are expected to maintain their own rooms. On occasion the player may have to cook their own meals when the billet family is away.

BENEFITS FOR BILLETS:

In addition to season tickets, billets also receive a monthly stipend.

Billeting enables you to be part of the hockey community. Being there for the player, sharing the triumphs and disappointments in a hockey season gives you a unique perspective.

At the annual season-ending banquet graduating players often share their billet experiences and acknowledge with admiration and appreciation the supportive role of billets.

A wonderful experience that creates friends for a lifetime and a chance to support a young athlete in their quest to fulfill their dreams.

People interested in being a billet family in the future;
contact Billet Coordinator, Karen Nixon (902) 305-2345, Nixonkaren_@hotmail.com