Bearcat Hockey Juniors Billet Families

Billet Families: Families who open their homes Bearcat players who currently live too far away to commute to practices and games. These families are the special people who enable Players to pursue their hockey dreams . They do this by not simply providing Players with a place to live, but with enabling an environment in which the Players can thrive physically, academically and emotionally. All that is really required is a willingness to help a player(s) by providing a “home away from home”. Meanwhile, the essential values and principles to become a successful member of the Bearcats will be expected from the player in the rink, the home, school and the community. A successful hosting and billeting experience is truly rewarding for both the Billet Family and the Player through the formation of a unique connection that lasts a lifetime. Billet Families and their Players often stay in contact long after the Player finishes playing. Any young player who has played away from home will tell you that some of their fondest memories include their Billet Families and vice versa! 

Guidelines: The Bearcats consider Billet Families part of the team who play a key role in the development of their billeted players and who represent a rewarding hockey program. Agreeing to act as the Billet Family is a great responsibility and the Billet Family, the family of the Player (Player Family) and the Player each need to understand their obligations and expectations with respect to each other. To ensure the experience is successful, The Bearcats are providing suggested guidelines for Billet Families, Player Families and Players. Please note that these are simply guidelines to assist the Billet Families and Player Families in determining the rules, responsibilities and expectations that they will follow, and it is solely up to the families to determine the scope, extent and content of such rules, responsibilities and expectations. Each of the Billet Families, Player Families, and Players understand that The Bearcats are not responsible for the actions or inactions of any of the Billet Families, Player families, or Players.

The Bearcats consider Billet Families part of the team who play a key role in the development of their billeted players and who represent a rewarding hockey program. Agreeing to act as the Billet Family is a great responsibility and the Billet Family, the family of the Player (Player Family) and the Player each need to understand their obligations and expectations with respect to each other. To ensure the experience is successful, The Bearcats are providing suggested guidelines for Billet Families, Player Families and Players. Please note that these are simply guidelines to assist the Billet Families and Player Families in determining the rules, responsibilities and expectations that they will follow, and it is solely up to the families to determine the scope, extent and content of such rules, responsibilities and expectations. 

Length of Stay: The players will arrive mid-August and will be here until 48hrs after the season ends.

General Rules: No more than two (2) players should be housed with the Billet Family. 

• All adults living in the household of the Billet Family may be asked to complete background screening in accordance with the policies of USA Hockey and should consider completing Safe Sport training prior to the Player moving in with the Billet Family.

• The Billet Family should be a two-parent home, unless agreed by the Player Family. 

The Billet Family will: Provide the Player with a safe, fun, healthy, fair, and inclusive family environment.

• Ensure that the Player attends school regularly and is provided the time and a suitable place to complete all school’s assignments. (If applicable)

• Provide the Player with a private bedroom or, if agreed by the Billet Family and the Player Family, a shared room that is large enough to accommodate 2 Players comfortably as well as a suitable location to store equipment. 

• Treat the Player’s belongings with care and respect. 

• Establish a mandatory curfew for the Player based on the Player’s family and Coaches wishes. • Ensure that the Player does not stay overnight at other locations, or the Player does not have a person stay over at the Billet Home, without the consent of the Billet Family and the coaching staff. 

• Provide the Player with 2-3 full, healthy meals a day  (which may include accommodating any dietary restrictions of the Player). 

• Provide laundry facilities for the Player (although, unless otherwise agreed by the Billet Family and the Player Family, the Player is responsible for his own laundry supplies). 

• Prior to the start of the billet, clearly and fully (i) describe the living arrangements and (ii) communicate/determine the house rules to the Player and with the Player Family’s wishes 

• Respect the individuality, privacy, and beliefs of the Player. 

• Abide by a strict no drug, alcohol and tobacco policy (meaning that no illicit drugs will be given to or be used around the Player, no prescription drugs will be given to the Player unless prescribed by a doctor and with the permission of the Team Trainer, and no alcohol will be given to the Player). 

• Communicate as needed with the Player and the Player Family, and immediately inform the Coaches and Player Family of any concerns or issues that may arise. 

• Acknowledge that the Player Family may make unscheduled check-in phone calls from time to time.