I’m on Board Parents

About the Program

I’m on Board was created to promote a hockey culture in Quebec that combines well-being with athletic performance. The Montreal Canadiens, Hockey Québec and Sport’Aide firmly believe that teaching life skills like respect, mutual support, inclusion and managing emotions is key to this program’s success. These skills will help athletes succeed not only in hockey, but also in other parts of their life like school, home, and work.

Teaching these skills not only improves performance but also addresses violence, exclusion and mental health issues (e.g., depression) in sports. In light of the recent troubling events in the hockey world, I’m on Board is an excellent opportunity for coaches and parents to take a stand on these issues and promote our athletes’ well-being.

Jean Béliveau: An Inspiring Role Model

I’m on Board was inspired by the great Jean Béliveau, a role model in combining well-being with athletic performance in hockey. The life skills in this program draw from the strengths and characteristics that made Jean an exceptional leader, both on and off the ice.

To pass on this legacy to the next generation, we’ve enlisted the help of renowned hockey icons who have mastered these skills. Through their testimonials, this generation can learn from role models who have made—or are still making—hockey a safer and healthier sport.

Watch this video to learn more about Jean Béliveau’s legacy (available in French with English subtitles).

How the Program Works

The program provides content for coaches and parents to teach kids life skills quickly and effectively on a daily basis.

Note: A pilot phase of the program I’m on Board has been introduced to U7, U9 and U11 teams in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord and Lac-Saint-Louis regions. If your child’s team is based in one of these regions, you can contact the regional program manager at the email address below for more information. You can access the content regardless of where their team is based. Contact us for more information.

Bas-Saint-Laurent region:
info@hockeybsl.com
Lac-Saint-Louis region:
moi-jembarque@hockeylsl.ca
Other regions: info@sportaide.ca

Teaching Life Skills

Watch the videos below for the three main steps in developing your child’s life skills.

Note: To get I’m on Board stickers, please contact the person responsible for the program in your region.

Life Skills for U7, U9 and U11 Teams

Respect

Managing Your Emotions

Development Mindset

Inclusion

Mutual Support

Complaint Management Mechanisms and Sport’Aide Services

Consult this infographic (available in French only) created by Hockey Québec to better understand the mechanisms available for reporting a situation or lodging a complaint, depending on the problem. Whatever the situation, if you need help with this process, Sport’Aide is here to help.

Parents in Hockey

A Guide for Supporting Parents in Hockey

The guide “In Between 2 Plays: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid as Parents in Sports – Hockey Edition” sets out best practices to adopt and pitfalls to avoid in order to create a positive experience for your child. Use this guide to help you support your child in their hockey journey.

If you’re short on time, check out the summary of the guide!

Going a Step Further

Podcasts

Here are some podcasts featuring hockey icons who are also part of the I’m on Board movement (available in French with English subtitles). They talk about the skills for success, all the while keeping the player’s well-being and love for hockey front and centre.

Hitting the road with your child? Why not listen to a podcast with them and talk about how you can help make their hockey experience even better?

See what other public figures have to say about their sports experience and the world of hockey (available in French only).

Comics

We’ve put together a series of comic strips to help you explore different themes in the I’m on Board program. Share them with your child to introduce topics like respecting the officials and fostering inclusion in sports!