The Golden Rockets are just six weeks away from the start of the hockey season, and the organization is currently looking for billet families to help make the season a success. A billet family opens their home to a hockey player who has come to Golden to play for the Rockets.
Becoming a billet family is a big decision, and it’s natural to have questions about what the role involves.
Many families who would be a great fit may hesitate simply because they aren’t sure what to expect, so here’s a closer look at the program.
Families are asked to provide a private bedroom in a clean home, internet access, and basic supervision to help ensure the player is following league rules, along with any reasonable household rules the family has in place. Billet families are asked to provide at least 1 prepared meal per day, with availability to groceries for players to make snacks and other meals on their own.
You’ll receive $900 per player you take in on the first of each month to help offset the cost of adding to your household.
This compensation is intended to cover the basic responsibilities of billeting. Families are not expected to pay for medical expenses, electronics, or other non-essential items.
Players typically arrive in late August and stay for about seven months before leaving in March at the end of the season.
“We rely on billet families to host players during the season. It’s a very important relationship to ensure the players’ well-being and good behaviour during their time in Golden.
We’ve had some amazing success stories over the years, and players often stay in touch with their billet families long after their time here,” says Lucille Hayward, president of the Golden Rockets Junior Hockey Society.
Throughout the season, billet families are supported by the Golden Rockets organization.
Tammy Nagao, the dedicated billet coordinator for the team, is available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help address any concerns that may arise during the player’s stay.
Becoming a billet family is about more than simply providing a place to stay. It is an opportunity to give a young athlete a home away from home while they pursue their hockey goals.
At the same time, families often find that welcoming a player into their home brings new experiences, lasting friendships, and memories that continue long after the season has ended.
Billeting is also a long-standing tradition in Canadian junior hockey. It gives local families a chance to play an important role in a player’s development, both on and off the ice, while becoming part of a tradition that has supported young athletes for generations.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, or if you would like to learn more about the program, contact the Golden Rockets billet coordinator at billets@goldenrockets.com.
