As the Coastal Tsunami junior hockey team gears up for its inaugural season this fall, the search is on for local billet families.
Billeting culture is central to junior hockey culture, as Tsunami head coach and general manager Brad Wingfield well knows, having stayed with his first billet family more than 30 years ago as a Kelowna Spartan in 1993.
“I had a really good family in Kelowna. Moving in with a family you don't know, it's critical that the family welcomes you,” said Wingfield in a Tsunami press release.
“It's a home away from home,” said Wingfield. “You want them to be as comfortable and part of the family as much as possible. We are looking for players on the Tsunami to have their own space to rest and be comfortable,” he added.
Carrying on in his dad’s shoes, Wingfield’s own son, Jacob, is now a part of a billet family.
For the young 15-to-20-year-old athletes, billet families need to provide a “home away from home,” along with food and shelter, the press release explains.
“It's super important these athletes are well taken care of,” Wingfield said.
Billet families receive Tsunami seasons tickets and a stipend for food and living costs.
“There's an instant connection and link to the team,” Wingfield said of why families may wish to billet. “Players are great role models and mentors around the house.”
For more information on billeting a Tsunami player, contact Sam Storvold at [email protected].
