NEW MEXICO ICE WOLVES HOST FAMILY INTRODUCTION
As we look forward to our upcoming season, our NAHL and NA3HL team will welcome players from across the U.S. and foreign countries to our community. These players range in age from 17 to 20 years old. Their stay in Albuquerque will begin in late August and continue through the playoff season in mid-April (Short term host families are also needed 1-3 weeks). When these young men become a member of the New Mexico Ice Wolves Hockey Team, they do not live on their own and all require a family to live with. This is where the host family becomes very important as each player is matched with and placed into a home and family within our community. These families provide a caring, supportive and safe family environment for players during their time in NM.
WHY BECOME A HOST FAMILY?
Being a host can be a very exciting and rewarding experience. Many families stay in touch with players they have hosted in previous seasons as those same players move through the university and professional ranks. Key benefits to you and the Hockey Team when you volunteer to host a player are:
- Build lifelong bonds and friendships with players and their families
- Provide unique social and cultural experiences
- Help players achieve their goal of playing college hockey and beyond
- Support the growing hockey community in New Mexico
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A HOST FAMILY?
Our hosts should be excited to welcome someone new into their lives. Having a hockey player in your home takes time, patience and a willingness to share. There are lots of differences to overcome, both cultural and personal, but in the end it is a rewarding experience for both the host family and player.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT HOST FAMILY?
A caring, supportive and patient family! It can be overwhelming for a player to be far from home. A thoughtful host family appreciates that each player is unique, and that communication and mutual understanding takes effort. Our hosts are interested in sharing their lifestyle in a positive and mutually rewarding way.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HOST FAMILY
Host families should be prepared to provide the following in order to make the player’s stay as comfortable as possible:
- Treat players as you would want your child treated if he/she were away from home
- Inform players of your expectations and house rules
- Enforce the team rules that will be communicated prior to player arrival
- Provide a room for the players to sleep. This should be a dedicated room with a twin bed or larger, a dresser, closet and a desk with chair (if not in the bedroom there should be one located otherwise in the house)
- Provide family type meals including breakfast and dinner as well as snacks
- Provide access to in-home wifi
- Provide use of laundry facilities and detergent
- Confirm with the players of any allergies, medical conditions and special dietary needs
- Support the player, communicate with him and be understanding
- Make the player feel at home and part of the family
HOST FAMILY BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE NEW MEXICO ICE WOLVES
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The Ice Wolves appreciate the support that our Host Families provide our players and demonstrate our appreciation in the following manner:
- All Host Families will receive a 15% discount on all regular priced NM Ice Wolves merchandise and other items available in the Outpost Pro Shop as well as a 15% discount from Center Ice Grill
- Several social team functions
- Season opener social event, season wrap-up social event
- Monthly compensation of $425, paid by the players’ families.
How to Get Started
If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please contact our Host Family Coordinators, Greg Bronson @ (505) 554-5314 or Tina Tomlin (505) 659-0050 or email HostFamilies@nmicewolves.com.
Ready to fill out our host questionnaire? You can fill it out here.
The Host Family Coordinators will conduct an interview and a site visit.
A background check as well as a SafeSport training is required for all adults living in a host family home, as directed by the NAHL.