BILLET FAMILIES
Every year, new players come from all over Canada and the United States to play for the Peninsula Panthers. In order to host these non-local players, families on the Peninsula are needed to generously open their homes for the duration of the VIJHL hockey season, giving Panthers players a home away from home. Billet families offer the athlete a place to sleep, meals, and a supportive and positive environment for the player. Billeting can be a very excited and rewarding experience for all those willing to open their homes to a dedicated hockey player.
COMMON QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS A PANTHERS BILLET FAMILY?
A billet family is a host family and a home away from home for a Peninsula Panthers player during the hockey season. A billet family agrees to welcome a player into their home, provide access to kitchens and meals as needed, and welcome the player into a healthy family environment.
HOW LONG WILL A BILLET FAMILY HOST A PLAYER?
A typical hockey season is approximately 8 months (August – April). These dates can fluctuate.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A BILLET FAMILY?
A billet family provides safe housing, access to the kitchen and meals, and a supportive, healthy family environment for a Peninsula Panthers player. Billet families are responsible for feeding players daily. Billet families are encouraged to come to games and cheer on their billet throughout the season.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A BILLET WHO IS STAYING WITH A BILLET FAMILY?
A player who is billeting is expected to take part in daily household chores, meal time, and to be a positive role model for other children in the household. A player is expected to respect the billet family and their household rules. A billet player is responsible for ensuring their own transportation to and from practice and games. If a player does not have a car, effort is made to place the player in a home with another player who does or within proximity of a team member with a car. Billet families will be provided with a copy of the detailed Player Responsibilities shared with and signed by the player.
WHAT ABOUT THE HOCKEY EQUIPMENT?
Not to worry. The hockey equipment stays at the rink.
DO BILLET FAMILIES GET COMPENSATED?
The player’s family will pay the billet family $750 per month to help with the extra cost of utilities and groceries that comes with billeting a Peninsula Panthers player.
WHY SHOULD I BILLET A PENINSULA PANTHER?
Billet families can build long-lasting relationships between themselves, their billet, and their billet’s family. The billet family can make a positive difference in the life of a player, someone who may be away from home for the first time in their life. Billet families also get free season ticket passes to all home Peninsula Panthers games and join a tight-knit community of Peninsula Panthers volunteers.
Billet families are valued members of the Panther Community. If you are interested in supporting a Peninsula Panthers player by opening up your home to them as a billet family, please email Business Operations Manager, Sonja Stubban at Sonja@Panthers-Hockey.com.
Billet Family Testimonials
After 16+ years in hockey it was only natural to open our home to billets. We love the energy of the boys. Jacob and Ethan have fit right in!
– Billet Family Marcie and Ryley Swanson
I have had the pleasure of being a Billet family for the Peninsula Panthers for more than 10 years and can say that it has always been a great experience. It is very rewarding to help out a player pursuing their dream of playing high level hockey and providing them a home away from home is a great way to do so. Having a connection to the player and the team is also a great way to meet life long friends and family as we have over the years. We still connect and see players who had stayed with us from as far back as the 2011/12 season. We have always been fairly treated and really feel a part of the Panthers family through the billet program. I would recommend being a host billet family to anyone!
– Billet Dad Jason Fletcher
Being a Billet Family is an opportunity to participate within your community, opening your home to a young player, watching them grow and develop on and off the ice The most rewarding though, is the connection and friendship that you develop with the player and their family! Priceless!
– Billet Mom Tanya Fletcher