OLDS — Rob Turville is gearing up for a busy year -- especially in the late summer and fall -- as he takes over as president of the Olds Minor Hockey Association for the 2022-23 season.
Turville takes over from 2021-22 president Rich McDonald, now the association’s past-president.
During an interview, Turville said he’s aware that the role will be time-consuming, especially in late summer/early fall as the association gets ready for another hockey season.
However, he’s confident he’ll receive the help and advice he needs from McDonald as well as the Olds Minor Hockey Association executive.
"If you look at our past-presidents, we’ve had a really strong executive and I think a really solid board foundation over the past few years, at least from what I’ve seen and when I’ve been involved.
“So I think that’s really going to help me step in, going into a board with a solid foundation, strong leadership over the last few years,” Turville said.
"Hearing stories from Rich, it is a very time-consuming position, but you know, it’s a volunteer position that you do for the betterment of the children and the community.
“And that’s kind of what it’s all about – providing a safe, fun environment and a place for kids to go and play hockey. And If you look at it that way, it doesn’t seem all too bad,” he added.
Turville works at the Harmattan gas plant. He said there’s some flexibility in that job that should allow him to juggle work, his Olds Minor Hockey Association responsibilities and a home life, but he’s aware that’ll be a challenge.
“I mean, there’s a little flexibility there, but at the end of the day, like I said, it’s still a volunteer position. And like everybody else who’s been president before, you’ve still got a job to go to, you’ve still got to provide for your family.
“So sometimes, you know, the association might take a back seat to what’s important for your family, but you just try and find time whenever you can. I think it’s a lot of emails and phone calls in the evenings,” he said.
"It’s busy, right? Leading up to the season: August, September, October. Then November, you start to see it maybe slow down a little bit,” McDonald said. “It’s just about finding that balance and maybe setting some boundaries for your availability.”
McDonald said he’ll be there to provide Turville with any advice and assistance he can.
Turville figures he’s been involved in minor hockey for about eight years. That includes a few years as a midget AA coach, a couple of years as midget coordinator, a term as vice-president and now an upcoming season as president.
McDonald says he’s been involved in Olds Minor Hockey Association for about seven years, including five as a coach. This season will be his third as a member of the board (now as past-president).
