Becoming a billet family for Grit hockey players is a rewarding experience that involves providing a supportive and welcoming home for young athletes pursuing their hockey dreams. Prospective billet families typically undergo background checks and home assessments to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the players. It’s essential to have open communication with the player, discussing expectations, house rules, and schedules to create a positive living arrangement.
Being a billet family goes beyond just providing a place to stay; it involves fostering a sense of belonging and support for the player as they navigate the challenges of pursuing their hockey aspirations. The experience not only enriches the player’s life but also allows the billet family to form lasting connections and memories within the hockey community. Don’t wait reach out and become a billet family today. To start this fulfilling journey, interested individuals or families can contact the Colorado Grit host family coordinators.
Billeting has been an amazing experience for our family. We love the craziness that comes with it – from weekday family dinners with our player (plus 1-4 others some nights 😆) to having the whole team over to play Xbox in the basement. The boys are amazingly sweet to our toddler and let him rope them into mini sticks as soon as they walk in the door. Getting to support these young men as they pursue their hockey dreams is such an honor.
When asked what it’s like to be a billet…there is only one true answer…life changing! When you go into this process you truly have no idea who you are going to get. There is anticipation, excitement & a small amount of fear because you really want this young man to feel welcomed and accepted into your home. Becoming a billet family has been the absolute best decision we have ever made. We have gained a new person in our life that we will always refer to as family. He is our son. His family is now our family. To be a billet family means learning, changing, adapting, welcoming, cheering and empathizing. When all is said and done – there will be tears. Not because we won’t stay in touch – but because we will miss our billet son so very much. He has become an extension of who we are. It’s amazing how simple it has been to throw someone new into the mix and it become so easy, so natural. The late night talks – the advice…given both ways. Not only do we still try to be a “parent role model” – we have a young man giving us advice on how to manage our teenager. The connection these two have created is amazing. Our son will forever have an older brother role model – who he would have never had if it wasn’t for this opportunity. Not only have we welcomed a player into our lives…we have formed friendships with other billet families, players, player family and staff that we may otherwise have never had. Hockey is family. No matter what – the hockey community takes care of each other and it is the best community to be a part of.
