To billet is to locally house players aged 17-20 while also stepping in as a parental influence while the player is in town playing for the San Diego Sabers. These players need homes from August to mid-March, with the potential to extend into April due to playoffs.
These players need a safe, supportive home as they join our teams from all over the world including North America and Europe. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved with the San Diego Sabers and to support young athletes as they strive for their hockey goals.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a billet family?
It is a family offering space in their home for a player to live during the season. It is the player's home away from home.
Are billet families paid?
Yes. Families are paid a monthly stipend per player. The money is provided to help offset some of the expenses of hosting a player but does not eliminate the expenses.
Can a family billet more than one player?
Yes. The only requirement is that each player has adequate space including a bed, closet/dresser, and access to a restroom.
How long does a player stay?
Players typically arrive in early August and stay through the end of the season, typically in March.
What is expected of the billet family?
Provide a clean, family atmosphere and 3 nutritious meals & snacks/day to the player. They are also expected to communicate with coaches and maintain open communication with their billet players.
Will I have to pass a background check?
Yes, the USPHL requires background screenings for all billet families.
Who pays if a player is injured or needs medical attention during his stay?
Our athletic trainer handles all medical issues with the players so everything would go through them thus having no stress on the billet family. In addition, players must have medical insurance from their own families. Most importantly, billet parents are never responsible for medical payments.
Will players join our family for personal events?
We stress to our players that they are a part of the family and encourage them to take part in as many family activities - it’s part of the experience. Families are welcome to invite players to join in family celebrations or activities; however, you don't need to do so. All players will have time off during the holidays.
What makes a great billet family?
- Establish a set of guidelines early on so the player knows what is expected of them.
- Find out what types of foods the player likes to eat and understand the nutritional requirements of an elite athlete. The Sabers can provide more detailed information if needed.
- Understand a player’s practice and game schedule to plan mealtime. The player is responsible to communicate with plenty of notice if he will not be making a meal due to team conflict.
- Respect a player’s privacy and need for independence.
- Create an open line of communication with the player’s parents.
- Make the player feel comfortable, not only in your home but in your community.
- Be a good listener if a player is stressed about school, family, girlfriend, homesickness, etc. However, it is not a good idea to partake in discussions about playing time and team-related issues. The best advice here is to suggest the player arrange a meeting with the coaching staff.
- Take an interest in the player's season and go to games whenever possible.
The Sabers strive to be at the forefront of the sports industry in all aspects, promising to provide fun and affordable family entertainment unmatched in the Northern San Diego area. The Sabers organization expects a high level of excellence from the players, not just at the rink, but with their billet families and also in the community. The players are aware that respect for the household and host family members is mandatory. General responsibility and consideration from both parties make the housing experience successful and build a relationship that lasts for many years after the player has moved on to college.
