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Try-Out
Policy and Guidelines
One of the primary objectives of
Belleville Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) is to provide information to players
and parents in order that they may become more familiar with the selection
process. Please note that these are only guidelines and that adjustments may be
made on a case by case basis with agreement from the Coach, Chair of
Development Programming as well as the Executive.
In
addition, it is the responsibility of BMHA and its members to meet level of
play requirements in accordance with the OMHA guidelines. These guidelines
include that an Association may not enter a team in a lower level of play if
there is no team entered in the immediate level above. For example, BMHA
must enter an "AA” team if it wishes to enter an "AE” team. This stipulation
applies to all levels and ages in the Rep system. BMHA encourages
players to compete at the appropriate level of competition to maximize their
development both as players and individuals. A selection process occurs each
year in order to formulate competitive teams. Any player who is register with
BMHA for the Season and is a current resident of Belleville (OMHA Reg. E 6
& 7) can attend tryouts
We recognize that the decision to play at a certain level is
a family decision and that the overall well being of the player is the
priority. However, please keep in mind that playing at a level below the
player’s true skill level denies your child and the teams their best chance to
succeed and advance. Therefore, in an effort to balance your decision with the
objectives of BMHA and the OMHA guidelines, we have developed the BMHA Tryout
Policy for all age categories and levels of play below.
- Players
must attend all of the tryout sessions for the team they wish to play for. Absences for extenuating circumstances
(i.e. illness, injury, etc.) can be permitted at the discretion of the Development
Programming committee and independent assessors (selection committee).
- BMHA will hold all Minor AA and AE
and Major AA and AE Level tryouts together, as it is mandatory that all
players (new and returning) tryout at the highest level of play (AA).
Players are required to be present at the first tryout of any division in
order to be eligible for team play.
- It is mandatory for all players to
first attend, within their appropriate age category. If the players
intention is to attend tryouts for the age category one level of play
higher than the level of play in their just completed season then a letter
signed by the parent must be provided and a committee will meet to discuss
whether this intent falls under the OMHA Guidelines for tryouts, based on
this decision you will be either allowed to move forward or asked to try
out for your appropriate age group.
- VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL. If at any time after attending a
minimum of two tryouts a player wishes to voluntarily withdraw from
tryouts prior to completion, we ask that a parent/guardian of that player
and the player speak to the Coach or Development Programming Chair prior
to leaving the tryout process.
- As always, please consult the Development
Programming Chair for the appropriate category or the Executive Director
for any clarification of this policy.
General
The first two tryout sessions are generally
used to select players of the most developed skill level within that age group. Players tend to ‘sort themselves’ into 3 tiers during tryouts.
The assessors are usually able to identify the tiers so that they can then
spend the last sessions focusing their evaluation on the middle tier. Cuts will
be allowed after the second tryout at the AA level only.
This objective enables the association
and its members to put forth competitive teams for all levels of play. Players should give careful consideration to their desired level
of play and be prepared for the team tryouts at that level. Should a player be
released from the AA level, it is important to understand that he/she will remain
in competition for the team at the next level of play.
All OMHA teams at the AA Representative level must
carry a minimum of 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders. AE Representative Teams must
make every effort to carry a minimum of 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders. A shorter roster may be permitted from time
to time at the AE level only at the discretion of the Chair of
Development Programming, based on the numbers that attend tryouts. Coaches must submit a player roster within 3
days of the final day of tryouts to the BMHA office. This can be forwarded via
email to bmhajrbulls@cogeco.net.
Expectations
As an
association, we encourage players to play at the highest level they are
comfortable with and capable of playing, however, players have to approach the
competitive team tryouts with realistic goals in mind. As a rule of thumb, a realistic
goal would be to move up one skill level in the second year of an age group,
and drop one skill level when moving up an age group. This is just a guideline
as player skill development rates differ and player numbers vary at each level.
While teams are never pre-selected and no spots are reserved on a team, there
is often a core group of athletes who consistently earn a position at the AA
level. This is a reality in all sports.
Time Commitment
Competitive
teams (AA-AE) normally register for 3 -4 tournaments, 2-3 may be out of town.
The team will also purchase extra ice sessions in addition to those provided by
the BMHA scheduler, plus other sessions designed to develop conditioning/ strategy.
So, players may be involved in hockey activities three to four times per week.
Most competitive coaches expect players to attend all games and practices and
to make hockey their primary sports focus during the winter.
Financial Commitment
Competitive
players can expect to pay anywhere from $1500-$2500+ above Registration fees
for additional ice time, tournament play, etc.
Player Selection Process
Register, determine which team tryout session you attend, and
check the tryout schedule/location. All players are required to be fully
registered before beginning tryouts (please refer to the BMHA Registration and
Refund Policy for details), registration is available on the BMHA website www.bellevilleminorhockey.com as well as during set registration dates that will be
posted each season. During the first tryout you will be required to pay a fee
of $60.00 for 3 guaranteed tryout sessions, pre payment for this charge will
require that you produce a receipt to the tryout management table before
entering the ice surface for all remaining sessions. At the tryout session Coach
and volunteers will take attendance and hand out pinnies. Once players are on
the ice, the Coach will hold a short parent information meeting. Tryout session
formats are outlined at this time. Actual tryout sessions may differ from this format
depending on age group and skill level.
The first and second session will be geared towards evaluating skating, passing and
stick handling skills.
The third session will place as much emphasis as possible on game
situations such as scrimmage drills involving 1-on-1, 2-on-1, 3-on-2, etc.
There may be decisions/releases made after the second session at the AA level
only. In this case, all players will receive a letter (to be opened away from
the arena) directing them to a tryout session at the next level of play. Should
a parent or player be interested in feedback they should contact the Coach or Selection
Committee (contact info should be included in the letter received from the
coach).
The forth session may be in the form of a scrimmage. After the third
session, some players deemed to have already made the team might be asked not
to participate in the final assessment session so that evaluators may better
assess the skills of the remaining players. All final decisions will be in the
form of hand delivered letters to all players.
Parent Coaches
The
Coach’s child is not given preferential treatment and must be able to make the
team based on merit. All parent/coaches are advised that the offer to coach is
contingent upon their child being selected for the team by the independent
assessors. Evaluators and on-ice helpers are to be selected by the Development
Programming Committee in conjunction with the proposed coach and the goal
should be to have the same assessors attend each tryout at a given level to
ensure consistency. If necessary, arrange for an additional assessor who may be
able to assess goalies. All assessors should come from the qualified BMHA list
of assessors. The proposed coach has the option to be on the ice during the
tryout process. Since the parent coaches are in conflict of interest when the
team is being selected, the independent assessors in combination with the
proposed Coach shall be responsible to select the core of the team (typically
comprised of the first 8 skaters and 1 goalie). For the selection of all
additional players the parent/coach shall be permitted final decision once the
core team is selected and his/her child has been selected by the independent
assessors.
Assessment Costs
-All Players are required to complete the registration
form and pay the full Registration fee set for that season.
-The cost of Tryouts will be $60.00 for each player
for tryout sessions this must be paid at the first ice time for that team
-Once a player has been selected for the team and
has accepted this position they have until Aug 31 to request refund should they
be unable to remain with the signed team, once this date has passed all fees
are forfeited to the chosen team.
Please see the BMHA Registration and Refund policy
for further information.
Please refer to the OMHA Manual of Operations for rules
regarding
· Releases
· Right of Choice
· Residential
Qualifications
· Player Eligibility
· Eligibility to Play
· Exemption to play
in another center
· (pg’s 80 – 87)
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