EAST FEMALE HOCKEY COUNCIL POLICIES & PROCEDURES GENERAL INFORMATION

Last Revision – July 2, 2014

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Winnipeg East Female Hockey Council in conjunction with the St. Boniface Minor Hockey Association and the Transcona Minor Hockey Association is to foster an environment of learning and development for all players in our association, both on and off the ice, in a safe and responsible manner.

Objectives: 1) Introduce and provide much needed hockey programs for young female athletes ages 5-17. 2) Create an opportunity for continued participation in hockey and the development of hockey skills and knowledge. 3) Create a program that allows our young female athletes the opportunity to acquire life skills and meet friends for life.

I. ABBREVIATIONS

AA - Area Association (e.g. St.Boniface, Transcona, St.Vital, etc.) CC - Community Centre HC - Hockey Canada HM - Hockey (also Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association) WEFHC - Winnipeg East Female Hockey Council SBMHA - St.Boniface Minor Hockey Association TMHA – Transcona Minor Hockey Association HW - Hockey Winnipeg

II. INTRODUCTION

A. The purpose of this document is to inform interested persons in the community of the general scope of female minor , and how it is organized and managed in St. Boniface and Transcona (Transcona and St. Boniface are amalgamated for female ice hockey).

B. Over the past decade, the number of girls playing ice hockey has increased substantially. Growth has been fuelled, in part, by the success of the National Women's Hockey Team at the World Female Hockey Championships and the Winter Olympics. In addition, many high school hockey teams have evolved throughout Winnipeg as well as three prep teams (Balmoral Hall, Shaftsbury and St. Mary’s). AAA provincial midget female hockey is represented in Winnipeg by the Winnipeg Avros and . Universities in Canada and the United States host competitive women's university hockey teams with scholarship opportunities.

III. THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF FEMALE HOCKEY

A. The Winnipeg East Female Hockey Council (WEFHC) is a voluntary body consisting of female hockey parents interested in the organization, promotion and advancement of female minor ice hockey in St.Boniface and Transcona.

B. WEFHC is responsible for organizing and administrating the female minor ice hockey program in St.Boniface and Transcona each fall and throughout the hockey season. Other significant activities organized by this committee includes a female ice hockey camp in September and a female hockey tournament at the end of the hockey season.

C. Female hockey in St. Boniface and Transcona is administered by a representative of the St. Boniface Minor Hockey Association and a representative of the Transcona Minor Hockey Association. The female hockey Chairperson position and the female hockey Vice Chairperson are elected positions at the annual general meeting of the SBMHA and the TMHA. The Chairperson of the WEFHC is a voting member of the SBMHA Executive Board and represents the interests of female minor ice hockey in St.Boniface at the area association level. The female Chairperson is responsible for appointing a committee or council to serve the best interests of female hockey in St. Boniface and Transcona. The WEFHC consists of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Registrar, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other Members at Large can be appointed to the WEFHC to assist in the running of the overall program, as needed.

D. WEFHC meets regularly during the hockey season.

E. In early September, following player registration, WEFHC organizes and supervises team tryouts.

F. SBMHA is a member of HW (Hockey Winnipeg) with voting rights by its President on the HW Board of Governors.

G. An officer, usually the Chairperson, of the WEFHC represents the interests of St. Boniface on Hockey Winnipeg’s Female Hockey Council. This council consists of female hockey representatives from all the area associations and is chaired by the Vice President of female hockey. The Vice President of female hockey represents the interests of female ice hockey on the Executive Board of HW. The Executive Board is the power base of HW and make the major decisions governing minor ice hockey in Winnipeg.

H. The Vice President of female hockey is nominated at large and elected by the HW Executive Board. The Female Council meets monthly during the ice hockey season. Interests of the Female Council are represented at the HW Executive Board by the Vice President of Female Hockey.

I. HW is a member of Hockey Manitoba (HM) along with other hockey associations in Manitoba.

IV. FEMALE HOCKEY AGE DIVISIONS

These age divisions (based on calendar year) are: 1. Midget: 15, 16, and 17 year olds. 2. Bantam: 13 and 14 year olds. 3. Peewee: 11 and 12 year olds. 4. Atom: 9 and 10 year olds. 5. Novice: 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds.

V. SKILL LEVEL CATEGORIES

A. The current CHA system designates minor hockey skill levels and leagues As: AAA, AA, and A. Currently in Manitoba, minor female hockey is designated as AAA, AA and A. In our association, WEFHC administers the AA Winnipeg East Saints and the Winnipeg East Stars (encompassing A1 and A2). The AA Winnipeg East Saints start at the Peewee level and is also represented at the Bantam and Midget levels. The Winnipeg East Stars start at the Novice level and continues right through to the Midget level. Winnipeg East Stars represent all players in the St. Boniface and Transcona catchment that play either A1 or A2 female hockey. There are evaluations for players and teams are determined after rankings by independent evaluators. The number of teams at each age group is determined by Hockey Winnipeg solely based on the number of registrants at that age group.

VI. PLAYER REGISTRATION

A. Registration for female minor hockey in St. Boniface and Transcona occurs in early September. Parents register their daughter (s) online in St. Boniface and at their area C.C. or at a designated registration centre in Transcona.

B. Player registration fees are reviewed each year by the WEFHC and are posted on the website. Typically they increase with age and for the AA level. The registration fee covers player insurance, game ice times, referee and time keeper costs, as well as WEFHC administrative costs to run our female program such as equipment costs, evaluation ice times, goalie development and subsidized conditioning camps prior to evaluations.

C. There are two hockey leagues governed by HW, namely Regular and Female leagues. At registration time, a decision must be made as to which league to register in. Girls have a choice and can register to play ice hockey in the Regular League with boys or with girls only in the Female League. In conjunction with SBMHA, any girl trying out for a boys team has to decide what stream they will continue in before the end of the second tryout of that boys team. If they are released after the third, fourth or fifth tryout they cannot come to the female program. The female player must stay in the boys program for the entire year. Conversely, if a female player goes past the second tryout in the female program and is released or assigned to a lower division, that player must play in the female program. WEFHC, with the support of SBMHA, will not release any female players to another female association or to regular hockey. Some consideration may be given when another association requires players for team formation but only when all Saints and Stars teams are adequately staffed. There are some notable differences between the Regular and Female leagues. There is no body checking at any age or skill level in Female Hockey, including high school and college/ university. By peewee age, the majority of girls in Winnipeg opt to play hockey in the Female League. Only a few girls play in the Regular League at Bantam or Midget because of body checking and obvious difference’s in size and strength.

D. Players can opt out of AA but must attend all A evaluations, as both A1 and A2 levels are determined through this process. Missing evaluations, without a valid reason, can be detrimental to a player’s chances of making the highest level at that age group.

VII. WINNIPEG EAST SAINTS FEMALE AA

Season Start – Typically starts around October 10-15th League Play – 28 games Playoffs – Typically start the last week of February and the first rounds are best of three, next rounds are best of 5. Playoffs end by the end of March.

A. Female AA: Female AA is the highest competition and skill level for female Peewee and Bantam aged players. At the midget level, AAA provincial midget and prep teams offer alternatives to AA midget.

B. Host teams: We currently host three AA teams. The WEFHC in conjunction with other area associations can transfer players in or out to formulate teams.

C. AA Representative: WEFHC has an AA representative that is responsible for overseeing the AA program. This is an appointed position on the WEFHC.

D. Coach Selection: All coaches for our AA program will be chosen by the WEFHC, specifically the coach selection subcommittee, preferably before the season starts. All coaches will have completed criminal background checks in order to be accepted to coach in our female program. Although WEFHC strives to select non-parent coaches for obvious reasons, WEFHC will always strive to select the best qualified coaches and this may include parent coaches. In selecting a parent coach, obvious scrutiny will go into determining that the coach’s child has a proven history in our association or participating in another association is very capable of being a top goalie, top four defenseman and/or a top six forward. WEFHC will not select a parent coach, even if they are qualified, if the above conditions are not met.

E. Evaluations: All AA Winnipeg East evaluations will be managed by the team’s coach(es). The coach may or may not choose to use independent evaluators to assist in the selection of the team. Each coach will select the team without interference from the WEFHC and will have total autonomy of how evaluations are organized. Most AA evaluations will involve a first round of three evaluations and then releases; a second round of one or two exhibition games and then releases; and a third round of one or two more evaluations and then final releases and team formation. This may vary depending on number of players trying out and availability of other area associations for exhibition games.

F. Evaluation Ice times: AA evaluations are determined by WEFHC and are usually hosted at Notre Dame Arena. All players will be notified of these tryouts via email as well as all times being posted on the stars female website. (www.starsfemalehockey.ca)

G. Player Releases: WEFHC expects all coaches to follow a standard procedure regarding releases from all AA Saints teams. The procedure is: the first releases will take place after round one and will include a form letter to every player. This form letter will indicate the date and time of the next round of evaluations if the player will continue with the AA Saints program evaluations or will indicate that the player has been reassigned and is to continue the evaluation process with the Winnipeg East Stars program. The second round will be exactly the same as the first round, a form letter indicating continuation with the AA Saints program or reassignment to the Winnipeg East Stars program. WEFHC expects all players to wait until they are in a vehicle or at home before they open the form letter. For the final round releases, WEFHC expects the coach of each AA team to meet with every remaining player to state whether the player has been selected to the AA team or is being reassigned to the Winnipeg East Stars program. WEFHC expects all parents to wait by their vehicle after the last evaluation session to receive their player. WEFHC believes this is a very stressful moment for those players facing reassignment, and we hope this process allows players to maintain their dignity and to be supported by their parent(s) without significant interference.

H. 24 Hour Policy: WEFHC expects all parents to adhere to the 24 hr policy concerning player reassignments. Under no circumstances will any parent be allowed to discuss, question or dispute a player reassignment the night of the final team selection with any coach, team official or member of the WEFHC. The only point of contact regarding a player’s placement will be the Chairperson of female hockey. Please do not expect a reassigned player to be reinstated to the AA team by the female Chairperson. The female Chairperson will listen to parental concerns but will not contradict any of the coach’s selections. Any incident of a parent violating this policy will be documented and kept on file with WEFHC as well as the HW female council.

I. AA Team Meeting: Coaches and/or team officials will have a pre-season meeting, involving at least one parent/guardian of each player, outlining the coaching philosophy, team officials and team budget, which will include but not be exclusive to practice amounts, tournament play, apparel and dry-land. The estimated cost to play AA Saints varies but can be as high as $3000.00 per season, on top of the initial registration fee paid at the beginning of the year. Once a team manager is selected, SBFHC expects financial documents disclosed to all parents of team members at least three times during the year (pre-season meeting, after the first half and at the end of the year). Failure to disclose budgetary information at the AA level will result in a WEFHC audit of the team.

J. Playing Time at the AA level: WEFHC is committed to developing all players. Every player shall receive fair playing time. Note: Fair playing time is different than Equal playing time. Playing time decisions will be based on the following factors: attendance at practices, attitude, injuries, and team composition and needs. Playing time will be determined at the coach’s discretion.

K. Dressing Room Supervisor: All AA teams will be expected to have a responsible adult, such as a female coach, female manager, or a female parent, who is on the official roster, to supervise the dressing room before and after all team ice times. Male team officials, including coaches, will establish clear guidelines with their team so all players are in an appropriate state of attire when addressed before and after the games by their coach(es). Other than these expected times of coach/player interaction, all non- player personnel, with the exception of the assigned female adult supervisor, will not be in the dressing rooms.

L. Code of Conduct: At all times players, coaches and parents of our AA Saints program must follow the codes of conduct listed on the HW, HM and HC websites.

M. Responsibility: Representing our AA Saints organization is an honor and WEFHC expects our players, coaches and parents to be mindful of this fact, regardless of the arena, city, province, state or country you are playing in. WEFHC always expects the highest level of respect and integrity displayed by all our members.

N. Commitment: WEFHC expects all parents to realize that the AA Saints program is for committed players wanting to play the highest level of hockey in the association. AA Winnipeg East Saints teams require a significant commitment by the players and their parent(s). Much consideration should be given by all players and parents regarding the ability to meet both the time and financial commitments that are required to play for the AA Winnipeg East Saints.

O. Age Advancement: There is no age advancement as determined by HW at the AA level, if HW changes their policy WEFHC will reflect that change.

P. WEFHC, following the HW guidelines, has determined AA rosters will be 17 players. Any variation will need to be approved by the female Chairperson.

VIII. A1/A2 WINNIPEG EAST STARS

Season Start – Typically starts in November League Play – 18-22 games Playoffs – Typically start the last week of February and are a double knockout format. Final series are best of three or best of five. Playoffs end by the end of March.

A. Age Categories: A1/A2 Winnipeg East Stars have teams in the following age categories: Novice (5,6,7,8), Atom (9,10), Peewee (11,12), Bantam (13,14), and Midget (15,16,17).

B. Age Division Directors: WEFHC has appointed age directors to supervise each specific age category. These directors will be the main point of contact throughout the season for any questions, issues or conflicts. Each age director will be identified before the season starts on the Stars website as well as at the start of evaluations.

C. Registration: All players participating in evaluations for the Winnipeg East Stars must be registered through the SBMHA website or if from Transcona, through their community center. Players that cannot prove they are registered cannot participate in the evaluations.

D. Evaluations: Evaluations are open to all players. Generally, players who choose to play A2 will participate in the evaluation process to take advantage of the ice time since the cost for evaluations is shared by all A1 and A2 players. Evaluations for all A1/A2 teams are conducted by a team of independent evaluators using a standardized evaluation form and a series of drills and hockey scrimmages. The number of players selected for the A1 team will depend on registration numbers in the age division and will be determined by the number of teams required by Hockey Winnipeg team formation charts. Teams are based on a minimum roster of twelve. Ex. if there were 36 registrants at Novice – then there would be three (3) novice teams of twelve, one (1) A1 team and two (2) A2 teams. Another novice team would be added only when there were 48 novice players registered or more. At that point there would be four (4) novice teams, two (2) A1 teams and two (2) A2 teams.

E. Team formation - After the determined number of evaluations (usually three) the players will be ranked according to the independent evaluators. To be placed on the A1 team a player must rank in the top 70% of the total number of players being placed on that team. Ex. if the roster for the novice A1 team is determined to be 14 players, 70% of the 14 players will be automatically placed on the team by the independent evaluations and the remaining players will be chosen by the coach from all remaining players at the evaluations.

F. Coach Selection: WEFHC, through the coach selection sub committee will make every effort to select all A1 coaches before evaluations start. WEFHC understands most coach selections in the Winnipeg East Stars program will be parent coaches. In order for an A1 coach to be selected by the coach selection sub-committee the coach must have a daughter that is unanimously agreed to be in the top 70% of the total number of players being paced on that team. All Winnipeg East Stars coaches will be required to have passed a criminal background check to coach in our association. The coaching selection sub-committee may require interviews with candidates if more than one applicant has applied for an A1 team. Previous years coach(es) evaluations will be another tool used by SBFHC to select coaches.

G. Team Selection: All Stars teams will be chosen after the final evaluation by the independent evaluators, the coach(es) and the Chairperson of female hockey (the age director may take the place of the Chairperson of female hockey if required). When there are two or more teams being formed at a given age level in our association, WEFHC may delay team selections until such time as all Winnipeg East Stars coaches are determined. Once all coaches are selected, WEFHC may allow one or two supplementary ice sessions for these coaches to familiarize themselves with the players. WEFHC will make every effort to maintain a competitive fairness when there are multiple Stars teams. Every effort will be made to make the teams as fairly divided as possible using the evaluation rankings, while possibly also taking into consideration friendship based requests, coaching requests and geographical or logistic requests. Players who register late or after tryouts will be placed at the A2 level, as long as maximum numbers are not met.

H. Age Advancement: WEFHC has determined there will be no age advancement within our Stars program. If there is an exceptional situation that mandates a review of this policy, WEFHC reserves the right to do so on a case by case basis.

I. 24 Hour Policy: WEFHC expects all parents to adhere to the 24 hr policy concerning player assignments. Under no circumstances will any parent be allowed to discuss, question or dispute a player assignment the night of the final team selection with any coach, team official or member of the WEFHC. The only point of contact regarding a player’s placement will be the Chairperson of female hockey. The female Chairperson will listen to parental concerns but will not contradict any of the coach’s selections. Any incident of a parent violating this policy will be documented and kept on file with WEFHC as well as the HW female council.

J. Fair play and Equitable ice Time Policy for Winnipeg East Stars A1 Program: WEFHC expects that every coaching group will have a pre-season meeting at the Winnipeg East Stars level, involving at least one parent/guardian of each player, outlining the coaching philosophy, team officials and team budget which will include but not be exclusive to practice amounts, tournament play, apparel and dry-land. WEFHC will mandate that any coach agreeing to coach in our association will agree to the following for our Winnipeg East Stars teams: 1) Developmental phase – until the end of December. WEFHC requires all players at the A1 level will receive fair and equitable ice time so as to develop and experience every game situation. Coaches will understand and accept this in order to coach in our program. 2) Tactical phase- until the end of February or to the start of playoffs. While development will continue, WEFHC would expect some team strategies to evolve during this phase. During this phase, all coaches will be allowed the last five (5) minutes of any game to deviate from their regular player rotation. 3) Playoffs: WEFHC advocates that all coaches at the A1 level will continue to play all players as their rotation comes up so as to continue the players ongoing development throughout the HW playoffs. However, WEFHC also recognizes the pressure put on coaches to be successful so during HW playoffs WEFHC will allow A1 Winnipeg East Stars coaches to deviate from their regular player rotation during the third period only.

NOTE: WEFHC expects coaches to take very seriously the matter of reducing a players ice time as it can dramatically effect a players self-confidence and degree to which they feel part of their team. Coaches should always take time to explain to a player why they are having their ice time reduced. Most parental complaints to WEFHC involve reduced player ice time without any explanation from a coach.

K. Fair Play and Equitable Ice Time Policy for Winnipeg East Stars A2 Program: WEFHC expects that every coaching group will have a pre-season meeting, involving at least one parent/guardian of each player, outlining the coaching philosophy, team officials and team budget which will include but not be exclusive to practice amounts, tournament play, apparel and dry-land. WEFHC will require that any coach agreeing to coach our Winnipeg East Stars A2 teams will agree to give every player their regular rotation (shift) throughout the game from the start of the season until the end of the regular season. 1) Playoffs – WEFHC has determined that during playoffs and only during playoffs, in the last five (5) minutes of the third period or overtime, A2 coaches can deviate from the regular rotation of players.

L. Commitment: In order to effectively develop all players, WEFHC realizes and fully supports that attendance, hard work, a positive attitude and good sportsmanship are the players responsibility and if any of these areas fall short of the coaches expectations, the WEFHC fully supports the coach in limiting or reducing a players ice time as a disciplinary measure at all levels and ages.

IX. Coach Evaluations Parents are requested to fill out coaching evaluations from the Stars website or those emailed to parents individually as this information is vital to continuing to select the best coaches possible.

X. Financial Information WEFHC will post its annual budget on the website by the end of June following each season.

XI. Equipment All Saints and Stars equipment will be stored at the ND arena. All jerseys and equipment given to teams are expected to be returned in proper order and condition and at the expected time usually set up by the WEFHC equipment manager. Non- returned jerseys or equipment will result in the teams officials being suspended from WEFHC activities such as coaching, managing or being on the WEFHC board until all jerseys and equipment is returned. Fees will be levied against teams and/or individuals that return jerseys and/or equipment in a damaged manner. Fees will be set annually by the WEFHC board. The ability to register in the female program the following year will be negatively impacted if these fees are not paid in a timely manner.

XII. ST.BONIFACE MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

A. SBMHA is responsible for organizing and administrating minor ice hockey in St.Boniface. It consists of an elected Executive Board and representatives from the six St.Boniface community centres (CC): Southdale, Winakwa, Norwood, Champlain, Archwood, and Notre Dame.

B. Some administrative responsibilities and policies of SBMHA include: 1. Establishing CC boundaries (determines who can play where within St. Boniface). 2. Organize tryouts. 3. Providing indoor ice for tryouts and league games. 4. Providing ice and hosting playoffs for a set number of divisions each year. 5. Register teams with HW. 6. Accurately register players and provide player registration to HW. 7. Provide qualified game officials and timekeepers. 8. Organize clinics for coaches, referees, and timekeepers.

XIII. HOCKEY WINNIPEG

A. HW is a voluntary administrative body which organizes and oversees minor ice and minor in line roller hockey in Winnipeg. It sets up the various leagues, schedules, and establishes and implements policies, rules and regulations for Winnipeg.

B. The HW Rules and Regulations booklet, updated yearly, may be obtained at the HW office (WAVERLEY AVE.) Phone - 784-5454. Several copies of this manual are included with the coach’s package for each team registered each fall with WMHA.

C. HW consists of an administrative Executive Board with representation from all Winnipeg AA and a paid staff of several employees. Some decisions and policies made by HW include: 1. Establishing area association boundaries (determines who can play where). 2. Establishing team roster size. 3. Establishing tryout timetable (start and end dates). 4. Scheduling league and playoff games. 5. Establishing schedules and rules for playoffs. 6. Establish and implement rules and regulations for registering teams. 7. Rules and regulations for hosting and participating in sanctioned tournaments. 8. Rules and regulations for playing league and exhibition games, including the duration of each game, number of game officials, fees for game officials, and suspensions for major infractions.

D. Hw has an Appeal Committee empowered to accept various appeals by players, coaches, managers, etc. with regards to team and player registration, suspensions, and other hockey issues. If necessary, a person may appeal a ruling by the HW Appeal Committee to Hockey Manitoba pursuant to their appeal procedures.

E. Web address - http://www.hockeywinnipeg.ca

XIV. HOCKEY MANITOBA

A. The Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association was established in 1914. In 1995 the Association registered the business name "Hockey Manitoba", for Legal purposes the name shall be the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association, but for all other purposes, this organization be known as Hockey Manitoba.

B. HM is a voluntary association of members and individuals designed to promote and develop amateur hockey through fair play throughout the Province of Manitoba, in affiliation with the Canadian Hockey Association.

C. The stated objectives of HM are: 1. To develop a planned program of leadership in all areas related to the development of hockey in Manitoba. 2. To promote, form and govern senior, junior, recreational and minor hockey for both males and females and such other categories which may be established within the province of Manitoba. 3. To secure the enforcement of the rules of the game of hockey as adopted by HM and to decide and adjust all matters in disputes between various clubs affiliated with Hockey Manitoba. 4. To conduct matches between member clubs to determine provincial champions and representatives to inter-provincial championships and CHA championships. 5. To encourage, develop and foster amateur hockey in the province of Manitoba. 6. Some decisions and policies made and implemented by HM include: a. area boundaries outside of Winnipeg (who can play where) b. team roster size c. start and end of hockey season including tryout timetable and playoffs d. local rules governing league games including duration of each game, suspensions for major infractions, D. Web address - http://www.hockeymanitoba.mb.ca

XV. HOCKEY CANADA

A. HC is the sole governing body for amateur hockey in Canada following the merger in July 1994 of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and Hockey Canada.

B. HC operates national programming in cooperation with 13 Branch Associations, the Canadian Hockey League and the Canadian Inter-University Athletic Union.

C. HC oversees the management of hockey programming in Canada from the entry level of the game to participation in international competition, including World Championships, the World Cup of Hockey and Olympic Games.

D. HC operates regional Centres of Excellence in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Saint John that have improved the delivery system for hockey development programs throughout Canada.

E. HC is a $9.5 million a year business that links players, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators and others involved in local hockey associations across Canada to all other provincial, national and international hockey bodies.

F. HC is an organization that is given direction from its board of directors representing every part of the country and hockey level up to the .

G. Through the officers, branch presidents and council directors, they provide leadership to its members, by establishing the by-laws and regulations, rules of game, and direction of its development programs.

H. Web address - - http://www.canadianhockey.ca

XVI. HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

A. High school hockey for men and women is governed by the Manitoba High School Athletics Association. At this time, women are permitted to double roster and play on both community and high school teams. This policy is under review every three years since double rostering of players is normally not permitted by HM.

B. Web address - http://www.mhsaa.mb.ca