Exceptional Status/Player Movement Policy
Coaches are not to respond to any player movement requests (i.e. a U13 player requesting to play at the U15 level). Parents must bring any player movement requests directly to the Board of Directors for review.
Tryouts and Exceptional Status/Player Movement Policy
It is the position of the WGMHA that players are best able to develop their hockey skills by playing on an age-appropriate team. As a general policy, we will not permit players to “play-up” an age level. In rare instances, where a player is of exceptional ability and an appropriate development environment is not available at the player’s own age level, the association will consider an application to play-up.
The WGMHA requires that any parents who wish to have their under-age player considered for an older team must follow the following policy. This policy is designed to outline the criteria and procedures for WGMHA players to be considered for advancement to a higher age group within the WGMHA.
1. Eligibility:
a. The player must demonstrate exceptional skill, commitment, and maturity both on and off the ice.
b. Exceptional status only applies to Tier One tryouts.
c. The player and parents must acknowledge final approval is required by the OWHA and the applicable league (eg. OWHL).
c. The WGMHA must receive written notice that a player is interested at least two weeks prior to the start of internal tryouts along with a nonrefundable $150 evaluation fee. Email [email protected]
d. The player must be evaluated to be a top 5 player at the higher age level, and is no longer being challenged in their own age division, as deemed by the Evaluation Committee.
e. This status is only valid for one season.
f. Exceptional status does not apply to import players.
2. Evaluation Process:
a. An independent Evaluation Committee will assess the player. The Evaluation Committee will be selected by the Executive. The Association reserves the right to utilize a third party of their choosing to aid in the evaluation process
b. The player’s current coaches may be asked for their input of the player's performance.
c. The player must attend tryouts in their own age division as well as the higher age division.
d. The Evaluation Committee will attend the higher age division tryouts and an assessment will be done of the player at that level.
e. Parents/guardians may be involved in the discussion to provide additional context only.
f. Overall, the player must be deemed by the Evaluation Committee to be in the top 5 of the higher age division.
g. If the Evaluation Committee feels the player could play at the higher age division, the decision is with the Head Coach of that higher age division team to accept/select the Exceptional Player.
h. In addition, final approval will be required from the WGMHA Executive, in addition to the OWHA and OWHL to permit the player to be rostered to the team.
3. Communication:
a. Clear communication will be maintained with the player, parents, and coaching staff regarding the evaluation process and decision-making timeline.
4. Regular Policy Review:
a. This policy will be regularly reviewed to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
b. Adjustments will be made as needed to reflect changes in the Association’s goals and the evolving needs of the players.
Note:
A player at any level may be asked by the Association to play at a higher division to ensure a team can be rostered. This player is not deemed to have exceptional status.
By adhering to this policy, the Association aims to create a fair and transparent process for advancing female hockey players to higher age groups based on merit and potential.