NGHA

Players interested in one of the above teams must submit an online tryout registration before the first scheduled tryout. Details will be available in late July/early August.
All players attending competitive tryouts will pay a tryout fee, as determined each season by the Board of Directors.
Only NGHA registered players or players on the waiting list prior to the team's first tryout session are eligible to try out for the above competitive teams.
For each OWHA division, a pre-determined maximum number of players from the waiting list as of 48 hours before the first NGHA competitive team tryout may be selected for these competitive teams. The maximum number (at least 3) will depend on the number of NGHA teams ranked below AA.
Players who tryout for an NGHA competitive team, are offered a position on the team and turn down that offer, may not try out for a lower level competitive team or play on an NGHA House League team.

Formation of team

The Head Coach, monitored by the NGHA Competitive Director, will make the player selections. The selection process will be conducted to ensure a fair and impartial review of all candidates seeking to win a place on the team. Every effort will be made to provide each player with an equitable opportunity to demonstrate her skills and abilities. Each player will be evaluated on the basis of a series of drills, exercises and game situations designed to demonstrate her hockey skills, attitude, work ethic, commitment, and knowledge of the game. On ice drills and exercises will be directed and supervised by the head coach and the team of evaluators he/she brings to the tryouts. Evaluators have no direct connection with any of the players trying out. Team members will caucus after each session to review and compile results, with the head coach making the final decision. Every player who fails to make the team will be offered an assessment of her performance and thanked for her participation. At the younger levels, parents may be invited to attend the assessment session if they choose.

Time commitment

A to C competitive teams can expect to be on the ice 3 or 4 times a week.

Attendance

Other than for reasons of illness, injury, family commitments or school activities, a player is expected to attend all team activities.
All players must notify their coach in advance when unable to attend a team function. This includes games, practices and all other team activities such as social functions and fundraising efforts.
All players, unless ill, injured or attending a family emergency, must be available for all league playoff games, provincial play down games and tournaments.

Ice time

All players on A to C competitive teams will receive equal ice time with the exception of the last two minutes of close games or the last minute of close periods in cases where continuation in tournament play is dependant upon successful allocation of points for each period. The only exception is when a player is denied equal ice for disciplinary reasons. These may include, but are not necessarily limited to, violations to the NGHA Code of Conduct, non-compliance with team rules or repeated absences from team activities.
The team’s Convenor will monitor any denial of equal ice time.

League Play

All competitive teams will play in the Ottawa District Womens Hockey Association (ODWHA) Competitive division. The season typically consists of a 20 game regular season, followed by playoffs as set by the ODWHA.
The competitive season typically starts at the beginning of October and runs through to the middle of February. Playoff games are scheduled through to the end of March.
About half of the games will be on home ice, not only at arenas in Nepean but at others such as Carleton University, Ottawa University and the Bell Sensplex. The other games may be as far away as a 1 1/2 hour drive.
There will be no set days or times for league games.

Practices

There will be no set days or times for practices. Practices may be as early as 6:00 am on weekends or 5:00 pm on weekdays and will be held at several different arenas, not only at those in Nepean but at others as noted above.
Competitive teams are generally allocated 4 to 6 practices per month by the NGHA but coaches will typically seek out additional ice time as well.

Tournaments

A to C competitive teams typically enter 4 or 6 tournaments, typically half of which will be out of town.

Cost

In addition to the NGHA registration fee, which covers ODWHA league play, players must also pay a team fee, generally in the $800 - $1,500 per player range. This fee is to cover the cost of such things as practice ice, exhibition games and tournaments and can be offset by team fundraising and sponsorships. Team budgets will be determined by the team staff with the approval of the parents.
On a limited basis, the NGHA offers financial assistance to those in need. For the criteria and process of applying for this assistance refer to the NGHA Policy Manual.

Tryouts for A to C competitive teams will begin in late August.

Provided they still have their jersey, eligible players who are not successful at "AA" will not be assessed an additional fee if they subsequently try out for another competitive team. Tryout fees for those who did not attend the AA team tryouts will be posted on the NGHA website in the summer. Players without a numbered NGHA tryout jersey may purchase one at their first tryout.

Only registered NGHA players and those on our waiting list prior to the teams' first tryout session are eligible to try out for our competitive teams below the AA level. If they have not already done so, players on our waiting list must submit an NGHA registration form at the first tryout. The tryout fee must be paid by all participants at the first scheduled tryout.

Please note:

A player who has received a Release from the NGHA between September 2009 and August 2010 will be eligible to tryout for an NGHA AA team at her age level for the following season. She will not be eligible to try out for any other NGHA competitive teams or to be placed on one of our House League teams.