Policy for Underage Players Participating in the NSFMHL
Background
This process will provide a needed development opportunity for Nova Scotia’s elite level, bantam female players, in addition to providing support to the league to overcome some of the demographic challenges that are faced within female hockey in Nova Scotia. NSMFHL Teamswill drive the process and ultimately submit players for consideration.
This process will be reviewed annually by the NSFMHL and HNS Female Council to determine its relevance and if there is a need or requirement to increase or decrease the number of players eligible to be approved.
Process
- Each team within the NSFMHL is permitted to allow one (1) underage player within its seventeen (17) player + two (2) goaltender roster.
- All underage player try-out spots would only be available to players who are: (1) entering their final year of bantam age eligibility; and (2) selected to attend HNS HPP U15 summer camp.
- The specific underage players attending team try-outs will be at the discretion and invitation of the coaching staff of the individual teams within the NSFMHL, based on their scouting of the bantam level players within their zone, and limited to two (2) players.
- Any NSFMHL team wishing to have underage players try-out for their roster must submit the completed “Application for Underage Players Participating in the NSFMHL” (Annex 1) for each underage player to their Regional Director for Female Council by July 31st for the upcoming season.
- Before attending the initial try-out session,parent(s)/guardian(s) are to be advised that any position offered to an underage player would be conditional on the outcome of a player maturity assessment. This will be conducted by a HNS Female Council official and will include reference checks from a teacher and a previous coach,as well ascompletion of the player history (annex 2-4).
- Team coaching staff will conduct try-outs and advise their Regional Director, the Chair of HNS Female Council, and the President of NSFMHL of the selection of any underage players to be added to their final roster. (The maturity assessment of the underage player must be completed before the player is approved for the final roster.)
- The parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to review the team information package outlining the details of the specific team program, the league schedule, commitment expectations, etc. prior to accepting the position on the team. This is necessary to ensure the underage player and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are fully aware of and prepared to accept the demands of playing midget AAA hockey (as per Annex 1).
- The NSFMHL executive, in partnership with HNSFC, will prepare a report on an annual basis, indicating the number of underage players participating in the season and what, if any, benefits were gained through the policy.
- HNS FC reserves the right to revoke any underage player’s approval to participate within the midget AAA level at any time if it feels the best interests of the player are not being served.
Application for Underage Players Participating in the NSFMHL
This application is made pursuant to the terms and conditions established by Hockey Nova Scotia and Hockey Nova Scotia Female Council to determine the identification of 14 year old female hockey players, who have the skill, desire and maturity to participate in the NSFMHL.
The applicant(s) agree to supply such further information as Hockey Nova Scotia may consider necessary or desirable concerning any aspect of this application or of the status of the applicant(s).
The applicant(s) agree that the decision to grant or refuse player status at the NSFMHL level shall be based solely on the judgment and discretion of Hockey Nova Scotia’s Female Council and that decision is final and binding upon all parties, and no appeal shall lie whether to the Hockey Nova Scotia, or to Hockey Canada.
The Team representative and parent(s)/guardian(s) must sign below that they have reviewed the team information package outlining the details of the specific team program, the league schedule, commitment expectations, etc. and are fully aware of and understand the demands of playing female midget AAA hockey in the NSFMHL.
______
Team (please print)
______
Signature of Team Representative
______
Player’s Name in full (please print)DOB (D/M/Yr) Current Team
______
Player’s Parent(s) / Guardian(s) name in full (please print)
______
Signature of Player’s Parent(s) / Guardian(s)
______
Dated
Annex 1
Will power or moral courage-Her capacity to do the right thing even if it may be
unpopular. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Motivation-
The degree to which she is driven to achieve the goals he sets for himself. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Self-Awareness-
The extent to which she understands her emotions and their effect on others. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Persistence-
She finishes what she starts. She is capable of staying on track in spite of obstacles. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Integrity-
Her pattern of behavior is consistent with being honest and authentic. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Social Skills-
Her proficiency in building and maintaining meaningful relationships. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Optimism-
Her ability to see the good in people or situations and the degree to which she works hard to bring that about. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Teamwork-
The extent to which she contributes to the overall benefit of the group(s) she has worked with. /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Overall Assessment-
All things considered, the capacity she has to develop into a mature and responsible citizen is… /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Additional Comments:
Player Name:______
Annex 2
Hockey Nova Scotia Underage Female Midget Player
COACH QUESTIONNAIRE
For each description, please mark an X in the appropriate box.
Coachability-Does she eagerly accept and respect the coaching process? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Motivation-
Does she have the inner strength to be self-motivated? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Effort-
Whether at practice or in a game, is she consistent in her effort? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Team Cohesion-
Is she a “team player” and does she get along well with everyone associated with the team? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Mental Toughness-
How would you rate her ability to respond to adversity? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Pressure Situations-
Does she thrive on opportunities to perform in difficult situations? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Hockey Sense-
Does her vision permit her to see situations and make appropriate decisions that many of her peers couldn’t? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Leadership-
Has she demonstrated the necessary leadership attributes on this year’s team? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Overall Assessment—
All things considered, what are her chances of succeeding as a 14 year old NSMFHL hockey player? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Additional Comments:
Describe the player’s vision when playing the game? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
How well do you think the player understands the game? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Explain:
To what degree does she control the game itself? /
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Average Above Average Exceptional
Have you noticed any selfish tendencies? / Comment:
Describe her leadership qualities on and off the ice. / Comment:
When playing at her normal age level would you consider her to be challenged? If not challenged, what did she do to challenge herself?
Additional Comments:
Player Name:______
Hockey Nova Scotia Underage Female Midget Player
PLAYER HISTORY
Player Name:______
Year / Team / Category / Statistics / Individual and Team AccomplishmentsAnnex 4