5. Team Allocation Process

Team allocation takes place immediately after final registration and prior to the start of tryout camps. S.O.M.H.A. must register teams for each age group and level based on a formula documented in the W.M.H.A. Rules and Regulations handbook. The formula can change from year to year, but basically it describes how many teams are required to be entered based on the total number of players registered in our area association at a particular age group.

For this reason, it is essential that our registration numbers are complete and correct prior to the team allocation process to enable assignment of teams for the various age groups and levels to community clubs prior to the start of tryout camps.

When more than one team exists at an age group and level (i.e. two 10A1 teams), S.O.M.H.A. has an obligation to ensure that fair and equal teams are formed. The objective is to have the teams finish relatively close to each other in the standings, rather than knowingly stacking one team to the detriment of the other(s). It is our (and W.M.H.A.’s) preference to form fair and equal teams by community club alignments, but when this cannot be accomplished, it is sometimes possible to get a variance to allow a draft to take place. The S.O.M.H.A. Age Convenor will be involved in getting the coaches’ consensus regarding the format of the draft which will lead to fair and equal teams.  Variances can sometimes be obtained when there are valid reasons for forming a number of teams other than as described by the formula in the handbook. The most typical reason for getting a variance would be a team’s demonstrated low to medium performance in prior year(s). A team or teams finishing in the upper third of their league would be unlikely to be granted a variance in future years. The S.O.M.H.A. president must first be convinced of the need for a variance by a majority of the community club convenors, after which lie presents the case at the next “A” Council meeting. Since the other area association presidents will be protecting the best interests of their own teams, there is no assurance that any variance applied for will be granted.

The assignment of teams to community centres is the responsibility of the community club convenors.  S.O.M.H.A. participates to help coordinate the process and mediate any contentious issues. Teams are generally allocated based on an overall ratio of players registered at a community centre versus total registration, with further consideration for the number of players at that age group who may play on a particular team. For example, if Garden City has one sixth of the total players registered, they would typically have approximately one sixth of the teams.

Each community club hosting a team must provide them with at least one set of sweaters, plus pucks, water bottles and a first aid kit. They should also be prepared to supply goalie equipment (pads, catching glove, blocker and body armor) in the event that the goalie does not have his own equipment. It is suggested that one hour of indoor contract ice per week (possibly shared with other teams) plus regularly scheduled outdoor ice is also provided to each team to facilitate sufficient practice time.  Along with the Convenor, will select and assign coaches for all 8Al, 9A1 and 10A1 teams. Although it is preferred to have non- parents coaching our top tier teams (i.e. 8 - 10A1, 11 - 17AA), non-parent coaches at the younger age groups are relatively few and far between. Therefore, it is essential that the selection committee ensures that children of relatives of coaches have the necessary skills to be bonifide team members in order to eliminate any bias and/or ill-advised placements with respect to team selection.

Community clubs are responsible for selecting/assigning all other coaches, and should typically have some valid candidates in mind, particularly for any A1 teams, prior to committing to hosting a team. A2 and A3 coaching candidates are usually not assigned (or even available) until after the preceding A1 or A2 teams are formed.