Division Splitting - Questions and Answers
 
Why are we splitting the division?
The goal of RMMBHA is to try to provide an environment for all teams that is as balanced and as competitive as possible. Even though every effort is made to balance teams at the start of the season, every year some teams will progress more quickly than others for a variety of reasons. By splitting the divisions, there is an opportunity to group teams into smaller more balanced divisions allowing them to be more competitive and have a much more positive experience.
 
How can you be certain that this will provide the positive experience the league is trying to achieve?
Last year the Pup division agreed to split their division prior to the start of the season. The feedback that was received was extremely positive and the change was well received by the teams in both divisions. Based on the success last year, we expanded to three divisions for this season  - Peanut, Pup and Peewee - and we will re-evaluate again prior to the start of the 2014 season to ensure that the experience remains positive.
 
Does this affect the playoffs?
Yes, there will be two winners and two medal ceremonies instead of one. At the end of the regular season, the teams in each division will be competing in the playoffs within the divisions they were placed for the second half. Again, this provides a more positive experience for everyone.
 
Is everyone eligible for the Provincials?
Yes, but it is slightly more complicated than when there was only one division for each age group. Here are the requirements for teams to compete for a chance to play in the Provincials:
-          If you are within the top half of the standings (generally teams with records above .500) you will be placed in a group that automatically competes in the playoffs for a chance to play in the Provincials
-          If you are in the bottom half of the standings you will need to emerge as the point leader in your division at the end of the regular season where you will automatically be moved up to the division that previously qualified to compete in the playoffs for a chance to play in the Provincials.
 
Why am I only hearing about this now?
This information was shared with all of the coaches at the coaches meeting prior to the start of the season. All coaches understood that the divisions would be split based on the standings halfway through the season and understood the benefits of doing so.
 
I still have more questions, whom do I need to contact?
You can contact the Director of Coaching via the Board of Directors page on the website.
 
Morgan White
Director of Coaching, RMMBHA
(604) 466-0304
morgan.white100@shaw.ca

WHAT IS THE MINI-TYKES & TYKES DIVISION?

RMMBHA was the first minor ball hockey association in BC to offer children (from 4 to 6 year olds) the chance to experience ball hockey in a fun learning atmosphere. The association encourages children to get involved at an early age to get the basics of stick handling and shooting down before advancing to higher divisions and/or ice hockey. RMMBHA invites parents to get involved too, either by helping out as a coach or to just keep kids in line and active.

RMMBHA REGISTRATION FEES RETURN POLICY

Due to the amount of work that is involved in the pre-season and player evaluation and draft done for players in March, RMMBHA return policy for players wishing to resign their registration spot for the season that they registered for are as follows:

RMMBHA PLAYER EQUIPMENT

At the minor level, mandatory ball hockey equipment has been kept to a minimum for many reasons. One, to keep costs down for families of ball hockey players, and two, to keep the physical contact level of the game to a minimum. Through the insurance coverage, under the CBHA guidelines, mandatory equipment must be worn at all times on a practice or game floor. Players are not to take off mandatory equipment unless off the playing surface and advised by the coaching staff.

Mandatory equipment stated in our insurance policy is a CSA helmet and face cage, protective hockey gloves, a hockey stick (wood, composite, graphite) and shin pads (soccer style or D-Gel CBHA approved). RMMBHA believes in the safety of all our players and to avoid injury, RMMBHA highly recommends soft knee pads, soft elbow pads and a jock (boys) or a Jill (girls). All equipment highly recommended is to be worn under garments (except soft knee pads & shin guards). Please check our website each season for any changes or updates to our equipment list.

RMMBHA takes pride in the jerseys we supply and the way our players look on the floor. We recommend all players to wear black shorts and black soccer style sox as part of their uniform. Check out the bottom of our merchandise page for protective gear available for purchasing.

PARENT CONDUCT THROUGH THE RMMBHA SEASON

This area our Association thinks is very straight forward. This is a game about youths having the opportunity to play in an organized game of ball hockey at a recreational level. As in the majority of sports offered to youths, it can have a competitive side to it, but all parents, please remember this is for the kids; let them enjoy it, let our coaches teach them the game, and have respect for this Association. We as executives are all volunteers, many of us are also parents of players, and our number one goal is for all the kids to have fun and to grow through the years with this sport.

Remember, all coaches depending on their background have different approaches and styles to the way they coach and teach your children, view their styles for a while, if you have a concern and it can't be resolved with the coach or coaching staff, then please bring it to the attention of the executive. Enjoy the season, have fun as a spectator and support your children.

Please respect the referees; even though it is a paid position, many are young and just starting out. If it gets to the point of harassing a referee, the referee is entitled to have the person and/or persons causing the problems leave the facility and will either postpone the game or cancel it if the person and/or persons causing the problems do not leave when asked.

RMMBHA REFEREES

A key part of our association is our referees. Many referees range from the age of 14 years old to adults. Because of the nature of these positions it is important that we give as much training and guidance to our refs to accurately call the games.

In early March the West Coast Minor Ball Hockey Association holds a referee clinic. WCMBHA brings in a certified Canadian Ball Hockey referee to instruct the clinic for two full day sessions that go through basic referee instructions, provides a rating system of referees attending and a written referee test. All of our RMMBHA referees attend this clinic. In addition to the WCMBHA clinic, RMMBHA, puts on their own clinic.

It is very important that no matter how much training these referees have had, parents must remember that majority of referees are youths calling the games. We ask all parents to treat our referees with respect and to hold back on confrontations with referees. RMMBHA has a Referee-In-Chief and a Referee Scheduler that are part of our executive committee that are in charge of these referees. If at anytime you have comments or questions about our referees, please direct them to either one of these executives (see website for contact information).

When you are attending away games in other associations the same conduct applies. You must go through RMMBHA with any problems you or your team may have had with referees from other associations, and then RMMBHA executives will deal with that association.

RMMBHA COACHING STAFF

Many of our head coaches and assistant coaches have been with RMMBHA for more than three years. From backgrounds of coaching ice hockey, coaching and/or playing men’s ball hockey, or coaching minor baseball or soccer, our coaching staff has the experience to help your children develop their ball hockey skills. Every head coach applies to the Director of Coaching of RMMBHA putting forth their intent to coach a ball hockey team in their child's division. Once accepted by the executives every head coach and assistant coaches must submit a criminal check form to the RCMP, who in return, sends all background checks to the league President. All coaches then go through a series of meetings and clinics. We start with a pre-season coaches meetings to discuss player drafts and the responsibilities of being a head coach. All head coaches must sign a “contract agreement” with RMMBHA which outlines the responsibilities and guidelines between the coach and RMMBHA. Up to three coaches per team is insured through RMMBHA to be on the arena floor and players benches.

The final step before the season begins is the player draft. All players whether new or returning go through evaluations. Returning players are evaluated by the previous year coach and given a rating. New players go through a one day evaluation and are rated. On draft day all coaches from each division are given a list of the players with their rating. The draft is set up so that in the end each team should be within the same range of total rating points. We try to keep the teams balanced as much as possible through this draft procedure, so all players are treated equal on the floor. If you have any concerns regarding coaches and coaching staff, feel free to bring it to the Executive Head Coach in a written format. Please remember, all head and assistant coaches positions are on a volunteer basis, and are there to give your child the opportunity to better their ball hockey skills, guide them through games and make it enjoyable for your child to play our sport.

RMMBHA GAMES & PRACTICES

With the amount of teams representing RMMBHA we are looking at minimum of 480 scheduled games that Ridge Meadows children will play in a year. Along with the games, since our first season, the association has always agreed to offer floor time for practices. Due to the expanding numbers and the shortage of arena floor time, each team will have a 1/2 rink with a minimum of 1-hour practices per week through the season when floor time is available. We feel through practices, players can work on the development of their ball hockey skills with coaches, team work, cardio workout and developing new friendships.

Majority of our home games (scheduled either Saturdays or Sundays) will be either at red rink in Ridge Meadows Arena (Pitt Meadows), Cam Neely rink in Planet Ice (Maple Ridge), Renegades Arena in the Golden Ears Winter Club at Albion Fairgrounds, or Mission Arenas with the odd home game out of the Tri-Cities area. Away games could also be at these arenas (when playing another RMMBHA team) but others may be in Langley, Surrey, North Delta, Burnaby and Vancouver. With the number of teams registered within our association, we are hoping to keep the traveling to a minimum.

TO ALL PARENTS REGARDING THE RMMBHA PLAYER DRAFT & PLACEMENT

Over the last couple of seasons, we have had a few comments about "unfair drafts" and "stacked teams", many have asked about "balancing games". Minor Ball Hockey is a short season that has 16 games packed into a 10 week season, with no time to balance and move players. This past season we added a new Directors position with an Evaluation Director being added to balance out player ratings and to come up with any alterations to the draft system if needed. After meeting with many coaches and receiving ideas from parents and coaches, the Directors have thoroughly gone through the draft procedures in the winter. If you have any constructive ideas after reading our draft policy, feel free to contact the Evaluation Director listed on the contact page and the Association Director's will discuss for future drafts. As we try and make it enjoyable for all players, once players are drafted to a team by the coaches on designated draft dates the teams are final and no trades will be offered. If a child and/or family decides to resign for any circumstances after the draft and/or contact by the Head Coach, please refer to the Return Policy listed on the registration page.


COACHES 2013 PLAYER DRAFT RULES & PROCEDURES

Please find all the update information on how our coaches draft their teams in the link below:

 http://www.rmmbha.com/media/leagues/4704/graphics/player_draft.pdf