ABOUT OUR LEAGUE
Our league operates on the premise that the most important thing for youngsters in hockey is that they develop basic skills and attitudes that encourage participation.  Our aim is to provide instruction and fun while trying to minimize competitiveness and the importance of winning.  

We do not keep standings during the season nor do we keep individual scoring records.  We teach the players to respect the decisions of referees.  Parental / coaching example goes a long way in establishing this respect. 

Every individual who participates in  Grandview Recreational Hockey Association (GRHA) activities, including parents, guardians, caregivers and spectators of players will be expected to learn, know and abide by the rules, guidelines and the GRHA Code of Conduct.  Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including potential expulsion. 

Are Volunteers needed?
YES!  The league is run by volunteers.  Volunteers are needed for coaching, managing /convening divisions. Currently, other opportunities include some positions in the Executive Committee such as Secretary, Conveners for the Stingers, Mighty-Mites and Seniors divisions.  


Registration and what it includes
There is ONE cost only for registration.   The league forbids fundraising or the collection of additional fees.  
  
Registration fee covers:
. Ice time
. A team picture
. Players in the Stinger, Mighty-Mites and PeeWee divisions all receive a trophy at the end of the year.
. Players in the Stingers, Mighty-Mites and PeeWee divisions have a year-end Banquet which is held
  in early April.
. Players in the Bantam and Seniors division have pizza /beverage at their last game of the season.


Is Out of Town Travel Involved ?
NO !!  All regular games are played at the Grandview Arena.  During the two Tournaments, the Current River arena is also used for some games.  The other exception is the Tim Horton's Jamboree for the Stingers, which arena is to be announced by Tim Hortons.   

How are teams formed?
In all divisions except Seniors, players attend an evaluation session  at the beginning of the season.  Evaluation sessions involve skating and puck handling drills or a scrimmage or some combination of both. Scores from the session are recorded for each player and a database is created and used to produce teams that are equally balanced as possible.  

How does the league operate (games, practices, etc.)?
Although all age divisions operate under the same basic philosophy, they have slightly different formats for the use of the ice time. 

 Stingers:
Approximately 20 one-hour sessions.  Four teams of up to 12 players per team are assigned to each time slot.    A divider is placed across the center of the ice and two teams occupy each end of the rink.  Early in the season,  sessions are devoted almost entirely to skill development.  As a the players' skills improve, scrimmage time is  introduced.  No goalies are used at this level. 

Mighty-Mites & Peewees: 
Approximately 20 one-hour sessions for each team, with two teams assigned to each time slot.    Each session is divided into practice time and game time.  As the season progresses, practice time is reduced  and  game time is increased. Teams are divided into three lines (A, B & C lines) on the basis of scores from the evaluations.  Lines play three-minute shifts after which a buzzer sounds and another line takes its turn.  The  A-line from one team will always play against the A-line from another team, B against B and C against C. Consequently, players receive equal ice time and always play against players of similar skill level.  Players rotate positions on a regular basis  Every player will be given the opportunity to play goal.  Goal tending
equipment is supplied by the league.  

Bantam:
Approximately 20 one-hour sessions for each team, with two teams assigned to each time slot.  There are 14 players on each team and 2, 22 minute periods.  Plays shift on the fly.  After the first couple of sessions, practice time is limited to only a brief 5 minute warm-up.  Teams have a regular goaltender or perhaps two members that share goal tending duties.  

Seniors:
Senior players (from 16 to 20 yrs old) do not have an evaluation.  Teams are formed by the Seniors Convener before the start of the season.  Players may be subjected to change teams upon the Convener's decision to ensure the teams' skill level are similar.  Seniors only play on Monday nights between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm.


TOURNAMENTS
Stingers, Mighty-Mites, PeeWees and Bantam players all participate in  two league tournaments.  The Hockeyfest Tournament is held in early January and the Year End Tournament is held at the end of the season in March.  Coaches will advise their players of the tournament dates and schedules which will also be posted on the website.  Please note that when the tournament winners are declared, no special prizes / trophies are awarded.

In the last few years, the Grandview Hockey Stingers players have participated in the Timbits Hockey Jamboree offered by Tim Hortons.  This Jamboree is usually held in January at another arena to be announced by Tim Hortons. If the date for the Jamboree coincides with the Hockeyfest tournament, the Jamboree will take priority.  Tim Hortons provide timbits and hot chocolate as well as souvenirs to all participants.

SCHEDULES
The coaches will be contacting their individual team for the first game.  The schedules will be available and posted on the website after the evaluations as the number of teams will depend on the number of players registered in each division.  The season is from the beginning of October until the end of March.

ARE BODY CHECKS OR SLAP SHOTS ALLOWED ?
NO !!  No intentional body contact rules are enforced in all divisions;  also, for the safety of both goalies and players, slap shots are not permitted in all divisions.  Rough play will not be tolerated.  Repeated infractions will result in suspensions and possible expulsion from the league with no refund.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED ?
Players are required to wear full equipment including a CSA approved helmet, a full face mask and a BNQ neck guard (bib type is strongly recommended.  Players will not be allowed on the ice if they do not have the proper equipment.  


Players are provided with a Team sweater, which must be returned at the end of the season.  League sweaters are to be worn only at the league games.  Sweaters should be washed occasionally during the season in cold or warm water only, hang to dry.  DO NOT USE A CLOTHES DRYER TO DRY SWEATERS !


Goal tending equipment is supplied for all divisions by the league except for Stingers.  The goalie equipment is the responsibility of the parent and child.  Report any equipment damage to your coach.  Please air dry the equipment weekly.  NO STREET USE PLEASE !

           


Code of Conduct for the Organization

The GRHA Board will:
  • Do our best to see that all children are given the same chance to participate, regardless of gender, ability, ethnic background or race.
  • Discourage the game from becoming primarily an entertainment for spectators.
  • Make sure that all prudent and reasonable, appropriate and necessary measures are taken on an ongoing basis to protect the safety of all members wherever GRHA activities take place, in those programs, and at the hands of GRHA members or others.
  • Appropriately screen all those who provide service on behalf of the organization, both before, but especially after they are involved, seeking to have Coaches and Officials who are capable of promoting fair play as well as the development of good technical skills.
  • Distribute, publicize, promote and enforce the Codes of Conduct within this organization.

Code of Conduct for Players:

As a player, I will:
  • Make a commitment to my team by attending all games and by playing to the best of my ability.
  • Respect my Coaches at all times. I will remember that my Coaches are providing me with the opportunity to learn and play the game of hockey.
  • Respect the safety of other players by playing the game within the rules of the game.
  • Respect the Officials and their decisions at all times.
  • Accept disciplinary action if I violate the rules or spirit of the game.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians/Spectators

As a parent of a player, or as a spectator, I will:
  • Enrol my child for the pure enjoyment of the game and the opportunity to learn the skills of the sport.
  • Recognize that at a hockey rink, my child's development is in the hands of volunteers who are giving their time and energy for the sake of all participants.
  • Respect the decisions of the Coaches during a game.
  • Conduct myself in an adult manner by attending games, and by being positive and encouraging to all players at all times.
  • Encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility, profanity, verbal or physical violence.
  • Never verbally abuse a Coach, Assistant, or Official. I will remember that they have the difficult jobs and will not undermine them by contradicting, interfering, or questioning their character, motivation, or judgement in public. I will not engage in or encourage gossip.. I will take concerns to the proper GRHA officials.
  • Accept that I remain responsible, as a parent/guardian, for the safety of my child while he/she is participating in GRHA activities. I will therefore do my part to protect an enhance the safety of my child and others.
  • Understand and accept that violation of this Code may result in disciplinary action of some kind.

Code of Conduct for Coaches:

I understand as a Coach (or Assistant, team parent), I am in a position of trust and authority, I will:
  • Teach my players to play fairly and to respect the rules, Officials, and their opponents.
  • Remember that players play to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.
  • Remember that participants need a Coach they can respect. I will be generous with praise and set a good example.
  • Respect all participants, striving to be a responsible Coach. I recognize that I am in a position of trust and power; and will do nothing to take advantage of or abuse it.
  • Do my best to be a competent, well-prepared Coach.
  • Direct comments at an individual's performance and not at the individual.
  • Not ridicule or yell at players for making mistakes or for performing poorly.
  • Take reasonable steps to see that equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate to my players.
  • Cooperate with Officials and refrain from public criticism of them or of other Coaches. I will put my concerns in writing and will send them to proper individual.
  • Learn the definitions and signs of harassment and abuse, and the process for responding to allegations or disclosures.
  • Emphasize the importance of the Player's and Parent's Codes, and hold my team members and their parents/guardians accountable for compliance.
  • Recognize and accept that violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary measures being taken against me.
  • Wear helmets required when on ice.

Code of Conduct for Officials:

As a GRHA Official, I will:
  • Recognize that my position is one of a teacher and role model for fair play, especially where young children are concerned. I will strive to honour that role and not to abuse my position in any way.
  • Strive to see that every player has a reasonable opportunity to perform to the best of his or her ability, within the limits of the rules.
  • Work in cooperation with Coaches for the benefit of the game, and will be open to discussion, constructive criticism, and will respect and consider different points of view.

How are teams formed?

In all divisions except Senior, players attend an evaluation session at the beginning of the season. Evaluation sessions involve skating and puck handling drills or a scrimmage or some combination of both. The conveners for each division will set the teams as best as they can.

Can my child be on the same team as a friend or cousin?

Our top priority is to produce equally balanced teams, honouring such a request could not guarantee fair team selection. Siblings within any age divisions however, are automatically placed on the same team unless instructions are given to separate them.