U9
U9 Program Update
Hello Parents,
With a lot of deliberation, it has been decided that U9 will not have a travel team this season. Please understand all decisions have been made concerning what is best for the U9 program as a whole. The U9 program will continue to have the two mixed groups that have been created for the remainder of the season, as well as continuing with the same teams.
Here are some of the reasons why we have decided to continue with the current programming format:
- Players would need to have a 14 day break from his/her regular cohort to run proper, open tryouts for the travel team.
- If a player doesn't make the team, he/she would need to sit another 14 days before going back into the house league.
- All house league players would need to sit 14 days to form new cohort groups for house league games and practices.
- If there is a league shut down, we would be looking at reintroducing the travel team players back into house league remainder of the season. New cohorts would need to be created again, resulting with another 14 days with no hockey.
- There are concerns over practice ice and cohorts with sharing ice like we have done with the travel team in previous years.
- There is league uncertainty. Many West Country teams are taking leaves of absence or joining CAHL this year.
- We currently have each team consisting of at least a 1/3 or more of females allowing a competitive mix and comradery.
- All cohorting that can take place with our numbers will allow like skilled groups during practices and games, regardless of gender.
- The current major and minor split have kept practices and games fun and competitive.
- With the various COVID protocols and turmoil, SMHA wants to ensure the success of the U9 program as a whole. The uncertainty and rules/regulations due to Covid-19 can result with smaller subsets that can negatively affect the larger portion of the entire group.
In these unprecedented times, we need to focus on the positives. Our U9 player registration numbers are great and allow for a variety of games and practices. Every year each group is different, but the games are currently competitive and fun. Lastly, the most important aspect is that our current setup keeps the largest number of kids playing hockey.
Sincerely,
Nicole Doan & Janelle Greiner