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posted 03/02/2014 Girls U-8 Hockey:
U-8 Team: Given the number of girls that are participating in our Mini-Marauder program and our Girls In House programs this current season, BYHA will explore the option for creating a U-8 girls hockey team for the 2014-15 season. We encourage all of our girls who will be 8 years old or younger on December 31, 2014 that might be interested in playing girls hockey to come to at least one of the BYHA placement sessions, which will be held the week of March 10th, 2014. These placement sessions will be informal on-ice sessions designed to gauge the level of interest at the U-8 level and the ability. Belmont Youth Hockey does not cut anyone from their program. Registration is necessary for placements and there is a $100 fee which goes towards tuition for the 2014-2015 season.
Some anticipated specifics of the proposed U-8 team would be as follows:
- Practices and Games will begin after Labor Day. Practices in the early fall will be offered once a week, likely on Sunday mornings. Practices will run on the station concept endorsed by USA Hockey, and will be skill-based and fun. Although practices are optional, we encourage all girls to attend as many as possible.
- We anticipate that the U-8 team will play cross ice games as mandated by USA Hockey. BYHA supports USA Hockey’s research that cross ice games provide children at this age level with more developmental opportunities and frankly, more fun.
- We are still exploring the best league to enter into but will certainly be mindful of travel time, costs, and number of games. We will strive to provide a fun, skill development focused program that is mindful that the kids are in the early stages of their hockey careers.
- It is estimated that per player costs for the U-8 team would be similar to our Mite A/B costs but would depend on which league we enter into.
Girls Hockey is a growing part of the BYHA program. Rather than participating in the BYHA co-ed program, many girls prefer to play only with other girls, especially when they are just beginning to play hockey. BYHA’s intention is to provide a positive social environment as well as an atmosphere of fun so that girls will develop as players, learn new skills, and create lasting friendships.
