June 1st, 2021
AA Program and Try-Out Information
The Zone 2 Ringette competitive AA program provides an opportunity for those athletes in Zone 2 who want to play ringette at a higher level. As such, there is a greater commitment of time, energy and funding associated with the AA program.
The purpose of this document is to provide information to athletes and parents/guardians regarding AA team expectations, commitments, costs, tryouts and team formation. Please read this entire document (parent and player) and review prior to attending the tryout sessions.
Commitment Level
Competitive athletes are expected to make ringette their primary activity during the winter ringette season. Athletes are expected to attend all team activities including practices, league games, exhibition games, tournaments, play-offs, provincials, off-ice training sessions, fundraising opportunities and all other organized team events. However, ringette does come second to academics and family commitments.
Intent-To-Tryout
All athletes intending to try out for any Zone 2 AA level team must attend tryouts and are required to register by August 20th, 2021- please see www.zone2aa.com for the tryout registration link. There will be a cost of $150 per player to attend try-outs. Payment is through etransfer on the registration link.
Out-Of-Zone Athletes
Evaluations are for Zone 2 athletes only.
At U14AA and U16AA, no Out-of-Zone athletes will be accepted for tryouts, as the goal of the Association is to accommodate players within Zone 2. An exception to this will be made in cases where a viable team cannot be formed in the zone. In this case, a second tryout may be necessary which may include both Zone 2 and Out-of-Zone athletes. The Evaluation Coordinator and the Executive Board will make this decision. Out-Of-Zone athletes would be required to try out with their home association first and must have a signed release to be considered for a Zone 2 team in the fall (based on release date deadlines).
Player Releases
Player release guidelines for the Zone 2 AA Ringette program are conducted in accordance with Ringette Alberta policy 3.0 and the current Zone 2 bylaws. Please ensure that you review these policies.
A release is not required for any player moving from their home association to an AA team within zone 2. This would apply to all athletes who have registered in one of the Zone 2 Big Country Ringette Associations as per RAB Policy 3.4.9.4.
Applicants attending Try-Outs are not required to provide written notice to their home associations but it would be helpful if all athletes informed their home associations if they are trying out for a AA team so that local associations can plan their ice and teams for the fall.
Athletes that Move to Zone 2 Region
Athletes from outside the Zone 2 region who move into our region due to relocation or other legitimate reasons should register their intent as soon as they know they are moving, rather than waiting until they physically arrive in the region. These athletes may tryout prior to relocation or may be added to the roster based on Zone 2 Executive Board and head coach approval. For further questions, please contact the Zone 2 AA Board at zone2aasecretary@gmail.com
Try-Out Schedule & Timing
AA Tryout schedules will be posted when ice times have been solidified, hopefully early by early August
AA Tryouts will occur Late August- Early September and will include 3 to 4 ice times. Athletes will be guaranteed a minimum of 2 ice times. First cuts may be made after the 2nd ice time. A second round of cuts may be made after the 3rd and/or 4th ice time.
AA Team Formation
An Evaluation Committee and Coaching Selection Committee will be formed prior to the start of the evaluations (in accordance with the Zone 2 AA Operating Policies.)
The Evaluation Committee and the Head Coach will be responsible for selecting players for each team based on individual player performance evaluation rank and specific team needs. This year Zone 2 will have the expertise of the University of Lethbridge Coaching staff and select players for the evaluation of all players.
The Coaching Selection Committee will be responsible for selecting head coaches for each team.
Each Zone 2 AA team will have a minimum of 14 skaters and 1 goalie.
The Zone 2 AA team rosters will be declared within 7 days of final evaluations and will be posted on the Zone 2 AA website at www.zone2aa.com. The first instalment of registration fees will be due shortly after team formation.
Coaching Selections
Coaching applications for 2021-2022 season are now closed for all head and assistant coaches. Head Coach selections will be made prior to tryouts and will be headed by the coach selection committee in June, 2021. All Selected Head Coaches for the 2021-22 year will be posted to the zone 2 AA website no later than June 20th, 2021
Missed Evaluations
If a player misses the evaluation because of illness, injury or family emergency, a committee including the Zone 2 AA Board, Evaluation Coordinator and head coach shall decide whether this player shall be selected. The decision of this committee is final.
Mandatory AGM
Parents for all selected players will need to attend a mandatory AGM - usually a few weeks after teams are formed (date /locationTBD).
Other Considerations
The Zone 2 AA teams are considered Zone teams and have no formal host town.
Summer is considered off-season so there is no expectation or set schedule of development. Athletes are encouraged to maintain their fitness level throughout the summer months. Team activities will only be considered for fundraising and/or casual team building opportunities.
Please review the Zone 2 AA Ringette Operating Policies available at the Zone 2 AA Ringette website www.zone2aa.com. If you have any questions regarding the AA program or the selection process, please do not hesitate to contact the Zone 2 AA Executive at zone2aasecretary@gmail.com
At-A-Glance Commitment for AA Athletes and Parent/Family Expectations
Number of practices a week
2.5 – 3 ice times a week
Number of regular season games
Approximately 20 league games a year plus tournament and exhibition games. This will vary year to year depending on the number of teams in the league.
Practice Arenas
Airdrie Genesis and Plainsman, Rockyford, Cochrane Spray Lakes, Cochrane Original, Cremona, NESS, Rockyridge YMCA, Carstairs, Indus, Chestermere
Dryland
Once a week (may be in Calgary)
Number of tournaments
Current recommendations are for 2 local tournaments and 5 out of town tournaments. The number of tournaments including out of province tournaments are to be considered based on consensus of the team.
Attendance Expectations
Athletes are expected to attend all team events, unless sick, injured or there is another legitimate reason for absences. These shall be communicated to Head Coach/Assistant Coach prior to event in writing via email.
On-time Expectations
Athletes are expected to be on time as outlined by coaching staff for all events.
Required Parent Volunteering
Includes minor official duties (time clock, shot clock, scoring and penalty doors) as well as team positions such as manager, treasurer, tournament coordinator and meal preparations. In addition, there will be parents required to take on Executive/Board positions. Executive/Board positions will be voted in at the AGM in May and will remain in place until the following year.
Evaluation fee
A $150-dollar registration fee (non-refundable) that must be paid at time of registration- info on registration link.
Season cost estimates
Registration fees are estimated to be $1300 but no more than $1500 for the upcoming season. This includes ice costs, power skating, dry land. This does not include tournament costs, exhibition games, team wear and helmets.
Season cost estimates
Athletes will require a team helmet with team name and color (cost will vary). Team wear including hoodies, jackets, warm up gear and practice jerseys as determined by teams at the start of season, (approx. $150 to $200 dollars depending on team consensus). *Team funding and sponsorship may offset some of these expenses.
A $200-dollar jersey deposit cheque dated March 31st, 2022 will be collected by the Team Managers at the start of the season. Cheques will be destroyed when jerseys are returned in good condition.
There will be a cash call at the beginning of the season based on fundraising needs of each team (tournaments and apparel that the teams agree upon).
Fundraising
Organized by the teams and could include activities such as raffles, bottle drives and sponsorship. This decision can be made with the coaches and parents once teams are made.
In years past the Board has hosted a fun evening with a pub silent auction and banquet- and have had great success with fundraising from these events. Currently no events are planned, but doesn’t mean there will not be a fundraising activity again this fall/winter.
Thank-you for taking the time to read this document