Club Hockey
South Forsyth
High School
Policy Manual
Mission Statement
The mission of South Forsyth Hockey Club Program is to
offer High School students an opportunity to represent
their school by participating in an organized High School
Roller and Ice hockey leagues, and to promote Roller
Hockey and Ice Hockey as officially accepted High
School Sports.
Our goals are:
1. To promote the sport of Roller and Ice Hockey.
2. To Facilitate Hockey skill development in South
Forsyth Students.
3. To Emphasize the ideals of Sportsmanship, ethical
conduct, respect for rules and fair play.
4. To respect all individuals including fellow athletes,
coaches, league officials, referees, team
representatives, and parents.
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SFHS HOCKEY will pertain to South Forsyth High School Hockey Program and will
include ice and/or roller hockey teams. The members of the program will include parents,
players, coaches, or any member of the community wishing to participate and represent SFHS
Hockey. SFHS Hockey will comply with the rules and procedures set forth by the appropriate
governing body including but not limited to election of officers and player eligibility.
Governing Body: refers to the GHRA (Georgia Roller Hockey Association) and the
GIHL (Georgia Ice Hockey Association). Refer to each organizations web site for their
respective rules and procedures.
Officers of SFHS Hockey: The titles for SFHS Hockey will include Program Manager,
Roller Manager, Ice Manager, Ice Treasurer, Roller Treasurer, Head Coach, and Assistant
Coach.
All officers are expected to keep in close contact with each other and maintain accountability
for themselves and the program. The officers are expected to meet in person at least once per
year. The officers will be elected by the members of the program. The election of officers will
take place prior to the end of the current school year for the following year, thus ensuring
continuity of the program. This election may take place via email system or an in-person
gathering of program members.
The hierarchy of the program will be: Program Manager, Ice and Roller Managers, Head
Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Ice and Roller Treasurers.
Program Manager: Will oversee SFHS Hockey. He/she will strive to ensure a continuation
of both ice and roller programs for South Forsyth High School. He/she will work closely with
all officers of the program to ensure the goals of the program are met. These duties will
include but are not limited to contacting the respective ice and roller managers to organize
tryouts no later than the last week in August. Organize the booth at the annual fall SFHS
Jamboree and distribute any profits from the Jamboree to the ice and roller teams. Attend
governing body pre-season organizational meetings. If he/she is unable to attend said
meeting, a representative for this officer may be appointed by him/herself. Maintain contact
with the teacher sponsor re: activities pertaining to the ice and roller teams.
Ice/Roller Manager: Responsibilities include but are not limited to enlisting players for
respective team/s, function as the primary contact person for the governing body, submit team
roster to governing body, ensure individual athlete membership in the appropriate governing
body organization, ensure teams have any necessary equipment e.g. jersey’s, pants, socks, water
bottles, and pucks. Any conflicts that may arise between members of the program should be
handled by the manager and enlist assistance from the program manager or teacher sponsor
accordingly.
Ice/Roller Treasurer: Responsibilities include but are not limited to all financial
responsibilities for the team/s which may include league fees, player fees, facility fee’s,
background checks, equipment costs, miscellaneous expenses. A bank account which will
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include the title of SFHS Hockey is to be established by each ice and roller treasurer. A ledger
of all operating expenses is expected to be available for review by any member of SFHS
Hockey upon request by said member. The ice and roller team/s are expected to collectively
cover expenses for maintenance of the program including but not limited to the end of season
banquet, cost of individual awards (e.g. school emblem, chevron, patches), jamboree expenses,
etc.
Coaches: Responsibilities include but are not limited to evaluation of players at team tryouts,
development of team roster according to the rules set forth by the governing body, assess the
anticipated skill level of their team and recommend to the governing body the division of play.
Coaches will be responsible for any awards provided to the athletes. The manner in which
awards will be given is up the discretion of the coaches for their respective teams.
The following section pertains to SFHS Roller Hockey and is based on the GHRA Rules and Procedure
Manual for the 2007-2008 season, with the exception of lettering criteria (i.e. dates and fee’s are expected
to change on a yearly basis):
I.
1.
MEMBER TEAM PARAMETERS
Application for Membership
Schools wishing to join the League for the first time must submit a membership application in writing, no
later than September 22, 2007. The GHRA Board of Directors shall decide whether to admit the applicant
based on a number of factors, including availability of rink time. Meeting the requirements set forth in the
application does not guarantee admittance into the League. However, any teams meeting such
qualifications but not admitted to the League at that time will be admitted as rink time becomes available
or Member Teams drop out, in the order in which qualified applications were received. All league fees
[$2,100.00 per team] are due at the registration deadline, October 5, 2007. Any late registrations up to
October 10, 2007, will be assessed a $200.00 late fee in addition to the $ 2,100.00. League registrations
will close on October 10, 2007. Any exceptions must be submitted to the Board of Directors for a
decision.
2.
Coach Selection
Each Member Team shall be responsible for selecting all of its coaches and team officials. In the event a
Member Team is having difficulty finding a head Coach, the GHRA Board of Directors may assist in the
process by providing names of potential coaches to a representative of the Member Team seeking a Head
Coach. Upon selection of a Head Coach by a Member Team, such Member Team shall notify a member of
the GHRA Board of Directors of its selection.
All coaches and team officials are subject to final approval by the GHRA Board Directors, with such
approval not being unreasonably withheld.
3.
Player Selection
Coaches / Team Representatives should contact School Administrators and discuss GHRA’s Mission and
Guidelines. Enlist school support for letting you promote and advertise player tryouts.
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Announce Tryout date(s) in advance to allow students time to discuss and plan their attendance.
Make your selections based on “Player Eligibility Parameters” set forth herein.
II.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY PARAMETERS
General
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A team shall be comprised of a minimum number of eight [8] skaters and one [1] goaltender
A maximum number of players shall be no more than sixteen [16] skaters and three [3] goaltenders,
per GHRA guidelines.
The individual coaching/team manager staff, within the minimum and maximum range, per GHRA
guidelines, shall determine the actual roster size.
Upon entering high school, a student/athlete has four consecutive calendar years of eligibility to
play InLine hockey. No “red shirt” athletes in high school InLine hockey, and …
- Any InLine hockey player who turns 19 prior to May 1st of the previous school year is not eligible to
play InLine hockey the next season.
The GHRA Executive Board has adopted 4 criteria in the team selection process.
Eligible players must fall within these criteria. Two-thirds [2/3] of a team roster must be
comprised of student’s attending the High School the team represents, keeping in mind
that a maximum of 4 players can be acquired from criteria 2, 3, and 4.
Criteria 1
The first order of selection is a resident High School player representing their school. Every reasonable
effort must be made to generate interest and participation from within the school that the team represents.
Two-thirds [2/3] of the team roster must attend the High School that the team represents.
Criteria 2
The second choice will come from home schooled or private school, High School grade level players from
within the attendance district of that High School.
Criteria 3
The third selection available will be High School students whose school attendance district does not have
its own team. Those students may play for the nearest adjacent High School that does have a GHRA team.
Criteria 4
The fourth and final criterion is an 8th grade student athlete. Prior to the start of each GHRA season, the
High School coach must designate up to two [2] Middle School “feeders” from which players may be
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chosen. These players must be in the attendance district of that High School for enrollment the following
year, or meet the requirements as a home schooled or private school student designated in Criteria 2
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There shall be a maximum of up to four [4] players, as designated in Criteria 2, 3, & 4, on a single
team
Goaltender Rule
As some GHRA teams have only one goaltender and proposals have been suggested to address this issue,
the GHRA Board has adopted the following policy:
Any team that does not have a goaltender available for a game due to illness, injury, etc., may request to
“borrow” a goaltender from another team. The borrowed goaltender must be from the same division or a
lower division of play.
The spirit of this decision is to allow teams to compete with the use of an experienced goaltender. It is not
intended for a team to make itself more competitive. This rule should only be invoked due to legitimate
reasons and not to improve your team. The requested goaltender should not be the other team’s #1 player,
if others are available. Remember, the opposing coach has the right to deny your request.
Establishment of Team Parameters
The GHRA Board of Directors shall establish parameters for individual teams for the upcoming season no
later than the September 27, 2007, immediately proceeding such season. Such parameters will be
established pursuant to the guidelines set forth herein.
Exceptions
Any deviations from the standards set forth herein shall be at the determination of the GHRA Board of
Directors. Persons or teams seeking such deviations shall submit, in writing, via e-mail, a request for an
exemption to a member of the GHRA Board of Directors [Doug Russell at druss22@msn.com] No Later
than September 27, 2007. In this request please provide all the necessary details as to why you are seeking
this exception to the Rules and Procedures set forth herein. The GHRA Board of Directors shall make a
final determination of all such applications no later than October 5, 2007.
Proof of Eligibility – Completed Registration Packages
As part of the On-Line Registration package, an official GHRA Roster must be submitted with the
attending school information completed, no later than October 6, 2007. Each team must submit their
completed On-Line registrations by the October 6, 2007 deadline. Any team that has not completed and
turned in the entire registration package On-Line, with associated payment by October 6, 2007 [to include
$200.00 late fee from October 7 to October 12, 2007], will not be eligible to participate for the upcoming
season. If a question arises regarding eligibility, the GHRA Board may require a copy of a student ID.
Roster Additions / Changes
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1.
Prior to the Start of Season
Students, who change schools prior to the start of the season, must play for the team representing the
school that the student has transferred to, unless the new school does not have a team.
If the student’s new school does not have a team, see Criteria 3 under “Player Eligibility Parameters”.
2.
After the Start of the Season
Students changing schools within the GHRA member teams, after the start of the season shall be able to
complete the current season with the team representing the school that such player started the season with.
However, the following season such players must try out for the team representing the school they are
attending. If the student’s new school does not have a team, see Criteria 3 under “Player Eligibility
Parameters”
Students transferring into a school after the season starts may be added to the team’s roster, providing there
is an eligible roster spot open.
3. Roster Deadline
All rosters for the upcoming GHRA season must be submitted to the GHRA Board of Directors On-Line
by October 6, 2007. No player may be added to a team’s roster after October 12, 2007, without approval
by the GHRA Board of Directors.
4. Rosters
Current Rosters are considered final and closed by the League Season’s October 6, 2007, deadline.
Player’s may only appear on one team roster. School’s having more than one team may not carry any
individual player on multiple rosters. Teams may submit in writing a request to add a student transferring
in to a school, or school attendance district [under criteria 2, 3, or 4], provided there is a roster vacancy
[see maximum roster guidelines]. The Board of Directors will respond to such requests within 15 days of
receipt. Should a player be injured and will miss a large portion of the season, you may submit an
exception request to the Board for consideration to add another player. The Board will rule on this request
with 10 days of submission.
5. Player Movement - Lower Level to Upper Level Teams from the Same School
Each GHRA team may make a permanent player shift, of a maximum of 2 players, upwards only once per
year effective January 15 of that season. This player shift must be emailed by the head coach to the Board
Members before January 15 and confirmed by a return email to the head coach before making the player
shift. No player maybe moved to a lower division team. (Effective the 2007-2008 GHRA Season)
Lettering Criteria for Roller Hockey
In 2008 the GRHA has established itself into 5 different divisions (1A,2A,3A,4A,5A) based on experience
and talent. The 1A and 2A divisions were designated as developmental divisions and guidance was that
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each team was required to give all skaters equal time so that their hockey skills could continue to develop.
The 3A,4A, and 5A Divisions represent the more skilled players.
It is important for students to identify with, be loyal to, and have pride in their high school. The status of
earning a “varsity letter” should be attainable by all students. To that end, high school students may earn
varsity letters through athletics, academics, music, or extracurricular activities.
Varsity Letter Criteria
1. Players must attend South Forsyth High School
2. Players must participate in a 3A, 4A, or 5A Team and have attended at least 80% of the League
games. If a player gets a 5 game misconduct due to fighting, these games missed will count toward
the award criteria and the athlete will still need to attain 80%.
3. If a player has been in the SFHS Hockey program for 3 complete seasons he/she would qualify for
a varsity letter.
4. An athlete must display sportsmanship and conduct which exemplify the school to his or her
opponent, spectators, teammates, and officials and must conform to practice and game
rules/regulations as established by the coach of that sport.
5. Athlete must finish the season in order to qualify for a letter
Ice Hockey statements are pending as of 2/04/08.
This Charter Statement can be amended by a majority vote of it's members via "virtual" or email meeting.
Charter Membership Statement for SFHS Hockey January, 2008
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