south calgary ringette association

SOUTH CALGARY RINGETTE ASSOCIATION

2020/21 PLAYER ASSESSMENT & PLACEMENT PROCESS SUMMARY

MODIFIED PROCESS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

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Active Start through U19

AUGUST 28, 2020


PLAYER ASSESSMENT & PLACEMENT SUMMARY – MODIFIED PROCESS

Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................3

Player Assessment & Placement Process .........................................................................................................................4

Children’s Ringette Program .........................................................................................................................................4

Active Start ................................................................................................................................................................4

U10 Step Program .....................................................................................................................................................4

U12 Age Group ..........................................................................................................................................................5

Classic Ringette Program ..............................................................................................................................................5

U14 Age Group ..........................................................................................................................................................5

U16-U19 Age Groups ................................................................................................................................................6

Goalies (U12-U19) .........................................................................................................................................................6

Team Formation Process ..................................................................................................................................................7

Coach Selection Committee ..........................................................................................................................................7

AS – U19 Team Formation Sub-Committees ................................................................................................................7

U16 – U19 Team Draft Process .....................................................................................................................................7

General Points ...............................................................................................................................................................8

APPENDIX ..........................................................................................................................................................................9

Anticipated Timeline to Team Formation .....................................................................................................................9

Friend Requests ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Universal Athletic Assessment Testing (U10-U14)..................................................................................................... 10

What will the “Return to Ringette” look like? ........................................................................................................... 11

Safety Protocols ..................................................................................................................................................... 11

Roles & Responsibilities ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Player Affiliation ..................................................................................................................................................... 11



Introduction These unusual times require all of us to think about things a little differently this season. The health and safety of all members is the primary concern of our Return to Ringette plans, however meaningful competition, player development and FUN remain key priorities of our community Ringette association. Every year, a great deal of time and consideration goes into planning and streamlining our evaluation process. Based on numerous discussions with Ringette Alberta (RAB), Ringette Calgary and local associations on the Return to Play plans, all local associations including SCRA are significantly modifying player assessment and team formation processes for the 2020/21 season. Alberta Health Services has many requirements and guidelines that we are working diligently to uphold. As such, SCRA will be proceeding with a non-skating path to team formation this year. This document provides an overview of the Player Assessment & Placement Process that will be used this season. Our Goals: An immense amount of coordination between the local associations is underway to strive for equitable teams using similar approaches, and to arrive at our agreed upon team size targets to create mini-league cohorts. The goals of our 2020/21 Player Assessment & Placement Process are:

To get players back on the ice in a safe manner.

To conduct player assessments as fairly, efficiently and timely as possible.

To be conservative with financial costs, volunteer capital, and other limited resources.

Our Challenges: In addition to strict safety protocols, this year brings many unprecedented logistical challenges, including:

Facility Restrictions: There are widely varying restrictions at facilities across the city. All facilities have differing restrictions on the number of people allowed on the ice, and the majority currently do not allow any spectators in the building. This greatly complicates our ability to schedule players, and prohibits us from having any additional people such as volunteers/coordinators, evaluators and parent/spectators.

Cohort Restrictions: Moving players to different groups in typical on-ice evaluation sessions is not possible this year. Socially distanced drills are not realistic for our youngest players, nor are they effective for accurately evaluating the game play of our older players. Cohort groupings are not practical for assessing our large numbers of players – the amount of time and ice required to provide all players with equal opportunity for fair comparisons and movement is impractical and cost-prohibitive.

Stress and Risk Management: More than ever before, we must be mindful of our financial costs, volunteer strain, and other pressures on limited resources this season. We must also consider the heightened level of anxiety and stress that many of our players, volunteers and Ringette families are currently experiencing.

Please note that this document is subject to change due to updates in restrictions or guidelines from the various levels of government, Alberta Health Services, Ringette Canada, Ringette Alberta or Ringette Calgary.



Player Assessment & Placement Process Due to restrictions, our typical evaluation process is not possible this year. SCRA must adapt our assessment and team formation processes this year for all players (skaters and goalies) in order to efficiently operate within the Return to Play restrictions, as well as mitigate any risks to our members, volunteers, and our association in general. The goal for ALL age groups is to produce balanced teams within the age groups and tiers as per RAB Tiering Policy. Please be advised that all plans can quickly change as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

Children’s Ringette Program Introduced in the 2019/20 season, the Children’s Ringette program was mandated by Ringette Canada for AS, U10 and U12. Please refer to Ringette Canada’s guidelines at: https://www.ringette.ca/programs/childrensringette/

Active Start Active Start is the entry level division for 5 and 6 year old players. Friend requests at this level are permitted. One reciprocal request per player is permitted. A friend request

form (available on the website) must be submitted to the Evaluations Coordinator. SCRA will try our best to accommodate the requests; however placement cannot be guaranteed. See the Appendix for more info.

“Zero Contact” Player Assessment & Placement Process On-ice sessions will not be used for player assessment in this age group this year. Players will be ranked and placed on balanced teams based on previous skating experience, age /

birth year, 2019/20 Post-Season Player Scorecards, 2019/20 Pre-Season Evaluation Data, and friend requests.

The 2020/21 season game format for Active Start will be 3 vs 3 (plus goalies) cross-ice games.

U10 Step Program The U10 Step Program is a developmental program introduced in 2014 to allow players to play with like

players in both age and skill level. The typical progression is for a player to start in Active Start and then to play through the U10 Steps in sequential years. However sometimes players can take a different path in their development. A player may return to the same Step level the following year if required, or a player could also go from Step 1 one year to Step 3 the following year.

In U10, a player is placed on U10 Step 1, U10 Step 2 or U10 Step 3 based on their birth year and their evaluation results. The aim of evaluations in U10 is largely to ensure that teams are balanced while being mindful of age/development differences within this unique age group. In general, Step 1 will have 7 and 8 year olds; Step 2 will have 7, 8 and 9 year olds; and Step 3 will have 8 and 9 year olds.

As per the Ringette Canada LTAD matrix, players in U10 are rotated through all positions including goaltender to focus on skill development.

“Zero Contact” Player Assessment & Placement Process On-ice sessions will not be used for player assessment in this age group this year. Players will be ranked using data such as the level played last year, age / birth year, 2019/20 Post-

Season Player Scorecards, 2019/20 Pre-Season Evaluation Data, and previous years’ evaluation data as required.

Player rankings will be used to form balanced teams in each Step. Head coaches will be selected after the team formation process and, if needed, may be asked to join

https://www.ringette.ca/programs/childrensringette/



a collaborative final review of team balancing within their divisions.

The game format for the 2020/21 season will be: U10 Step 1 and Step 2 will play 3 vs 3 (plus goalies) half-ice games. U10 Step 3 will play 5 vs 5 (plus goalies) full ice games.

U12 Age Group Whether your child is a returning U12 player or you are new to this level, U12 can mean big changes for

Ringette players and families. U12 is often the first time players experience being placed on tiered teams. We know that the player assessment and placement process can be a stressful time for parents and players, especially at the U12 level where it is a relatively new experience.

In U12 there are "A", "B" and "C" tiered teams, depending on the player assessment results. Unlike U10, birth year does not directly come into consideration. The purpose of the player assessment is to make sure that players are on teams that best fit their skills and ability. Every tier is good Ringette and provides excellent opportunity for player development, competitive game play and fun.

Players are re-assessed each year and may be placed on the same level or a different level depending on the overall results from the current year.

Ringette Canada’s LTAD framework outlines that skaters in U12 must play a variety of positions. As such, skaters will be expected to rotate through all positions during game play over the season. FT goalies in U12 are welcome and encouraged, while also allowing opportunity for others to try the position.

“Zero Contact” Player Assessment & Placement Process: o On-ice sessions will not be used for this age group. Players will be ranked based on data such as the

level played last year, 2nd year vs 1st year, 2019/20 Post-Season Player Scorecards, 2019/20 Pre-Season Evaluation Data, and previous years’ evaluation data as required.

o Player rankings will be used to form tiered teams (A, B, C). o Head coaches will be selected after the team formation process and, if needed, may be asked to join

a collaborative final review of team balancing within their divisions.

Classic Ringette Program

U14 Age Group

Ringette Canada’s LTAD framework outlines that skaters in U14 should continue to develop skills in a variety of positions. As such, skaters may play a variety of positions during game play over the season.

“Zero Contact” Player Assessment & Placement Process: o On-ice sessions will not be used for this age group. Players will be ranked based on data such as the

level played last year, 2nd year vs 1st year, 2019/20 Post-Season Player Scorecards, 2019/20 Pre-Season Evaluation Data, and previous years’ evaluation data as required.

o Player rankings will be used to form tiered teams. o Head coaches will be selected after the team formation process and, if needed, may be asked to join

a collaborative final review for team balancing. o Players who are released from the AA Ringette program will be included in our Player Assessment

process, providing they are registered with SCRA.



U16-U19 Age Groups

Skaters in U16 and U19 can “declare” preferred positions, however they are still often called upon to play a variety of positions as needed during game play.

Players can also self-declare to be placed on the “B” tier within their age group.

U16 and U19 will use a draft process for team formation again this year. Head coaches will work with the respective Team Formation Sub-Committees to form the teams.

“Condensed Draft” Player Assessment & Placement Process o Head coaches will be selected for the “A” tier and “B” tier teams in each age group and will conduct

a draft process with support from the respective Team Formation Committees to form their teams within strict team size guidelines.

o They will be provided with player data such as the level played last year, 2nd year vs 1st year, 2019/20 Post-Season Player Scorecards, and level played / evaluation data from previous years as needed. They may also seek input on a player's skills, game sense, and other attributes from prior years’ coaches.

o All skaters / goalies will be placed in draft pools. Those who are not self-declared B players will be placed in the “A” tier draft pool in their age group, including those players who are released from the AA Ringette program providing that they are registered with SCRA. Self-declared B players will automatically be placed in the “B” tier draft pool for selection.

o After the “A” tier team drafts are completed, those who are not selected for the A tier will be placed in the “B” tier draft pool in their age group for team selections.

o Head coaches must submit their drafted team rosters and player selection documentation to the Board Executive for final review and approval.

Goalies (U12-U19) As part of the U16 and U19 team draft process, head coaches will draft goalies for their respective teams,

informed by the assessment process outlined above. U12 and U14 full time and part time goalies will be placed on tiered teams within their age group based on

the assessment process outlined above. For U14-U19, a full time goalie will hold the primary position of goaltender for their team. Any part time

goalie will play as a back-up goaltender. For U12, a full time goalie will hold the primary position of goaltender for their team. In accordance with

Ringette Alberta’s goalie development guidelines, full time goalies are encouraged at U12 however other players should also be given the opportunity to try the goaltender position. Any part time goalie or other player on the team who wishes to try the goaltender position should be given the opportunity to serve as the team’s back-up goaltender.



Team Formation Process

Coach Selection Committee The 2020/21 Coach Selection Committee’s role is to collect coach applications, review past coach survey results, and select coaches for team formation. (See the Coach Manual on our website for further information about the coach selection process.) The 2020/21 Coach Selection Committee consists of:

Sandy Hayer, VP Development

Lynette Zyznomirski, President

Todd Dean, VP Operations

Kris Marshall, VP Operations

Becky Scheer, VP Administration

AS – U19 Team Formation Sub-Committees For AS – U19, player rankings and supporting data will be provided to the Team Formation Sub-Committees

to build the teams in each age group. The sub-committees will also give consideration to friend requests for AS or players who are new to the sport, and consultations with previous coaches as needed.

The Team Formation Sub-Committees for each age group will consist of 4-6 SCRA executive, board members, committee members and experienced coaches. Where possible, members will not have a player in the age group. The SCRA President will sit on all sub-committees to ensure a consistent process.

Once tentative teams are formed by the sub-committees, they will be submitted to the Executive Board for final review and approval of teams.

U16 – U19 Team Draft Process For U16 and U19, a draft process will be used to form tiered teams in each age group. The Coach Selection

Committee will select the head coaches prior to the player assessment process. Head coaches will work with respective Team Formation Sub-Committees to form teams.

Head coaches and the respective Team Formation Sub-Committees will be provided with player data such as the level played last year, 2019/20 Post-Season Player Scorecards, and level played / evaluation data from previous years as needed. They may also seek input on a player's skills, game sense, and other attributes from prior years’ coaches.

All skaters / goalies will be placed in draft pools. Those who are not self-declared B players, including any players released from the AA Ringette program, will be placed in the “A” tier draft pool in their age group. After the “A” tier team drafts are completed, those who are not selected for the A tier will be placed in the “B” tier draft pool in their age group along with the self-declared B players.

Head coaches must submit their drafted team rosters and player selection documentation to the Executive Board final review and approval.



General Points

A player’s placement in a previous year may not guarantee placement at the same level in the current season. This is applicable at all age group levels.

If needed, players may be invited to “level up” in order to create viable team sizes due to registration numbers. If this is deemed necessary, details will be determined at that time to suit the specific situation and information will be communicated directly to the relevant age groups. SCRA will not entertain requests from players to play up a level.

Players who are released from the Calgary AA Ringette program will be included in our player assessment process, providing that they are registered with SCRA. Late registrations cannot be guaranteed acceptance.

For small-area ice teams (ie. AS, U10S1 and U10S2), SCRA will aim for teams of approx. 10 players (depending on final registration numbers) in accordance with the Children’s Ringette framework and the mini-league cohort team size targets agreed upon by our fellow local associations.

For full-ice teams, SCRA will aim to form teams of 11-13 players in accordance with the mini-league cohort team size targets agreed upon by our fellow local associations. This may change depending on final registration numbers. Many factors come into play for team size formation including but not limited to:

total number of players registered in an age group,

number of possible FT goalies available (U14-U19),

number of teams decided on while adhering to cohort restrictions, the Ringette Alberta Tiering Policy and ensuring competitive equity of the teams against other associations.

Final placement of any player is at the discretion of the SCRA Executive Board, via the Evaluation Committee.



APPENDIX

Anticipated Timeline to Team Formation

Sept 1-5:

AS to U12 team formation process

Final review and approval of AS-U12 teams

Coach selections for AS-U12

Head coach selection for U16 and U19

Sept 7 - 9: (after AA Ringette results)

U14 team formation process

U16 and U19 team drafts

Final review and approval of all teams U14-U19

Coach selections for U14

Sept 8-11:

Teams posted this week

Practices could begin for some teams this week o Waivers, agreements, etc must be in place for all teams BEFORE any team event o RAMP Team App must be in place for all teams BEFORE any team event

Equipment Distribution Evening might be scheduled this week (coach bags, goalie equipment, shot clocks)

Sept 12-13:

All teams in practices by this weekend



Friend Requests

Friend Request forms will be accepted for players in AS and players who are new to the sport. As always, friend requests cannot be guaranteed. The form, which is available on our website, must be signed by both families and then submitted to the

Evaluations Coordinator before Tuesday, September 1st. Contact info is on the website.

https://southcalgaryringette431736716.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/scra-evaluations-friend-request-form.pdf

Universal Athletic Assessment Testing (U10-U14) The UAA program was introduced in the 2013/14 season and became mandatory in Alberta in the 2016/17

season. All skaters in the U10 to U14 age groups must participate in the UAA process. (FT goalies in U12 and U14 do not attend UAA testing.)

In previous years: SCRA worked with a third party provider to collect the UAA results in a streamlined process that

alleviates demand on our limited volunteer resources. The UAA results are provided to our UAA Coordinator for compiling and submitting to RAB which

uses the data to determine the number of teams each association can have at each level to strive for competitive equity across the province.

Internally, SCRA uses the UAA data as a tool for pre-seeding skaters into their first round evaluation session. The UAA scores do not determine the final placement of the player. Final placement of a player and team assignment is not based on the UAA scores.

This year:

UAA testing is not required by RAB this year. UAA testing will not be scheduled as part of our pre-season evaluation process this year.

It is possible that our U10-U14 teams may be asked to perform the applicable testing drills during their initial practice ice times for comparing team equity with other associations. If this is the case, our UAA Coordinator(s) will provide support and guidance to teams to run their timed drills.

For more info on Universal Athletic Assessment testing, please see the additional info on our website.

https://southcalgaryringette431736716.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/scra-evaluations-friend-request-form.pdf



What will the “Return to Ringette” look like? For an overview of what the season will look like, please read our blog post with some answers to common questions on the Return to Ringette guidelines: https://southcalgaryringette.com/2020/08/10/return-to-ringette-what-will-it-look-like/ A few of the key points are noted below. Please be familiar with the full information on the RAB “Return to Ringette” webpage. https://ringettealberta.com/return-to-ringette/

Safety Protocols

Individuals are asked to participate in only one sport/performance cohort at a time (ie. can’t play on a club basketball team and a Ringette team at the same time).

All participants will need to sign either a Waiver (for adults) or Assumption of Risk (for minors).

Health screening and attendance tracking will be mandatory at every team activity using the RAMP Team App (ie. not TeamSnap). RAB will cover the cost of the RAMP Team App for teams this season. (Managers / Coaches: Please wait for further instruction before purchasing the RAMP Team App on your own.)

All other safety policies are still in effect (ie. Rule of Two, certified coaches, police checks, Respect in Sport, etc)

Roles & Responsibilities

All participants must be familiar with and adhere to local and provincial health restrictions, municipal bylaws, Return to Ringette guidelines and facility requirements. https://www.ringette.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roles-and-Responsibilities-Final.pdf

Ringette Alberta has also mandated consequences for any participant that does not adhere to AHS, RAB or

Facility Guidelines. Please be familiar with RAB’s consequences policy. https://ringettealberta.com/wp-

content/uploads/2020/03/Consequences-and-Safety-Measures.pdf

SCRA must communicate any violations to RAB as per the mandated consequences policy.

First Offence: The participant may be required to quarantine for 14 days as mandated by the RAB “Consequences and Safety Measures” document. In some cases, all participants may be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Second Offence: RAB mandated 30 day suspension

Third Offence: RAB mandated suspension for the remainder of the 2020/21 season

Player Affiliation

Typical affiliation like in previous years is not possible this season. “Cross-affiliation” will be permitted between teams in the same cohort.

This means that all teams and players in the same mini-league cohort, whether they are with SCRA or other associations, must be open to working together to cross-affiliate skaters or goalies if needed this season.

https://southcalgaryringette.com/2020/08/10/return-to-ringette-what-will-it-look-like/

https://southcalgaryringette.com/2020/08/10/return-to-ringette-what-will-it-look-like/

https://ringettealberta.com/return-to-ringette/

https://www.ringette.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roles-and-Responsibilities-Final.pdf

https://www.ringette.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roles-and-Responsibilities-Final.pdf

https://ringettealberta.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Consequences-and-Safety-Measures.pdf

https://ringettealberta.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Consequences-and-Safety-Measures.pdf

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