Policy #2 - Player Movement : Play Up / Play Down - Effective 2024-02-23

PURPOSE

This policy outlines the parameters around which a player may participate in a division other than their age appropriate division.

PROCEDURE

1. Any player requesting a Play Up or Play Down will complete the Player Movement Request Form on the TRA website at http://www.timminsringette.com/form/5391
2. The Director of Player Development will:
   1. Conduct an on ice evaluation of the player in both their age appropriate division and the division to which the movement request has been made.
   2. Formalize a recommendation and present it to the TRA Board
3. The TRA Board will:
   1. Make final decision on recommendations
   2. Communicate the decision to the player or parent / legal guardian
       

IMPLEMENTATION

Player Movement

One of the primary goals of ringette is the development of positive self-esteem and a proper sense of self-worth, we feel it is important that the player remain with their social peer group.

TRA feels that leadership is a bigger challenge than skill improvement. It is a harder task to become a team leader on and off the ice than it is to score goals and the rewards in life are much greater if this skill is mastered.

In general, "playing up" or “playing down” will only be permitted in extenuating circumstances. In almost all instances, it would be better to challenge the player with leadership than with "playing up". However, the TRA Board, upon application of the parent, may approve movement using these guidelines.

Basic Premises

In all cases of player movement, three indicators will be used:

1. Is this move good for the player?
2. Is this move good for the team gaining the player? Will this move compromise the team losing the player?
3. Is this move good for the association?

In all cases, the player's viewpoint and opinion should be obtained before proceeding and coaches’ feedback will also be considered.

In the U12 to U19 divisions, tiering should provide sufficient separation of skill levels to challenge all players and attempts to stay within the age group at a more appropriate tier will be strongly encouraged.

Playing Up

In the U12 to U19 divisions, tiering should provide sufficient separation of skills levels to challenge all players. If a parent insists that a player move up and the player is truly in agreement, then the following guidelines would apply:

1. The player should consider playing with a team at a higher tier in their age division (U12A cannot bypass U14HL to play U14A). Reasons for not utilizing the tiering available at that age division need to be understood when an application is made
2. Consider the birth date, size, maturity and skill level together with the overall complexion of the TRA teams
3. Players peer group needs to be understood
4. All Risk Management concerns must be addressed (on an individual basis)
5. The player move-up is valid for the one year only.

Playing Down

Our principal goal for first year players is to ensure that they have a positive playing experience.

Considering the birth date, size, maturity and skill level together with the overall complexion of the TRA teams in a given year, it may be better for a player to play down.

The Director of Player Development will make player placement recommendations to the TRA Board after consultation with the player, parents and coaches.

 Affiliated Player

If the Board does not approve a movement request to play up but the Director of Player Development and the head coach of the higher age division team agree that the player would benefit from exposure to the higher level of competition, then the player will be allowed to participate with the following conditions:

1. The player can participate with the higher age division team as long as there is no conflict with the scheduled ice time of the lower age division tea
2. The player can attend practice ice time with the higher age division team ONLY when invited by the head coach of the higher age division team
3. Player can play in scheduled games with the higher age division team ONLY if there are fewer than nine (9) skaters attending from the higher age division team.
    

Association Needs

It may be necessary for the Association to move players in order to balance divisions or to form viable teams.

Requests made by players might be denied if it compromises the viability of a team, the needs of the teams will also be considered in any decisions.

DOCUMENTS

•  Player Movement Request Form