U10

What to know

Divisions and Tiers

• Ringette is divided into age related divisions based on birth year:
•  Active Start, U10, U12, U14, U16, U19 (U is stands for Under)
  
  
• Each division is then divided into tiers designed to create equitable and competitive play. 
• Active start is typically for 4-6 year olds
• U10 contains three tiers: Step 3, Step 2, Step 1
  • Step 1 and 2 are 3v3 games on half ice
  • Step 1 is entry level introduction to half ice childrens ringette
  • Step 3 is the highest level of play and played full ice
• U12 contains three tiers: A, B, and C
• U14 - U16 contain four tiers: AA, A, B, and C  
• U19 contains three tiers: AA, A, and B
  • *AA being the highest level of play
• Please note it is normal to start in a lower tier when first starting
  
  

Evaluations

What are evaluations:

• Active Start- no evaluations

• U10 and above-  Select the appropriate age division on the website, to view the days/times that your player must attend.  

• Your player will be required to do UAA (Universal Athlete Assessment) which is essentially timed drills, then they will be put into groups to scrimmage while evaluators watch their playing skills. 

• Expect to participate in more than one scrimmage (depending on number of athletes). 

• Dates are posted ahead of time, although the time your athlete will be skating will be updated in a timely manner after an evaluation skate.  It is your responsibility to check the website

• The results of this will determine their scoring and then teams will be made. 

How to Prepare for Evaluations:

• Attending a summer camp or any skating prior is a good way to make sure skates fit and get your player back into skating prior to evaluations
• Conditioning skates will be posted on website, voluntary to attend
• Practice shooting at home

Team Formations

What to expect when teams are made:

• Invite to TeamSnap for schedules, team rosters and team chats and communication
• Email from your head coach
• Team Meeting (to discuss player / parent expectations, team fees, volunteer requirements) 
• Team Get together so players can get to know each other

Team Commitment:

• Season Runs; October - March, typically one to two games per weekend when playing within the BGL league. 
• Weekly Practice
  • typically during the week, the younger age divisions are usually the earlier ice times ie:4:15pm during the week

• Additional Practices and Power Skating as assigned by the association, or scheduled by your coach.
• Optional Dryland Training (as decided by the coach). Typically 1-2 per month for Step 3 and higher. 
• Team Get Togethers
• Team Tournaments

Tournaments:

• Turkey Ring- Thanksgiving weekend in St. Albert, all teams will play, save the date, each team will have to provide volunteers as well. 
• Additional Tournaments are based on what the team decides and availability. Note that at the U10 level travel within the province is common requiring families to have the additional cost of travel.  Typically U12C and U14C are within the province as well. 
• Refer to the policy for how many tournaments you can attend. 

Team Fees:

• Team fees are decided by the team by a majority vote. You cannot opt out of team fees, however families may choose to organize fundraisers or find sponsorships to offset costs
• Team fees include registration fees for tournaments, banking fees for the team, equipment deposit, extra ice time if necessary, team activities (ex. Year end party), year-end gifts, team apparel
• U10 Step 1 and 2 - Team fees approximately $200 - $400
• U10 Step 3 - Team Fees approximately $400-$600
• U12 and U14 - Team fees approximately $600 - $1000

Volunteering & DIBS

Volunteering:

• Your coach will go over a variety of roles they will need support in for a successful season. These include: team manager, treasurer, spectator liaison, assistant coaches, on-ice helpers. 
• In addition, each team is responsible for having volunteers for every game rotate through the following Minor Box Official roles. Some will be home team responsibilities and some will be away: (don’t worry, someone will know how to do it and show you).

• Clock
• Time Sheet
• Penalty Box
• Shot clock (starting at U12)
  
  

DIBS (Association volunteer bond/requirements):

• You can sign up on the website to fulfill these 
•  posted ongoing throughout the season, with the majority being available during evaluations. 
• For each player you have registered, you must complete 2 DIBS for the season (regular volunteering for clock, time sheet, penalty box, etc. does not count)

• 1 DIBS credit is earned for up to 3 hours volunteered. Any volunteer shifts longer than 3 hours, will earn 2 DIBS. If you choose not to fulfill your player's DIBS requirements, there will be an up to $200 fee charged automatically per player ($100 per DIBS credit not fulfilled, per player). 
• Examples of DIBS: opening and closing gates for evaluations, handing out jerseys for evaluations, (do not sign up for something that you do not know how to do)
• Turkey Ring volunteer shifts do not count towards your DIBS requirements

Development

Power Skating/Camps

• Your team may opt for power skating through the association or through their own funds. Sometimes attending powerskating can be met with resistance by players, but it is absolutely fundamental in player development. 

• In addition to team power skating, many private companies provide development and training for families if they wish to register (for a cost). Ringette Alberta usually have a comprehensive list (linked here)
  **please note some programs run during the season, some after, and some year round**