Battlefords Minor Hockey Association

BYLAWS ( Revised 3 September 2008)
Recent revisions are in red, bold, italics

DEFINITIONS:

1)REPRESENTATIVE TEAM- Atom Tier I, PeeWee Tier I and Tier II, Bantam Tier I and Tier II, and Midget Tier I and Tier II teams

2)DEVELOPMENTAL TEAMS- ALL TIER III TEAMS

BYLAW ONE - MEMBERSHIP FEES

A. Parents of players become members upon payment of the player's registration fee.

B. Any adult living within the Battlefords hockey centre may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, become a member of the BMHA

C. The annual membership fee shall be established by the Board of Directors.

BYLAW TWO - REGISTRATION

A. Fees:

1. The registration fee shall be established by the Board prior to the beginning of each season.
2. The fee for each division will reflect the cost of ice time and officials.
3. Registration fees shall include a family maximum.

B. Eligibility:

1. In order to participate in the BMHA program, the playermust be a bonafide resident of the Battlefords hockey centre, asdefined by SHA Regulations, with the following exceptions:
   • AAA Midgets;
   • outside players allowed to AA Tier I Bantam and Midget teams (see By-Law VIII E); and,
   • other players approved by a motion of the Board.
2. Aplayer who attends school in the Battlefords, but whose parents'principal residence is in a community which has an active hockeyprogram, may be ineligible to register in BMHA
3. Registration of players from other communities willoccur in exceptional circumstances only, and only with the permissionof the Board and the SHA

C. Requests for refunds due to injury:

Injured players requesting a refund of BMHA registration fees must meet all the following conditions:

1. The injury must have occurred during BMHA activities.
2. Theinjury must be of an extent that a minimum of 1/2 the team's scheduledgames are missed. These games include league, exhibition, tournaments,playoffs.
3. A doctor's certificate/letter verifying the injury and length of disability will accompany the request.

• 1/2 of $215.00 registration fee= $107.50
  $107.50 less SHA fee of $23.50 = refund of $84.00
• pro-rating would have a refund of $134.38; thus BMHA would retain $50.38 for inconvenience costs or administration costs.
• Thisforumula would benefit BMHA as some money would be retained and allplayers who have missed the majority of their season because of injurywill be entitled to some of their registration fee.

BYLAW THREE- STRUCTURE OF THE BMHA

A. Registration:

1. For purposes of SHA registration, BMHA teams will be categorised as AA.
2. Everyplayer will register and play in the Division that is appropriate forhis age except where the Board, acting in keeping with SHA regulations,grants special permission to play at a different level.
3. Players will play on one team only, except that they may play as affiliates according to the terms set out in this Policy.

B. Teams:

1. The Board may form such AA Tier I and Tier II teams as it considers appropriate and as required by SHA regulations.
2. In forming Tier I and Tier II teams, the Board shall make every effort to provide a quality Developmental Tier III program.
3. All other League teams will be classified as Development Tier III.
4. Divisions shall be as follows, all ages to be taken as of December 31 in the year of registration:
   • Initiation 6 years and under
     
   • Novice 7 and 8 years old
     
   • Atom 9 and 10 years old
     
   • Pee Wee 11 and 12 years old
     
   • Bantam 13 and 14 years old
     
   • Midget 15, 16 and 17 years old
     
5. In the Initiation Division, players will be grouped by age into Junior and Senior categories, provided however that:
   
   • 5.0The S.H.A. adopts the Initiation Program for hockey in the ageclassification of 6 years and under. The INITIATION PROGRAM is a learnto play hockey program designed to introduce beginners (5-10 years old)to the game’s basic skills in an enjoyable, carefully planned way.Formulated by the C.H.A., the program is intended to make a youngster’sfirst contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It enablesparticipants to become contributing members of a team effort, todevelop self-confidence and to experience a sense of personalachievement. The “HOCKEY FOR THE FUN OF IT” approach is a no pressureintroduction to our great sport
   • 5.1 on the recommendation of the Director inconsultation with the parents, and with the approval of the Board,exceptions may be made, based on ability and experience.
6. Playersin the entire Initiation and Novice Divisions, as well as all Tier IIIDivisions, will be grouped by their respective Directors and Coachesinto teams of equal strength and ability.
7. In all categories other than Tier I and Tier II, All-Star Teams will not be permitted.

C. Directors:

1. The Director of each division will be the liaison betweenthe Board and that division. He or she will be responsible to ensurethat the division operates within the aims, rules, and regulations ofthe Association.
2. The Director may choose an assistant, to be called a Commissioner, such choice to be ratified by the Board of Directors.
3. The Board shall organize orientation sessions for new Members to acquaint them with their duties.

D. Coaches and Assistant Coaches:

A young person's hockey coach is one of the most influential personsin his or her life. Because of that fact, the Battlefords Minor HockeyAssociation encourages coaches to be good role models. In addition,BMHA encourages coaches to learn all they can about young people, aboutcoaching and about hockey. In particular, coaches are encouraged toavail themselves of every opportunity to improve their knowledge andskills through attendance at SHA Certification Clinics.

NOTE: For the purposes of this section, the word "Coach" shall be taken to mean "Coach" and "Assistant Coach".

1. Selection:
   • Subjectto final approval by the Board of Directors, Development Tier IIIleague coaches shall be selected by the Division Director withassistance from the Commissioner.
   • For regulations pertaining to the selection of representative team Coaches, see BYLAW EIGHT.
   • No person shall act as Coach for more than one team, whether at the Development or Representative level
   • The Representative Development Director shall not act as Coach in the Representative Development Division.
   • All Initiation Coaches must hold an Initiation Program certificate.
   • All Novice Coaches must hold either an Initiation Program or a Level Coach certificate.
   • All Coaches above Novice shall be required to hold the minimum certification required by SHA.
   • At least one Coach on a Novice or Atom team must have attended the SHA Body Checking workshop.
   • All BMHA Coaches are required to hold the Speak Out Certificate.
2. Coaches' Clinics:
   • TheBattlefords Minor Hockey Association may reimburse coaches for feesassociated with attendance at certification clinics leading toInitiation Level, Level Coach NCCP and Level Intermediate standing.
   • The Board of Directors mayapprove the reimbursement of fees for clinics leading to highercertificates than those listed above, provided that approval isreceived prior to attendance at the clinic in question.
   • All BMHA Coaches not possessingthe minimum certification required by SHA shall post a bond to BMHA inthe amount of the fine that will be imposed by SHA should they notacquire the minimum certification by the deadline specified by SHA inthat season. Upon receiving the required certification, the bond willbe returned.
3. Duties and Responsibilities:
   • Coaches will follow current rules and regulations of hockey as established by CHA, SHA, and BMHA
   • Itis the Coach's responsibility to ensure his team has a registeredtrainer, either one of the coaches or another individual. The Trainermust have taken the SHA approved Safety course, or take the courseprior to the SHA deadline in the current season. If the Trainer doesnot yet have the Safety course, the team must post a bond in the amoundof the fine that will be imposed by SHA if the training is not taken bythe deadline. Upon the registered Trainer receiving the SafetyCertification before the deadline, the bond will be returned.
   • Coaches must conduct themselvesin an exemplary manner. Any unseemly conduct, including excessiveprofanity, the illegal or intemperate use of alcohol or drugs, or theprovision of such substances to players will be dealt with by theDiscipline Committee and may lead to the suspension or dismissal of thecoach.
   • Coaches must become familiarwith the philosophy and rules of the Association. Failure to followeither one or both may result in disciplinary action.
   • Coaches can expect fullcooperation from the Board in dealing with players or parents who failor refuse to comply with their reasonable expectations.
   • The Association will give eachInitiation and Novice player a souvenir trophy. The Board discouragesCoaches from presenting individual trophies or awards to their players.

E. Managers:

1. Subject to approval by his/her Director and ratification by the Board, a Coach may recommend a person to serve as Team Manager.
2. All team managers are expected to assist the coach and assistant coach by:
   • scheduling and phoning related to the arrangements of games and tournaments;
   • arranging meetings with parents as required;
   • taking responsibility for all equipment issued to a team;
   • assisting with fund raising and record keeping as required;
   • carryingout such other duties as required by the constitution and bylaws of theBattlefords Minor Hockey Association, and/or by the Coach.
3. In addition to the above duties, Representative and Development Team Managers shall:
   
   • atthe beginning of the season, prepare and present a budget for theapproval of the Board of Directors of Battlefords Minor Hockey; and,
   • at the end of the season, andat such other times as may be required by the Board of Directors,submit a detailed statement of income and expenditures, complete withall pertinent receipts and deposit records.

F. Affiliation

1. Players from one team may be affiliated with one otherteam according to SHA regulations; the affiliation process shall behandled in such a way as to be as fair as possible to all players.
   
2. ACoach may invite an affiliated player to play with his or her team whenillness, absence or some unforeseen event causes a team to be short ofplayers. Affiliates are not to displace a team's regular players.
   
3. Affiliatedplayers shall be selected and assigned to teams by the Directors ofeach Division in consultation with their Coaches and the otherDirectors concerned.
   
4. Except in unusualcircumstances, the Director shall assign at least two, and nor morethan seven affiliates to any one team, one of which must be a goalie.
   
5. Notwithstanding the above:
   • Teamsshould ordinarily affiliate players from the next lower level (e.g.,Bantam Tier I affiliates Bantam Tier II; Bantam Tier II affiliatesBantam Tier III, and so on).
   • Teams may also, in addition tothe maximum of seven already stated, with the approval of the Director,affiliate a maximum of 3 players from 2 tiers below (e.g., Bantam TierI may affiliate up to 3 players from Bantam Tier III), such players tobe used only in cases of extreme necessity (e.g., players are notavailable due to injuries or suspensions).
   • Coaches and managers areexpected to cooperate with one another in the affiliation process;where agreement cannot be reached, the decision of the pertinentDirectors, in consultation with the President if necessary, shall befollowed. The decision shall be reported to the Board.
   • If the player and his parentsask that the player’s name be removed from the list of affiliates, thatwish shall be granted and the Director shall make every effort toreplace him or her with another player of suitable calibre.
6. In every instance, the player and the player’s parents must be notified of the intention to affiliate him or her.
7. Itshall be the responsibility of the SHA Director, after ensuring thatall BMHA affiliation lists are correct and complete, to submit them tothe SHA by the required dates.
8. Any coach wishing to invite an affiliated player to play with his team must do the following:
   • Therequesting coach must first secure approval from the player's coachShould the coach refuse, the player shall not be invited to the game(s)in question, but an appeal related to future possible situations may bemade to the Directors in question. The Directors shall inform the Boardof the appeal. (see, Section 5c above)
   • Coaches should make everyeffort to notify directors in advance that an affiliated player isplaying. If unable to notify the appropriate director(s) contact thePresident of Vice President.
9. Coachesshall ensure that each affiliate gets an equal opportunity to play up.In addition the following requirements are to be observed:
   • As per SHA regulations8.07.03; Players registered on Midget AAA or Bantam AA Tier 1categorized teams, or affiliated to teams categorized as Midget AAA orBantam AA Tier 1, shall be restricted to a maximum of five (5) leagueor S.H.A. playoff games after January 10th. Exhibition and Tournamentgames are exempt. Any player who participates in their sixth (6th) gameas a "AP" must remain with the higher categorized/division team.Goalkeepers are only charged with a game when they actually participatein the game. For players not registered on Midget AAA or Bantam AA Tier1 categorized teams, or affiliated to teams categorized as Midget AAAor Bantam AA Tier 1, the numbers of games shall be unlimited.
   • With the agreement of his orher regular coach, an affiliated player may practice once before eachgame or tournament in which he or she is playing up.
10. BMHATeams whose registered team size is 15 or less may use their affiliatesto increase their roster size for tournaments with the approval of thedirectors involved. This does not include SHA provincial playoff tournaments.
11. Theforegoing affiliation regulations shall apply at all levels of BMHAhockey. The Midget AAA program is governed by SHA affiliationregulations only.

G. Ice Schedule:

1. All ice bookings, for all Divisions, shall be coordinated by the Office Manager/Ice Coordinator.
2. The Offfice Manager / Ice Coordinator shall consult with the appropriate Division Directors when assigning ice.
3. Initiation,Novice, and Atom teams will have a minimum of one (1) hour of practiceand one (1) hour of game time per week for those weeks in which ice isavailable.
   3.1) Whenever possible, the Board will strive to provide more than one (1) hour of game time per week.
   3.2) For practices, two Initiation teams will share the ice; however, games will be played on full-ice surfaces.
4. Forthe Pee Wee, Bantam Tier III, and Midget Tier III divisions, the OfficeManager will assign ice so that each player and his/her team has aminimum of one (1) hour of practice and one and one-half (1½) hours ofgame time per week for those weeks in which it is available, based onscheduled league games.
5. For the Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget Representativeteams, the Office Manager will assign ice so that each player andhis/her team will have a minimum of one (1) hour of practice and two(2) hours of game time per week for those weeks in which ice isavailable.
6. The Board of Directors will ensure that any additionalice will be assigned on an equitable basis to all teams within theorganization.
   
7. All practice times will be used to develop hockey skills.

BY-LAW FOUR - JACKETS AND OTHER TEAM OR OFFICIAL CLOTHING

1. The Board of Directors will approve official clothing inone or two styles, as it may deem appropriate. Any player, member orteam official wanting a jacket will be able to order one through aCoordinator appointed by the Board.
2. Any team ordering jackets or other wearing apparel forits players, team officials, parents or fans, shall order such garmentsin the official BMHA colours.
3. When a team orders jackets or other wearing apparel,individual players may choose not to order such team wear and shall notsuffer any censure or discrimination as a consequence of that decision.

BYLAW FIVE-UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

A. Equipment Manager:

1. An Equipment Manager shall be elected to purchase,maintain, distribute and control any equipment, which is provided bythe Association.
2. The Equipment Manager will maintain an accurateinventory of all equipment and report this information to the Boardthrough the Treasurer.
3. The Equipment Manager will attend Board meetings in anon-voting capacity, to deliver reports and take part in discussionsrelated to equipment.
4. The Equipment Manager shall submit a budget request forBoard approval prior to the start of each season. Expenditures inexcess of the approved amounts must be approved by the Board.
5. All equipment, when not in use, shall be stored in a place approved by the Association.

B. Sweaters:

1. Each team will be supplied with a minimum of one set of sweaters and a bag for each set.
2. Ifa division's teams have ordinarily only one set of sweaters, theDirector will be supplied with an extra double set of sweaters for useby teams playing in external tournaments. When possible, these setswill be in the Association colours.
3. Sweaters are the sole property of BMHA and are to beworn only to Association-approved hockey games and to Board-approvedspecial events. Although he or she may designate an adult to take careof team sweaters, the Coach shall have the final responsibility forthem until they are returned to the Equipment Manager at the end of theseason.
4. Initiation players may be allowed to take their sweatershome, but may wear them for games and practices only. All other playersshall leave their sweaters with the Coach.
5. Sweaters should be dry cleaned or laundered during theseason, and must be cleaned before being returned to the EquipmentManager. When laundered, they are to be washed in cold water, using adetergent that contains no bleach and they are to be hang dried.
6. Upon the recommendation of the Equipment Manager, aCoach may be levied a charge to replace sweaters that are not returnedor which are returned in a state suggestive of misuse.
7. The Association may require players, teams, or agedivisions to pay a sweater deposit, the amount and conditions to be setby the Board, prior to receiving sweaters.
8. Sweater donors shall be recognized by cresting on thesweaters, and shall have their donation recognized for two years in alltournament programs printed by BMHA
9. AA Tier I and AA Tier II teams will establish a fund topurchase and replace sweaters. These sweaters shall be in BMHA colours,display the Barons crest, and shall remain the property of theBattlefords Minor Hockey Association.

C. Goal Equipment:

1. Leg pads, upper body protectors, trappers and blockerswill be made available to all goaltenders in all age divisions up toand including Pee Wee. The following regulations will apply:
   1.1 BMHA equipment is to be used for ice hockey only.
   1.2At the Initiation and Novice levels, the equipment will be issued tothe coach who will be responsible for its use, care and return.
   1.3At the Atom and Pee Wee levels, whether the goaltender signs out a fullor partial set of equipment, s/he will pay a damage deposit of $100,part or all of which may be retained by the Equipment Manager if anyequipment is lost, or if it shows signs of excessive wear or of abuse;
   1.4 Pee Wee goalies will pay a non-refundable rental fee, as follows:
   • $100 per season for a full set of equipment;
   • $50 per season for leg pads;
   • $25 each for: upper body protector, trapper, blocker
   1.5 All goaltending equipment must be returned by the end of April.
   1.6BMHA goaltenders may rent equipment for summer hockey, hockey camps orhockey schools. In such cases, they will be required to pay therefundable $100 damage deposit and one-half the pertinent rental fee.The rental paid will count as a down payment on the equipment rentalfee for the following hockey season, if the player plays goal for aBMHA team.
   1.7 Bantam and Midget goaltenders who, wish to rentgoal equipment on the same basis as an Pee Wee goaltender, shallcontact the appropriate Director (Bantam, Midget or Developmental) forfurther information, provided that equipment is suitable and available
   1.8If the value of lost equipment exceeds the amount of the damagedeposit, the person to whom the equipment is entrusted shall berequired to pay for it.
2. During the season, repairs made to goal equipment are tobe made by the Equipment Manager, or with the Equipment Manager'sauthorization, by the person responsible for its care.
3. One Goal stick will be issued at the Initiation, Novice,and Atom levels only, and will be consigned to the coaches. In nocircumstance will goal sticks be issued to individual players.

D. General Regulations:

1. During all practices and games, all protective equipmentis mandatory, regardless of the length of practice, for all playersregistered with BMHA
2. At all levels, the required protective equipment willinclude: helmet, face mask, neck protector, shoulder pads, cup, hockeypants, elbow pads and shin pads.
3. All equipment and sticks in use shall conform to CHA standards.

E. Colors and Names:

1. BMHA colors will be maroon, gold, black and white.
2. AA Tier I and AA Tier II teams will use the name "Battlefords Barons."

F. Miscellaneous:

1. The Equipment Manager shall keep the Treasurer informed of all expenditures.
2. Atthe start of the season, the Equipment Manager shall make available asupply of pucks for each team. (Max 24 pucks per team at $0.25 a puck)
3. The Equipment Manager may issue sweaters forconditioning and tiering sessions prior to the start of organized play.Policies pertaining to regular sweater use shall apply.
4. The Equipment Manager shall submit a written report tothe Annual Meeting. From time to time, the Board may request furtherreports, either written or oral, at its meeting.
5. The Equipment Manager may, from time to time, sell oldand used equipment with Board approval. Any monies earned shall bereturned to the BMHA

BYLAW SIX - THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

The President shall call a meeting of the Discipline Committee todeal with problems related to the conduct of players, team officials,game officials, board members, parents or other persons associated withMinor Hockey in the Battlefords, in the following circumstances:

1. when a written complaint is brought to the President or Chairperson  and in the opinion of the President or the Board, there is adequate reason to conduct an investigation; or,
2. where in the opinion of the President or the Board, there is adequate reason to conduct an investigation.

A. Membership. The Committee shall comprise: the Past President,President, Vice-President, SHA Director, the Director of the respectivetier in which the action under investigation took place, and one adultnon-member of BMHA approved by the Board on an annual basis.

B. Exclusions. In the event that one or more of the DisciplineCommittee Members, or the son(s) or daughter(s) of such Members, areunder investigation, the Members so involved will remove themselvesfrom the meeting except where such person is required to attend toprovide information or according to the terms of Section E of thisBy-Law.

C. Chairperson. The Past President shall be the Chairperson of theDiscipline Committee. In case of the absence or temporary exclusion ofthe Past President, the Vice-President shall act as Chairperson and theSecretary shall fulfill the Vice-President position on the committee.

D. The person(s) whose reported actions are under investigationshall be provided an opportunity to meet with or make representation tothe Committee before it arrives at a final ruling.

E. The Chairperson shall inform the person under review, and his orher parent and coach if the person under review is a player, of theDiscipline Committee's ruling.

F. The Chairperson shall report any action(s) taken by the Discipline Committee to the Board at its subsequent meeting.

G. The ruling of the Discipline Committee may be appealed to theBoard of Directors, who may confirm, remove or modify the ruling asdeemed appropriate. The decision of the Board is final.

H. In the event the complaint warranting investigation is of asufficiently serious nature in the opinion of the President, he/she maytake such immediate action as deemed necessary to ensure the safety andwell being of all those involved, e.g. suspending BMHA activities orbarring individuals or groups from attending BMHA events, until suchtime as the Discipline Committee can be convened to investigate thematter.

BYLAW SEVEN - GAME RULES

The BMHA governs itself according to the rules of the CHA and SHAand officials are encouraged to enforce the rules consistently andimpartially. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Association remindsteam officials and players alike of the following regulations:

1. Where penalties are assessed in numbers of games, thisshall mean the next league, playoff, or previously scheduled tournamentgame(s). Players cannot take part in any game until their suspensionsare served. Suspensions cannot be served in exhibition games. Pleasenote that a suspension incurred for a violation of a league rule may beimplemented at the discretion of the league.
2. Any player or team official who is ejected from the gameis to proceed directly to the dressing room for the balance of the gameor to leave the arena. Failure to do so will result in furtherdisciplinary action by the Discipline Committee.
3. Unseemly Conduct by On-Ice and Off-Ice Officials shallbe investigated by the Director of Officials who shall report to thePresident any matters requiring action by the Discipline Committee.
4. Off-ice Officials are expected to cooperate with thereferee(s) to ensure that game sheets are properly filled out andsigned by the on-ice officials and both coaches. Anyone refusing tocomply with this requirement shall be reported to the President forfurther action.
5. The Director of each Division shall monitor the conductof players and team officials under his or her jurisdiction, and shallserve notice to any player or team official guilty of breach ofdiscipline. The Director may request the President to call anyoffending player or team official before the Discipline Committee forfurther action.
6. Ice Time: All coaches shall strive to ensure thatplayers receive equitable ice time in all games. Failure to do so mayresult in disciplinary action being taken.
7. The Battlefords Minor Hockey Association will enforce a policy of zero tolerance for performance enhancing drugs.
8. TheBMHA reserves the right to take additional disciplinary action wherethe behaviour of any player, team official, parent or other personassociated with the Association is of serious and continuing concern.

BYLAW EIGHT - REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS (PEE WEE, BANTAM, MIDGET)

Representative hockey is provided for those players who have,through outstanding dedication and the acquisition of the fundamentalhockey skills, prepared themselves for play at the most challenginglevel available. Such players have a right to well-planned practices,productive game strategies, a disciplined team environment andequitable ice time, in order to learn to play as effectively aspossible. Coaches and Managers are reminded, however, that theenjoyment of the game and the development of good citizens are moreimportant than winning, and should, by example and through teaching,impart that attitude to their players and all others associated withtheir team.

A. Coaches and Managers at the Representative level will be subjectto the supervision of the Representative Director and will be expectedto cooperate with his or her rulings.

B. Selection of Coaches:

1. Candidates for the positions of Coach for representativeteams shall be interviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of: thePresident, the Vice-President, the Past President, the RepresentativeDirector and the Development League Director for the level in question.In case of the absence or temporary exclusion of any committee members,an alternate board member may be appointed by the board to fulfill theposition on the Selection Committee.
2. The Development Director shall be responsible to advertise for Coaches when they are needed.
3. Wherepossible, all candidates for the position of Coach should beinterviewed. Where it is necessary to establish a "short list", theCommittee will choose the candidates for interviews enough days inadvance to permit each candidate to be advised and to make plans toattend the interviews.
4. Successful candidates will have demonstrated excellencein coaching, and attitudes that are in keeping with the Philosophy andObjectives of the Association. In addition, they shall have acertificate acceptable to the SHA
5. Candidates for Coach shall be made aware during the interview of the necessity of cooperating with the Director at all times.
6. Only in exceptional circumstances would a Coach be selected as a "team".
7. Noperson shall act as Coach or Assistant Coach for more than one team,whether at the Representative or Development League Level.
8. The Representative Director may not act as Coach or Assistant Coach at the Representative level.
9. The proceedings and discussions of the Selection Committee shall remain confidential.
10. Thenames of the successful candidate(s) shall be kept in confidence untilthey have been submitted to the Board for ratification.

C. Selection of Assistant Coaches:

1. If a Coach wishes to choose a non-parent to act asAssistant Coach, the Director may approve that choice, subject toratification of the Board, before try-outs begin.
2. While the Coach may ask parents to help with the on-iceactivities associated with try-outs, no parent shall be chosen asAssistant Coach until after the team has been chosen.
3. The Representative Director shall satisfy himself orherself that the person named as Assistant Coach has all therequirements expected of a Coach, except that less experience may beacceptable.
4. No person shall act as Assistant Coach for more than one team.
5. The Development Director shall submit the name of the Assistant Coach to the Board for ratification.

D. Selection of Managers:

1. In identifying a manager, the Coach is expected to avoidany unreasonable influence on the selection of his or her team. Allappointments of managers are subject to approval by the Director andratification by the Board.

E. Players - Eligibility:

1. Representative teams will be comprised of center and non-center individuals who are eligible as per current SHA regulations.
2. Commencingwith the 1997-1998 season, any resident player who chooses to play at alateral or lower level in another location shall be ineligible to playfor a BMHA Representative team in the season following his/her lastseason with the outside team.
3. Inorder to be eligible for either the AA Tier I or AA Tier II team,second-year players must try out for the AA Tier I team. First-yearplayers are not required to try out for the AA Tier I team to beeligible to try out for the AA Tier II team.

F. Players - Selection Procedure:

1. A try-out camp shall be held for each division of representative hockey .
2. 2.1)All BMHA players must be pre-registered with the association prior to the
   try-out camps
   2.2) Before any player takes part in try-outs s/he shall have paid the try-out
   camp fee.
3. TheCoach will choose a number of competent and unbiased individuals toassist in the selection of the team, such individuals to be acceptableto the Representative Director.
4. Each player who attends try-out camp will be granted a minimum of three ice sessions before any cuts are announced.
5. Whilethe first round of cuts may be posted, the Coach will be expected todiscuss areas requiring improvement with any player and/or parent whoapproaches the Coach in a reasonable fashion.
6. Coaches are expected to discuss areas requiring improvement with all players cut after the first round.
7. Onceselections have been finalized, parents of those players selected areto be invited by the Coach and Manager to a meeting where they are tobe informed about the coach’s philosophy, the league schedule, travelrequirements, the financial commitment and the amount of work expected.The parents and player will then have 24 hours in which to decide ifthey wish to participate, and if the player withdraws within that time,s/he shall not be penalized in any way.
8. If a player who has been selected to play with a representative team decides to leave that team at any time after the initial 24-hour period stipulated above, the Representative Director, the Division Director (if applicable) and the coach(es) concerned shall decide where s/he may play.
9. Coachesof representative teams will make every effort to co-operate with theRepresentative Director in finalizing their rosters. Once finalized,each Coach will supply a list of the players chosen to: i) the Directorof Representative Hockey, and ii) Development Tier III Director forthat division

               Previous Item 3. as follows was deleted 3 Sep 2008 as directed by BMHA B of D. 
              Any player who attends a BMHA try-out camp and was registered with a team other than a   
              BMHA team the previous year, must submit an appropriate player release form before taking 
              part in any try-out session.

G. Fees:

1. Each team may levy and retain a development camp feewhich must have the prior approval of the Board. In return each teamwill be responsible for its own expenses (including ice, referees andtravel pertaining to team selection).
2. Immediately following try-out camp and prior to thefirst exhibition game, all “outside” representative team players whohave been selected must pay registration fees to the BMHA. Players whoare cut or who quit after this date will be refunded part of this fee.
3. The amount and details of any additional parent levy will be established at the first parents' meeting.

H. Affiliation:

1. Players must be affiliated according to SHA regulations.
2. Affiliated players must be invited and used as described in Bylaw Three(F).

I. Miscellaneous:

1. Participation in out-of-town tournaments must be approved by the Representative Director.
   
2. Inaddition to any duties associated with his/her regular position, theMidget Director shall assist the Representative Director in thecapacity of Commissioner for Tier I and Tier II Midget Hockey.
3. Where, due to a lack of numbers, no program is availablefor certain players, all of their BMHA registration fee (but not thetry-out camp fee) shall be returned.

J. Midget AAA - Although the Midget AAA team is operated under thenon-profit organization known as the Midget AAA North Stars, SHAdictates that the Midget AAA team must be registered with SHA throughBattlefords Minor Hockey Association.

1. The constitution and by-laws of the Midget AAA North Stars shall follow the philosophy and objective of BMHA.
2. AllSHA and CHA rules and regulations must be adhered to at all times toensure that the entire BMHA remains in good standing with thesegoverning bodies at all times.
3. BMHA will name a representative to serve on the Midget AAA Board of Directors on an annual basis.
4. TheMidget AAA Board of Directors will be included as members of BMHA. Theywill be listed on BMHA's SHA registration document, designated as AAABoard members and categorized as other executive.
5. A working agreement will be set up and reviewedannually. The agreement will cover Administration, Financial andOperational matters that are relevant to the successful operations ofthe Midget AAA team within the BMHA.

BYLAW NINE - DEVELOPMENT TIER III

Every hockey player has a right to well-planned practices,productive game strategies, a disciplined team environment andequitable ice time, so that he or she may learn to play as effectivelyas possible. Coaches and Managers are reminded, however, that theenjoyment of the game and the development of good citizens are moreimportant than winning, and should, by example and through teaching,impart that attitude to their players and all others associated withtheir team.

A. Organization:

1. The Director shall arrange for a camp to be held in October for the purpose of rating all registered players.
2. Once the players have been rated, the Director and Commissioner will preside over the selection of teams.
3. Ifthe selection procedure results in an imbalance, the Director andCommissioner, in consultation with all Coaches concerned, will attemptto balance the teams, provided that:
   • all teams are to be finalized by November 25; and
   • movementof players from one team to another shall be subject to finalratification by the Board. In consultation with the parents, coachesand directors concerned, the Novice and Atom Directors may place a boyor girl who is playing hockey for the first time the next lowercategory

B. Schedules:

1. The Director and Commissioner(s) will schedule games andpractices, and give each Coach and Board Member a copy of the schedule.

C. Exhibition Games and Out-Of-Town Tournaments:

1. The Development League schedule shall take precedence over all other games.
   1.1Any situations that should depart from the regular House Leagueschedule must receive the approval of the Director of that Division.
2. Division Directors will ensure that each team gets an equitable opportunity to play in out-of-town tournaments.
   2.1The number of tournaments entered by each Development League team willbe decided by Coaches and Managers in consultation with their Directorand their parents. Nonetheless, the number and type of tournamentsentered will be governed by limits on total expenditures for tournamentfees. The Board shall review recommendations from the Directors andestablish limits for each Division at the beginning of the hockeyseason.
3. Coaches are to invite all of their own players totournaments. If affiliated players are required, they are to be invitedand used according to Bylaw Three(F).

BYLAW TEN - GAME OFFICIALS

A. The Director of Officials will act as the liaison person betweengame officials and the Association, and between BMHA and any Referees'Association(s) in the Battlefords.

B. Assignment of Officials:

1. All on-ice officials must be properly certified by the SHA
2. TheDirector of Officials, in consultation with the Division Directors,will appoint Coordinators who will be responsible for assigningreferees and linesmen for all BMHA games played at the Novice level andabove.
3. The Directors of each division, Novice and above, shallprovide the appropriate Coordinator with schedules of games far enoughin advance to allow for the proper scheduling of officials.
4. Division Directors who have serious concerns about theability or attitude of certain referees assigned to their games shoulddiscuss those matters with the Director of Officials, who shall dealwith the situation as he or she deems appropriate.

C. Payment of On-Ice Officials:

1. The Director of Officials will implement an effective means of paying on-ice officials.
2. Fees for on-ice officials will be set by BMHA before the start of the hockey season.
3. BMHAwill pay for referees and linesmen for a maximum of 13 league andplayoff games, whether at the Development Tier III League orRepresentative Levels.
   
4. Officials who are scheduled towork, but arrive to find the game cancelled without their having beenadvised, shall be paid as if they had worked the game.
5. Officials who work in tournaments will be paid by the Tournament Committee.

BYLAW ELEVEN - FINANCES

A. The cost of officials will be subsidized by the income from the concession booths.

B. BMHA will pay for SHA registration for all teams.

C. Concessions:

1. BMHA operates concession booths in the Battlefords Arena,the Don Ross Arena and the Agriplex, to defray the cost of on-iceofficials. These operations shall be under the general supervision ofthe Vice-President.
2. The Board, at its discretion, may hire a ConcessionsAdministrator who shall be responsible for: ordering, stocking,cleaning, general supervision and depositing the moneys received to theConcession Account.
3. Each Team Manager shall appoint a Concessions Coordinator who will draw up rosters of parents to work in the concession booths.
4. Inthe event that parents refuse, or are absolutely unable, to work in thebooths, they shall be liable for an extra levy established by theboard. The Team Manager shall notify the Vice-President of suchsituations so the appropriate action may be taken.
5. Any levy established under the above section must be paid before the player(s) in question may play in a following season.

D. BMHA Tournaments. See BYLAW TWELVE.

E. Team Finances:

1. Representative teams and any other team playing in anout-of-town league may set up a committee which shall have the power toraise additional funds. Fundraising activities must be approved by theVice-President, who shall report them to the Board at its regularmeetings.
2. The Board may, upon request, grant other divisions permission to raise money to cover travel and tournament costs.
3. ParentLevies. The Division Director may grant permission for Development TierIII League to assess a parent levy to help defray incidental costs. Thedetails and amounts will be decided at a meeting of team parents andofficials.
4. Managers of any team involved in raising money mustpresent an itemized budget to the Board by November 30. Guidelines forincome and expenditures will be established and monitored by the Boardof Directors throughout the year, and will be subject to audit by theBMHA
5. As soon as possible after the hockey season is over, allManagers of teams which have raised money shall present the Board witha complete financial statement on a form approved by the Board.
6. Any funds in the accounts of any teams at the end of theyear are to be returned to BMHA Such funds may be allotted to the sameteam in that division the following year.

F. Community Canvass:

1. There will be the only one canvass of the community forthe support of Minor Hockey, that canvass to be under the sponsorshipof the Association.
2. Each team will cooperate in the canvass of the business community.
3. Revenuefrom the canvass shall be shared equally by each of the TournamentCommittees up to a maximum figure set by the Board. Revenues in excessof this amount will go to BMHA

G. Donations to the BMHA will be gratefully received.

H. Responsibility of Parents and Players in Fund Raising. Therequirement for parents and players to participate in fund raising andworking in the concessions shall extend throughout the entire year,from the time Development try-outs begin one year, until the same timethe following year.

BYLAW TWELVE - BMHA TOURNAMENTS

A. Organization:

1. Each Division Director is encouraged to organize atournament for the players under his or her direction. Such tournamentsmay be organized in cooperation with other divisions.
2. The Board will set the dates for the next season's tournaments each spring, after consulting with the Directors involved.
   
3. All tournaments must be sanctioned by the SAHA

Costs. All costs for tournaments (e.g., ice, officials,advertisement) must be paid by the sponsoring teams, except forInitiation. The BMHA will provide ice for a Initiation divisiontournament in exchange for parents assisting in the concession booths.

C. Profits:

1. Development Tier III league tournament profits are to bereturned to BMHA which shall keep a separate accounting of such moneys.From these funds, the respective Director may pay for entry fees intoinvitational tournaments or other expenses approved by the Board.
2. All profits from Representative team tournaments may be retained by the Representative teams until the end of the season.
3. Each tournament committee will provide the Board with a financial statement.

D. Programs:

1. Tournament committees may each develop their own souvenir program under the following conditions:
   
   • The BMHA President's Message and the list of advertisers and patrons will be featured in all programs.
   • BMHAwill pay for a number of programs approved by the Board; the cost ofany additional programs will be the responsibility of the TournamentCommittee.
   • Tournament committees willrefrain from establishing modified game rules. All CHA and SHA rulesand regulations will apply in tournaments.

BYLAW THIRTEEN - CONDUCT OF PARENTS AND OTHER SPECTATORS

A. Parents and other spectators must, at all times, conductthemselves in an appropriate manner. Profanity, drunkenness, or otherunseemly conduct may result in the Board requesting the City of NorthBattleford and/or the Town of Battleford to exclude the individual fromfuture activities sponsored by BMHA

BYLAW FOURTEEN - AWARDS

The Board of Directors intends to recognize those individuals whosecommitment and service to Minor Hockey and to the Battlefords MinorHockey Association or its predecessors have been unusual in terms ofboth tenure and quality. Accordingly, the Board will establish andimplement a suitable awards policy.

BY-LAW FIFTEEN - DISTRIBUTION OF BY-LAWS AND ORIENTATION

A. Copies of by-laws will be made available to all ExecutiveMembers, Directors, Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Managers. The Boardmay distribute copies to parents or other members as deemed appropriate.

B. As early as possible in each hockey season, the Board shallarrange to meet with the Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Managers as agroup. The agenda for this meeting will include, but not necessarily berestricted to:

1. welcome and introductions of board and team officials;
2. distribution of the CHA rule book and the SHA and BMHA handbooks;
3. distribution and explanation of team and affiliation lists;
4. discussion of pertinent rules and requirements;
5. question and answer period; and,
6. someaspect of further training or development (e.g., physiotherapists onexercise and treatment of injury or sports psychologists).