Hi parents and Tigers, I am Jonathan Foster, the head coach for the 2023/2024 U16 BB team. Welcome to the tryouts for next season, thank you for committing your time to this process and I wish every player good luck.
TRYOUT SCHEDULE
Tryout #1 = Friday, 12 May 2023 – ACC #2 (Lincoln) –7:00pm to 8:30pm
Tryout #2 = Saturday, 13 May 2023 – ACC #2 (Lincoln) – 4:15pm to 5:45pm
Tryout #3 = Tuesday, 16 May 2023 – ACC #2 (Lincoln) – 7:45pm – game vs Newmarket
TRYOUT PROCESS
Please familiarise yourself with the process well in advance of the tryouts:
1. You must pre-register your child online (AMHA website) for the upcoming season & purchase a tryout passport.
2. You will see your child’s passport number on the U16 BB Tryout Player List page.
3. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the tryout begins.
4. When you arrive at the lobby of the ACC rink #2, please go to the AMHA table to sign-in and receive your tryout jersey. THIS JERSEY MUST BE RETURNED AT THE END OF EACH TRYOUT. It does not go home.
5. Full protective gear is mandatory, including neck and mouth guards – players without, or missing such equipment, will NOT be allowed on the ice.
6. You MUST attend the first tryout to be invited back to the second and third tryout. If for whatever reason you are unable to attend, please email me to discuss.
7. There will be a team of independent and AMHA coach evaluators who will be assisting me with assessing and evaluating the players. I will be using the full panel of evaluators to make decisions about which players will make the team.
8. During and after the tryout, please do NOT approach the evaluators, as they have a job to do.
9. Communication of my decisions after each tryout will occur via the website and NOT in person. Your child’s passport submission ID number is the code that identifies him or her on the website (look at the U16 BB website for the team and the tryout page).
· After the 1st tryout, results will be posted after 11:00pm on 12 May
· After the 2nd tryout, results will be posted after 9:00am on 14 May
· After the 3rd tryout, results will be posted after 11:30pm on 16 May
I am aware that some players (and perhaps their parents) may experience anxiety during this process. Please kindly reinforce with your child that they perform at their best when feeling relaxed and confident. It is also important for parents to help manage their child’s expectations during this process. A roster position on this team should never be assumed. The process is designed to fairly pick the top 15 players and 2 goalies based on objective criteria. Let’s all make the tryout process an enjoyable one.
TRYOUT EXPECTATIONS
By this point in their hockey careers, 2008 players know the sport and know what coaches are looking for in terms of skating, shooting, passing and the other fundamental skills. It is important that I and the evaluators see that players want to perform to their best abilities and to work hard, and are forgiving to themselves and others on the ice when they make mistakes. We are not looking to put together a perfect team; we want a team of competitive players who enjoy the sport and have the skills to work together.
TEAM EXPECTATIONS
· There will be a financial commitment from each family. The estimated financial commitment will be approximately $2,000 to $2500. We will be looking for sponsorships and fundraising to help reduce the cost per family.
· There will also be a time commitment required of each family. We will be on the ice 3 to 4 times per week with practices and games. It is expected that all players attend all practices and games.
· We likely will be attending 2 or 3 tournaments (at least one being an away tournament)
· I will be looking for the following parent positions:
o 2 assistant coaches
o Team Manager
o Team trainer (and preferably a second as a backup)
o Treasurer
o Charitable lead
o Other roles (fundraising, on-ice helpers during practices, etc.)
· All decisions about player positions are at the discretion of the coach and will most likely change during the season based on the needs of the team.
· If your child makes the team, he or she MUST attend the Tigerware fitting on 25 May at 6:00pm.
If you have a question for me, please email me. If you have a concern, then please respect the OMHA protocol of waiting 24 hours to contact the coach. Please contact me via email after this time. If I receive an email before this time, I will respond when the 24 hour wait period has expired. I look forward to seeing you at the rink.
Jonathan Foster
Head Coach – U16 BB
[email protected]