If you have questions about the Nepean Girls Hockey Association, but don’t know who to contact or where to look, please see below for some of our most frequently asked questions:
My daughter has never played organized hockey before, but would like to give it a try. Do you have a program that is suitable for her?
Yes! The NGHA wants to encourage the participation of all girls in hockey, and we’re super excited your daughter is interested in joining us!
Every year, new players join us, at all age levels, and our coaches and volunteers welcome the opportunity to help foster the love of the sport in everyone, regardless of skill level.
For information about what equipment is required to play hockey with us, please see our equipment policy here.
We’re new to hockey, what can we expect in terms of ice times?
Our house league teams can expect to receive, on average, two ice times a weekend. Generally, your team will practice on Saturdays and you will play games on Sundays. For more detailed information on what to expect, please visit our house league page.
I’ve registered - now what happens?
We are looking forward to you joining us for another exciting season! Now that you have registered, you are in the system and no further action needs to be taken from you, unless contacted directly by the NGHA Registrar. Your player will be placed on a team following a sort out process that will take place in early September for U13, U15 and U18, and late September for U9 and U11, following competitive tryouts and pathway sessions. For more information on our team formation policy, please click here.
How will we be notified about sort outs?
If you have registered but haven’t received more information about sort out dates, please be patient. We are busy putting together our sort out schedule and promise you won’t be missed! Updates and dates to expect communication will be posted on our house league page. Please refer to this page for updates before reaching out.
My player’s friends have all received emails about their sort out teams but I haven’t received anything yet. Who do I contact?
Sort out emails are sent out individually by group, so some players may receive their sort out information before others. If the date listed on the house league page has passed and you still have not received an email, please check your spam folders. If your spam folders are empty, please check the Ramp registration system for what email address was used to register. Emails are sent to addresses listed in the registration system only. If you have run through the above steps and still don’t have an email, then please reach out to the House League directors for more information.
Please NOTE: We do not have the ability to update your contact information in the Registration system on your behalf. When you are placed on a team, it is up to you to notify your coach or manager if there are different ways you would like to be contacted.
Will my sort out team be my final team?
No. Players are placed on sort out teams with the ultimate goal of creating balanced teams. There is no guarantee you will end up on the same team you are sorting out with. Players may also be moved until October 31st if the sort out process does not produce adequately balanced teams.
What if I cannot attend sort outs?
Sort outs are mandatory and necessary for creating balanced teams. If you cannot attend your assigned sort out session, you must notify the house league directors within 24 hours of your assigned time slot. There will be multiple sort out sessions assigned, and you are expected to attend all, or as many as possible. Unfortunately swapping of sort out times is not permitted. Please note that players who skip sort outs will be more likely to be moved in the balancing process, if necessary.
My daughter is a part-time goalie. Does she attend sort outs as a player or as a goalie?
If your daughter is a part-time goalie, she should plan to attend sort outs as a player, unless otherwise notified by the House League Directors.
I’ve heard the NGHA offers a house league goalie incentive. Can you tell me more about this?
Yes! The NGHA is pleased to announce that our House League Goalie Incentive is back for the 2023-2024 season!
In order to encourage and support goalie development at the House League level, the NGHA is offering a 50% rebate of house league registration fees to house players at the U11, U13, U15 and U18 levels who commit to playing the position full time for the 2023-2024 season.
In addition, house league players at the U11, U13, U15 and U18 levels who are interested in playing goalie part time may also be eligible to receive a 25% rebate of house league registration fees. To qualify, players must play the position for a minimum of 9 games (regular season games, including championship weekend) and a minimum of 3 tournament games (or one tournament).
The rebate, if applicable, will be offered in the form of a credit towards the 2024-2025 season. U18 goalies who are aging out of the program will be offered a rebate in the form of a refund following the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season.
Please note at U9, players will rotate through all positions including goalie as recommended by Hockey Canada.
What are pathway sessions?
Pathway sessions for U9 & U11 are conditioning sessions (pathways skates), as mandated by Hockey Canada. These sessions will begin early September for both competitive and house league players. These sessions are optional and offered at no additional cost to the players.
The Pathway schedule will be posted on our website in the coming weeks. Please continue to monitor for updates and keep an eye on your email for more information.
When I registered, I didn’t see a place to put in a friend request. Why is that?
Our teams are balanced with players of all abilities within their designated age division following a sort out process. For this reason, we do not take friend requests.
We are lucky to have wonderful coaches and volunteers in our house league program who are dedicated to ensuring every player feels welcome and included, regardless of what team they end up on. One of the best things about playing hockey is how it can act as a springboard for creating new and long-lasting friendships for all our players!
We respectfully ask that you refrain from sending emails regarding friend requests, as we are unable to respond to these requests.
More information about our team formation policy can be found here.
Can I make a special request for carpooling reasons?
No, unfortunately, transportation is not an extraordinary reason for a friend request.
My two daughters are in the same age division this season. Can I request they be on the same team?
Yes! Twins and siblings will automatically be placed on the same team, as long as they fall within the same age division. Unfortunately, we are unable to place siblings in different age divisions on the same team.
I have a question that wasn’t addressed in the above list. Who can I contact for more information?
Once you have been placed on your team, your first point of contact should always be your head coach or team manager. If you have a question you are either not comfortable addressing with your coach, or feel like it would be better addressed directly to the league, you should reach out to your appropriate convenor.
Prior to the start of the season, if you are unsure of who your convenor would be, or if you feel your question would be better directed to a member of the executive, you can reach out to the house league directors at nghahldirector1@gmail.com or nghahldirector2@gmail.com.
Where can I find information about competitive tryouts?
Everything you need to know about U9 and U11 competitive tryouts can be found here. Registration and fees must be completed and paid in full by end of day on Saturday, August 12th. The U9 and U11 tryout schedule will be posted shortly. Please continue to monitor the page above for updates.
Can I register for U9 or U11 tryouts and then decide if I want to register for the season at a later date?
No, unfortunately all players wishing to tryout must also register for a season package before they can be permitted to attend pathways or tryouts. If a player is unsuccessful in tryouts and wishes to withdraw before being placed on a team, a refund of the season registration fees less a $75 administration fee, in accordance with our Refund Policy will be provided. No refund will be provided for player tryout fees.
What are pathway sessions?
Pathway sessions for U9 & U11 are conditioning sessions (pathways skates), as mandated by Hockey Canada. These sessions will begin early September for both competitive and house league players. These sessions are optional and offered at no additional cost to the players.
The Pathway schedule will be posted on our website in the coming weeks. Please continue to monitor for updates and keep an eye on your email for more information.
I have a question that wasn’t addressed in the above list. Who can I contact for more information?
Once you have been placed on your team, your first point of contact should always be your head coach or team manager. If you have a question you are either not comfortable addressing with your coach, or feel like it would be better addressed directly to the league, you should reach out to your appropriate convenor.
Prior to the start of the season, if you are unsure of who your convenor would be, or feel like your question would be better directed to a member of the executive, you can reach out to the competitive directors at nghacompdirector1@gmail.com or nghacompdirector2@gmail.com.
What is DS?
The Development Stream (DS) is a subset of the House League Program, offering an enhanced opportunity for players who are looking for more development and an option to play more hockey with the potential to stream toward competitive hockey in the future. It is also ideal for House League players that are not ready to make the commitment of playing competitive hockey, but are looking for more than the House League program offers.
DS is NOT another competitive stream.
For more precise information and updates about the program, please consult the DS page on our website.
How can I sign my player up for DS?
Due to the popularity of the DS program, we often need to hold tryouts. Tryouts can only take place after our house league program is up and running. This often doesn’t happen until mid-late November. Any updates will be communicated on our website. An email will also be sent out to the membership with more information in late October or early November.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about DS?
We are currently looking for a new DS convenor - if you are interested in volunteering for this position, please contact the House League Directors.
In the meantime, any questions about the DS program can be sent to the House League Directors at nghahldirector1@gmail.com or nghahldirector2@gmail.com.
I have questions about the FUNdamentals program. Who can I contact?
Much of the information you will need can be found on the FUNdamentals page on our website. If you have more specific questions that are not addressed there, you can reach out to our FUNdamentals coaches, MacKenzie and Sierra Erbach at nghafundamentals@gmail.com.
I was previously registered with another association. What do I need to do to register with the NGHA?
Welcome to the NGHA! Once you register, a request for a release will be triggered in the system. There is nothing more to do. We will reach out to you if further action is required.
I want to register for hockey, but the system has indicated I am being waitlisted. What does that mean?
Unfortunately, we do need to close off registration as of August 1st in order to prepare for the upcoming season. It’s possible that you could be waitlisted after this date until we can confirm that we have enough space to add you to a house league team.
In some cases, you may need to wait until another player withdraws in order to be placed on a house league team.
In both instances, you will be contacted should a spot become available.
Oops! I accidentally entered the wrong birthdate for my child! How do I correct this?
In order to adjust an incorrectly entered birthdate, please send a document with proof of your date of birth to the registrar at RegistrarNGHA@gmail.com. The registrar will put in a request with the OWHA to have the correction made in the system.
How do I find out if I am eligible to receive financial assistance?
Information about our financial assistance program can be found here.
What is your refund policy?
Information about our refund policy can be found here.
I would like to volunteer on my own daughter’s team for the upcoming season. How do I do that?
Head coaches at both the house league and competitive levels are appointed by the house league and competitive directors following an application and a selection process. Once teams are formed, coaches will put out a call for volunteers, and will appoint volunteers as required.
Please offer to help where you can - there are often multiple roles that need to be filled, with various levels of commitment. Please be honest about what you are able to commit to, and be prepared to follow through once a role has been accepted.
What do I need to do to be qualified to volunteer?
Depending on the role, you may be required to complete certain courses or obtain certain certificates (ie. Respect in Sport, Police Record Check). Once you’ve been approved to volunteer, our Head of Certifications will reach out with further instructions as required. Any applicable reimbursements must be pre-approved by the Head of Certifications before the course is started.
I would like to volunteer in a way that benefits the whole association. How can I best volunteer my time?
Fantastic! We can always use more help! Below you will find a list of potential roles that we currently may require assistance with. If you are interested in one of the roles, or require more information, please reach out to the applicable contact.
Once you have been placed on a team, your first point of contact should always be your head coach or team manager. If you have a question you are either not comfortable addressing with your coach, or feel like it would be better addressed directly to the league, you should reach out to your appropriate house league convenor or competitive convenor.
If you feel your question would be better addressed by a member of the executive, please ensure you are directing your questions to the appropriate contact.
