NGHA Financial Assistance Policy

Purpose

The NGHA recognizes that it can be expensive to play hockey and strives to ensure that every child who wants to play hockey has the opportunity to do so. 

The NGHA provides financial assistance to NGHA players and their families/guardians who do not have the financial resources to pay or would suffer undue hardship as a result of the NGHA registration and team fees.

The NGHA will make every effort to provide financial assistance where it is needed.  However, this is predicated on funds being available for the NGHA to provide financial assistance in any given year.   

Roles and Responsibilities

The NGHA Board of Directors  approves the budget allocation for financial assistance prior to the start of each season, upon the recommendation of the VP Finance.

The NGHA VP Finance is responsible for all operational aspects of providing financial assistance, including receiving and reviewing applications, contacting applicants, and making decisions or recommendations on financial assistance requests.  

Confidentiality

The NGHA will implement protocols to ensure that applications for financial assistance will be treated confidentially and on a “need-to-know” basis.  

As a standard practice, only the VP Finance will receive applications for financial assistance.  All information will be anonymized by the VP Finance prior to making any decisions or recommendations.

The VP Operations may also be consulted on financial assistance applications where the VP Finance deems it necessary to maintain the overall integrity of the Policy.  

Financial assistance will be provided directly to the player/ parent(s)/guardian.  Where possible, teams will not be informed of players on their rosters receiving financial assistance. 

Eligibility

Financial assistance is available to all players in both House and Competitive Programs up to and including U18 registered for the fall/winter hockey season.

Players who have been NGHA members for at least one previous year will be given a higher priority for financial assistance than new registrants.

The following criteria will also be considered in establishing eligibility:

• Household / Guardian(s) income, as documented in the most recent CRA Notice of Assessment or reassessment
• Number of dependants
• Number of dependants playing hockey and other sports
• Divorce/separation
• Exceptional circumstances e.g. death in family

The VP Finance will use the most recent Canadian income tax brackets as guidance in determining eligibility.

Application Process

Where possible, the initial deadline for receiving applications will be September 30th of the season in which you are applying. However, an individual or family may apply for financial assistance at any point during the season should an unforeseen major family event occur  (i.e. loss of job; death in family).  

Applicants will be required to submit a written request and application form to the NGHA VP Finance  which includes the completed application form and all required supporting documentation. 

Applicants may be required to participate in an interview with the VP Finance to review their application.  

Degree of Assistance Available

Need is the primary consideration in approving an application for assistance.    

Prior to September 1st, the VP Finance will seek NGHA approval of a budget for providing financial assistance during the season.   

Financial assistance can be provided for registration and team fees.  

Depending on the number of applications received and the size of the approved budget, it may be necessary to pro-rate assistance to applicants so that support can be provided to as many eligible applicants as possible.

Other Sources of Funding

The NGHA strongly recommends that families seeking financial assistance pursue other sources of support, such as:

• Participating in the NGHA Bingo program (contact VP Operations for details)
• Funding programs such as:

• Canadian Tire Jump Start;
• Hockey Canada Assist Fund;
• Grindstone Foundation

When reviewing an application for financial assistance, the VP Finance will consider an applicant’s efforts-to-date or intentions in pursuing other sources of financial assistance when providing recommendations to the Board on the application.  

Return of Financial Assistance

If a player who receives financial assistance withdraws from the NGHA at any point in the season, any unused financial assistance received from the NGHA shall be returned to the NGHA.  

If a player who received financial assistance for team fees receives a refund for team fees at the end of the season, it is expected that the refunded amount will be returned to the NGHA.    

Recourse

All financial assistance decisions are final.

Questions

Please contact the Director, Policy Risk and Safety for any questions on this policy.