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Your LOCAL Media since 1918! Volume 106 Issue 40
www.tofieldmerc.com
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Tofield Minor Hockey to join Strathcona One-year pilot project, with parent and team feedback following trial season Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
All levels of play within the Tofield Minor Hockey Association (TMHA) will be joining the Strathcona Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) for the 2024-2025 season. The decision was brought up and voted in favour of at the TMHA annual general meeting on Monday, May 13. A frequently asked questions (FAQ) document has been provided to families and the public, outlining common questions and concerns that those involved may have. One of the FAQs addressed is whether all Tofield players will be placed on the same teams. “At U-9 and older, registrants will be placed on teams based on their evaluations with players of similar skill. SMHA fields teams at all tiers in all divisions of play. At Discovery and U-7 there will be an effort to place all Tofield players on one team with Tofield Arena as their primary practice facility,” the document says. Evaluations will be completed by TMHA coaches for AA and Tier 1. Independent evaluators will be hired to complete evaluations for all other teams. Parents who register their child in SMHA are asked to indicate that they are TMHA members, so that an effort will be made to put Tofield kids together.
The Tofield Minor Soccer U5s were practicing and improving their skills on Thursday evening, May 30, at the Tofield soccer fields. One coach said they practice for 15 minutes, and then have a 15 minute game. “We are using this information to try and place Tofield players together on teams when they evaluate at the same tier. There are divisions of play where we have multiple teams within one tier. We will make effort to place Tofield players together when possible,” the document says. Another question listed among the FAQs asks whether or not Tofield players will continue to play with Strathcona Minor Hockey following the 20242025 season. “An end-of-year evaluation will be conducted by both SMHA and TMHA, with feedback gathered from players, parents, and coaches to assess the pilot project and make recommendations for future seasons.” Players will become Strathcona Warriors and will wear the Strathcona jerseys, at no extra cost to Tofield families.
“Teams will wear Strathcona jerseys and socks, both of which are provided,” the document says. This is also found listed among the information provided by SMHA General Manager Natalie Williams and SMHA President Steve Blink, who were special guests present at the TMHA Executive monthly meeting held on Tuesday, May 21, at the Tofield Arena. Williams and Blink presented the THMA Executive and other special guests, which included Tofield Agricultural Society President Dave Berrecloth, Town of Tofield Chief Administrative Officer Cindy Neufeld, Town of Tofield Mayor Deb Dueck, Beaver County Reeve Kevin Smook, and Ag Society Representative and Beaver County Councillor Lionel Williams, with information from SMHA. At that meeting, as found on the TMHA website Continued on Page 8
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