About Us
The Ottawa Girls Hockey Association (OGHA) was incorporated in 2000 and formerly operated as Bel Air Women’s Hockey Association for close to 20 years. It has grown into a vibrant association providing
close to 400 girls the opportunity to play hockey in the Ottawa area. Players range in age from
4 to 21 and in skill level from new players to competitive ‘A’ players. The association includes both House League and Competitive teams at most age levels. As we grow we continue to expand and improve both
of these programs.
The OGHA is a member of the Metro Ottawa Girls' House League (MOGHL) and the Ottawa District Women’s Hockey Association (ODWHA). MOGHL includes house league teams from the Gloucester, Kanata, Nepean and Ottawa Girls' Associations and the ODWHA includes competitive teams from all across the region. MOGHL and ODWHA are responsible for providing the game schedules and organizing the referees in their respective house and competitive leagues in accordance with the rules set out by the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA).
OGHA House League Program 2010-2011
2006-2007 was the inaugural season for the Metro Ottawa Girls House League (MOGHL). MOGHL was formed in the spring of 2006 by the four city associations - Gloucester, Kanata, Nepean and Ottawa, in response to concerns over travel distances and in order to create a smaller, more manageable league for their house league teams.
In the 2006-2007 season, two OGHA teams won the MOGHL Championship in their
divisions (Atom #3 & Intermediate #1) and in 2007-2008 one OGHA team was champion (Atom #3) and one team was a finalist (Intermediate #2). In 2008-2009, two OGHA teams won the MOGHL championships in their divisions (Bantam #1 & Intermediate #2) and one team was a finalist (Bantam #2).
In 2009-2010 Atom #2 was Champion and Novice #1 was a finalist - Congratulations - WELL DONE!
In 2008-2009, the OGHA began running a FUNdamentals (initiation) Program for 5 & 6 year olds. The program focuses on skill development and having fun. Practices are usually scheduled for the same day and time each week (weekends only).
In 2010-2011, the program will be expanded to include 4 year olds and we plan to
run two separate groups, depending on registration numbers.
The FUNdamentals Program will likely be run again on Saturday mornings at Carleton University (8:30am and/or 9:30am, depending on the number of groups) The focus is on having FUN while learning the basic skills required to play hockey. For beginners, the emphasis is on skating and stopping and later in the season they begin to work on puck handling and shooting. Participants who already have some hockey experience are challenged with drills at their appropriate skill levels and may have the opportunity to participate in exhibition-type games.
All OGHA registered players are eligible for OGHA house league teams. They will be placed on the teams following a sort out process. The first step consists of the rating of players’ skills at on-ice drill sessions by independent evaluators. The second step is a controlled scrimmage. This sort out process is mandatory for all players. Players will be assigned to teams such that the balancing of the teams in terms of skill shall be the first priority. One teammate request per player will be considered; however, priority will be given to balancing the teams.
Novice to Bantam teams are generally allocated about four practices per month by the OGHA. Midget and Intermediate teams are allocated two to four practices per month depending on their preference. Most house league team practices will be on shared ice. Some coaches may seek out additional practice ice time and teams will be charged accordingly.
House league teams typically enter two to four tournaments, one or two of which may be out of town. Other than for reasons of illness, injury, family commitments, or school activities, a player is expected to attend all team activities. All players should notify their coach in advance when unable to attend a team function. This includes games, practices, and all other team activities such as social functions and fundraising efforts.
In addition to the registration fee, all players may purchase, at a reduced rate, socks to match their jerseys as well as name bars, but these purchases are optional except for competitive teams. If a team decides to participate in tournaments, the players are responsible for their entry fee (usually between
$50-$60 per tournament). Teams fees usually range between $150-$250 per player.
The OGHA arranges for team photos, but this cost is not covered in the registration fees.
Proposed 2010-2011 House League Teams
Subject to enrolment, the OGHA plans to form house league teams at the following levels in the upcoming
2010/11 season:
- Fundamentals (4, 5 & 6 year olds) - 2 groups
- Novice (7 & 8 year olds) - 3 teams
- Atom (9 & 10 year olds) - 3 teams
- Peewee (11 & 12 year olds) - 3 teams
- Bantam (13 & 14 year olds) - 3 teams
- Midget (15,16 & 17 year olds)- 2 or 3 teams
- Intermediate (18-21 year olds) - 2 or 3 teams
OGHA Competitive Program 2010-2011
Over the past few years the OGHA has been building up its competitive program as a natural progression of our house league program to allow our players to play against players of comparable abilities. In Ontario, the highest skill level is
"AA", and the skill level then decreases to "A", "BB", "B" and "C".
Competitive teams play in the Ottawa District Womens Hockey Association (ODWHA) League, which competes throughout Eastern Ontario.
Competitive teams provide the opportunity for players to develop their skills by playing against teams ranked at the same level. There is generally more practice time, tournament participation, and travel. The extent of this is mutually agreed to at the beginning of the season by the coaching staff and the players' families since these result in additional expenses beyond the basic OGHA registration fee. Depending on the age group, skill category, and tournament schedule the additional cost typically ranges between $300 and
$800 per player. These fees can be offset by team fundraising and sponsorships. Players who wish to try out for a competitive team must be prepared to make a firm commitment to develop both individual and team skills, and to attend all practices and games throughout the season. All competitive teams
go through the qualification process for the Provincial championships and are expected to participate if they qualify. All costs associated with participation in the Provincials are the responsibility of the teams/players.
In 2008-2009, the OGHA Peewee BB team qualified to participate in the Provincial Championships in Toronto and did us proud. The team went undefeated in all of its games, coming away with the GOLD MEDAL, and the title of Provincial Champs in addition to their title of
2009 City Champs!
All players must purchase socks to match their jerseys as well as name bars. The OGHA arranges for team photos, but this cost is not covered in the registration fees.
Proposed 2010-2011 Competitive Teams
Subject to enrolment and skill level, the OGHA plans to form competitive teams at the following levels in the upcoming
2010/11 season:
- Atom A
- Peewee A and Peewee B or C
- Bantam A and Bantam B or C
- Midget AA and Midget BB
- Intermediate A
Competitive Tryout Policy
OGHA and non-OGHA registered players who wish to try out for our competitive teams must
register online for the tryouts and must supply any necessary “Permission to Skate” or “Release” forms from their current associations. Please read below to see if you are eligible to attend tryouts for any of our competitive teams.
All tryout participants (except goalies) MUST purchase a tryout jersey at a cost of $20 (the same jersey can be used in future tryout sessions and future years)
Fees: Midget AA - $70 non-refundable fee for all players. All other
levels, OGHA registered players: $50 non-refundable fee (no
minimum number of tryout hours guaranteed), PLUS $20 tryout jersey (except goalies)
**if player does not have one from previous seasons.
Non-OGHA players:
$70 non-refundable fee (no minimum number of tryout hours guaranteed), PLUS $20 tryout jersey (except goalies)
**if player does not have one from previous seasons.
The registrations should be completed and fee submitted at least 3 days prior to the first tryout. If that is not possible, the player MUST notify the president in advance by e-mail at president@ogha.info and a completed form
along with payment and other documentation (proof of age and Permission to
Skate) MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE 1st TRYOUT and handed in at the check-in desk.
Players will NOT be allowed on the ice without a valid tryout registration
completed and a Permission to Skate or Release Form, if necessary.
Atom A: Import rule in effect as follows: Non-OGHA registered
players may try out (with the online Competitive Tryout
registration completed, as outlined above); however, a maximum of three spots will be available for non-OGHA registered players.
If a non-OGHA registered player makes the team, they will be required to
register through our online registration system.
Peewee A: Import rule in effect as follows: Non-OGHA registered
players may try out (with the online Competitive Tryout
registration completed, as outlined above); however, a maximum of three spots will be available for non-OGHA registered players.
If a non-OGHA registered player makes the team, they will be required to
register through our online registration system.
Peewee B or C: Only OGHA registered players or new players to girls' hockey in the Ottawa Region, who are on the waiting list are eligible to try out for these competitive teams.
Bantam A: Import rule in effect as follows: Non-OGHA registered players may try out (with the online Competitive Tryout
registration completed, as outlined above); however, a maximum of three spots will be available for non-OGHA registered players.
If a non-OGHA registered player makes the team, they will be required to register through our
online registration system.
Bantam B or C: Only OGHA registered players or new players to girls' hockey in the Ottawa Region who are on the waiting list are eligible to try out for these competitive teams.
Midget AA: Open Tryouts - Both OGHA registered players and non-OGHA registered
players are eligible to try out,
with the online Competitive Tryout registration completed as outlined above. There
is no maximum number of spots for non-OGHA registered players.
If a non-OGHA registered player makes the team, they will be required to register through our
online registration system on this website.
Midget A: Import rule in effect as follows: Non-OGHA registered
players may try out (with the online Competitive Tryout
registration completed, as outlined above); however, a maximum of three spots will be available for non-OGHA registered players.
If a non-OGHA registered player makes the team, they will be required to
register through our online registration system.
Midget B and C: Only OGHA registered players or new players to girls' hockey in the Ottawa Region who are on the waiting list are eligible to try out for these competitive teams.
Intermediate A: Open Tryouts - Both OGHA registered players and non-OGHA registered
players are eligible to try out,
with the online Competitive Tryout registration completed as outlined above. There
is no maximum number of spots for non-OGHA registered players.
If a non-OGHA registered player makes the team, they will be required to register through our
online registration system on this website.
General Information
For further information please contact the president at president@ogha.info or check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Last Updated Tuesday, May 11 2010 @ 10:51 PM 
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