Goalie Development Policy *NEW*

Appendix IV - NCRA Goalie Development Policy

NCRA Goalie Development Policy

NCRA’s intent is to promote the recruitment, retention, and development of committed long-term ringette goalies.

Encouraging as many goalies as possible at the FUN 1, FUN 2, U10 & U12 level is essential to address the critical shortage of full-time goalies in the older age groups (U14-U19).

In FUN1/FUN2, U10 and U12, all players must be given the opportunity to play the position. Even if a team has a goalie who wants to play full time, teams are required to encourage any part-time goalies or other interested players on the team to play the position.

This policy applies to all NCRA teams in their participation in regular season practices, scrimmages, exhibition games and league games.

Definitions:

The following terms have these meanings in this Policy:

1. Full time goaltender - is a player who is exclusively in the goaltending position and does not play out of net on their primary team. The goaltender can be part of a two-goalie tandem.
2. Part time goaltender - is a player who plays goaltender, either as part of a two-goalie tandem on a team or part of a team that rotates the players through the goalie position (U12). Part-time goaltenders elect to play as a skater on their primary team when not playing as a goaltender.

Division-Specific Directives:

Active Start & FUN1

Players in the active start program do not participate in organized game play.  However, coaches are encouraged to use supportive goalie language throughout their sessions to make the term recognizable and a positive activity when they do start to participate in game play in future levels.

FUN1 typically is only playing games during the latter part of the season.  All players are to try the goalie position in at least one practice or game during the season; coaches are encouraged to rotate through all players during the season’s games.

FUN2

All players are to try nets for a practice or a game at least once during the season.

FUN2 Coaches are to identify prospects who are enthusiastic about nets or asking to try goalie again.

A list from each FUN2 team of potential prospects is to be submitted at the end of season to NCRA via the Coaching Coordinator.

U10

NCRA recognizes that U10 is a critical age for goalie development (and athlete development in general). There is a wide range of skill levels. If the emphasis is incorrectly placed on winning, finding a more experienced replacement goaltender may seem easier than developing a new prospect. NCRA appreciates the desire to compete and strives to have evenly-balanced teams but will not compromise long-term goaltender development for short-term results.

NCRA does not allow short-term recruiting of goaltenders at U10. Conversely, it prioritizes recruitment and retention of athletes who show an interest in the position by exposing as many players as possible to the position thereby increasing the number of potential prospects.

At U10, identified goalies may play goaltender only for the team they were assigned to during the team selection process.

If a team doesn’t have a player interested in the goalie position, Coaches must rotate through players on their own team. There is no calling across/up for goalies at this level. 

A player may be a full-time goaltender in U10 but:

• no player plays goalie more than 50% of the games,
• all players who are interested in the goalie position must be given the opportunity to do so and develop in both practices and games

Players who are identified in FUN2 as a prospect are to be placed in the team makeup process on a team without a full-time goalie, so the opportunity is still there if the player decides to explore the option. In the event the number prospects and identified goalies exceeds the number of teams in any given season, NCRA will make team selections guided by balancing interested players across the teams for the division.

U12

NCRA recognizes that U12 is again another critical age for goalie development. There will still be a wide range of skill levels. NCRA appreciates the desire to be competitive but not at the detriment to long-term goalie development.

At U12, identified goalies may play goaltender only for the team they were assigned during the team selection process.

A player may be a full-time goaltender in U12 but:

• no player plays as goalie more than 75% of the games,
• all players who are interested in the position must be given the opportunity in both practices and games to develop and play.

If a U12 team doesn’t have a player interested in the goalie position, Coaches must rotate through players on their own team. There is no calling across/up for goalies at this level. 

Players who are identified in U10 as a prospect are to be placed in the team makeup process on a team without a full-time goalie, so the opportunity is still there if the player decides to explore the option. In the event the number prospects and identified goalies exceeds the number of teams in any given season, NCRA will make team selections guided by balancing interested players across the teams for the division.

U14 to U19

Coaches requesting a replacement goalie from within their own Division or from a Division below MUST follow this procedure (in addition to CRRL’s Affiliate Player policy):

• Contact the goaltender’s NCRA team coach for approval. It is at the discretion of the goaltender’s NCRA team coach to permit the goaltender to play for another team.
• If the NCRA team coach agrees to the request, the NCRA team coach and the requesting coach will determine who will contact the parent/guardian of the goaltender being requested. If the NCRA Team coach does not support the request, neither the parent/guardian nor the goaltender are to be contacted. NCRA team coaches will consider these requests fairly and with best practices.
• If, after approval from the NCRA team coach, the parent/guardian is contacted and agrees to the request, the parent will approach the player as they deem appropriate.

Goalie Credits And Incentives:

NCRA recognizes the importance of recruitment and retention of committed long-term ringette goaltenders, along with the additional equipment costs incurred for strapping on the pads.  We are proud to offer our goaltenders the following incentives, effective for the 2022/23 season. To qualify for the goalie credits and incentives listed below, players must be registered with NCRA for the entirety of the regular season; late registrants must contact NCRA directly for consideration if they wish to request goalie credits/incentives.

100% Registration Fee Credit (Excluding insurance & admin fees):

• Player must be registered in the U14 program or above with NCRA.
• Player must be considered a ‘full time’ goaltender with NCRA. A full-time goaltender is a player who is exclusively in the goaltending position and does not play out of net on their primary team. The goaltender can be part of a two-goalie tandem.
• Supply 100% of their own gear.

50% Registration Fee Credit:

• Player must be registered in the U12 program or above with NCRA.
• Player can be considered a ‘part-time’ goaltender with NCRA. A part-time goaltender is a player who is part of a two-goalie tandem on a team or part of a team that rotates the players through the goalie position (U12) and elects to play as a skater when not playing as a goaltender.
• Player must play as a goaltender a minimum of 50% of the season (practices and games).

$100 Registration Fee Credit:

• Player must be registered in the U10 program with NCRA.
• Player is part of a team that rotates the players through the goalie position. A Player must play as a goaltender a minimum of 25% of the season (practices and games).

NCRA can provide goalie gear to players interested in the position at the U10/U12 level.  FUN1 and FUN2 teams will be supplied goalie gear by NCRA (or goalie pads and a stick) for their games as needed/requested.

Goalies who participate in NCRA spring or summer ringette programs as a full-time goalie will do so free of charge. Should NCRA provide a goalie-specific development program outside of the regular team environments, registration fees may be payable by participants.

All credits will go on the Goaltender’s account and will be credited to the goaltender’s registration fees for the following season.  Goalie credits cannot be combined with or used in addition to sibling discounts. Credits carry no cash value, and can only be used towards the following season’s registration.

Incentives apply to the current season only. No retroactive credits will be considered for seasons prior to 2022/23.

Players must meet the criteria above and email the NCRA Coaching Coordinator for a credit PRIOR TO APRIL 1^st of the current season.  No late emails will be considered.