Travel League

Chico Firebirds

2009/2010 Season

Welcome to the Chico Firebirds, a family of traveling, tournament level roller hockey teams. As an organization we strive to maintain a constructive, but competitive environment in which each skater can develop to his or her fullest potential as an individual and as a hockey player. As an organization we are committed to player development as well as to being competitive at the regional and national level. Our goal is to field “club”, “silver”, and / or potentially “gold” teams in all age groups with teams to compete at the highest appropriate level for a given squad. The specific goals of each team will be established as the squads are formed, but the fundamental goal of our organization is always to compete at the highest level of tournament play appropriate to the make up of each team. For the gold teams, this will be the AAU and NARCH tournament series. For Club or Silver teams, this will usually be Sierra Inline tournament series.

Organization

Chico Firebirds is North Valley Hockey’s travel team managed by our travel director who is responsible for all decisions that are made in response to recommendations from the coaches and a committee of parent representatives from each team. The intent is to allow the coaches to focus their efforts on player and team development while the travel director and parent representatives take care of administrative tasks. Coaches from each team, together with parent representatives, coordinate activities both within the individual teams and between teams in the organization.

Season

Tournament hockey involves a commitment to an extended season. Each team will practice on average 1-2 hours each week and participate in one to two tournaments each month. Players are expected to attend all practices and tournaments. Tryouts are in September, practice and warm-up tournaments are held in the late fall. The active SIHL (Sierra Inline Hockey League) tournament season begins in January, regional finals are held in late June and early July; national finals are in July.

Eligibility

The travel program includes seven teams: Atoms (8 and under), Mites (10 and under), Squirts (12 and under), Peewees (14 and under), Bantams (16 and under), and Midgets (18 and under). In the past Chico Firebirds has fielded four teams: Mites (10 and under), Squirts (12 and under), Peewees (14 and under), and Midgets (18 and under). Player eligibility for the upcoming season is determined by their age on December 31st. Girls may play a year longer in each age group, e.g., 11 year-old girls may play in the "10s" division.

Coaches

Current coaching assignments for the coming season are still to be determined. In the past the coach was selected from one of the parents on the team, this year our organization has moved to coach applications. The travel director will determine the coaches at each level after reviewing all applications.

Fees

The organization is aggressively seeking fundraising opportunities to keep fees as low as possible. Nevertheless, tournament inline hockey remains an expensive activity. Total fees are calculated to pay for rink rental, tournaments and organizational costs. Families are expected to pay for practices on a monthly basis and tournaments based on actual participation. There is a $25 registration fee due at tryouts. The monthly estimated costs for practices will be $40/month, due on the first of each month (for October through May).

Tournament fees are an additional cost. Teams usually participate in one to two tournaments each month. Costs vary from $35 to $75 per tournament, depending upon entry fees, fundraising activities and the number of players skating. Some tournaments may require an overnight stay. Players are responsible for making their own arrangements, although team parents frequently help to coordinate travel plans.

A full explanation of monthly dues and where your money goes can be provided by the travel director, Ann Thornton at athornton@nvhsc.org .

Questions about billing may be directed to Mike Hislop at mhislop@nvhsc.org .

Uniforms

Players are responsible for purchasing their own jerseys from NVHSC, which include both home and away jerseys. Currently new jerseys are $60 per set (may be adjusted depending upon manufacturers prices) and used jerseys are $30 per set +/- depending on condition. Rental jerseys are available at $5 per tournament.

Some high level tournaments require matching pants.

High School Varsity / Jr. Varsity

There is an effort in California to encourage High School Athletic Federations to adopt Inline Hockey as an official "lettered" sport, equal in status to other high school sports. In order to promote this goal (not yet achieved) Sierra Inline Hockey League has been sponsoring Varsity and Jr. Varsity tournaments in the fall, usually consisting of three or four tournaments with a championship tournament in late December/early January. The rules for participation are generally the same as those for "age group" (Firebirds) hockey, except that:

• All players on a team must be students in good standing enrolled at the same high school (or its "feeder" junior high school). SIHL has relaxed this rule for programs, like ours, that can't field teams from each High School in our area. They require that all players be North Valley Hockey "born & bred".

• Seventh grade to twelfth grade students may participate, at either the Varsity or Jr. Varsity level.

North Valley Hockey has sponsored Varsity and/or Jr. Varsity teams for the past few years and intends to do so in 2009/10. Policies and costs are basically the same as those for the Firebirds except that a separate non-Firebirds jersey is used.

Try Out Info

Chico Firebirds Fall 2009 Invitation to Join the Club

Tryout will be Sunday, September 13th at Cal Skate. A $25 fee will cover the tryouts and September practices.

All age groups must arrive 30 minutes ahead of the listed times to register and attend a parent meeting! Full gear is required i.e., skates, shin guards, elbow pads, gloves, helmet with cage, mouth guard, cup (boys only), and stick. Not required but strongly recommended: hockey pants/girdle with hip and tailbone protection. Age groups are inclusive -- "8s" means 8 year olds and under, etc. Girls may play a year longer in each age group, e.g., 11 year-old girls may play in the "10s" division. Player eligibility for the upcoming season is determined by age on December 31st.

Sunday, September 13th

• 4:30 - 6:15 pm -- 8s, 10s and 12s

• 5:15 - 7:00 pm – 14s, 16s and 18s

Please download and bring these completed forms to the tryouts along with the $25 registration fee. If you have any problems with the forms, please contact Ann Thornton.

• Travel Registration Form

The following three forms should be completed when a player joins the club:

• Medical Release Form

• House Rules (Code of Conduct) Form

• AAU Membership you may already have a membership via North Valley Hockey house league)

For more information, contact a team representative or Ann Thornton, Travel Director at athornton@nvhsc.org .