Rep Program
The North York Ball Hockey League. Healthy outdoor fun, since 2001.
NYNHL - Rep Program
What is rep program?
North York Ball Hockey League has a proud tradition of sending REP All-Star teams to the Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) Provincial Championships every year.
Every registered player in the league has the opportunity to earn a spot on a provincial team and everyone interested is encouraged to attend the tryouts.
The league will post information in April with tryout dates/times.
The OBHA hosts the Provincial Championship every year in July and dates/host sites will be posted in January.
NYNHL - Rep Program
Eligibility + Philosophy
REP Co-ordinator
The REP all-star team coordinator will appoint and work with all team staffs. This role will involve coordinating the selection process (tryouts), activities, practises and performance of these high-achieving athletes, ensuring the teams are prepared for The Championships.
REP Coaches
The league and its REP Coordinator want to give parents and players a heads up in regards to try-outs and how team selections are made. As coaches, we will break down what we look for in a player and you can evaluate your own son/daughter from the stands following our guidelines. It’s very important to be realistic about your boy's/daughter’s abilities. Some parents tend to believe their boy/daughter is a better athlete/player than he/she really is. It’s more important to know where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
A team will consist of one or two goalies and fifteen to eighteen runners which will be the team staff decision.
The job of our REP team staffs is to select the players that will give our team (s) the best chance of success.
If we get over 36 players out for tryouts, the league in discussion with the REP coordinator may name a second team for the age group.
Most coaches will look for the following in a player:
1. Confidence & Competitive Personality
2. Ball Skills & Floor Vision
3. Speed, Acceleration & Endurance of a Player
4. Overall Maturity & Awareness
5. Commitment to Attending Tryouts & Practices
6. Positional Need for a Goalie, Defence & Forwards
7. Team Restrictions
8. Parent/Team Dynamics
9. Special Consideration
This is a key component to the success of a competitive player. Some players may look pretty even in practice drills but once the whistle blows to start a game, certain 'A type' personalities get more engaged and the most confident & secure players shine during the competition.
Having good ball skills is always an asset. To pick up the ball in flight or receive a pass will give the player an instant advantage in a game situation.
As competition gets tougher, decisions will have to be made very quickly. Other skills include, passing accuracy, shooting, being able to read and react to plays.
Ball Hockey is a physically demanding sport and when played properly it requires a lot of stamina. Stamina is required to assist teammates in a forecheck or back check as obtaining control of the ball at all times is crucial to the success of any team.
Having good speed and endurance is an asset. Acceleration is also very important as it gives a player a big advantage on the floor and a players first few strides assist or moving to open floor for a pass.
There could be a number of reasons for this particular instance. Disruptive practice habits, poor positional play, lack of communication skills, and your son/daughter may not be a good fit tactically or dynamically for the team. The sport is physically demanding, it’s even more mentally demanding. There is so much information that has to be processed on the fly and even the best players make countless mental errors. It’s important to have a group of 14 and/or 18 players, who mesh well, communicate, and listen to instruction.
As a team prepares for the Provincials, the demands and expectations will become greater. The coaches will advise of practices leading up to the tournament and coaches will have permission to cut players with the full support of the league if the player shows commitment issues.
A good team consists of different types of players. When picking a team, the coach has to visualize the use of that player. A head coach cannot take 18 players that may play the same style. He/she will need offensive and defensive defenceman qnd the same for forwards.
All-Star/Rep teams are required to have a minimum of 1 goalie and 15 runners, which are required to abide by the league and OBHA rules
Many coaches with the full support of the league, have sometimes been forced to not select a very talented player due to parent/guardian interference. It could be coaching from the sideline, wanting their child to play one position, yelling at the ref or the opposition and any number of other reasons that could create ongoing conflict for the team. Coaches are responsible for creating a productive, safe and fun environment for all players!
Almost all coaches out there in the House League or All-Star/Rep format are either a parent and/or relative who is willing to commit him/herself to coaching a team. There may even be instances where their son/daughter may have been selected over better players. Unfair and hard to accept, but what the league/parents/players have to remember is that without their son/daughter on the team, there would most likely be NO COACH & NO TEAM! Only in situations where there are other qualified coaches available and it becomes an ongoing concern, the league may review the selection process.
As a Club we can give certain feedback and guidance in the selection process, however the ultimate decisions needs to be made by a head coach and his/her assistant coaches if any. Any grievances need to be documented with sufficient proof for the league to investigate and review with the REP Co-ordinator.