Competitive Tryout Process
Competitive Tryout Process
It is strongly recommended that parents review this page to understand the competitive tryout process.
If your child will be competing as an underage athlete, please ensure you have reviewed and are compliant with the applicable underage athlete policy.
Warm-Up Session
Prior to evaluations, a warm-up session may be offered.
This session:
- Is not part of the evaluation process
- Allows players to return to the ice following the regular season
- Assists the association in organizing evaluation sessions
- Provides an opportunity to confirm registration details
Note: Evaluators are not present during warm-up sessions.
All players must be registered with the region (ERRA) prior to participating in any GCRA tryouts.
Tryout Attendance
Players are expected to attend all scheduled tryout sessions where possible to allow for a complete evaluation.
In accordance with Ringette Ontario policy, players must attend at least one (1) on-ice tryout session to be eligible for selection.
While releases may occur after the first tryout, GCRA aims to provide athletes with a minimum of two (2) evaluation opportunities where possible.
Where a player is unable to attend due to illness, injury, or extenuating circumstances, this must be communicated to the Club in advance and will be considered in accordance with Ringette Ontario guidelines.
What to Expect
- Players will be assigned numbered jerseys
- Players will be grouped by jersey colour for evaluations
- Evaluations are conducted using standardized criteria by independent evaluators
Tryout Process
Players vying for a position on a GCRA competitive team are provided opportunities to demonstrate their skills and abilities to independent evaluators.
Coaches do not participate in evaluations during early tryout sessions and are only involved in the final stage of team selection.
Tryouts consist of approximately 4-5 sessions, progressing from skills evaluation to game-based performance.
Evaluation Sessions
- Session 1: Skills, drills, and small-area gameplay
- Session 2: Skills and gameplay with balanced teams based on initial evaluations
- Sessions 3-5: Game-based evaluations (intersquad and/or exhibition play)
During each session:
- Evaluators assess player performance using a standardized scoring system
- Scores are weighted based on the type of session (e.g., gameplay vs. skills)
Advancement & Releases
Following the initial sessions, players may be released based on evaluator results to ensure appropriate group sizes and competitive balance for remaining sessions.
All offers and releases are:
- Communicated in writing via email
- Issued using Ringette Ontario templates
- Reported in accordance with Ringette Ontario requirements
Final Team Selection
Upon completion of the final session:
- Player scores from evaluators are compiled and reviewed
- Team selection is based primarily on evaluator rankings and documented evaluation results
Coaches provide input at the final stage to support:
- Positional balance
- Team composition
Final rosters are approved prior to player notification.
Players will have 48 hours to accept or decline a roster offer, in accordance with Ringette Ontario policy.
Team Selection Rules
- AA Teams:
The best available players are selected, regardless of home association (not limit to out of association players) - A Teams:
Team selection must comply with Ringette Ontario: - Roster composition requirements
- Right-of-refusal pathway (home ? current ? choice)
All player movement and selection decisions follow Ringette Ontario policies.
Evaluation Integrity
- Evaluators are selected to avoid conflicts of interest
- Each player is assessed by multiple evaluators
- Evaluation results are documented and reviewed to ensure consistency and fairness
You may wish to review this Sample Evaluation Form and Player Selection Overview which will provide some clarity on the skillsets which are observed and considered during the evaluation process.
Resources:
Competitive Team Overview
Ringette Ontario Team Formation Policy 2026-2027
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