QATAR MINOR ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Mission

To provide a quality hockey program for children ages 5 to 17, with emphasis on ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME, basic hockey skills and personal development including; sportsmanship, fair play, positive self-esteem, teamwork, discipline and respect of others.

Organization

The Qatar Minor Ice Hockey Association (QMIHA) is a non-profit organization operated solely by volunteers. We currently operate minor hockey programs for young hockey players aged 5 to 17, from the Initiation through to Bantam levels.

Program

Our program runs from September through March.  Players are grouped in divisions based on hockey skill and age as of December 31 of the current hockey season.  All players are placed in the appropriate division based on their age and skill after the evaluation process is concluded.  The following divisions are used for purposes of the QMHIA: 

§  Initiation  (Beginner)

§  Novice                                       

§  Atom                                          

§  Peewee                                     

§  Bantam                                     

The Initiation level is an introduction to beginning hockey skills.  The purpose of this level is to provide the required hockey skills with the intention of moving advanced skaters into their appropriate age division. 

QMIHA teams within the Novice, Atom, Pee Wee and Bantam divisions will play a minimum of twelve (12) league games during the season. 

Throughout the season, our Novice, Atom, Pee Wee and Bantam players have an opportunity to attend several tournaments within the Gulf, including Qatar, Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. 

For the 2010 – 2011 season, try outs will be held for a competitive team in the U12, U15, and U18 tournament divisions.  More information will be provided to those who express interest and try outs for these teams will be held in early October.  Those chosen to be on these competitive teams will have additional practices periodically on selected Fridays (there will be an additional charge for this ice time).  These teams will represent Qatar in the competitive divisions at tournaments in the region.  As in the past, when sufficient players are available, teams in the non-competitive divisions will also represent Qatar in tournaments. 

Players

Each year, the association consists of over 100 players from around the globe; previous members have been from:  Qatar, Canada, United States, Germany, South Africa, Sweden, South Korea, Czech Republic, Holland, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Lebanon, United Kingdom and France.

Fees

The following fees apply for the 2010 – 2011 hockey season:

Initiation:          1000 QR               All Other Divisions:                    1500 QR

Jersey*:              250 QR               (includes a pair of regulation socks)

*QMIHA Jerseys and socks are required for Saturday games and tournaments.  Other jerseys may be worn during practices.

Schedule

QMIHA programs are held at the Villaggio Ice Rink with the following ice times:

Tuesday

   5:45   pm  –      6:45   pm        Atom Practice

   7:00   pm  –      8:00   pm        Pee Wee Practice

Wednesday

   5:45   pm  –      6:45   pm        Novice Practice

   7:00   pm  –      8:00   pm        Bantam Practice

Saturday

   7:45   am   –      8:45   am         Initiation Practice

   8:45   am   –    10:00   am         Novice Game

  10:15   am   –     11:30   am         Atom Game

  11:45   am   –       1:00   pm        Pee Wee Game

     1:15   pm  –       2:30   pm        Bantam Game

Hockey Equipment

Safety is important while participating in any hockey program.  Therefore,  FULL Safety Equipment is MANDATORY for each division.  Participants will not be permitted on the ice without full safety equipment for the division:

ALL DIVISIONS:  Helmet with full cage, neck guard, shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, athletic cup and gloves.

PEE WEE & BANTAM:  As above plus mouth guard.

If you do not have the necessary equipment, the QMIHA website (www.qataricehockey.com) features a Buy and Sell area for individuals to post hockey equipment they are wishing to sell or trying to purchase.  If you are unable to purchase your hockey equipment locally you could check the websites listed under Links on this website. 

For more information on the QMIHA programs, regular updates, scheduling and general information, please feel free to contact any Executive member.