U7 Program Refreshed for 2024-2025 Season
We are pleased to announce that the OWHA is allowing a more robust U7 Program that will provide our new players a more robust hockey experience – including the chance to play in more games and tournament-like jamboree events.
Since changes were just announced in late May 2025, we are still working out the details of the season, but the season will start off with practices that focus on skill development and will transition to half ice games later in the season. The focus will still be on skills and fun.
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Category
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Birth Years
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Practices
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Games
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Fee**
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U7
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2019, 2018
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18
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4 to 8 games
+ Season-end Fun Day
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$440
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IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTES:
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- Payments can be made in two installments 50% at registration, and 50% on September 1.
- A $25 late registration fee will be added to all registrations after September 1
- Players who are not residents of the City of Barrie or Springwater Township must also choose the NON-RESIDENT FEE package when registering. Failure to select this package where required could result in late fees or other penalties.
Refund Policy: All registrations include a NON-REFUNDABLE AMOUNT that covers each player’s portion of league overhead and administration costs, OWHA registration and Hockey Canada insurance fees, and player jerseys and socks. This amount - $180 for U9 and U11 players, $190 for U13, U15, U18 players - is 100% non-refundable once the players have been assigned to a team. Please review the BWHA’s refund policy for the 2024-2025 season
Included as part of your BWHA U7 Program Fees:
- All games and practices as noted – half as home games, half vs. SMGHL opponents.
- 1 pre-season development skates, and 1 evaluation skate
- Up to 2 games as part of the season ending Fun Day
- Team jersey and matching socks for each player
U7 Timbits is a great way to introduce young players to Canada's favourite game!
The Hockey Canada U7 Timbits Program has been designed to make the first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. U7 Timbits hockey serves as the foundation upon which the entire hockey experience is built. It is a crucial piece in building the skills of players at every level – players benefit from getting the ‘right start’ in the game.
U7 Timbits hockey is delivered through a progressive, learn-to-play teaching curriculum for 5- and 6-year-olds. Children learn best through practice drills and skill sessions, as well as informal games, freeze tag and obstacle courses. The skills of skating, puck control, passing and shooting are introduced and refined one step at a time. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.
U7 Timbits hockey is a progressive, learn-to-play teaching curriculum. Children learn through participating in practice drills and informal modified games. The program consists of four phases of instruction, designed for any entry-level hockey player, which introduce the skills of skating, passing, puck control and shooting in a progressive, one-step-at-a-time manner.
Initiation Program Objectives:
- A comprehensive program for the development of young children as hockey players.
- The focus is on skill development and fun without the pressures of winning.
- It aims to create participants and instructors who will continue in the game.
- The motto is Fun, Fitness and Fair Play.
Starting with the 2017-18 season Hockey Canada mandated that "Initiation-aged players receive age-appropriate programming on cross-ice or half-ice surfaces." Read more about Hockey Canada's Age-Appropriate Programming Policy.
The main goal is to make the beginner’s first impression of hockey a good one! When players get started on a positive note, they automatically enjoy the game and usually go on to have fun playing hockey for many years.
COACHES
We are looking for coaches and other volunteers including on ice helpers and female trainers for our U7 Timbit program. If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out to Director of House League at: [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where are Timbits U7 games played?
The exact structure for the first season of U7 games is still being worked out. At this time, we have indications from our Simcoe Muskoka Girls Hockey League, (“SMGHL”) partners that associations in Huntsville, Orillia, Midland, and Collingwood will also have U7 teams. Game play could include traveling to each of these teams for an “away game”, along with games in Barrie.
The majority of practices and games will be played at Peggy Hill Community Centre and may start as early at 7:30 AM, however, it is possible that home games and practices could be played at any Barrie-area arenas.
When are Timbits U7 games and practices?
The season typically starts with development skates and practices. Our U7 Timbits typically will practice on Sundays however there may be some practices or games on either Saturday or Sunday. The schedule will be released in September. The majority of our practices and games will be played at Peggy Hill Community Centre and may start as early at 7:30 AM.
Can we request that my daughter play with her friends?
BWHA DOES NOT accept friend requests. Player placement is made after evaluations based on skill level. Our House League divisions have multiple teams. A player has the best opportunity for fun and development when they are playing amongst a team that is balanced. BWHA encourages families to participate on new teams with new coaches as this provides a wonderful opportunity to make new friends from year to year. Having friends on an opposing team can be equally as fun as having friends on the same team.
How long is the season?
The U7 Timbits season will run from September to March, finalizing with a Fun Day.
Will U7 Timbits play on Thanksgiving weekend, Family Day weekend and March Break?
· There are not enough weekends between October and March to complete our full regular season schedule if games and practices are not scheduled on holiday weekends.
· Games and practices may be scheduled as usual on Thanksgiving weekend, including Sunday afternoon and possibly Monday evening.
· The Barrie Sharks Winter Classic tournament is scheduled for the Family Day weekend in February and is mandatory for all of our House League Teams.
· Games and practices will not be scheduled Monday to Friday of March break, however there may be games or practices scheduled on the weekends before and after the week of March break.
Will U7 Timbits play during the Christmas season?
- Games and practices may be scheduled up to and including Sunday, December 22, 2024
- Games and practices will NOT be scheduled between December 24 and January 3, 2025
- Games and practices may resume starting Saturday, January 4, 2025.
What about Jamboree/Festivals?
In addition to the season ending Fun Day, our U7 Timbits teams may play up to a maximum of 2 Jamboree/Festivals per season. Each team will determine their own tournament schedule. Registration fees for these additional tournaments are NOT included in registration fees – teams will independently collect tournament registration fees directly from parents.
For questions about the 2024-2025 U7 House League season, please email [email protected]