It is OWHA policy that female players remain automatically tied to their OWHA association, until a formal release from that organization has been received. This is the case for house league, competitive players, and senior/adult players. In the eyes of the OWHA, your membership with the BWHA never expires, even if your registration has lapsed - you will remain a BWHA member until formally transferred elsewhere.
PLEASE NOTE: for competitive teams, a player release is NOT required to tryout for another association. Please see information regarding Permission to Skate forms. A Request for Release is only required once a player has been selected to competitive team for another association.
Release Request Process:
As of the 2020-2021 season, the release process is initiated through the Ramp registration system when a player registers with another organization other than their current association. Important: a release is not complete until approved by the player's current association - and players must not participate in practices, games or other activities without an approved release.
Release Approval Conditions:
In order for a player release to be approved, the following must be true:
- the player must not have been selected to a BWHA competitive team at any level in the most recent competitive team tryouts
- all financial accounts must be settled - the player must not owe any money to the BWHA or their former team
- all equipment and property must be returned to the BWHA or their former team, including non-custom jersey's as applicable
If any of the above conditions are not satisfied, a player's release request will be refused until the condition is corrected.
In-Season Release Requests:
For releases/transfers after a player has been selected to a competitive team roster, or where a player has already registered for house league, or where the competitive or house league season has already started, all release requests will be required to be approved by the Board of Directors. Please note that this process could take up to 30 days, depending on the Board meeting schedule. Players should take all required steps to clear their financial account with the BWHA and/or former team, and to return all association/team property before a request for a release is approved.
A Release/Permission to Skate is not required to register or play for a "boys" team affiliated with the OMHA or other federation.
For more information about releases, or to request a release, please contact [email protected]