Who Can Play? - Valley Ball Hockey is a Co-Ed sport with both boys & girls between 5 - 21 years of age (based on birth year noted above). All skill levels are welcome from brand new players to experienced players from ice hockey, soccer, lacrosse and more.


Where Do We Play? - Valley has players from Langley, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, and even some from Chilliwack. Games are played in many of the local arenas like George Preston, George Preston Outdoor Box, Aldergrove Community Center, Abbotsford Center, and a few others. Practices are held at practice boxes typically in Langley and possibly Aldergrove.

For Age groups in Minor and Above, VBHA will interlock with other associations in Metro Vancouver for a series of games during the season. This can include (but not limited to) Surrey, Richmond, Delta, Coquitlam, Tri-Cities, Metro etc.

GIRLS ONLY TEAMS: Valley and other ball hockey associations in Metro Vancouver are hoping to put together a female ball hockey league. This will be for Peewee, Minor, Major and Junior age groups. If VBHA is successful in forming a girls team for each division, the team will play interlocking games with other associations like Surrey, Delta, Richmond etc. The goal for all divisions is to grow the sport and get more girls playing ball hockey! If Valley is not able to form a team there will be a few options for the girls: playing co-ed with Valley, possibly joining another association's team (ie: Surrey), or getting a refund for any fees paid. If you have any more questions about the girls league, reach out to president@vbha.com. There is also more information on this page. 


How Much Does It Cost? - Ball Hockey is one of the least expensive sports going. Registration fees are around $200 for the season for most age groups, with minimal equipment required. (see equipment list here)


When Does The Season Run? - April to June - Practices begin towards the end of March, with games starting the first week of April. The season runs through to June with playoffs and gold medal games at the end of June. (Gold Winning teams advance to the following week of a once-a-year tournament called Provincials. This often falls on Canada day long weekend)

There is also an optional "Westerns" Teams (U11 and above) which is selected based on tryouts in the spring and will attend one tournament in July. The tournament host can be anywhere in Western Canada. (Extra fees are required for these teams.) Info about Westerns will come out by email once the season starts.


How Big Of A Commitment? - Players in all divisions (except Tyke) will be expected to attend 1-weekday practice, and up to 2 and sometimes 3 games in a week. Days, times, and locations are not determined until the start of the season, but generally speaking the younger divisions play in the earlier time slots and the older divisions play towards the evening. (See above to see what division your child will fall)

*** Tyke players will only meet 1 day a week on the weekend in the morning for a 30-minute practice that rolls into a 30-minute game against another Tyke team. Tykes may also be given 1 -2 extra games during the season in the evening to see how that is. And will also be playing “fun” playoff games and gold medal games.


How Many Games & Tournaments? - All teams (Except Tyke) will play 16 regular season games. All teams advance to the playoffs and then play up to 4 additional games in the playoffs (depending on enrollment in each division) heading towards the coveted Gold Medal Game at the end of the season. Gold medal winners will advance to a one weekend tournament called Provincials.

*** Please be aware these are based on a complete season. If a season is shortened due to Covid-19 or other reasons, additional information will be shared ***


Can I Play On My Friends Team? - The Tyke division is the only division that can request to play on a friend’s team. All other teams are assembled by way of draft and individual players are selected by coaches. We are terribly sorry, but our league policy states we cannot accept requests to place players on specific teams nor can we accept requests to place specific players together on teams.  This includes reasons of transport / carpools. So we hope you make some new friends on your new team!

 

• Canceled season - A $20.00 Administration fee will be subtracted from all registrations if for any reason a season is canceled prior to the start. This would include (but not limited to) forced cancellation due to Covid-19. If cancellation happens after the season has started (mid-season), a review of expenses and financial status will be done by the Board of Directors to determine if a refund, or part there of, will be issued.
• Player or family withdraw requests - A $20.00 Administration fee will be subtracted from all "cancel registration requests" prior to refunds being issued regardless of when the request is received, or reason of the request.
  • Withdraw requests after registration closes - A $50.00 Administration fee will be subtracted for all refund requests if requested after the registration closing date and prior to the player draft in March.
  • Withdraw requests after the draft - Once the draft is complete, and players have been assigned to a team, there will be NO refunds issued after that date. The draft generally happens on the last weekend in February.