frequently asked questions


what area associations does the twins aa hockey program represent?

The Twins AA Hockey Program represents players from the Fort Garry North (FGNHA) and South Winnipeg (SWHA) Hockey Associations.  

Both FGNHA and SWHA encourage and foster hockey in their respective community zones for all playes up to and including U18, whose birthdays fall within the calendar year of normal registration for the current hockey season. 

The FGNHA community zones consist of Earl Grey, Fort Garry, Lord Roberts, RIver Osborne, Riverview, Victoria, Linden Woods, Whyte Ridge, Westridge and Wildwood.  St John's Ravenscourt School is also included in this jurisdiction. 

The SWHA community zones consist of St Norbert and South Winnipeg (Richmond & Waverley Heights).

what are the "twins"?

Each area association within Hockey Winnipeg is responsible for the operation of an AA program for its area. 

With the dissolution of the Pembina Trails (PTHA) Hockey Association in 2010, FGNHA and SWHA decided to retain the the previous community zones for the purpose of co-administering one AA program. 

The Twins main priority is to cultivate sportsmanship and citzenship in it players while in the pursuit of excellence in the sport of hockey. 

The Twins AA program is administered by an independent executve committe, whose composition, hockey authority and responsibilities are set out in the Twins AA Hockey Program Policy Manual, and are subject to FGNHA, SWHA and Hockey Winnipeg By-Laws.

what is the standard to which twins' coaches are held?

All Twins coaches and coaching staff are expected to govern themselves according to the Twins Coaching Code of Conduct:

  • Coaches will respect players, parents, opponents, officials and program administrators.
  • Coaches will never ridicule, embarrass, demean or abuse any player, parent, spectator, official or opponent.
  • Coaches will prepare skill appropriate practices that are instructive, fun and challenging.
  • Coaches will determine player positions.  Coaches will ensure all players experience equal opportunity to participate, except for disciplinary purposes as outlined in the player discipline section in the Twins Coaches' manual.
  • Coaches will encourage players to rise to their potential through positive reinforcement, attention to individual needs and constructive feedback.
  • Coaches will ensure that safety of the players at the arena, on the ice and in the dressing rooms by ensuring adult supervision before, during and after all games.  No one player should ever be left unsupervised.
  • Coaches will respectfully address issues and concerns presented to them within 72 hours of receipt.

where do i register?

Registration for Twins takes place with a player's home association (FGNHA or SWHA).  On the online registration, you would select your home association registration fee and then select the AA tryout as an add-on options to pay for the first round of tryout fee.

what is the registration fee?

The 2023-2024 registration fee is $2,000 per player for all teams except the U18 team which has a reduced rate of $1,750 that aligns with the programming.  

what does the registration fee cover?

Registration fees cover these expenses:

  • Ice practice / development time
  • Hockey Winnipeg fees which include:
    • League game fees and playoff ice
    • Referees and timekeepers
    • CHA Insurance
    • Administrative expenses
  • Sweaters, socks and name bars (2 sets)
  • Practice jersey
  • Player/coach development program
  • Coaches' honoraria
  • Coaches' jackets and tracksuits
  • On-ice equipment (pucks, pylons, clipboards, first aid kits)
  • Program adminstration (meetings, website, mailing and banking expenses)
  • Other expenditures such as coaching clinics and materials

Registration fees do not cover these expenses:  

  • Ice time for team selection
  • Additional ice time beyond the allotment and/or not part of the development program
  • Player jackets, sweats, tracksuits, hats, etc
  • Coach and player travel expenses
  • Team and parent social functions
  • Team administrative costs
  • Team training programs that are not part of the development program

How are the registration fees to be paid?

Once the team has been selected, the fee can be paid in full on October 1st (or at roster signing, whichever is later) or in two equal installments on October 1st and December 1st payable by post-dated cheque. 

Registrations which do not have post-dated cheques attached will not be accepted. 

All cheques are to be made payable to "Twins AA Hockey". 

Parents who are contacted by the Twins Treasurer due to NSF cheque must replace the cheque immediately with a $20 service fee.  Players with unpaid registration fees will not be permitted to dress for games until the fees have been paid. 

No player will be permitted to play the first game of the season if the player's registration fee has not been paid inaccordance with the Twins policy.  With approval of the Twins Executive Committee, a player in arrears after December 31st will be notified by letter and suspended from any further play.  Hockey Winnipeg's Rules and Regulations state that an outstanding balance report must be submitted by the area association by June 30th of each year.  No player will be allowed to register with Hockey Canada if until all outstanding balances in previous seasons have not been paid in full.

HOW ARE THE TWINS' TEAMS SELECTED?  WHAT IS THE TRYOUT PROCESS?

The placement of a player will be primarily influenced by tryout performance and coach / evaluator assessments.  
Players will receive a pre-numbered pinnie which will correspond with a list that each coach / evaluator will have.  All participating players will be evaluated and scored on all variables of the tryout.
Twins tryouts are normally seven (7) sessions of ice times including:

  • 1st Round
    • Three (3) sessions prior to releasing any players
  • 2nd Round
    • A minimum of four (4) additional sessoins for final team selection

The coaching staff alone is responsible for the selection of his / her team.  Under no circumstances shall coaches permit anyone else, whether associated with the Twins program, FGNHA or SWHA, to improperly or unduly influence the team selection process.

what are the tryout fees?

  • Round 1 fees are $80 and paid during the online registration process to the player's home association.
  • Round 2 fees are another $80 and payable directly to the Twins assocation before the start of the round two ice times.

There are no refunds for the tryout fees.
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what is the twins' refund policy?

If a player is unable to play for the balance of the hockey season due to illness or injury, any post-dated cheques being held by the Twins Treasurer will be returned to the player.  There will be no refunds after January 1st.  

Is there financial aid?

Yes, there is limited financial assistance available to those with a genuine inability to pay the registration fee.  A written applicatoin for assistance must be submitted to the Twins Treasurer by the parent / guardian of the player prior to the completion of tryouts.  All information is kept confidential.  Any assistance granted will be based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of Twins funds.  

what is the twins' policy toward age advancement?

The Twins follow the age advancement rules set by Hockey Canada.

what is expected of twins players?

All twins players are expected to govern themselves according to the Twins Player's Code of Conduct.
  • Twins players wil respect teammates, coaches, game officials, opponents, parents and facilities.  They should conduct themselves as young, responsible individuals.
  • Each player in conjunction with their teammates and coaches will establish personal and team goals.
  • All players will have the required equipment
  • All players will be dressed in their equipment prior to participating in practices and games at the time determined by the coaching staff.
  • Players will contact their coaches if they are unable to attend practices / games and advise them with as much notice as possible.  Failure to comply and the consequences will be outlined in the team rules.
  • Players will be assigned positions and line mates by the coaches.
  • Players shall not use any means, electronic or otherwise, to demean follow players or opponents.

is there a dress code for twins players?

Yes.  Twins players are expected to adhere to a dress code established by the team's coaching staff when attending all games.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENTS / GUARDIANS OF TWINS PLAYERS?

Parents are expected to:

  • Get players to scheduled game and practices on time
  • Let coaches know when palyers cannot be at games or practices
  • Understand and support team rules
  • Provide all the necessary equipment required and maintain their condition (i.e., helmet screws tight, skates sharpened, sticks taped and in playing condition, etc.)
  • Help out whenever possible as requested by the coaching staff

Twins parents are to conduct themselves in a respectful manner at all times and locations.

The Twins AA Hockey Program has adopted a zero-tolerance attitude towards a breach of any of the aforementioned.  Further, all Twin parents are expected to govern themselves according to the Twins Parent Code of Conduct.   

  • Parents will respect the coaches, players, opponents, officials and program administrators
  • Parents will never ridcule, embarrass, demean, challenge or abuse any player, parent, team official, game official or opponent.
  • Parents must respect and support the player / team selection by the coaching staff
  • Parents will remember that children learn best by example and therefore should applaud good play / performance by both their child's team and their opponents.
  • Parents will show respect for the opposing team, because without them there would be no games or competition.
  • Parents should have realistic expectations - they should remember that child athletes are not minature professionals and cannot be judged by professional standards.
  • Parents will respect the coaches and support them in their team development activities by not engaging in organzied coaching or development activities that may contradict the focus, direction, or goals set out for the Twins team by the coaching staff.
  • Parents having any questions or concerns should direct them to the team parent rep.  The parent repo will mediate between the parent and the coaches with the view of resolving the issue to everyone's satisfaction.  If mediation attempts are unsuccessful then the process of Dispute Resolution, outlined in the Twins manual, is the next course of action.

what fundraising does the twins organization do?

Both our 4x4 Twins Camp and Twins Day events are run by the Twins volunteers as fundraisers, with the opportunity for all team to participate in and benefit form the fundraising effort.

Other fundraising projects are undertaken on a per team basis, according to the need and the committment of the players' parents / guardians.

Who plans twins team events?

Twins team managers oversee the operation of their teams and in doing so amy enlist the assistance of another parent or parents to help organize team-specific fundraisers, social events or charitable projects.  

The Twins organization host an Annual Banquet and Awards evening after the conclusion of the season.  Typically held in mid-April and always well attended.  The evening is the one time each season that the Twins family is able to gather to celebrate our year together and recognize the achievements and contributions of our teams, coaches and volunteers.

More information about Twins player awards can be found in the Twins' Coaches Operations & Policy Manual located on our website.