What does this change mean for Lambeth Minor Hockey Players?
This is a complicated issue and at first glance it looks like:
"Great news - we can play wherever we want now!"
Not even close.
The OMHA has passed a motion to permit Peewee aged players and up to tryout and play for the NEAREST A/AA centre with the following restrictions (see
OMHA News in 'Online Libraries' section for full details):
1. Can tryout for ONE team only regardless of success at tryouts;
2. Can only tryout for A/AA centre nearest you.
Already, North London, West London, Oakridge, LMHA and SSE have agreed that they will NOT permit "imports" hereafter referred to as Non-Resident Players (NRP's) into their system. In other words, the OMHA has passed regulations permitting you to tryout in other centres but the nearest centres are NOT permitting NRP's. Be careful with what you do with the information you receive and take a great deal of time to do your homework if you are planning to have your hockey player leave Lambeth and register to tryout for a AA or A team.
The London Jr. Knights AA/A WILL permit 3 NRP's per age category per team subject to their regulations. There is some question whether or not St. Thomas may be included in what is "nearest" but it will be one or the other. Can't have two "nearest" centres can we?
In other words, you will ONLY be able to tryout for Jr. Knights or St. Thomas and ONLY subject to their current regulations (which may be changed) but now include very restrictive tryout and registration procedures that need to be researched in detail before making plans to change home centres.