A player may be invited to train on a routine basis with an older age group as well as with his or her own age group. The opportunities for training-up with the older age group will be identified by the coach of that age group. They will depend on the needs of that age group for both the current season and the next, and may be different for forwards, defencemen and netminders.

Opportunities for training-up may increase as the season progresses in preparation for the following season. The coach of the older age group will discuss and agree the selection of players with the coach of the younger age group and the Head Coach of the Club. The selection of a player to train-up will be made on the basis of skills, physical and mental maturity, and commitment. The player’s primary commitment will remain to their own age group in all cases.

Any training or game opportunities offered by the older age group should be considered as an additional privilege and not as an expectation. The player should not attend any training session with the older age group that might significantly lower his or her performance in a later match with the primary age group.

The decision of the coaches is absolute. Parents should consult their primary age group manager in case of doubt. The offer to train-up will not necessarily apply for the whole season, it will apply only while the opportunity realistically exists and the player’s commitment and progress are sustained. Failure to maintain the required skills or commitment to either the player’s primary age group or to the higher age group will result in the privilege to train-up being withdrawn.

There will be occasions when several players from one age group are invited to join a training session of an older group which otherwise would be poorly attended. This should not be confused with an offer to train-up regularly at future sessions. It is the decision of the coaches on the ice as to who is offered the opportunity to join in an additional training session. Parents who wish to raise an issue or have questions should consult their age group manager, who will then raise the query with the age group coach if necessary.