APRA Game and Arena Policies

Players, Parents, Coaches & Coaching Staff, Timekeepers and Officials - 

The following game-related rules are provided here for your easy reference. 

Safe Sport

Game Start Times (Zamboni Schedule)

Curfew Policy

Run-Time

Weather Cancellation Policy

Helmets on the Ice

Conclusion of the Game

Minor Officials Payments

APRA has a zero tolerance policy for abuse of on-ice or minor officials

Immediately inform your League Rep and the APRA Coaching Coordinator if any teams or spectators engage in this behaviour (APRA and visiting teams). 

Game Start Times (Zamboni Schedule)

All posted start times in Ajax and Pickering BEGIN with the cleaning of the ice surface. For example, if the posted start time is 1pm, the zamboni cleans the ice surface from 1pm to approx. 1:10pm, and the game will take place from 1:10pm - 2:00pm. 

Curfew Policy

As an association we are responsible for our blocks of ice time. Regardless of level, each team is given 50 minutes of ice time (10 minutes of the hour for ice cleaning). Provincial AA teams are given 1 hour and 20 minutes of ice time (10 minutes of the hour for ice cleaning). At the end of the allocated ice time the arena staff at both Ajax and Pickering Arenas will curfew each game with a buzzer. At this time the game must be stopped and the game will end with the score at the time of the buzzer. 

• If your game has not been completed within your allotted time slot, the game will be curfewed by the arena staff.
• Minor Officials will post a three-minute warm up that will commence when the referees step on the ice. The game will begin at the end of the three-minute warm up.
• Home team coaches are responsible for making visiting teams aware of the Pickering/Ajax Game Curfew Policy
• Any parents, players, or coaches who do not follow this policy or who verbally harass, yell, or argue with the arena staff in any way will be required to leave the arena. If the problem occurs again, the individual will not be welcome in the arena for the remainder of the season.
• Teams can request rink attendants not to flood the ice BEFORE THEIR GAME STARTS, if you decide it does not need it.

Run-Time

Games will revert to Running Time, if: 

• The timekeeper requests AND both coaches are made aware of the running time.
• To prevent curfew, required to complete a game within the 50 minute ice allocation. 
• Goal differential of 7 during League and Tournament games.

Weather Cancellation Policy

Generally, games and practices will not be cancelled unless arenas are closed by Police or the Town of Ajax / City of Pickering, or, Police or other authorities order that we do not use city roads.

Parental Responsibility:

Notwithstanding the decision of the Ajax Pickering Ringette Association or coaches to not cancel games or practices, parents & guardians, considering their particular conditions, are responsible for deciding for themselves, the safety of travel to and from the rink. If you do not feel safe travelling to the rink for a practice or game, don’t take the risk. Coaches will not judge your decision and the participation of your player with the team will not be effected.

Practices:

If a coach believes that it is unsafe for members of his team, to attend practice for whatever reason which may include weather conditions, road conditions or the condition of the ice surface, the coach, with or without consulting with the rest of the team staff, will be responsible for cancelling the team’s practice. If a coach decides to cancel a practice based on concerns about weather or traffic conditions, the coach is responsible for contacting players on the team to inform them of the cancellation.

Hosted Exhibition Games:

(same as above plus notification of other team)

Scheduled Games:

It is the responsibility of Ajax Pickering Ringette League Coordinators (i.e. Vice-President- Ajax, Vice President- Pickering) to decide on whether APRA scheduled games will be cancelled for whatever reason which may include weather conditions, road conditions or the condition of the ice surface. If they decide to cancel, it is their responsibility to notify the coaches or members of the coaching staff of BOTH teams, the referee assignor and the head timekeeper, of the cancellation.

Where possible, APRA will post cancellation information on this website.

Where possible, the game will be scheduled at a later date and if deemed necessary, a practice time will be used.

Helmets on the Ice

• All players, coaches, referee's and staff must wear a helmet while on the ice. This includes when crossing the ice from the dressing rooms to the bench or back again. 

Conclusion of Games

• All players, coaches and staff will shake hands with the opposing team, coaches and staff after every game
• Coaches are encouraged to remain on the bench and shake the hands of the players at the end of the game from there.

Minor Officials Payments

The association provides teams with funds at the beginning of the season to pay minor officials directly for all league home games. Please ensure a member of your team staff proactively seeks out the minor official(s) at the conclusion of each game and has the exact payment available for each official (M/O are not expected to make change for large bills or seek out teams for payment).