BANTAM ACADEMY

Introduction

As most are aware, along with the 19 minor hockey teams, the Club has two Academy hockey teams: a Midget Prep and an Elite 15 (E15) team playing in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL).  At its last regularly scheduled meeting the Board of Directors met to discuss the future of BWC’s Bantam AAA program due to the establishment of a number of Bantam Academy teams (with more on the way), and the potential establishment of a Bantam Major League by BC Hockey.

Board Considerations & Decision

The Board of Directors unanimously determined that it is in the best interest of BWC to establish a Bantam Prep team and apply to gain entry into the CSSHL for the 2017/18 season and to continue to maintain its Bantam AAA program within the minor hockey leagues maintained by PCAHA.

Basis for the Decision

This decision will ensure, at least for the foreseeable future, that BWC members will have the option of staying at BWC whether they want their children to remain at their current high schools and play AAA Bantam hockey at BWC, or whether they want their children to be able to play AAA Bantam hockey within the high school program they attend.  Players in the Bantam AAA program will continue to be subject to the PCAHA residency rules, while the Bantam Academy will be able to draw players regardless of where they are resident.  As a result, we anticipate that BWC will be able to draw talented players to an Academy team, while offering members the option to (A) continue to play AAA hockey at BWC within the current Bantam program, or (B) to combine their hockey and education objectives through a BWC Academy team.

Conclusion

The decision to establish a Bantam Academy team was one that the Board did not take lightly. The Board made its decision considering the best interests of BWC, its members, and its future.  It is worth noting that the Board’s decision was unanimous, even though the Board’s members are drawn from all levels of the Club, including a number of long-time members who have had children pass through the Bantam program.  We have no way to predict the future, but we do have to put ourselves in the best position to succeed, regardless of what the future may bring.  By establishing a Bantam Academy, the Board believes it has done just that.  This development provides BWC and its members with good options and is the best formula to keep BWC in control of its AAA Bantam hockey program.  As such, we believe this is a positive development for all of our members and for the future of BWC.

BWC BOARD OF DIRECTORS