Last week the Bradford West Gwillimbury Minor Hockey Association and Innisfil Minor Hockey Association announced they are working towards a merger of the two associations.
The two boards met with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) with the idea of forming a South Simcoe Minor Hockey Association to allow both associations' players to play more competitive hockey.
“We applied to the OMHA to become a AA centre ourselves and we aren’t big enough, so they turned us down,” said Paul Dossey, president of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Minor Hockey Association. “We want to give our kids the opportunity to play at a higher level. We’ll now be a AA centre (with a merger). It’s based on size and you’re playing against higher calibre teams (at that level).”
Before both associations can officially merge, a vote must take place with all members involved in both Bradford and Innisfil Minor hockey.
“The boards of both organizations have approved it but now the membership will have to vote on it sometime this fall,” explained Dossey. “All members of Bradford and Innisfil Minor hockey will have a vote. It will be separate meetings on the same date.”
Prior to the vote, there will be a Q&A session in early September where the associations will go over the benefits of the merger and what it means for everyone involved.
“There will be a lot of questions and it gives us the opportunity to answer them, it’s like a presentation,” Dossey added.
If approved, the merger and creation of the South Simcoe Minor Hockey Association would be set for the 2023-2024 hockey season.
