Sports Leagues

Review common questions regarding friends on teams, subs, and skill evaluation below. For further clarification, reach out to the Sports Supervisor or Programmer.

Why didn’t I get on the same team as my friend that I requested?

This is an individual based registration league. Players can request to play with two friends when registering, and the league organizers will do their best to accommodate every request. League organizers reserve the right to place any player on any team in the best interests of skill parity and balancing teams.

I have played a few games and don’t like the team I’m on. Can I request to be traded?

Yes, the league organizer will do their best to accommodate player requests – however, decisions are made with availability and league parity in mind.

Can I bring out my friend who is not registered in the league to play as a sub?

No. All league participants must be registered players. The league ensures sufficient team members to accommodate any absences, and all players are required to pay to participate. Please note that there are no substitute options available.

Exceptions are made for goaltenders, who may ask for permission from league organizer to find a sub from outside the league.

Why are some teams stronger and more skilled than other teams? Why is the league allowing this to happen?

League organizers do their best with the information provided to create the best possible skill parity in the league at the beginning of each season. Situations that arise making this a challenging process include:

• Players are unaware or untruthful as to what their skill level is.
• Players that are friends request to play together even though they are all very strong or very weak players and refuse to be split up.
• If a very skilled player(s) is traded after the season starts in an attempt to balance the teams out, this player may be upset about this process and will choose to simple not come out to any more games. This then does not support the attempt to balance the league.
• Players wait until after the league has started to sign up, making it challenging to slot them into the league late without displacing other players that are already happy with their team assignments.
• Mid-season player trades are often met with much resistance from players singled out to be moved. These players have since arranged their work schedules, child-care routines and ride arrangements based on the schedule of the team they were assigned to. Moving them mid-season creates undue hardship on personal lives and is therefore not taken lightly by league organizers.

Is this the cheapest league to play hockey in Victoria?

Yes. A recent survey of the top recreation adult hockey leagues in the lower island shows Oak Bay Recreation Adult Hockey League, at $16/game is least expensive option to play hockey in Victoria.

Does the Oak Bay Hockey League have staff watching all the teams play all the time to help manage the team make ups, officiating and incidents?

Yes, Oak Bay employs a Hockey League Team Leader who will take attendance, assist with jersey selection, observe competitive balance, and assist with any accidents or incidents. They will be present at most games during the season.

Is this hockey league the right option for me to play in?

Yes and No.

This league is not the right fit for you if you expect:

• A competitive level of play where all players on your team have a high level of skill.
• You will ONLY play with your friends and are not happy to be placed on a team where you can meet new players and build new friendships.
• Need to win every game.
• Teams to have complete skill parity in the league, every season without fail. While accommodating every player friend and team request.

This league is the right fit for you if you:

• Enjoy the game of hockey for fun and are happy to play on a mixed skilled team, and support and celebrate all player’s successes game to game.
• Win or Lose, you enjoy playing hockey.
• Understand you or a player you like may be moved to different teams, in attempts to even out the league, in the best interest of all 128 players enjoyment of the league.
• Enjoy the flexibility of 4 separate seasons annually to sign up for, to best fit your personal schedule though out the calendar year.

I don’t want to play anymore. Why can’t I withdraw and get a refund?

We put a lot of effort into maintaining balanced teams and a fun experience for everyone each season. Player movements can cause disruptions, affecting all teams. The no-refund policy encourages commitment and helps uphold league quality.

*Players can withdraw and receive a refund if they are injured and provide an original doctors note.

The current season has already started, can I sign up late for a pro-rated amount?

Yes. If there are still player spots open after the season has started, you can sign up pay for the remainder of the season. Once you register the league organizer will email or call you with your team assignment.

I missed my first game when the league jerseys were handed out. How can I get my jersey?

If you missed your first game, you may go to the front desk at Oak Bay Recreation Centre to request your assigned jersey. All jerseys must be given back to the officials at your last game. If you miss your last game you must hand in your jersey to the front desk anytime before the jersey return deadline stated at the bottom of the league game schedule. If jerseys are not returned by the deadline, that player forfeits their jersey deposit.

Are all the games played at the Oak Bay Arena?

Yes. All the games are played at the Oak Bay Arena.

I play in the Oak Bay Hockey league every season. Can I just keep my jersey?

No. Each season, teams are restructured. Furthermore, Oak Bay is responsible for keeping inventory of league jerseys in order to plan for future purchasing. We will clean used jerseys and assign them ready for the next season, and no preferential treatment is given.