About the Bethel Park Inline Hockey Association

The Bethel Park Inline Hockey Association was created in 2004. Inline hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Like ice hockey and a few other other sports, it is a recognized (non-funded) sport by the Bethel Park School District. Because our sport is recognized, varsity athletes who meet established criteria will earn a letter in inline hockey. Players do not have to attend a Bethel Park school; all students residing in Bethel Park are eligible.

Our teams play in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Roller Hockey League. The 2004-2005 season was the first year Bethel Park participated in the PIRHL, and our five teams represented Bethel Park very well. Our league has grown to more than five teams and we hope to continue our success.

Address

If you need to send anything to BPIHA via mail, use our post office box. Checks can be made payable to "BPIHA".

	BPIHA
	P.O. Box 045
	Bethel Park, PA 15102

Questions

If you are a Bethel Park resident with questions about inline hockey, send them to info@BPInlineHockey.org.

Cost

The cost of inline hockey is generally much different (i.e., less) than ice hockey. All costs are determined based on the success of any fund raising. The overall cost includes:

• Tryout fee: There is a small fee to cover rink rental for tryouts. The primary goal of tryouts is to place players on the appropriate teams, based on skill level. The need to cut players is determined by how many players sign up in each age division.
  
• League fees: This fee covers the team's league entry fee (16 games plus playoffs with referees) and rink rental fees for practices. Middle School and older have one season (Oct-Mar). The elementary division is divided into two eight game seasons - Fall (Oct-Dec) and Spring (Jan-Mar). It is possible to sign up for just one of the elementary seasons.
  
  A discount on league fees is available for goalies. Families with more than one player also receive a discount.
  
  The exact league fee varies each year, depending on costs and fundraising success.
  
• Uniforms: New players must purchase uniforms. Based on availability, the league attempts to keep the same uniforms - allowing returning players to wear the same uniforms as last year to avoid this expense.
  
• AAU Membership: Each player, and coach, must be an AAU member. AAU membership cost varies, but it has been around $10-15 per year for players. The "added benefit" membership is not necessary, but you should read the information and decide based upon your own situation.
  
• Instructional camp: To kick of the season, BPIHA holds a league-wide instructional camp that includes all of our teams. This camp is run by Peter Dale, one of the premier inline hockey instructors in the world, and it is customized for our teams.

Ages

The number of teams will be determined by how many players register. The PIRHL has four divisions, based on grade level:

• Elementary: Grades 3, 4 & 5 (and 2nd graders with good skating ability)
• Middle School: Grades 6, 7 & 8
• Junior Varsity: Grades 9 through 12
• Varsity: Grades 9 through 12

Each division is divided into tiers to maximize competitive balance.

Equipment

The list of required equipment can be found in the rules section of the PIRHL website. From that page:

"All players must wear a helmet designed for hockey properly fastened with full face mask and chin strap, elbow pads, gloves designed for hockey or lacrosse, hockey shin guards, internal mouth guard, which is not clear, and InLine Skates. Skates must have all wheels. No street hockey equipment shall be allowed."

"Black Mylec shin guards are not allowed to be worn, unless completely covered. These mark the court when sliding."

"Goalies must wear leg pads, helmet designed for hockey with a face-mask, mouth guard, upper body equipment, catching and blocking glove designed for hockey, and inline skates. Goalies must wear HECC approved helmets with face-masks."

Many players also wear a padded girdle to protect their hips and, of course, a protective cup.