With the growth and success of CWMHA over the past few years, the OMHA has been keen to propel our association to a higher level. A key consideration in this process is that the OMHA is making broader changes to how centers are classified. Our goal is to proactively guide how these changes are implemented for CWMHA, rather than having broad changes imposed that may not align with the needs of our membership or the long-term growth of our association.
This change is the result of extensive analysis and discussion across multiple subcommittee meetings, with consultation and guidance from the OMHA. In developing this proposal, the subcommittee carefully reviewed a wide range of factors, including CWMHA’s historical performance, recent season results, OMHA feedback, team viability and sustainability, overall competitiveness, MHR rankings, and Tri-County rankings. Collectively, these data points support a structure that better aligns competitive balance, player development pathways, and the long-term health of our program.
Following this comprehensive review, the association will be following the below classification structure for the 2026–2027 season:
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U10–U15: AA / B-BB
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U16–U18: A / BB
As players progress through the program, the 2012 birth year and younger cohorts will remain classified as AA. Over the next several seasons, this approach will naturally evolve CWMHA into a full AA / B-BB program.
It is important to note that the OMHA is eliminating the provision that previously allowed individual rep teams to apply for upward movement to play at a higher level.
CWMHA had utilized this provision in recent seasons for the 2012–2014 birth years, allowing them to play 'AA', while the association remained as an 'A' level center, but this option will no longer be available going forward.
Rep teams that will be participating in the AA loops, would hold tryouts during the AA tryout week. A / B-BB teams would hold tryouts in their designated weeks.
Additionally, CWMHA will retain the ability, in consultation with the OMHA, to revert to our current A / B-BB classification structure after the first year should this new direction not meet the needs of our membership as anticipated.
We believe this classification model positions CWMHA to remain competitive, align with OMHA direction, and supports appropriate player development across all age groups. We also believe it will help retain more homegrown CWMHA players by providing the right competitive opportunities within our program, rather than encouraging families to seek higher competition elsewhere.
Thank you for your continued support of CWMHA and our commitment to providing the best possible development environment for our players.
Sincerely,
CWMHA Board of Directors