Hosting an AIHA qualifier

The AIHA, (Arizona Inline Hockey Association) which began operation in 1998, is a membership of rinks which conduct inter - rink inline hockey leagues and tournaments.  Their purpose is to provide Arizona inline hockey facilities the foundation in which to work together in developing the growth and strength of inline hockey throughout Arizona, including the operation and sanctioning of the Arizona series of qualifiers and state championship tournaments.

The AIHA key to success

The success of the AIHA is due to the cooperation and mutual commitment by participating rink facilities throughout Arizona to support each other’s scheduled AIHA qualifier by encouraging travel team and house team participation in all divisions at every AIHA qualifier.

Host facilities must conduct leagues

Perhaps the most important requirement for a prospective facility to host an AIHA qualifier is that they must conduct hockey leagues within their own facility.  The AIHA will conduct its own assessment of a prospective host facility’s hockey league in order to fully confirm its operation.

Basic participation requirements

The primary requirement for a prospective AIHA host facility/program to host an AIHA qualifier is that teams representing the host facility or program must attend other AIHA qualifiers.  When a team competes in one qualifier then that team earns 1 point for their host facility/program.  Along with conducting recreational leagues, a facility/program must accumulate at least 16 participation points from teams representing their facility/program in order to claim eligibility to host an AIHA qualifier for the following season.

Existing host facilities MAY NOT CLAIM PARTICIPATION POINTS when they host their own qualifier.  Also, existing host facilities MAY NOT CLAIM TEAM PARTICIPATION POINTS if teams that represent their facility either choose not to participate at the AIHA state championships or do not qualify to participate at the state championships.

Letter of intent must be delivered

In the event that a facility intends to request that theymay host an AIHA qualifier, and they have not hosted one before or has had to requalify in which to host one, then the interested facility must submit an official letter to the current AIHA president stating their request to host an AIHA qualifier.  The official request must be submitted by no later than January 20^th in order to be considered for the following year.

Facility infrastructure requirements

The following facility structures should be of a well maintained, clean and professional quality to ensure a safe and high level, therefore enjoyable, inline hockey tournament experience.  Host facilities should give notice of any facility limitations or unusual playing conditions to potential participants in advance.  All new facilities should include the following:

A. Minimum rink size 165’ x 65’, maximum size 100’ x 200’

B. Quality playing surface & boards with adequate lighting

C. Separate team bench and dugout areas

D. Separate penalty boxes

E. Scorers and announcers booth

F. Lighted scoreboard and time clock

G. Protected spectator seating