The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) established the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in 2002 to serve as the premiere competition for young Aboriginal hockey players in Canada. It provides a forum for elite Bantam/Midget aged Aboriginal male and female youth and attracts participation from First Nations, Inuit and Metis across thirteen provinces and territories. This annual event helps foster cultural unity and pride to celebrate the athletic abilities of Aboriginal athletes from across the country.

The ASC will co-host its’ 18^th annual National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in May 2019. The bid process and guidelines for the 2019 NAHC as outlined below, will be used by Aboriginal communities and Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies interested in hosting this prestigious event.

BID PROCESS AND  GUIDELINES

Eligibility and Target Dates

The ASC is actively seeking bids to host the 2019 NAHC. To be eligible, the bid must be approved by its Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (P/TASB). Only one community can bid per Province/Territory. (See attached PTASB listing)

As a sanctioned Hockey Canada event, the NAHC are staged annually during the first two weeks in May (ie: May 7-13, 2019). This ensures that the NAHC do not conflict with any of the Provincial/Territorial Bantam and Midget Hockey Championships. The NAHC is a week-long event with opening ceremonies conducted on the first day and closing awards ceremonies conducted following the final Gold Medal Game. A Team Social event may also be hosted mid-week, time permitting. The ASC will only entertain bids from communities that guarantee that no other major event will be staged locally during the dates of the NAHC.

The NAHC facility requirements are as follows: a minimum of two ice surfaces – the primary arena being National Hockey League regulation size (85’ x 200’) with seating for a minimum of 500 spectators. Likewise, the community must be within 150 kilometers from a regional airport, which offers daily flights from major airlines. Should the bidding community be outside the 150-kilometer radius, they must submit a travel plan that includes financial and logistical support for participating teams.

2019 Bid Timelines (All deadlines expire at 4:00 PM Eastern Time)

ALL Bid documents must be submitted to the ASC:

c/o Heather Kaulbach, ASC Executive Director, hkaulbach@aboriginalsportcircle.ca

Bid Process Declared Open – January 19, 2018

Submission of ‘electronic’ letters of intent and $2500 bid fee – February 17, 2018

Submission of electronic bid – March 17, 2018

(All Bids should include a letter of support from their PTASB and local Hockey Canada branch.)

Bid evaluation and selection – March 18 to April 14, 2018

(The ASC will entertain a maximum of one (1) bid per Province/Territory, to host the 2019 NAHC.)

(a) PTASB Review, Ranking and Endorsement – March 18-31

(b) NAHC-WG Review, Ranking (1^st-3^rd) and Selection – April 1-14 (site visit if required).

Announcement of the 2019 NAHC co-host – May 12, 2018

For bid process, hosting agreement and more information CLICK HERE

Heather Kaulbach
Aboriginal Sport Circle, Executive Director
hkaulbach@aboriginalsportcircle.ca
1-613-859-0179 (cell)
www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca
“Aboriginal Sport Circle” c/o House of Sport,
RA Centre 2451 Riverside Drive,
Ottawa, ON, K1H