High Performance Program

The Cornwall Girls Hockey Association (CGHA) is pleased to offer a high-performance hockey program structured to identify young female players and develop talent for elite competition. The program is designed to uphold a comprehensive high performance sport system that allows for sustained success of players at the highest levels of women’s hockey.

Benefits of Participating in a High-Performance Program

Enhanced Skill Development

Players receive specialized training to improve their on-ice skills, hockey IQ, and overall game performance.

Exposure to Elite Competition

Players are given opportunities to compete against top players and teams, pushing them to reach their full potential.

Holistic Player Development

Programs focus on developing not only on-ice skills but also off-ice attributes like leadership, teamwork, and character.

Increased Opportunities

Participation in a high-performance program increases a player’s chances of being selected for other elite programs.

Player Development

The CGHA’s high-performance program includes specialized training that follows Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) athletic development guidelines. This includes:

Skill Development: Intensive focus on skating, stickhandling, shooting, and game sense. Players are provided with regular practice sessions that integrate these skills into team play.
Tactical and Positional Understanding: The program emphasizes understanding the technical aspects of various positions and strategies, such as power play, penalty kill, and game strategies.
Mental Conditioning: Mental toughness and resilience are key components of high-performance sports. The program recognizes OWHA’s focus on fostering mental and emotional growth and engages players in

Physical Conditioning

The CGHA ensures that athletes in the high-performance program are physically conditioned to meet the demands of competitive hockey. This involves:

Off-Ice Training: Strength and conditioning programs that build strength, agility, speed, and endurance. Players also receive training in injury prevention and recovery techniques.
On-Ice Conditioning: Practices are designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and maintain peak performance throughout the hockey season. High-intensity drills simulate real-game scenarios.
Nutrition Guidance: Players receive education on proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies to support their overall physical health and performance by engaging in learning opportunities with community partners and nutritional specialists.

Player Monitoring and Evaluation

A key component of the high-performance program is the ongoing evaluation of players to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. The CGHA utilizes regular assessments, including:

Skill Assessments: Players are evaluated on their technical, tactical, and physical abilities during practice and competitive play.
Player Feedback: Constructive feedback is provided to players and their families, with recommendations for individualized development.
Video review: Players are provided with the opportunity to review positional play and performance through regular video review which provides an opportunity for player feedback and individual goal setting
Competitive Performance: Players’ performances in competitive environments are analyzed, helping to guide future training and development plans.

Competitive Opportunities

One of the key goals of the CGHA’s high-performance program is to provide players with opportunities to compete at the highest levels of female hockey. This includes:

League Play: Teams are entered into highly competitive leagues, where they face off against other top-tier teams from across Ontario. The level of competition is designed to push athletes to perform at their best.
Tournaments: Players compete in multiple high-caliber showcase tournaments throughout the season. These tournaments are critical for honing skills in real-game situations and offer exposure to potential scouts and college programs.
Exhibition Games: Coaches provide regular opportunities for teams to participate in exhibition games throughout the season which allow for players to engage in high caliber hockey outside of league play.
OWHA Provincial Championships: The program aims to have teams qualify for the OWHA provincial championships, providing the highest level of competition within Ontario for female hockey players.
National Championships: For players who excel at the provincial level, there are opportunities to be selected for regional and national teams, which often compete in the National Women’s U18 Championship or other prestigious events. Identification camps are held in the spring for players wishing to be considered.

Coaching and Mentorship

The CGHA high-performance program is led by experienced coaches who are well-versed in the OWHA’s coaching guidelines and development pathways. These coaches are certified under Hockey Canada’s NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) and have, or are working towards, their High Performance 1 (HP1) coaching credentials. Coaches focus on:

Skill Development: Coaching staff works with players to refine their technical skills and game strategy.
Leadership and Character Building: Emphasis is placed on developing leadership qualities and strong character on and off the ice.
Mentorship: Older players in the program often serve as mentors for younger athletes, fostering a positive team culture and leading by example team first mentality.

The Cornwall Girls Hockey Association was proud to register AA teams at the U13, U15 and U18 levels for the 2024/2025 season. Congrats to all the players who represented our association well!