Newport County Youth Hockey Association (NCYHA) is a non-profit youth hockey association open to all youths eighteen (18) and under in the Newport County region. NCYHA is run completely by volunteers – the Board of Directors, coaches, and committee members are all volunteers. NCYHA is affiliated with the Rhode Island Amateur Hockey Association (RIAHA) and USA Hockey.

NCYHA is organized to provide youths with an amateur hockey development program implemented through skill development and competition. NCYHA recognizes a broad range of ability and commitment among its participants and strives to provide the appropriate level of instruction and competition to all. We offer a Learn to Skate program which is designed to introduce young skaters to the game of hockey by teaching the fundamentals of hockey skating; a House League which is a recreational and developmental in nature; and a Travel League which offers the highest level of competition available to our players. NCYHA feels strongly that placing skaters with similar desires and judged abilities together on teams or in similar groups will provide the best experience for all participants.

Our Philosophy
The NCYHA philosophy is that the appropriate level of competition challenges players to be their best. NCYHA believes that players who play with others of similar ability are able to improve their individual skills, and learn more about teamwork and the game of hockey, because their coaches are teaching a team of players who can all execute and understand at the same level.

NCYHA recognizes the importance of a recreational and developmental hockey program designed for those who are not ready for or do not desire the commitment and/or skill level demanded by a competitive travel program. Our House League Hockey Program is designed so that beginner and intermediate players can enjoy the sport of hockey in a controlled, competitive, fun environment, while improving individual and team skills through practice and games. 

The NCYHA Travel Program provides players with the opportunity to greatly improve their individual and team skills through high intensity practice and advanced competition. The NCYHA Travel program competes in the Rhode Island Youth Hockey League, comprised of teams across RI and SE Massachusetts. The commitment to travel hockey should be made by the player who is interested in higher competition and increased ice time.

Our Travel League is run with the following philosophy:  Teams will be selected through an in-depth evaluation process.  Not all players are guaranteed to make a team – this is dependent upon the number and skill level of the players trying out in each division, and is limited by the number of teams NCYHA can support.  Coaches at the travel level will strive to be as competitive as possible.  When teams have a chance to win, coaches will make lineup changes accordingly to give the team the best opportunity to win.  Players who work hard and perform well may be given more ice time, especially during close games. 

At all levels, emphasis will always be placed upon education, personal development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The individual conduct of all involved in the organization, including board members, coaches, players and parents, will be held to a standard that will ensure a positive environment in which all can honor the sport. Individual conduct will be governed by the USA Hockey Participant Code of Conduct, the USA Hockey Parent’s Code of Conduct and the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance policy.

Our Objectives
NCYHA strives to meet the following objectives:

• To promote hockey as a means of providing an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience for players and participants
• To promote and develop player skills and abilities
• To promote and develop an understanding of the game of hockey, including play making and teamwork
• To promote and develop sportsmanship, fair play, pride and achievement through involvement
• To promote an environment where each player has equal opportunity to participate and develop
• To recognize and address the needs of player development for both recreational and competitive purposes
• To promote and develop players towards being responsible adults that our community can be proud to have as ambassadors

Our Coaches
Our goal is excellence in coaching. Our coaches are expected to attain the USA Hockey recommended level of training. We encourage parents to let the Board of Directors know how our coaches are doing by filling out end of the season coaches’ surveys. Our coaches are all volunteers and deserve respect for their time and effort.

Our Board of Directors
Our Board Members are elected officials committed to serving the organization to the best of their ability. Our Board of Directors strive to make the right decisions and choices with respect to voting and NCYHA business.  Travel Team tryouts and team assignment is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Directors – this process is described in detail in the NCYHA Travel Team Tryout Policy which is posted on the website. The NCYHA Board of Directors is governed by the NCYHA By-laws, as well as the rules and by-laws of the Rhode Island Amateur Hockey Association (RIAHA) and USA Hockey. Our Board Members are volunteers and deserve respect for their time and effort.

Our Parents
Our parents make this organization work because of their commitment, both in time and money. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that players promptly attend practices and games. We rely on parents to help the coaches instil values such as hard work, positive attitudes and good sportsmanship. In addition, it is our parents who volunteer their time to coach, serve on the Board of Directors, or serve as a committee member or a team manager. 

Our Players
Our players are the reason that this organization exists. The main goal of the NCYHA is to instil and nourish within our players a love for the game of hockey.