Sweeping changes are coming to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association’s Female Development Model, in particular, the structure of league for players bantam-aged and older. The full details announced Tuesday morning come after three years of work on the development model, and was wrapped up at an SHA Board of Directors meeting over the weekend.

Amongst the changes are the reduction of Midget AAA teams from eight to seven. The SFMAAAHL will see the contraction of the Melville Prairie Fire for the 2019-2020 season. As well, the decision reaffirmed making Midget AAA age appropriate, with only midget-aged players participating.

The Midget AA league was also changed. The mandate of the SHA stated there would need to be a Midget AA team in each of the Midget AAA locations. Four other teams are included in the league, which will shrink from 12 teams to 11 for next season.

There will also be the creation of a Bantam AA league for the 2019-2020 season. The Bantam AA league will see a team in each of the seven centres with a Midget AAA team.

This season, the SHA moved the North and South female league for Midget AA, Midget A, Bantam And Pee Wee A under the umbrella of the Sask Female Hockey League, organized into a north and south division. The SaskFHL is expected to continue after this season.

The SHA said they will be reviewing the model every year going forward. They will also examine the possibility of a Pee Wee AA division in the coming years as the base of female players grows.

You can read the complete release from the SHA here.