About the MARHA

The Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association is a new concept that will unite roller hockey teams, leagues, and players. Our goal is not to simply be another tournament series that intrigues your team with posters, flashy websites, and promotions. Sure we host tournaments, among the most affordable and most efficiently run in inline hockey, but our mission is to create something larger and more important than one tournament series. The association ranks teams beginning each December and running through early August. The association’s rankings cover every game that a team plays. From the Wednesday night league game at your local rink to the nationals of a major tournament series, every game counts and is not wasted. The association ranks teams based on play in all tournaments, (MARHA tournaments carry slightly more weight in the rankings than non-MARHA tournaments), league play, (MARHA affiliate leagues are more weighted, but at the same time, any league is eligible to become an affiliate league), and exhibition games. Starting in 2007, the top 4 teams in each region (North, South, East, and West) will be invited to the regionals of the MARHA championship tournament. Two teams will come out of each regional and will earn a spot in the championship event. So why wait? Sign your team for the association. It is free to join and each team is required to only play in one MARHA tournament to become championship eligible. In addition, your team will have more competition with our many member teams, and will have its information posted on our website.

MARHA Tournament Rules

Game Play
· 3, 7 minute periods for round robin games
· 3, 10 minute periods for playoff and championship games of tournaments
· 3 minute warm-up
· 2 minutes between each period, 3 minutes between games
· Games are played with a puck
· Running Clock Periods (except last 2 minutes of 3rd period)
· 4 on 4 and a goalie on each team
· Goalie may be pulled for an extra skater
· Goalies may play the puck wherever it is
· Overtime is a 3 player, non sudden death shootout

Penalties
· 2 minute minor penalties
· 5 minute major penalties
· 10 minute major penalties (plus thrown out of tournament)
· Fighting is not tolerated, and will result in immediate ejection from tournament

Tournament and events

"Wait, did that sign just say $300 a team for a tournament at my local rink?" Tournaments are expensive these days. Tournament directors and tournament staff are often paid individuals who use funds that they receive not only to pay their bills but also to advertise their tournaments. The Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association's tournaments are different. The MARHA is not a business, but is rather a new vision in the game of inline hockey. No member of the Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association staff is paid a cent for the time and effort put into making the association work. Tournament fees are very reasonable and usually range from $100-$200 depending on rink, number of guaranteed games, referee fees, and prizes. Teams set the prices for the tournaments that they host, within reason. Tournaments are able to be used as fundraisers as long as the price of the tournament is approved by the MARHA. The MARHA will collect data such as rink cost and referee fees, and make a decision on the maximum price a team will be able to charge for its tournament. Additionally, volunteers and friends of the teams are brought in as game day staff. These people are often paid, but only a small flat fee, rather than an hourly wage. All of this adds of to very reasonably priced tournaments with competition that is tough to rival.

Rinks and venues

Think of it as the ice without the zamboni. A home away from home, the rink is where players come together to work as a cohesive unit that eventually is called a team. Teams can play at any rink of their choosing, but only approved rinks can host Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association tournaments. Host teams will be required to send pictures of their home rink to the association in order to make sure that the rink is a suitable location for a tournament. Don't think your rink will qualify? All rinks can be used to play non-MARHA tournament games, and teams are often able to find neutral rinks at which to host tournaments. In addition, teams aren't required to host tournaments, and many choose not to. On the other hand, some teams host several tournaments per year.

Championship

Love filling out those collegiate basketball brackets in the office pool? Now you can live one. The concept behind the MARHA's year end championship tournament is to bring as many quality teams in the east together to crown a champion and declare what team really is the best. In 2007, the tournament will still not be to 100% scale, as more teams are still being added to the mix. If the 2007 season finishes with 25 or less member teams, the year end tournament will feature 6 teams. If the 2007 season finishes with 25-30 member teams, the year end tournament will feature 7 teams. If the 2007 season finishes with 30 or more teams, the tournament will include 8 teams. Originally, the championship was scheduled to take place at the Pepsi Center in Amherst, NY. Because of some scheduling conflicts, it has been moved to the Sportsplex in Winchester, VA and will be hosted by the MARHA's own Winchester Blaze. The Blaze won the 2006 championship and will make a jump to PIHA for its 2007/2008 season as the Winchester Generals. Only the top teams make the championship, so get out and play the best to be able to compete with the best!

Ranking system

The ranking system, which has been upgraded since the 2006 season, is strict and uniform in its organization. The rankings are based on points which are compiled from December 23 until the end of July 2007. Keep in mind that all Non-MARHA tournament series mentioned are in no way affiliated with the MARHA and all names of these series are property of their respective owners. The Ranking system was revised on January 27, 2007. For the updated version, check out the "Rankings System" page on the main website.

Leagues and Teams

Affiliate leagues are a very large and important part of the Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association. Beyond scores of league games being reported to the association, there is no additional work that league commissioners must do. The champion of each affiliate league will receive an automatic bid to the MARHA championship regionals. The reason for this is that affiliate leagues are committed to growing the MARHA and have shown a great deal of talent among member teams. Affiliated leagues bring in a large amount of teams to the association and in return are given publicity and promoted by the MARHA. Being an MARHA affiliate league proves to players that your league is at the top of the competition!

Geographics

Sponsorship Benefits

Want to really promote and grow your business through word of mouth, programs, and online presence? The Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association is looking for sponsors. Every contribution made the MARHA goes directly to hockey. From tournament prizes to ref fees to lowering the cost of rink time for teams, sponsorship can benefit this association in many ways. It is fine that the association can benefit from sponsorship, but how can a business benefit from being associated with the MARHA? The MARHA has many tools to promote and grow your business. It is our goal to provide more service to the business than business has provided to us.

Some Sample Sponsorship Packages:

Title Sponsor (Tournament named after company) 

-Company name and logo appears on all tournament logos
-Link on website main page
-Ad on website sponsor page
-Company name and logo on all programs
-Full page ad in programs

Association-Wide Sponsor

-Link on website main page
-Ad on website sponsor page
-Full page ad in programs

Tournament Sponsor

-Ad on website sponsor page
-Partial ad in tournament programs

Additionally, the Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association has teamed up with GFX Web Solutions to provide sponsors with an additional service. Well designed websites can be negotiated as part of sponsorship packages. The GFX team can provide your business with an excellent website which will help to promote your name on the internet.

Contact information

The Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association is designed by players for players. Meet the management and staff that are leading the association toward a successful future.

Brad Stevens
nphlinline@yahoo.com
AIM Screen Name: LegionOfDoom2003
Mid Atlantic Roller Hockey Association Coordinator
MARHA West Region Coordinator

Management Experience:
-Commissioner, Allegheny Roller Hockey League (2001-2004)
-Commissioner, North Pittsburgh Hockey League (2004-present)
-Manager, Pittsburgh SteelHawks (2001-present)

Playing Experience:
-Pittsburgh SteelHawks
-Fox Chapel High School Varsity Ice Hockey


JP Alley
goaliegod39@aol.com
AIM Screen Name: GoalieGod39
MARHA South Region Coordinator

Management Experience:
-Manager, Winchester Blaze

Playing Experience:
-Winchester Blaze
-Virginia Wings (MLRH Pro)
-Neumann College Ice Hockey (NCAA D3)

Justin Silvia
irskate@yahoo.com
MARHA East Region Coordinator

Management Experience:
-Owner/Manager NJ Minutemen Pro/Minor (PIHA)
-Sande Mutiny Manager
-Owner, Morristown Roller Hockey Rink

Playing Experience:
-NJ Minutemen, Sande Mutiny, TORHS, ECHO, USA INLINE

Robert "Ruppy" Hailey
MARHA North Region Coordinator

Management Experience:
-Manager, Holbrook Swamp Donkeys (PIHA-M)
-Instrumental in bringing the PIHA to New England
-Owner, Holbrook Sports Center

Playing Experience:
-Holbrook Swamp Donkeys


Dan Domski
domskidan@gmail.com
AIM Screen Name: Domskidan
Director of team recruitment

Management Experience:
-Assistant Manager, Pittsburgh SteelHawks

Playing Experience:
-Pittsburgh SteelHawks