Student Transfers

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Student Transfers & Sports

Have you transferred from another school and are looking to participate in sports?

Student Transfers and Athletic Eligibility – A Provincial Standard

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) complies with the OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) Transfer Policy for all interscholastic activities. Every student who has transferred from another school within the previous twelve (12) months is ineligible for competition unless he/she appeals and is deemed eligible under the OFSAA Transfer Policy

Appealing Ineligible Status After Transferring Schools

Students who have transferred schools and wish to appeal their ineligible status can do so by obtaining a copy of the Transfer Form (available above) from the Physical and Health Education Department in any HWDSB secondary school.

There are 4 sections listed on the form that the student can use to appeal. The student’s reason for appeal must meet the criteria outlined in one of the four sections on the form, otherwise, an appeal cannot be submitted. There are no other options for appealing other than the four sections listed on the form.

Complete the form, add any supporting documentation stipulated in the table on page 3 of the form, collect the necessary signatures and return the form to the Physical and Health Education Department as soon as possible. The form will be forwarded to HWDSB Athletics for review by the Transfer Review Committee.

The local (HWDSB) Transfer Review Committee will be the first to review the form. In most cases, if the transfer situation meets one of the four sections outlined on the form, eligibility can be granted at the local level. If the appeal is denied, there are appeal options at the regional and provincial level. There is a fee (refundable if successful) to appeal at both the regional and provincial level.

At all three levels of appeal, the Transfer Review Committee will determine if the circumstances of the appeal meet one of the four sections outlined on the form. The decision will be based on the information provided on the Transfer Appeal Form so it is important the form is complete with all required additional information attached.

Please contact your schools Physical and Health Education Department for further information.

Timelines for Appeals

Transfer Review Committees at all levels have meetings scheduled to review appeals at various times during the school year that coincide with sport seasons. The aim is to provide a review/appeal process that establishes the eligibility status of the student prior to the start of the sport he/she would like to play. Therefore, it is important that students complete and submit the Transfer Form as soon after transferring to a new school as possible.

Please contact your schools Physical and Health Education Department for further information

HWDSB Appeal Deadlines

Application Deadline*	Time
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM
	12:00 PM

Note – Applications will only be accepted by your school’s Physical Education Department Head

SOSSA & OFSAA Appeal Dates & Deadlines

Next Steps

All decisions on transfer eligibility will be relayed to the student through the Physical and Health Education Department. If eligibility is denied, the student will be informed of the details of the appeal process at the next level.

Please contact your schools Physical and Health Education Department for further information.

Questions?

Please contact your schools Physical and Health Education Department for further information or you may call the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Athletics Department at 905-521-2521.

Student Transfers and Athletic Eligibility – FAQ

Q. What is the purpose of this transfer policy?

A. The policy was originally developed out of a concern that players were congregating at schools for sport purposes.

Q. I didn’t transfer for sports so why do I have to go through this process?

A. Students who play sports and transfer from one school to another affect teams at the school they are leaving and the school they are coming to. It’s important that all students be treated equally, so even if the transfer wasn’t for sports, students that played sports at their previous school and wish to play sports at their new school must go through the transfer review process.

Q. I’m not going to be the difference between an average team and a great team so do I still have to go through this process?

A. In the interests of fairness, all students who have played sports at their previous school and wish to play at their new school are required to go through the review process, regardless of their level of athletic ability.

Q. What if the circumstances of my transfer don’t fit one of the four sections of the policy?

A. You will not be eligible to play the sports you played at your previous school. You will be eligible to play the sports you didn’t play at your previous school.

Q. How long does the review process take?

A. Appeals are reviewed at pre-scheduled meetings throughout the year. Meetings are scheduled in advance of each sport season with the aim of establishing student eligibility before the season begins.

Q. Can I play while the appeal process is going on?

A. Only in team tryouts and practices. You will not be eligible for any pre-season or regular season games or OFSAA sanctioned events.

Q. What happens if my appeal is turned down?

A. You will have the option of appeal up to the provincial level, at which point a decision is final. If the appeal is denied, participation will be limited to those activities you did not play at your previous school.