Transfer Policy

MHSAA Transfer Policy

No school shall include in its athletic line-up, or eligibility sheet, any student who has transferred from another school within the previous twelve (12) months. The MHSAA Transfer Policy applies to all students transferring into Manitoba high schools. This applies once a student has enrolled in grade 10. This does not affect students currently enrolled in grade 9.

In accordance with the Association’s Appeal Process, a school may apply to the MHSAA Transfer Appeal Committee to have a student be deemed eligible to participate in Association sponsored events according to one or more of the following criteria:

  1. The student did not participate in a particular sport at the interschool level for twelve (12) months prior to the date of transfer. Written confirmation from the Principal or Vice Principal at the previous school is required.     OR     The student accepts their ineligibility under the Transfer Policy, but requests eligibility for the sports they did not participate in at the interschool level for the twelve (12) months prior to the date of transfer. Written confirmation from the Principal or Vice Principal at the previous school is required. 
  1. There has been an accompanying change in permanent residence of the immediate family. Immediate family is the parent(s) or the student’s legal guardian as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The student and their immediate family must completely and permanently move from the former residence. The student must be attending the designated school in the home catchment area of the new residence. The student/family may be requested to provide evidence/documentation confirming that they are residing in a new permanent residence, and evidence/documentation that they have completely and permanently moved from the former residence. 
  1. The student has transferred to a Manitoba school from within or outside of Canada and is attending the designated school in their choice of system (public or independent) according to school catchment boundaries. Students transferring from other provinces, states, or countries who have graduated from high school or equivalent, are ineligible for MHSAA competition. 
  1. The student has been placed in a school by Child and Family Services (CFS) or related agency and accompanying rationale and documentation is included. 
  1. The student has transferred schools to enroll in an accredited program of studies as per ‘Schools of Choice’ legislation. Acceptable programs, as recognized by Manitoba Education, include Francais, Senior Years Technology, English, and French Immersion. IB and AP programs are not considered as accredited programs. The student would have to transfer to their catchment area school. 
  1. The student has changed residence to live with a custodial parent for exceptional personal reasons.     OR     The student has changed residence to live with a new court-appointed legal guardian for exceptional personal reasons. Documentation showing that there was just cause for the move must accompany the appeal. 
  1. The student has transferred to remove him/herself from an abusive home environment. Documentation showing that there was just cause for removal from the home may be requested from the sending school, psychologist, social worker, medical doctor or police. All documentation is reviewed in the strictest of confidence and confidentiality. 
  1. A student who enrolls in a Prep School or Sport Academy would be able to play for either their last enrolled Manitoba school or designated catchment area school. 
  1. The student was the victim of harassment or bullying, and after attempts to resolve the issue, the sending school agreed that it was in the best interests of the student to transfer schools. The appeal must be accompanied by documentation showing that there was just cause for the transfer of schools and a letter from the sending school’s administration in support of the transfer. If approved the student would have to attend the closest school to their residence.  
  1. The student has been forced to leave an independent school specifically due to financial hardship. The appeal must include documentation confirming change in tuition fees and documentation regarding family requests for bursary assistance to meet financial hardship. The appeal committee may request documentation confirming significant changes in the financial situation of the family, and confirmation that the student will be attending the designated school in their home catchment area. 
  1.  The student has transferred because of the closure of their former school and is attending the school designated by the School Division.   

Notwithstanding any of the above, no student may participate in the same sport for more than one school in the same league/zone season in the same school year unless the student is ruled eligible by the Transfer Appeal Committee. 

When applying under point (2) the student/family must provide evidence/documentation confirming that they and their immediate family are residing in a new permanent residence and that they have completely and permanently moved from the former residence. The student must provide evidence/documentation confirming that they are residing in a new permanent residence.

In both cases, such evidence/documentation MUST include:

  • Manitoba Health Card AND Driver's Licence of one of the student's parents or legal guardians showing the address of the new residence.

If the above two documents are unavailable, the MHSAA may request:

  • Telephone and utility service operative at the new residence;
  • Telephone and utility service disconnected at the former residence;
  • Real estate documents indicating sale/purchase/lease and verifying a change of residence
  • Parents/court-appointed guardians’ property tax documentation listing the new residence;
  • Insurance documentation for home and auto;
  • School documentation showing that sibling(s) attend local school and/or the same high school as the transferring student;
  • Any other documentation that is requested which establishes the student and their immediate family is living at the new residence.

Production of evidence/documentation described above does not guarantee eligibility.

The Transfer Appeal Committee shall, in its sole and exclusive discretion and authority, consider such application and rule the student eligible or ineligible.

Notes:

  1. Once a student has changed schools they are considered a transfer student and even if they return to their original school, they must comply with the MHSAA Transfer Policy. 
  1. The word "participate" in the Transfer Policy is defined as competing for your school in a particular sport. This includes exhibition games and invitational tournaments/events, not just league play. Once a student is listed on a game sheet or roster they will be deemed to have participated in that sport for that season. A transfer student is eligible to practice with the school team. 
  1. The Transfer Appeal Committee will not consider as a reason for transfer; that a sport or team is no longer offered at the previous school.
  2. Out of country/province exchange students are not considered transfer students and are eligible for all sportsShould they transfer schools after enrollment, they would not be eligible.

Transfer Policy Procedural Process

  1. All transfer students are ineligible for MHSAA competition until approved by the Transfer Appeal Committee.

  2.  A student who is not eligible under these criteria must have their new school submit an appeal.

  3.  In all sections above, proper documentation must be received by the Transfer Appeal Committee before a decision may be rendered.

  4.  All appeals must include the support from the school administration of the new school.

Transfer Appeals (Second Level)

If a student, ineligible by reason of the MHSAA Transfer Policy, seeks to appeal they ineligibility the following procedure shall be followed:

  1. The school shall submit, in writing, the grounds of the appeal and the reasons why the student claims to be eligible;
  2. Upon receipt of the application for appeal, the Board shall notify the school in writing of the date, time and place that the appeal is to be heard. The student shall also be advised that they may personally attend the hearing of the appeal, along with their representatives. A school representative must also be in attendance. A $200.00 non-refundable bond must be submitted.
  3. At the hearing, the student, or representative, may make whatever submission, or call whatever witnesses he/she chooses, and which the Appeal committee shall permit in its sole and exclusive discretion.
  4. The Appeal committee shall render its decision, in writing, and in doing so shall state briefly the reason(s) for its decision. The decision of the Appeal committee shall be final.