Hockey Manitoba's Program of Excellence is in Portage la Prairie this weekend.

Both the U-18 and U-16 female hockey programs will be putting players through the ringer this weekend at Stride Place as the coaches narrow the field from 40 to 25 players.

Ferg says it's a tough weekend for the top 40 players. (File Photo)

"It's the second phase of the Female POE Program which leads to the selection of the U-16 and U-18 teams," says U-16 coach John Ferg. "It's an extremely competitive camp. Players are looking to move on to the top 25 camp which will happen in Winnipeg in July. This weekend's camp consists of a very busy schedule of on-ice/practice and skill sessions, off-ice fitness testing, team building activities and inter-squad games."

The program runs all weekend with the U-18 players invading Stride Place today. They U-16 team gets going tomorrow.