Dear Players, Parents, Coaches and Volunteers: Thank you for your patience over the past few months. We are working with various authorities to ensure that our community can return to hockey safely this coming season. With the guidelines set forth by OHF and Alliance, the GLHA is finalizing our Return to Hockey framework with the guidance of both organizations while adhering to government health guidelines. Once we receive approval from the Alliance we must also gain approval from our local Public Health Unit (PHU) and at that point we will share our Return to Hockey plan with you, our members.
As everyone is aware by now, the OHF and Alliance released their Return to Play guidelines and have continued to update the details of the plan, which can be accessed here:
Within the next few weeks:
•GLHA will meet with the City of London to discuss GLHA Associations' ice allocation, cost and their plans within the city facilities specifically, timelines for ice availability, entry to facilities, use of changing rooms,load capacity within each ice pad, number of participants allowed on the ice during each ice session etc.
•GLHA to finalize and release the Return to Hockey framework and fee structure, each association will provide adjustments to any family that has registered and paid additional funds beyond the registration fees.
We will see an impact to our seasonal budgets and registration terms with the changes in roster size and tournament revenue this season. Our mandate is to build a program that will get kids back on the ice to promote their physical and mental well-being during these times, while being fiscally responsible and working within our governing body, PHU, and city guidelines.
Our key focus is getting players back on the ice, playing with their friends, providing good physical health, and supporting their mental well-being. As we move through each phase of the Return to Hockey framework, the SAFETY of our players, families, volunteers, officials and community will be guiding every decision and consideration GLHA makes moving forward.
What we know to date:
•A RTP plan needs to be submitted for approval before any player steps on the ice. The RTP plan is for insurance purposes.
•Registration will remain open into September
•All hockey will be modified to be in compliance of non-contact hockey
•The first stage will include a development phase that will see players play hockey within their home association. An exception to this will be the London Jr Mustangs. The Mustangs will enter into the development phase with the Mustangs
•· The Associations will play within a group is a maximum of 50 players/coaches on the ice or less if directed by our Public Health Unit ·
•Teams will be composed of 8 or 9 skaters and 1 goalie solely to provide development until we eventually reach the opportunity to play scheduled games
•Teams will share ice within the cohort within the 50 player/coach limitation
•You can only play within one cohort during Stage 3 of the OHF guidelines. Non parent coaches will only be permitted to coach in 1 cohort
•All players will be placed on a team/cohort that includes players of similar skill level In accordance with Hockey Canada, OHF and Alliance regulations. GLHA is unable to provide new waivers to any players wishing to play within other associations. This will be done using an evaluation process.
•Any player who played with GLHA in 2019-2020 is eligible to play with GLHA this coming season (2020-2021)
• If you were on a waiver and played for another association during the 2019-2020 season you have the choice to return to that association or return to your home association
•We anticipate players will return to the ice in late September or early October.
•Any player, coach or team official participating in an unsanctioned league or tournament after September 30 will not be eligible to play within the GLHA for the remainder of the season
This year more than ever we will require additional volunteers to fill various roles to ensure a successful and safe return to hockey this season.
Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding over the last few months and going forward. At any time you have questions please feel free to contact myself or any of our executives/board members. A questions banner has been set up on our West London home page on our website to submit questions. Please click the banner on the home page and submit any questions you may have surrounding the return to play. We will be happy to answer these questions to the best of our ability!
Sincerely,
Justin Hoffer
President
Greater London Hockey Association
https://glha.ca/Articles/1704/Return_to_Play_Program_-_Greater_London_Hockey_Association_/