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SEDMHA Update - Feb 21 2022

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SEDMHA continues to plan to host the 2022 SEDMHA Minor Hockey Tournament from March 31 to April 1. If things keep improving as anticipated by NS public health tournaments should be permitted as we enter Phase 2 in Nova Scotia which will be approximately March 14. Considering this we are continuing to accept registrations into the beginning of March 2022.

 

Teams are reminded that if any team currently registered wish to withdraw full refunds will be given up to February 28, 2022. by contacting the registrar at sedmha.registrar@ns.sympatico.ca

 

SEDMHA also acknowledges that if the tournament must be cancelled all teams will receive a full refund of all registration fees paid.

 

 

 

SEDMHA continues to plan to host the 2022 SEDMHA U9 Jamboree from March 24 to March 27. If things keep improving as anticipated by NS public health tournaments should be permitted as we enter Phase 2 in Nova Scotia which will be approximately March 14.

 

The Jamboree will be limited to 38 teams this year due to a limited amount of ice time at the RBC Centre for this year only. We currently have a full slate of teams registered however we will maintain a wait list in case a team should withdraw.

 

Teams are reminded that if any team currently registered wish to withdraw full refunds will be given up to February 28, 2022. by contacting the registrar at sedmha.registrar@ns.sympatico.ca

 

SEDMHA also acknowledges that if the tournament must be cancelled all teams will receive a full refund of all registration fees paid.

 

 

 

Feb 21, 2022

CLOSE CONTACTS IN HOCKEY

 

Please see below message from HNS that was sent out this morning to all MHA's regarding updates on CLose COntacts in Hockey

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Good morning everyone,

 

Please find below Hockey Nova Scotia’s close contact guidelines attached.

 

HNS Close Contact Guidelines - Feb- 17 2022  

 

We have been working with our provincial and Public Health partners to establish these guidelines. Public Health has confirmed the definition of close contacts within the document.

 

We know that as we continue to move through the phases of the new reopening plan, there will be some changes made to the close contact requirements in the coming weeks. We will try to stay on top of those changes and keep you updated as soon as we receive any updates.

 

We know that the last few days have been challenging for many of you, especially our safety reps. Thank you for your patience as we worked through this process and thank you for all that you do.

 

Sincerely,

 

Amy Walsh

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

  

Garreth MacDonald

Communications & Special Events Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

259 Commodore Drive

Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0M1

902.454.9400

 

hockeynovascotia.ca

 

 

Feb 17, 2022

Rink Updates

Good afternoon,

 

We made it!  I bet everyone is very excited to resume games tomorrow.  I certainly don't want to temper any of that excitement, but we all have to be sure to follow safety protocols for each of the rinks.  RBC centre's updated protocols are summarized and imbedded below:

  • Rinks A,B & D are allowed 50 spectators in total, or 25 per team.  Rink C is allowed 100 spectators, or 50 per team.  
  • This will require the safety reps for each team to ensure spectators for their games are within limits, just as we did last year for games.  You should also reach out to the visiting team to advise of the limits.  
  • Safety Reps are responsible for checking vaccination confirmations of spectators.
  • Teams can access rooms 30 minutes in advance of ice time.
  • There are 2 dressing rooms allotted per ice time, meaning for games the entire team has to be in the dressing room.  Coaches and team staff are to ensure masking protocols are followed.  
  • You are free to use 2 dressing rooms for your practices.  It is up to each team to decide.
  • No food or drink, masking is required. 

Sportsplex

The Zatzman sportsplex has a large arena so the spectators are capped at 400. vaccination checks are still required by the safety rep if they don't have security checking at the door.  Teams can enter 30 minutes before.  No food or drink and masking required.

ECV

Starting Monday, Feb 14th (today) here is how ECV will be applying the Phase 1 rules:

 

  • practices, training, games and regular league play are permitted
  • a limit of 60 people per playing surface (coaches inclusive) without social distancing
  • tournaments are not allowed
  • spectator limits are capped at 1 viewer per player
  • Renter to have designated person to check Spectator Proof of Vaccination & I.D.
  • Spectators must social distance and wear masks at all times - no eating or drinking
  • Participants must wear masks at all times until on the playing surface

 

We are still waiting on word from Hockey NS on a few items so please be patient as there will be a few more updates coming in the next few days I am sure. 


Spectators are permitted inside 5 minutes before ice times, and must exit when players leave the ice.

 

Now, go blow the dust off those cow bells!!!!!  LET'S GO WHALERS!!!!!

 

Take care,

Melissa 

 

RBC

 

RBC Centre Rental Group Checklist Rules to keep patrons, players and staff safe.

COVID Vaccination Policy:

Prior to signing contract and gaining access to the facility:

-Waiver form must be signed prior to first rental, no exceptions. All payments must be made through e-transfer, credit card or cheque prior to the first rental.

-Insurance certificate must be submitted prior to first rental. Nustadia Recreation & HRM must be added to insurance as 3rd party. HRM offers short term insurance program and more information can be found at https://programs.aon.ca/authentication/event- insure/account/signin2-en.html

 -Effective February 14, 2022, NS Public Health has stated a group of up to 60 are now permitted in the field of play.

-Effective February 14, 2022, spectators will be permitted. A maximum of 50 spectators will be allowed for Arenas A, B, D and 100 for Arena C. It is the responsibility of the user group to ensure spectators meet NS Public Health Proof of Vaccination requirements.

-All user groups are reminded to use the dressing rooms assigned. Dressing room keys will be exchanged for car keys. Only 2 dressing rooms will be assigned per rental group. User groups will have access to their dressing rooms 30 minutes prior to their rental. They are encouraged to vacate the dressing as quickly as possible after the rental.

-Masks are mandatory

-Participants will continue to use the main entrance

-All users entering the facility should be prepared to show proof of vaccination

-Be mindful of signage in the facility and always follow directions from staff.

-Food and drink are NOT permitted in the facility during Phase 1

-Private sport operators should follow the guidelines put in place by their respective provincial sport

organizations and follow all provincial regulations regarding cohorts.

-No tournaments are permitted

-Public skates limited to 100 people

Revised February 10, 2022

Feb 14, 2022

Great News!

GREAT NEWS!
 
Today the province announced that sports can resume full games starting February 14! With this announcement will come many changes. We can tell you that both CMHF and DDRL will resume very soon, so please be prepared for games starting next week. 
 
The schedule will be modified and some practice times will also be used as game times.  Exact schedules and  information will be released as soon as we receive it, but we know that there will be lots of moving parts and we ask for your patience during this time.
 
The Province also announced that spectators will be allowed in the rinks at a 50% capacity, however that is up to individual venues and we are awaiting further details before we can share them with you. 
 
Bottom line is we will finally have a short hockey season starting next week!  Please stay tuned as we take our direction from Public Health and HNS.
 
Thank you
Phil and the DWMHA Board
Feb 9, 2022

Provincial Regulations Changing February 7th

Whalers Families,
 
Beginning Monday, February 7th, provincial restrictions are changing:
 
 “Sports practices and rehearsals for arts and culture performances can have up to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors. They cannot have multiple groups, games or performances. Spectators are still not permitted.”
 
 
Thank you for all of your support in following the regulations to date, it has helped make this happen.
 
See you at the rink!!
Feb 4, 2022

President’s Message Feb. 2/22

Good day Whalers families.
 

Just wanted to give you a quick update as it looks like there may be some light at the end of this Covid tunnel!   We are very hopeful that on February 14th the Province will lift sport restrictions.  I hope that we can get back to full practices and games, although I'm hearing that spectators will still not be allowed if this decision is made.  I wanted to touch base on a few things that have come up.

 

1 - DWMHA is lobbying to have the season continue.  Normally we are in playoffs toward mid to late February, we would like to have approx six weeks of games before the season ends.  There are no definite dates at this time, but believe it is best for all participants to have their games continue vs. cutting the season short.  This means that ice times may be changed for practices etc.  More information will be made available as it is available. 

 

2 - Central Minor has stated that games will resume as soon as Public Health allows.  Currently we don't know the exact format, but it is looking like approximately 6 weeks of games could be resumed if HNS and Public Health allow it.   Recreation leagues will also resume to GAMES on the 15th if approved and for the U9 group we are looking to have half ice games implemented as well.  We feel it is crucial for development and fun to have the kids play games and have somewhat of a season!

 

3 - Distribution of ice times.  Ice times for practice over the most recent shut down have been the same.  No teams were afforded more or less practices. Some teams had decided to forgo some practices over the Christmas break, If you saw other teams practicing more it was because they may have obtained more ice time from their individual team budgets.   This has been quite a feat to try and get teams that would normally practice together but had to be split due to numbers etc. We can assure you that no teams are being favoured or disadvantaged. 

 

4 - Development sessions (including outside guests).  I'm waiting to hear back from HNS on this as there was a HNS call last night (Our TD sent out an update and hit all the key points) but there is some confusion on the topic of outside guests / development sessions.  I'll update you as soon as we get clarification). 

 

5 - Spring Hockey. At this time HNS is not approving any sessions until the restrictions change.  As soon as we know we will pass it on.  Please note that if you are contemplating private spring hockey that the season may be extended so keep that in mind.  The Whalers will be hosting a spring hockey 4 on 4  that will be announced once Public Health gives us a timeline.

 

6 - Development of players.  I know the past two seasons have not been easy for any of us.  I am hearing from parents in regards to U9 (and others) that have not had the opportunity to play games / try positions etc or get fully developed.  This is something we as an organization will be carefully looking into and gathering valuable input and data before any decisions are made.

 

I want to take this opportunity again to thank you all for everything you are doing.  It takes a community to come together and do what we are doing! I want you to know that the entire board and myself say THANK YOU!

 

Keep our heads and spirits up as we are almost through this.

STAY POSITIVE and test negative :-)

 
Phil

Phil Power
President 
Dartmouth Whalers Minor Hockey Association (DWMHA)
902-483-3363
Feb 2, 2022
1819202122