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OCMHA Restarting Nov 4 - Survey Response Required
2020-10-22* Important - Please respond by Oct 25 *
Hi OCMHA Parents and players,
The OCMHA Executive has developed a plan to move forward with hockey in an environment that may move between the current Stage 2 restrictions and the more permissive Stage 3 framework at any time.
We understand that this is an uncertain time for our families, therefore we have developed options so you can decide what best suits your needs. The foremost concern is the health and safety of participants and volunteers, we continue to follow Public health guidelines in all of our programs and enhance those protocols where we can.
The plan is based on a return to the ice as early as Nov 4th even if we remain in Stage 2. Please note that due to the smaller pod sizes, more volunteers are needed to run our programs safely under the Stage 2 restrictions.
To indicate if you want to participate under the current modified Stage 2 restrictions, please fill out this survey <SURVEY> no later than Oct 25th, 2020. You can read more below to learn more about the restrictions and how we are addressing them.
If you do not fill out the survey, your player’s registration will not be affected and they will be included in the Stage 2 return to play plan.
If you choose not to participate in stage 2, we will follow up with you with options that will allow you to participate when we return to stage 3 or request a credit (or refund). All participants will receive a credit (or refund) for sessions that are cancelled by the City.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your convenor or me.
OCMHA Program Requirements
We understand that this is an uncertain time for our families, therefore we have developed options so you can decide what best suits your needs. The foremost concern is the health and safety of participants and volunteers, we continue to follow Public health guidelines in all of our programs and enhance those protocols where we can.
The plan is based on a return to the ice as early as Nov 4th even if we remain in Stage 2. Please note that due to the smaller pod sizes, more volunteers are needed to run our programs safely under the Stage 2 restrictions.
To indicate if you want to participate under the current modified Stage 2 restrictions, please fill out this survey <SURVEY> no later than Oct 25th, 2020. You can read more below to learn more about the restrictions and how we are addressing them.
If you do not fill out the survey, your player’s registration will not be affected and they will be included in the Stage 2 return to play plan.
If you choose not to participate in stage 2, we will follow up with you with options that will allow you to participate when we return to stage 3 or request a credit (or refund). All participants will receive a credit (or refund) for sessions that are cancelled by the City.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your convenor or me.
OCMHA Program Requirements
In the current Stage 2 requirements, a total of 11 people are permitted in the arena at a time. The plan is contingent upon us getting enough volunteers to safely run a program that:
- Focuses on fun and development
- Maintains a “two-deep” rule - one adult is never alone with players - to ensure players and volunteers are protected at all times
- Has a trainer in the arena, in case of emergency
- Has a safety coordinator posted outside the rink to check-in participants
Stage 2 Safety Protocols
As of Oct. 15, 2020, hockey in City of Ottawa arenas is restricted as follows:
- No scrimmages or games are permitted
- A maximum of 10 people are allowed on the ice (players + coaches)
- One trainer is allowed off-ice
- No spectators are allowed in the arena
- Dressing rooms are locked
- Players must arrive dressed
Under Stage 2, the program will include:
- Players will participate in physically distanced practices only, with no battle drills or scrimmages
- Pods will include:
- A maximum of eight players on the ice (7 for U7)
- One head coach
- One assistant coach/on-ice help
- One trainer (off-ice)
- Safety coordinator (not allowed in the arena) to manage check in at the door, specifically verify that the OPH screener is completed, contact tracing information is collected and hands are sanitized.
- Each pod will be assigned 1 ice time per week.
Please note that this approach may be modified during the session if necessary to respond to changes to the public health restrictions.
Questions and Answers:
With the reduced number of players on the ice, will we have to pay more for the fall session?
No additional registration fees will be required to continue under the modified Stage 2 restrictions. Although you will pay more per hour of ice, the overall cost for 7 remaining weeks is less because ice frequency is reduced 1 hour per week and our hourly rate for ice from the city was reduced. Any unused funds will either be refunded or applied as a credit to the winter session.
Pods had 3 weeks of practices cancelled, will we receive a refund?
Yes, a refund or credit. At the end of the fall session, any unused funds - after we have covered all of our financial obligations and overhead costs - will be returned as a credit in the form of refund or can be used as a credit towards the next session.
If we choose not to play now for any reason, and the province and city return us to the Stage 3 restrictions, will we be able to return at that time?
Yes, you will have the option to stay registered and participate when we are back in Stage 3, or to withdraw for the session. We will be following up in the next week with details.
What happens if we return to Stage 3 in mid November?
Whenever we return to Stage 3, we will return to the pod/bubble, 2/week format that we had prior to the modified Stage 2 restrictions coming into effect, while taking into account any new or modified restrictions that are introduced at that time.
I want to volunteer to help as a coach, trainer or safety coordinator, what courses do I need to take?
Thank you for offering to help the programs run. You must have a valid, police record check (PRC) to work with vulnerable populations, and we recommend that you apply for this as soon as possible because it can take some time to process. OCMHA does not reimburse the cost of the PRC.
The required training courses (most are now on-line) are outlined on the HEO website at this link. Please note, a new required on-line course "Planning a Safe Return to Hockey" has been added this year. The OCMHA will reimburse course fees with proof of completion. NOTE Some of the courses are only offered in the next few weeks. It is important that you sign up as soon as possible. They will not be offered again.