Introduction
We know that the last few months have been both challenging and difficult for everyone. We hope that all our hockey families are safe and healthy. As you can imagine running a Minor Hockey Association (MHA) during a pandemic has been challenging to say the least. We know how important hockey is for our players and want to get them on the ice as safely as possible.
All MHA’s including Sting are required to comply with the Province’s emergency orders, public health directives, City of Ottawa facilities management policies as well as Hockey Canada and HEO (Hockey Eastern Ontario) directives. To comply with current regulations, we are required to introduce modified programming for the upcoming season which we refer to as non-traditional programming. Traditional programming is league play with refereed games. We are currently forbidden from partaking in traditional programming at this time due to the ongoing pandemic.
HEO has been working on Stage 3 of their Return to Hockey (RTH) framework which is under development and is expected to be released shortly. This framework will define the parameters guiding our development programming for the 2020-2021 season.
It is our intent to run non-traditional hockey programs beginning late September following the release of the RTH framework, however programming this season will look different from what our families would expect in a ‘typical’ season. We will run a non-traditional program from late September until the end of March or until such time as we can commence league play. The focus of the non-traditional programming will be development. If league play is permitted later this season, then we will run open try-outs and form traditional teams.
As the situation with this pandemic continues to be fluid, our programming will also have to be fluid in order to adapt in a constantly changing environment. What we can offer and when we can offer it may change over time as restrictions are eased or tightened. Our non-traditional programming, which focuses on developing skills in our players, will include skill development, conditioning, scrimmages (3 x 3, 4 x 4) etc.. Please note that at this time, and for the forseeable future, tournament play is not permitted.
Programming and Fees for 2020 / 2021
Within our association, there will be no ‘teams’ created but rather players grouped in ‘bubbles’ based on birth year with the size of the groupings dependent on public health guidelines
, facility limits, RTH limits and registration numbers. Currently we are limited to having 50 individuals in a bubble and the City of Ottawa is further restricting the number of on ice participants to 20 with a maximum of 25 participants in the facility. The City of Ottawa has prohibited spectators in any arena. As per the Emergency Order, the maximum number of individuals that can be placed in an indoor event is 50.
We will be creating bubbles of up to 50 individuals which includes players, coaches, trainers and parent helpers. These age bubbles would be further subdivided into smaller groups for development and scrimmages at the coaches’ discretion.
Based on the most current information available we are planning to provide an average o
f 3x50 minute ice times a week for all players up to and including the U15 (Bantam and below) level and 1 or 2 x 50-minute sessions per week for (U16 and U18) midget players. As set out above, on-ice activities will include skills drills, conditioning, and scrimmages. We are aiming to give each player at U15 and below 70 hours of ice over 22-week period commencing early October and ending late March with a two-week break at Christmas. For U16 and U18 (Midget) we are aiming at 44 hours over the same period.
This seasons fees have been set at $1500 except for U16 and U18 (Midgets) where the fee is set is at $1100. The first installment of $1000 for U15 and below (Bantam and below) and $750 for U16 and U18 (Midgets). will be due at registration, with the second installment due in the fall. We will be watching our registrations very closely to ensure that we match our supply of ice to the demand, it is possible that the second installment could be adjusted up or down slightly depending on how things go. Keep in mind that this season, assuming we do not return to traditional programming, will be significantly less expensive than previous seasons as you will not have to pay home association fees, there will be no tournaments and “bubble” fees (team fees), if any, will be low.
Summary of Programming and Fees:
U9 (Novice) $1500 3 X 50
U11 & U10 (Atom) $1500 3 X 50
U13 & U12 (Peewee) $1500 3 X50
U15 & U14 (Bantam) $1500 3 X50
U 16 & U18 (Midget) $1100 2 X50
Registration
As set out above, players will be assigned to a “bubble” based on birth year. Registration will be open to return players at some point this week. Players who played with Sting last season will be sent an email to register and if registered by August 21
st 2020 will be assigned to the applicable bubble. Players who were affiliated with a Sting team last year or returning Sting players who register after Aug 21
st, 2020 may be placed in a bubble depending on registration numbers. If there is still room for players at any particular age, we will reach out to players, after consulting with the home associations, to fill out our “bubbles”. If you did not play with Sting last year but are interested in playing with Sting this year, or if you just moved into District B, please contact our associate registrar (
associateregistrar@ottawasting.com) with the following information
- Birth year
- Team played for last year
- Reason for wanting to participate with Sting this year
There will be no try-outs, unless and until such time as we can proceed with traditional programming.
Refund Policy
Given the uncertainty of the current situation, and the realities of running a MHA, we have modified our refund policy for the upcoming year. Our refund policy relating to the 2020/21 season is as follows:
- If the program is shut down by the City for public health reasons and we are still obligated to fulfill our contractual obligations to the City for ice, and we cannot guarantee a refund
- Withdrawals prior to the start of the program will receive a 50% refund.
- Withdrawals prior October 31 will receive a 25% refund.
- No refunds will be provided after November 1
- Should we be unable to fill a program, we reserve the right to cancel the program and provide the participants a full refund.
Health and Security Protocols
In addition to relying on our member families to ensure their own health and safety and follow all public health requirements, the following restrictions will be in place:
· Players must arrive fully dressed. Dressing rooms can be used only for tying skates.
· It is mandatory that all individuals wear a mask in public places of the facility including the bench area. A mask is not required when on the ice. Coaches and trainers on the bench will have to wear a mask.
· Jerseys and socks will not be provided for this program. Players will be asked to have a light (white) and dark (black/blue/red) practice jersey for scrimmaging.
· No physical contact between players; proper distances must be maintained even in scrimmage play.
· No officials will be used.
· No player/coach/parent movement between bubbles can occur (e.g., no coaching/volunteering for two teams at different levels, no affiliation).
Players, parents, coaches and trainers must follow all the health protocols mandated by the Ontario Government, Ottawa Public Health, and the City of Ottawa. This includes, but is not limited to:
· Players/coaches/volunteers will be required to submit to a wellness questionnaire prior to entering the facility before each session.
· Should the hockey association receive a notification from Ottawa Public Heath (OPH) on a positive test from one of our members, the entire bubble may be shut down based on any recommended/direction issued by OPH.
· If sessions are cancelled by the City, we will inform people of any refund based on our financial obligations to the City.
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