Hello KAMHA Family,
Hope that everyone is well and staying safe in these
unprecedented times, as we move forward in trying to prepare for a Fall hockey
Season.
The KAMHA Executive has been working in conjunction with
Physicians, Public Health and our Facilities to prepare a plan to have hockey
return to our members as soon as possible.
These new procedures that will be implemented for our return to play will be much different then what we are currently used to. These changes will include but are not limited to: entering the rink, dressing room use, covid-19 health checks, entering and exiting the ice along with maintaining social distancing with our spectators -just to highlight a few of the situations the new hockey world may be up against.
In communications with the OHF and the OMHA the start-up of REP/Travel hockey for the 2020/2021 season will certainly be delayed. We believe that a start up before January of 2021 is highly unlikely and we would not be surprised if the travel season is postponed for 2020/2021 altogether. We will be prepared for travel hockey start up whenever it is legislated to begin. In the meantime, we would like to provide rewarding and fun hockey in the safest manner we are able to provide.
One of the key factors for our plan will be to limit registration to only the members of the KFLA Health Unit. This unfortunately will eliminate anyone who resides in Gananoque Health Unit Area. We have communicated with the Gananoque Executive and they are aware of the situation.
The KAMHA membership is fortunate to have many members that play in both our competitive Representative Divisions and our House League. With the delay of the start up of Representative hockey this year, we will be running a tiered house league division at U17 (Midget), U15(Bantam), U13(Pee Wee) and U11(Atom). Our U9 and U8’s (Novice and Junior Novice) will have regular house league with Enhanced programs for those interested. The U7 (Initiation Program) will run twice weekly as in years past. We hope again to run a beginner skate (Little Sens) program, but we will be limited to what the facilities will allow.
Our top tiered house league division we will run similarly to our Rep program in the terms of ice times We are preparing a program that will have practices, skill sessions and games weekly. The Tiered house league will be up to 6 teams per age group, major and minor years combined with no body contact. Teams will be balanced with Kingston Area AAA, AA, A and other players. Our regular house league will follow previous year formats.
Part of the new world will be about maintaining participation details which will help with tracing and reporting. We will run our divisions as if they were entities within themselves with no cross divisional play. All players either Tier or regular House division, will only be allowed to play in that division and will not be affiliated to another group or be allowed to participate with other teams or divisions. Depending on Kingston Health Unit rules we may also have to look at limiting the number of spectators as well. This will allow us to shut down smaller groups if we have an issue with a COVID-19 instead of the whole league. We will be in need of more volunteers this year to help us facilitate the new measures. Please let us know if you are interested in helping in any way.
It is important that we get an idea of what our registration numbers will look like this year under a modified season. As of now, registration is open for the 2020/2021 season. You can register but there is no payment associated with current registration. Payment will not be required until the exact details of the season are far clearer. Registering now will ensure that you have a spot in your desired division, with payment information to come as soon as we are able to share it.
We will have limited enrollment in each division. Please click here to register to secure your spot
Our goal is to see the kids get back on the ice and be active. The success of our return to play in Kingston will be determined on all our collective efforts in following these new guidelines. These new guidelines will need to be adhered too and must be enforced and respected by all participants. We will be entering a new world of community sports that will take a collective effort to navigate safely and successfully.
As you can see this season is a work in progress. We will continue to update our membership as things get closer, if you have any questions, please let us know we will try our best to answer them
Thanks
Steve Walker
KAMHA President