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.
As always KAMHA is governed by Hockey Canada, OHF and OMHA and all return to play decisions must be in line with these governing bodies with final approval from OMHA.
As everyone is aware by now OHF released their return to play guidelines on July 31st which was followed by a more detailed guidelines from OMHA released on August 14th.
With the guidelines set forth by OMHA on August 14th, our Board of Directors has finalized our Return to Hockey framework with the suggestions provided to us by OHF and OMHA while adhering to government health guidelines. These plan were submitted to our OMHA Regional Director and we are awaiting approval. Once we receive approval from OMHA we must also gain approval from our local Public Health Unit, KFL&A and at that point we will share our Return to Hockey with you, our members.
It will be important for parents and players to be flexible in their thinking and in their expectations this season, more than any other, as we do not expect at this point we will be able to offer a “typical” hockey experience. The focus will be on returning to the ice safely, retaining engagement and developing skills for the 2021-22 season. The return to a typical hockey season will take time and patience.
Within the next few weeks;
KAMHA will meet with the City of Kingston discuss our ice allocation, cost and their plans with in 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..
We will see an impact to our seasonal budget with the decrease in roster size and lack of tournament revenue this season. Our Mandate is to build a program that 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.
We strongly support the direction from the OMHA and the OHF and right now 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 our return to hockey framework, the SAFETY of our players, family, volunteers, officials and community will be guiding every decision and consideration KAMHA makes moving forward.
What we know to date.....
-All hockey will be modified to be in compliance of non-contact hockey
-You our members will play a critical role in the safe and successful return to hockey. If your child is unwell, we ask that must stay away from any team on ice activities until they are cleared to return.
-Families will be required to complete a health screening prior to each on-ice activity, along with submitting contact information required for contact tracing
-All KAMHA will play within a league of a maximum of 50 players or less if directed by our PHU
-During Stage 3 of the OHF guidelines there will be NO team tryouts or evaluation skates
-All players will be placed on a team that includes players of similar skill level
-Teams will be composed of 9 skaters and 1 goalie
-OMHA has advised that teams will not be permitted to play neighbouring centers at this time
-All Game play will be within our local KFL&A Public Health Unit until otherwise approved by our governing bodies and PHU
-There will be no traditional Representative program until we move to stage 4 as defined by the OHF; this will have to first be approved by all governing bodies and the KFL&A Public Health Unit
- In accordance with the OMHA and the OHF regulations, KAMHA is unable to provide new waivers to any players wishing to play within other associations
-Any player who played with KAMHA in 2019-2020 is eligible to play with KAMHA 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
-You can only play for one team/league/bubble within the OHF/OMHA
-We anticipate players will return to the ice in mid September early October
-Any player, coach or team official participating in an unsanctioned leagues after September 30 will not be eligible to play with KAMHA for the remainder of the season. You can find more information on Non-Sanctioned participation HERE
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.
If you are interested in coaching or being a trainer, please click here
If you are interested in being a divisional convenor, please click here
Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding over the last few months, and once we have our approval we will officially open registration and start collecting fees.
At anytime you have questions please feel free to contact Our President or any of our executives/board members
Thank you!!!
Steve Walker