Once again the GMHA Executive have been working over the past few days in order to modify the existing GMHA COVID hockey programs. We have worked out a solution so that most of our hockey programs can return to the ice.
Starting Monday November 16th, 2020 our new modified programs will begin following the modified Red Zone stage protocols the government of Ontario has implemented. The schedule will be posted online shortly.
Players will now practice in their bubble teams, and be limited to 1 hour of ice a week. U16 Rep players that were playing in the U15/16 rep program will revert back to practicing as a team...U16 REP ONLY. For U9 it was necessary to add a 5th team, please check the website as your team may have changed.
Unfortunately at this time due to logistics and ice availability the IP Program will remain suspended until we move back in stage 3.
There are new protocols and procedures we now have to follow which include
that will only be a maximum of 10 people on the ice at one time.
(8 players, 1 coach 1 trainer)
For the teams with 9 players the trainer will stand in the warm area in the designated trainer viewing area, and once the team is off the ice, the trainer will leave the building immediately.
There will be no parents or spectators allowed in the building at any time for any age group.
There is no game play allowed these are development skates only.
Blue Pad
Entry will be made at the side door to the arena beside the skate park.There are two sets of doors, one set will be entry and one set for exit.
Teams will come dressed in all equipment except for skates, helmets and gloves and will wait outside the doors on the premarked spots on the sidewalk (20 min prior to their ice time). Once the doors are opened by the GMHA at the 45 min mark of the hour the teams will enter as a group and be screened for completion of their Covid waiver. Teams then will proceed to the designated change area inside the blue warm lobby (chairs provided). There will be one yellow square at the last window before you get to the set of doors before entering the ice surface and that is for the trainer for those times when we have 9 skaters and a coach. Once the flood is completed the players and coaches will then pick up their bags and be directed to the ice surface. Bags will then be placed in the visitors bench area, development will be the same 50 min as it currently is and the teams will then be buzzed off. Players and coaches will then proceed to the visitors bench area and retrieve their bags and move to the designated change area directly in front of the exit at the south end of the building removing only skates, helmets and gloves. Once the whole team is ready they will exit outside as a group. All players and coaches have to be changed and out of the building before the flood is completed so the next team able to enter ( approx 10 Min).
IP aged players will be entitled to a prorated refund for the time missed that will be available to them at the end of the season.
We are hoping this is just for 28 days where we can return to the programming we had already started, which included game play.
I would like to thank the GMHA Executive and the Town of Georgina for working so diligently the past few days in order to come up with this protocol so that most of our kids can return to the ice. I know this is not what everyone wants, but we have to think positively and hope this is only for a short period of time.