With the current restrictions impacting hockey remaining in effect until at least the end of the month, we wanted to pass along some additional information that our associations, leagues, and teams may find helpful during these challenging times.

1. Public Health guidelines for positive cases and close contacts

If a member of your team tests positive for COVID-19, that individual must follow the steps laid out here by Public Health.

After a positive test, a team safety rep (or team manager) should be contacted to inform the team of the positive case. Those who have been in contact with the player (i.e.: exposed to COVID-19) would be considered close contacts. Public Health’s recommendations for close contacts can be found here and must be followed. The instructions can vary by age, vaccination status, and whether or not you have recently recovered from COVID-19.

Again, please familiarize yourself with this close contacts resource from Public Health.

2. Testing/Rapid Tests

Testing: Anyone seeking testing must first complete an online assessment to determine whether they need a test and which type. If testing is recommended, they must book an appointment. Testing for the purposes of returning to activity/play is not a valid reason to access a test.

For information on testing, please click here.

Rapid Tests: Rapid tests can be picked up at various pop-up locations across the province, which are set up as walk-ins and do not require the same pre-screening. Accessing rapid tests to supply to entire teams will not be possible.

A list of sites operating weekly can be found here: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-rapid-testing                                                                           

3. Hockey Nova Scotia Dressing Room Supervision Policy (Two-Deep Rule)

We realize that the current restrictions have posed challenges for teams trying to adhere to our dressing room supervision policy. We have been in touch with our colleagues at the province to express these concerns. As a result of these conversations, we have received approval to allow a safety rep (or similarly qualified individual who meets the requirements of the policy) to serve as a dressing room supervisor prior to the start of practice.

These individuals should minimize the time spent in the dressing room/field of play area, remain physically-distanced (at least six feet apart) from participants and coaches, and wear a mask at all times. The individual serving in this role should remain as consistent as possible from session to session.

Association and league safety reps should contact their local facilities to inform them of the additional person in the field of play.

4. Groups of 10

Associations, leagues and teams are reminded that more than one (1) group of 10 is allowed on the ice during a practice as long as the cohorts are distanced from each other the entire time. There can be no mixing of cohorts during the session. The ice surface would have to allow for distancing between the cohorts. Groups should also use staggered entry into the facility and onto the field of play, separate change rooms, etc.

Again, we want to stress that coaches and players cannot switch groups during the on-ice session.

While it will not always be possible, groups should aim to remain as consistent as possible from one practice to the next.

5. Provincial Member Call reminder

Our next provincial member call will take place on Jan. 31, 2022. We will send out more information on this upcoming call later this month. Please save the date.

We will pass along additional updates from the province as we receive them. Thank you for your continued efforts to help keep players on the ice in your area.

Yours in hockey,

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

Amy Walsh

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

Garreth MacDonald

Communications & Special Events Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

259 Commodore Drive

Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0M1

902.454.9400

hockeynovascotia.ca

The following Google Form is a call for self-nomination for a number of support positions with SMHA for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season. Some positions are ad-hoc (i.e. the Constitution Standing Committee), some are 2 year terms (Director CMHF and Ice Scheduler), and some are on an annual basis (Divisional Coordinators).

Please read on to find out more. Questions can be directed to Melissa Berkvens (Secretary@FlyersHockey.ca) or Rod Sturge (VicePresident@FlyersHockey.ca).

Stay safe, and thank you for considering.

If you are having trouble with the form below, you can open it in a new window by clicking here.

Dear Members,

Today's Breifing with Dr. Strang reinforced that our province's current restrictions are meant to manage and slow down the spread. The executive feels that we can begin practicing again while meeting the intent of Public Health by following Public Health guidance and implementing some of our own. We acknowledge that not everyone will be comfortable with starting again on Sunday. If a family chooses to keep their kids from hockey we expect that their decision will be supported by their team. Every family is in a different position and has to make decisions based on their situation. Additionally, we support managers and safety reps staying during practices as extra eyes to ensure everyone is following all the safety protocols.

Starting Sunday Jan 2nd 2022:

We will resume practices.

You may use your “ game time” ice for single team practice. Your VP will provide you an ice time if you don't have specific game ice.

No more shared ice practice.

Division VP’s will coordinate shared ice times into single team ice times.

No developments sessions

Division VP’s/teams will coordinate alternating ice. This ice may be used to support other requirements.

Goalie Sessions will be cancelled 

These ice times will be redistributed through the organization based on needs.

NO more Mezzanine rentals 

Additional Measures:

Groups of 10 Cohort's, these groups must remain the same.

Arrive FULLY DRESSED for ice times. Group 1 please arrive 20 mins before your start time and group 2, 15 mins before start time.

Each group will use their own dressing room, no intermixing at all.

Max of 20 in 2 groups per session. 

Please wear only 3 ply masks that are properly fitted.

MASKS ON for all coaches/players until you enter the ice surface.

All coaches who coach with multiple teams /organizations must wear a mask while on the ice at all times.

No affiliate players at this time

No parents in the dressing roomsU7/U9 chairs will be set up in the hallway for dressing assistance. 

No Spectators

Thank you all again for your continued cooperation during this time.

Rod Sturge

Vice President & Interim President

Sackville Minor Hockey Association

www.FlyersHockey.ca

VicePresident@FlyersHockey.ca

Hello Flyers,

We would like to pass along another update that we have received from the province regarding the new restrictions announced on Tuesday.

The province has provided the following clarification regarding the current restrictions limiting sport and recreation to groups of 10: more than one cohort of 10 is allowed as long the cohorts are distanced from each other the entire time. There can be no intermingling of cohorts so the space would have to allow for distancing between cohorts, staggered entry into the facility and onto the field of play, separate change rooms, etc.

This means that effective immediately, a team could practice in separate groups of up to 10 (including coaches and instructors) on the ice at the same time, but you would need to ensure that the groups (including coaches and instructors) are completely separated from the time they arrive at the facility until the time they leave. Players could not switch groups (ex: players are not permitted to spend half a practice with one group and then spend the other half with the other group) during the practice. You would also need to ensure that you have enough space to be able to do so at all times in the facility and on the field of play.

Yours in Hockey,

Amy Walsh

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE FROM HOCKEY NOVA SCOTIA

Good evening everyone,

 Earlier today, the province announced new gathering limit restrictions across Nova Scotia that will significantly impact hockey. To read the complete announcement from the province, please click here.https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20211221004

 The following restrictions are effective at 6 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 22) and will remain in place until at least Jan. 12, 2022:

 only virtual events are allowed – there are no in-person events such as festivals, social events, special events (including receptions), sports games or tournaments, or arts and culture performances

a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to sports practices and training; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators are not allowed

Nova Scotia children ages 11 and younger continue to be restricted from participating in sports and arts and culture events outside the province

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HOCKEY

 Today’s announcement will greatly impact our teams, associations, and leagues over the next few weeks. As of tomorrow morning, the following will take effect:

 Games and tournaments are not permitted

A maximum of 10 participants (including coaches and instructors) will be permitted in the field of play for practices and training; physical distancing is not required during these sessions, but masks are required everywhere in the facility but on the ice

Spectators will be not be permitted at any activities

Travel restrictions remain in effect that prohibit children age 11 and younger from entering or leaving Nova Scotia to participate in sports

 We understand the past week, like the past two years, has been challenging. We appreciate all of your efforts to keep our players on the ice during these very difficult times. We will pass along any updates to you as soon as we have them.

We hope you all stay healthy and safe during this holiday season

Yours in Hockey

Amy Walsh

Executive Direct

Hockey Nova Scotia

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

Good Evening,

I am sure you are all aware by now that Dr. Strang announced some new measures today. Starting tomorrow indoors sports will be limited to 10 participants. SMHA will take additional measures at this time and will shutdown from 22 Dec until 1 Jan. Teams will be allowed back on the ice as of 2 Jan, and will follow the Public Health restrictions of 10 participants until 12 Jan. We are still awaiting guidance from HNS but I don't expect any changes. During this period SMHA will continually reassess the COVID environment and will adjust as required. 

Rod Sturge

Vice President & Interim President