CZHA families,
This COVID-19 information page has been set up so that all C19 updates are maintained together. This will allow our community to keep abreast of the latest return to hockey updates as they apply to our organization.
AUGUST 24, 2020 - CLARINGTON RETURN TO PLAY DOCUMENTS
The following two documents have been released by the CZHA executive to inform our community about our return to play plans:
In addition, the OMHA has released some answers to frequently asked questions about rosters and seasonal structure, gameplay and safety as they related to Stage 3B.
AUGUST 11, 2020 - ENTRANCE INTO STAGE 3A & RETURN TO HOCKEY FRAMEWORK UPDATE
Dear CZHA Community,
As part of the COVID-19 response, the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) announced on July 31 that we have entered "Stage 3A" of their Return to Hockey framework. We will remain in this stage until at least August 31, with a goal to enter Stage 3B in September.
We encourage our Toros community to review the updated
Return to Hockey Framework document; at the very least, please take the time to review the chart outlining the four stages of return to play on page 8 of the document. This handy chart provides an outline of permitted activities, player contact, number of participants, structure and travel in each of the return to play stages. The guidelines provided are a good overview of what you can expect for the upcoming season.
Now that we are in stage 3A, on-ice activities are allowed for individual training with strict physical distancing and with no physical contact. Off-ice training and activity is also permitted at this stage. Both on-ice and off-ice activities must be limited to 25 participants (instructors are to be included in the participant limit).
Local public health units or arena facilities management are mandating stricter guidelines in some areas. It is important that you understand all the applicable limitations if your player is participating in private training and programming activities. For the safety of all players and families, we encourage you to ensure that any activities our Toros players engage in fit into the OHF criteria outlined for the current stage.
Currently, as is typical in the summer months, the Zone is not offering any formal training activities. While we would like to be able to provide our community with more details of when we will commence the upcoming season, we cannot predict the outcome of the many variables that will determine how the season will roll out. In addition to Hockey Canada and OHF guidelines, we must also act in accordance with the guidelines of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), the Durham Region Health Department, and with the Municipality of Clarington arena facilities staff.
For your convenience, here are the latest statements and guidance from our governing bodies and public authorities:
We understand that players and families may be feeling disappointed, but we will only return to the ice once it is safe to do so. We hope that you enjoy the remainder of the summer and have frequent opportunities to work on your hockey skills, nutrition and fitness level during this time.
Yours in hockey,
Rick Poulin
CZHA Chair
JUNE 10, 2020 - RETURN TO HOCKEY FRAMEWORKS UPDATE
Some important statements and guidelines have been released by our governing bodies that the CZHA would like to make our community aware of.
As you may have heard, Hockey Canada released a Return to Play
statement,
guidelines, and
FAQ documents on Thursday, June 4. Hockey Canada lifted the national ban on sanctioned activities, allowing each regional member to work with local authorities to make final return-to-hockey decisions. This means that they are delegating responsibility to the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) to work with health authorities to determine when it is safe to return to the ice.
In turn, the OHF approved and released a Return to Play
bulletin and
framework document on Wednesday, June 10. We are now entering what the OHF is referring to as "Phase 2 - Stage 1" of the return to play framework, which focuses on allowing individual in-person training and group virtual training. You can find more complete details about this phase on pages 4-5 of the framework document, but here is a summary of what will be potentially be permitted in this phase/stage:
- In-person training: individual athlete training on or off ice
- Virtual training: sleep, nutrition, fitness, etc.
- Professional development: online training of stakeholders in compliance with the government's emergency order and OHF policies
You are encouraged to review the OHF framework to familiarize yourself with the planned phases/stages for the return to play. The OHF is emphasizing that the safety of all participants remains the priority, and that there are no specific timelines to any of the phases of return to play. You should also note that "at any point during the progression, we may need to pause or return to a previous stage." As a further resource, an
OHF COVID-19 information page is also available on their website.
The CZHA will endeavour to keep its members informed about return to play decisions in a timely manner. Please continue to monitor this COVID-19 information page, as well as our social media channels, for information.
APRIL 15, 2020 - A MESSAGE FROM THE CZHA CHAIR
Our season has come to an abrupt end, but I still want to take the time to thank everyone for making the CZHA such a fantastic organization.
To our players: we appreciate the daily effort to make yourself better. This makes your teammates and coaches better as well. Keep working hard to represent Clarington in a positive manner.
To our graduating players: we know this is not the end you were expecting but wish you all the best moving forward in your future sports, academic, and personal endeavours. The future is bright for you!
To our CZHA families: the minor hockey years go by quickly. Please cherish and enjoy watching your children play this great game we call hockey, especially in light of what is going in the world at the moment.
To our coaches and team staff: thank you for ensuring our players get top-notch learning environments and development, both at and away from the rink. Thanks also to our coaching mentors and skills partners. We appreciate the effort and time you volunteer toward this great game we call hockey.
To our board members: thank you for the countless hours you volunteer to keep the CZHA running. The time spent away from your personal priorities to attend monthly meetings and numerous CZHA events does not go unnoticed. You are the reason we use the tagline
#TOROSPROUD on our Twitter notices. Thank you for all your continued work; it has been a pleasure working with you not only this year, but in past years as well.
We're all excited for the 2020/21 season, but the well-being of our Toros community is the top concern. The CZHA is following the direction of Hockey Canada, the OMHA, and the OHF for when to resume hockey and start tryouts. We will continue to communicate through our website and social media accounts. Until then - be safe everyone!
Yours in Hockey,
Rick Poulin
CZHA Chair
MARCH 16, 2020 - SPRING TRYOUTS ARE CANCELLED
Earlier in the month, the CZHA announced spring tryout dates for the U12 (minor peewee) to U16 (minor midget) age groups; however, the COVID-19 directives from governing hockey bodies continue to evolve. It was announced this morning that
hockey tryouts will not be conducted in the spring this year. We will keep you informed about future decisions as we receive them, including when tryouts will take place.
Here is the statement from the Ontario Hockey Federation and its seven member partners, which includes the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA):
"The health and safety of all participants in the sport is of the utmost importance to the OHF and its member partners. As such, tryouts for the 2020-21 season will not be conducted this Spring. Instead the OHF will provide guidance on when the introduction of the 2020-21 season will begin, subject to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors’ future decision when to reinstate all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities. Such introduction will take into consideration ice availability, capacity and other logistics involved in organizing hockey programs."
Stay informed on the latest updates from the OMHA at
OMHA.net/COVID-19.
MARCH 12, 2020 - ALL HOCKEY ACTIVITIES ARE SUSPENDED
As you likely know, the OMHA and Hockey Canada have made the decision to "immediately suspend all hockey activities". You can read their statements using the links below. We hope all of our members and their families continue to follow the best practices that are being communicated by health departments so we can all look forward to a safe return to hockey in the future.
Hockey Canada Statement
Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) Statement