Under 9

U9 Safe Return to Play Plan V1.2

BMHA U9 2020/2021

October 25, 2020

Welcome to the 2020/2021 U9 hockey season!

Changes due to Covid-19 are drafted below.  Please note this is a working document that can be changed at any time as the situation and guidelines with covid 19 change in our province and community. This document follows current rules and regulations set out by SHA. To read the full SHA return to play plan please see the link below.

https://sha.sk.ca/public/images/SHA_Return_To_Hockey_Safety_Guidelines_V1.2.pdf

BMHA U9 hockey will be split into two cohorts before conditioning:

1. Group 1 - 3 teams of 12
2. Group 2 - 3 teams of 12

Each Group will have no more than 50 participants (this includes parent helpers, coaches, and players) Each team will consist of no more than:

• 12 players 
• 1 head coach 
• 1 assistant coach 
• 1 parent helper or official

*Each practice will have a max of 30 people

• The first 3 or 4 weeks of scheduled ice times will be for conditioning where players are ranked on a scale
• Conditioning teams will share the ice with other teams in their Cohort only 
• Teams will be made using a draft style format within each group.  Players will be equally picked with no tiers
• 2 new cohorts will be made each consisting of 3 teams (with no more than 50 players in a cohort)
• Teams will only practice with other teams in their Cohort until January 1st when 6 teams can be included in a league *pending SHA approval
• Exhibition half ice games will be scheduled after November 15. 
• Each team will be allowed to play in 2 exhibition games 
• Full ice practices and games can be scheduled after January 1st 

Covid Safety Protocols:

1. Each team will have a dedicated covid contact person that will be incharge of the following:

• Making sure there are no more than 30 people on the ice at one time.  One or two coaches may have to stay off the ice if there is a maximum of 30 people on the ice at one time
• Make sure all spectators are wearing masks and there is no more spectators than what has been approved by the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford (see table below)
• Use the RAMP App to take attendance and to make sure that the covid surveys are signed
• If any players come to the arena sick this volunteer will be responsible to ask screening questions and contact parents if they need to be sent home
• Please have a mask on hand if you need to take a child off the ice that has symptoms while you ask the screening questions and wait for a parent to arrive

1. Each team will also have a dedicated person to handle and sanitize all equipment (pucks, pylons, etc)
2. Each player is to come to the rink fully dressed as much as possible and preferably with skates on
3. Each player is to arrive no earlier than the time allowed at each rink and leave immediately following the games and practice (see table below)
4. Only team personnel will be allowed in dressing rooms (coaches, medical staff, and players). If a parent is required, only one parent per player will be permitted. No additional family members will be allowed in dressing rooms. 
5. Water bottles must come to the rink filled.  Absolutely no sharing of water bottles between players
6. Limits on the number of spectators are set out by both the Town of Battleford and the City of North Battleford (see table below)
7. Spectators must sit in the dedicated viewing areas of the bleachers.  Spectators must sign in upon arrival and be wearing a mask at all times
8. Players and coaches must follow the mandatory mask policy set out by SHA and wear masks when entering and exiting the building.  Masks must be worn at all times until players and coaches put their helmets on.  Coaches must wear masks while on the bench during games

*If SHA is made aware of any teams not complying with the face covering Policy, it will work with the local Minor Hockey Association of the team to ensure that all teams adhere. If a team refuses to comply, sanctions may include the removal of ice time / suspensions to team officials.

1. No teams or players registered with BMHA will be allowed to play outside of the BMHA organization 
2. No player registered to play for U9 will be allowed to AP for the 2020/2021 season and no players registered in U7 will be allowed to come up and play for U9.  If a team is short players they may choose players from any U9 team playing in their cohort.
3. If a team is short coaches they may request the help from another coach that is in their existing cohort.
4. Once teams are made jerseys will be handed out and taken home by each player at the end of each practice for the rest of the season.  Each coach is responsible for returning all of these jerseys at the end of the year.
5. There will be no hockey scheduled from December 17th to the 31st.  SHA is using this as a 14 day reset
6. Each team will adhere to all safety protocols put forth by leisure services and BMHA

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