Hello Devilettes Family,
We hope you are all safe and sound!
Below are some details to bring you all up to date on the
progress the organization is making in our return to play efforts. Over the past month the Board of Directors
have been working diligently with the OWHA in accordance with the return to play
protocols set forth by OWHA and Hockey Canada.
During this time, we have formed two committees, the COVID Protocol
Committee, and the Return to Play Committee.
The Board has also met on-line, as a group weekly, to discuss return to
play. The many hours these volunteers
have dedicated to the safe return to play of our members should be recognized.
COVID PROTOCOL COMMITTEE: The purpose of this committee is to provide formal guidelines and a path to return to hockey for the London Devilettes Girls Hockey Association (LDGHA) gradually and with the utmost consideration of safety for all.
This plan will remain in compliance with all laws, guidelines and recommendations from the Government of Ontario, London and Middlesex Health Unit, Hockey Canada, OWHA and the City of London, Ontario.
RETURN TO PLAY COMMITTEE: The purpose of this committee is to provide formal guidelines on how the composition of groups will be administered, as well as the method in which we will prepare for the gradual phasing in of return to play.
This plan will remain in compliance with all guidelines and recommendations from the Government of Ontario, London and Middlesex Health Unit, Hockey Canada, OWHA and the City of London Ontario.
Both committees have been responsible to draft extensive documentation and protocol to submit to the OWHA to allow our athletes to return to play. At this time the documents have been prepared and were approved by the board for submission to the OWHA. The OWHA, in turn, will review the documents and provide recommended changes. Once this is completed the OWHA will formally insure us and allow our members to begin the process of Return to Play.
Additionally, our Registrar, Ice scheduler, Treasurer and Board members have been working on opening registration. This again is unconventional and very complex. They, along with the committees have reviewed the cost to play, collection of funds, and ice availability in the London area. The OWHA will also be introducing a new on-line registration system, RAMP. As you can imaging the complexities of the above have provided some challenges, specific to not knowing the ice availability, the current and future maximum participant capacities as set by arenas at this time, and the set up of the new registration system.
Suffice it to say, the main goal is to Return to Play as quickly as possible without jeopardizing the health and well being of our members. We are continuing to make progress, and we hope to have Registration open very soon and look forward to the approval of the OWHA on our submitted action plans.
What Can you do?
· Keep the mental wellbeing of your child in mind. With return to school and return to sports being a lot different than normal and a huge topic of debate, this can be a very traumatic and stressful time for your child. We all play the game because we love it, but need to remember, it is just a game.
· Look for registration opening. This year’s initial window of registration will be very short in time. Those who have submitted their intent to play forms have helped us to determine the amount of returning players, but official registration will be key to get the season up and running as quickly as possible.
On behalf of the London Devilettes, we thank you for your cooperation and patience. Although it won’t be a normal season, we are working to make it the best experience possible for our athletes.
Stay Safe,
London Devilettes Board of Directors