Over the last few months the Kawartha Minor Hockey Association has been working hard to provide the players of the 2021-2022 season with the best possible experience once we return to the arena. First off, we would like to thank all of our families for the continued support that Kawartha parents have always shown!!!
As we all know COVID is still here. The KMHA executive has been working closely with the City of Kawartha Lakes and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit to ensure the return to hockey is as safe as possible for all participants.
The OMHA recently released a document stating their policy on Vaccinations. In short, all participants in any Ontario Minor Hockey Association sanctioned event, 12 years of age and older, must be vaccinated two weeks prior to October 31st 2021 to continue to participate. Please find a link to the OMHA document here (shorturl.at/qLPRT)
More recently, the HKPR Health Unit released a document to support the Provincial Government’s Vaccination Policy date of
September 22nd 2021. The new policy put in place by the Health Unit overrides the OMHA document, as it controls the arenas operated by the City of Kawartha Lakes. The decision means that a
ll individuals 12 years of age and older entering any City of Kawartha Lakes facility must have had their second dose of the vaccination 14 days prior to their eligible entry date.
We know that for some of our members these measures are causing a lot of stress, and others are not affected because they have already received their vaccines and are eligible to enter the facilities. Whichever side of the scenario you are on, Kawartha Minor Hockey Association, will still be running programming at all age groups for all eligible participants, and assisting those players whose guardians are unable to enter the facilities.
We would also like to draw everyone's attention to the City of Kawartha Lakes Ice Use Protocols. Please read through the document prior to your child's first ice time. Please find the City of Kawartha Lakes Ice Use Protocols by copying and pasting the following link into your browser. (shorturl.at/uwIQS)
KMHA will continue to track each ice time with our COVID check in, should contact tracing be necessary. The COVID check in form can be found on our website.
Over the next week we will be developing our Vaccine Verification Document as well, to ensure maximum privacy for all individuals submitting documents. These documents will be required prior to September 22, 2021 for all applicable participants. To get a head start, proof of vaccine information can be found by copying and pasting the following link into your browser. (shorturl.at/fgzSY)
Over the last year our parents have been amazing at following the rules set in place by the Health Unit, City and our Executive, to help keep everyone safe. We expect the same this season, as our coaches and volunteers do their best to provide the highest quality programming they are able to offer. Please note that there is a zero tolerance for bullying, intimidating or belittling any of our VOLUNTEERS as they are taking time out of their busy lives to make the experience the best it possibly can for our players.
I am sure that many questions will arise in the coming days and weeks. As answers become available we will update the website and social media platforms immediately to keep everyone informed.
If you have any further questions please direct them to
[email protected].
We look forward to seeing everyone back at the rink for our Development Skates over the next two weeks, followed by Tryouts and our Season beginning in October.
Thank you to all of our members for their continued support and cooperation.
Your KMHA Executive