WMHA Season Update

Aug. 17, 2020

Quick update to our membership,

We recognize that members are anxious to know the details of what hockey is going to look like this fall, we would like to thank you for your patience while we gather this information and provide you a comprehensive resource for our Return to Play Protocols for our association.

Our executive continues to participate in Hockey Alberta Return to Hockey consultation process along other partner associations. The most recent captured information from these meetings below. information or details on how Covid-19 might impact the season, and/or what the season could look like will be made available as we go. The simple answer is that things are changing weekly, if not almost daily.

Notes captured from Hockey Alberta’s return to play meeting:

Cohorts - group of 50 or less. Individuals cannot be a part of multiple cohorts. Coaches will be a part of the cohorts.
Individuals should play within the same municipality or town.
Refs - will be a part of the cohorts. Officials are not to be used during developmental period. Coaches and managers (part of the cohort) no sanctioned games developmental stage
Coaches - Coaches will be a part of cohorts. Additional training from Hockey Alberta will be providing extra courses. (return to hockey).
Seasonal Structure - Going to be rolling out a monthly plan. (not finalized yet by HA). Will be providing resources.
September to October (development phase).

September objectives prep ice sessions and cohort identification, Physical distancing skates completing the evaluation process.
October objectives - associations have their cohorts in place. Developmental portion, team formation - set the foundations. (allocated sessions to be split between skills and small area games to start preparing the kids. (focus on safe environment).
November - transitional phase into normal hockey.

There will not be “normal” hockey in September***. This is considered a development season. More info to come.
AA or AAA players will be allowed back to their local cohorts if they get cut.

Due to many unknown variables as well as the feedback received by parents, WMH has decided to extended registrations to Aug 31^st. We are also including info on financial assistance for families that would like a little boost. Payment plans can also be arranged and considered on first come first serve basis.

Register by visiting https://www.rampregistrations.com/login?v3=625f14caa0

· Please ensure your Respect in Sport parent has not expired prior to registering. https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/members/respect-sport/

Financial Assistance Programs

EMAIL YOUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONFIRMATION EMAIL or payment arrangement request to treasurer@whitecourtminorhockey.com ASAP to have it correctly applied to your account.

JUMPSTART FUNDING

Please read information below as changes have been made to the JUMPSTART program.

When families need a little financial boost to get kids involved in a sport, dance team or other active program, they need to fill out an application. This needs to be done before the fees are due, as the money goes right to the organization. Applications for assistance can typically be submitted from January 15 to November 1; with the goal for funding to be equitably distributed over Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter activities.

Your family meets our financial need requirements and your kid is registered, but what about the skates/cleats/racquets/gloves/helmets/uniforms they need to play? Not to worry. Jumpstart has you covered. The application asks for equipment details. Funds can also be provided for adaptive equipment to help kids with special needs.

Some other important points to note as part of the application process:

Cheques are made payable to the service organization identified as the “Payee” in the application form. The Payee is a service organization (such as a local Hockey Association or gymnastic club) which coordinates the sports or physical activity on behalf of the qualifying youth/child.
Cheques are never sent to the parent/guardian directly.
All approvals are at the sole discretion of the local Jumpstart Chapter and designated Canadian Tire Regional Manager; and are subject to local demands and Chapter budgets.

If you have additional questions, call 1-844-YES-PLAY or visit the FAQ Section

APPLY HERE: https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/content/microsites/jumpstart/en/apply.html#wanttoapply

KidSport

Information and Application available here: http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/apply-for-assistance/

: http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/alberta-provincial-fund/. You will then be walked though the entire process.

You will need to know your players fee amount (found in Registration Information) and have a Notice of Assessment on file to upload.

Applications are reviewed by KidSport within 30 days. Cheques for approved applications are mailed to the sport club directly within two weeks of the review date. You will receive an email confirming your application result. Please note incomplete applications will delay the process by a minimum of four (4) weeks.

LaceEmUp

Our program helps financially disadvantaged children play hockey by ensuring kids have equal financial access to the game. Often times, Lace ‘Em Up funding starts where another organizations’ funding ends.

Eligibility Requirements:

Youth aged 3 to 18
Participating in a fully registered and recognized sport program
Financially disadvantaged family, where such determination is based on the Federal Low Income Cut-Off guidelines.
Applications for assistance can be submitted from July 15 - Sept 30, 2020.

The Lace ‘Em Up funds are provided directly to your Minor Hockey Association who will ensure your outstanding registration fees are paid, and work with you and your sporting organization to determine other areas of need, and appropriate methods of disbursement.

Please go to http://laceemup.ca/ for more information and to register online.

The Ryder and Radek Foundation

Ryder and Radek were known as exceptional athletic competitors and even better teammates. Through their ability to compete they learned many valuable life lessons. Due to the current economic landscape and growing cost of athletics, the opportunity for our youth to play sports has become less prevalent and in turn, more of a privilege.

The R and R Foundation will set out to ensure that no youth in Whitecourt will ever be held back from exploring their athletic potential due to financial limitations.

Apply here https://rnrmemorialfund.com/hockey-grant-application

A tentative timeline for the start of the season as follows. Recommendations and suggestions are recommended.

August 31 - September 3^rd- First Round Conditioning Skate for U9/U11/U13/U15/U18 - Dates and Times to be confirmed.
Registration Extension Deadline Aug 31st, late fees begin.
September 7^th- September 10^th - Second Round Conditioning Skate for U9/U11/U13/U15/U18 - Dates and Times to be confirmed.
SEPT 12^th- NAI AGM takes place - Will have more information for WMHA members & parents in the week / weeks to follow.
TRAC U13 AA Practices x 2 to take place this week -Dates to be confirmed.
Sept 15 - Late Registrations Close
Only players registered may attend WMHA functions / Evaluation Skates.
If Not registered, please contact WMHA VP Designate & Division Director
Sept 14^th- Sept 18^th - Evaluation Skates will begin for U11 / U13 / U15 / U18
Schedule to be confirmed
Evaluators to be picked along with Coaches
Groups to be communicated on Website
TRAC Practices to take place this week for U13 / U15 / U18
September 19^th- 20^th - Evaluation Skates Continue through the weekend for U11 / U13 / U15 / U18
Schedule to be confirmed
Evaluators to be picked along with Coaches
Groups to be communicated on Website
September 21 - 25^th- Evaluation Skates continue for U11/U13/U15/U18 if Required.
Evaluation Skates Begin for U9
Potential Skates for U7 this week
September 26^th- 27^th - All Teams should now be finalized for WMHA. Any wrap up of Evaluation skates should take place this weekend.
All schedules for Practice posted on the website
All Teams Posted on the Website
All Coaches / Managers to meet with Division directors
Cohort Communication is delivered to each team through WMHA - Directors, President & VP
Cohort Schedules are communicated
NAI Communicated to the teams at this point (Would give time to adapt and figure the schedule out following the NAI Meeting)
Development Phase for the players
September 28 - Oct XX - Development Phase for ALL WMHA & TRAC Teams
Development Phase
More Clarification on COVID Restrictions and Rink Procedures to be released.
October Month - More Communication will be available as we go.
Courses become available for Coaches
Deadline for Courses will be November 15^thas per usual (unless HA communicates differently)

Here is a look at our timeline for the next few months for TRAC AA.

August 17 - 21 - TRAC High performance Conditioning camp for U13 / U15 / U18
TRAC PD Day Camps to be Booked and Released for the Season. More on this to come. Will be booked and advertised before Tryouts.
Sept 04 - 06 - TRAC U13 Tryouts take place.

Tryouts Complete - First Cuts made September 6^th
2^nd Cuts (If Necessary) will be made between September 7^th - Sept 25^th for U13
All Necessary HCR Roster Additions completed.
All Necessary Player Movement forms & processes completed
All Necessary Player Release Forms Completed

Sept 11 - 13 - TRAC U15 / U18 Tryouts take Place

Tryouts Complete - First Cuts Made September 13^th
2^nd Cuts (If Necessary) will be made between September 14^th - Sept 30^th for both U15 / U18
All Necessary HCR Roster Additions completed.
All Necessary Player Movement forms & processes completed
All Necessary Player Release Forms Completed

Registration for all TRAC Teams to be completed by September 25^th

Level Adjustment Fees - First Payment Due September 25^th

Team Meetings will be held to discuss the season with the coaching Staff (September 25^th)
Practices for all TRAC Teams will commence as per normal.

U13 will begin practice times the week of September 6^th - 12^th
U15 / U18 will begin practice times the week of September 13^th - 19^th

TRAC Will enter the “Development Phase” of the Season.

Development Phase Expected to take place from: September 14^th - October 25^th
Changes to the Development Phase will depend on the ABHS / AB Gov. & Hockey Alberta Ruling

League Expected to start at the End of October 2020

More information to come.
Schedules will be released once available

Our next board meeting is scheduled for September 14^th at 7PM, location is still to be determined. We are hopeful that we are able to have it open for parents to attend. More info will be released in the upcoming weeks.

Hope everyone enjoys the remaining of the summer break, in the meantime, any questions or concerns can be forwarded to Rand Richards @ publicrelations@whitecourtminorhockey.com