OWHA Member Update - July 7, 2021

We are looking forward to the 2021/2022 hockey season and are anxiously waiting for the requirements from the government related to Step 3. We are taking an optimistic approach and do hope there will be some normalcy to the season. Realistically, we know there will be some differences and even some changes within the province and various parts of the province and all plans are subject to change.

Please be advised of the following actions that are all subject to change due to the pandemic:

• OWHA provincial championships are booked in the GTA for April 7-10, 2022.
• Applications are posted for coaching staff for the 2 OWHA teams scheduled to participate in the U18 National Championships in October 2021.
• Players have been identified for the U18 camps that will be held in August 2021.
• Due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, OWHA itself will be operating the competitive leagues/loops within the province of Ontario for the 2021/2022 season under the umbrella name, “Ontario Women’s Hockey League”. We will be working with teams and volunteers and will be hiring a League Coordinator. An application for the position of League Coordinator will be posted on the OWHA web site.

• OWHA Members and participants must follow the MOST restrictive mandate at ALL times. This includes, but is not limited to federal, provincial, municipal, public health unit, facility and OWHA requirements.
• Throughout the coming season, there may be more or less restrictions and they may impact parts of the country and province differently. We must be prepared to adjust at any time.
• The past year has demonstrated the importance of keeping participation regionalized. This may be a guide for league/loop and tournament play, especially through the fall as we see the experiences unfold in hockey and other sports.
• We urge teams and association to carefully consider the team selection based on travel.
• We urge teams and association to carefully consider keeping travel local where possible.
• It is important for all teams and associations to carefully monitor finances and to be prepared to adjust fees and/or provide reimbursements if public health considerations limit participation.
• Tryouts – at this time we do hope that some form of tryouts will be possible in late August/early September, based on requirements for cohorts and/or modified hockey. If they are permitted, all relevant health and safety measures must be implemented.
• Scrimmages and games – at this time, we do not know if we will be restricted to modified hockey as we have been throughout the past year.
• Tournaments – we hope to sanction tournaments starting in October 2021 and will be providing information on the submission of applications to our office within the next couple of weeks. We encourage keeping participation local. Financial management is critical – please consider contracts carefully given that public health-related issues or restrictions could cause cancellation of the event and/or withdrawal of some teams due to specific situations. An clear refund policy is critical.
• USA and International players and travel – we urge participation only within Ontario at this time. We are currently not approving international or USA player transfers. We are currently not permitting team travel to or from the USA or other countries.

We thank you for your work through the past season and look forward to working with you in the transition to returning to hockey. We remain committed to working with you in support of positive hockey experiences for the players and participants.