Following the latest announcement and confirmation from England Hockey that hockey can commence again, in line with the Government’s Step 1B and the return of grassroot sports, we have made provision for us starting to return to hockey after the Easter break from week commencing April 19th.

If you haven’t seen their latest update you can read it here - Hockey’s first steps back for summer of fun! | England Hockey

There will be a slight phased return, as we did with the previous Return To Play, in order for us to check all the procedures are still working as expected and also to allow the new Park Lane facilities management team to get up to speed with our timings and requirements. The new facilities team is also only just returning so the next few weeks will allow us to work together to get back to full resumption.

Attached is a reminder infographic on the COVID protocols still in place for Hockey. Please re-familiarise yourselves with them and there is more further down on the measures still in place.

In addition, as the government’s roadmap progresses, there is expected to be further guidance to tie in with the national move to Stage 2 from April 12th. Our staggered return will also allow us time to assess those and update accordingly ahead of the 19th.

When

Junior members will also return from April 19th to the sessions they would normally attend. This should have already been communicated to you by Paul Graham. If anyone is unsure which session they should attend please get in touch

For our seniors, we will be returning to your usual weekday times from April 19th The staggered return will be as follows;

• Week commencing 12th we will look to run a few trial sessions with selected groups - Team Captains will be in touch with those groups closer to the time to coordinate.
• Mon 19th onwards - Full resumption of all normal sessions through until the end of May

o Mondays : Ladies 3/4/5 – 19:30 till 21:00
o Tuesdays : All Men – 19:00 till 20:30
o Wednesdays : L1 – 18:30 till 20:00, L2 – 19:30 till 21:00

• The format will be “knockabout” / “small sided games” sessions rather than formal training as we get back into it.
• At the end of May we will reassess the sessions & times based on participation and appetite for any hockey over the summer

COVID-19 Measures - Still in Place

The attached infographic is a useful reminder of the hockey related procedures still in place. In addition to that we have the club specific processes too.
Until we are told otherwise we are still operating under the COVID-19 procedures that were in place as part of the EH Stage-4 guidelines last year. This means that amongst other things:
• Attendance is by INVITATION ONLY once confirmed with your Captain in advance
• We ask that you do not arrive for your session more than 10 minutes before it starts.
• Social distancing should still be maintained when not in play.
• Sessions are still limited to 30 people.
• Session times and lengths are staggered to allow for a safe transition between sessions.

As with sessions before the November lockdown if you display any of the symptoms of COVID-19 please do not attend the session and inform your captain so your space can be reallocated:
• A temperature
• A new dry cough
• Loss of taste or smell

If you fall ill with these symptoms within 14 days of attending a session, please inform the Club COVID Officer via covidofficer@halifaxhockeyclub.co.uk

Signing Up For Sessions

As before, you must let your Captain know in advance you wish to attend the session so numbers can be managed. If required, places will be granted on a first come first serve basis. As stated above, the COVID protocols are still in place so please only attend a session if you have been told you are able to.

Registers for all session will be taken and submitted to England Hockey’s track and trace

Weekends

We do hope to bring some Saturday hockey back and options for local friendlies and intra-club games are currently being investigated for May onwards. We will provide further info and details closer to the time

We look forward to welcoming you all back and picking up a stick again!

Halifax Hockey Club Committee