Just another update for you regarding our return to play plans. Apologies again for the lengthy message but its the easiest way to pass on he info, so please take your time to read the message fully. Many of you are aware and up to speed and thanks for your involvement to date.

• Forms - Response to the Surveys so far has been good. We have had 80 people (this includes parents & juniors) respond to date. Feedback has been really positive and thanks to everyone that has taken the time to give comments, they are helping us to shape what we are doing. For anyone still to complete them, a reminder that you need to before you can attend training or play in a game. This is a mandatory condition from EH to all clubs for Returning To Play. It also presents you an opportunity to raise any questions or concerns you have to the club.

Halifax Hockey Survey

Fill in the England Hockey Survey

• Process/Procedures - We have run 2 x L1 sessions and 1 x M1 Session, with an L3/4/5 session taking place last night. These have been positive and well received. Thanks to all involved in making these a success. The captains for these teams have helped us tweak a few of the processes following feedback. In the main it is has been a case of getting used to the new ways of organising given the restrictions. Training sessions are now all planned out and your club captain/captain will be in touch with you shortly (if they havent already) with how you can get back to training.

• Facilities - With the situation affecting the school too, we still don’t have access to get inside the school building, but this is progressing. Minimum requirements is that they provide access to a toilet for match days. The school is aware and is working on a plan for us. Likelihood is that this will be the toilet in our bar. Regarding the changing rooms, this is still being worked through as there are other challenges regarding suitability and cleaning to be understood. We will likely resume games initially with no changing rooms and players will arrive changed and no shower after playing. But we will confirm this arrangement when the league games start.

• Floodlights - Some of you may be aware that we have had issues arranging for the floodlights to be switched on. This has been resolved and is a key part of allowing us now to expand the training sessions to include all groups as we can now schedule more than one group a night.

• Sessions - This week we expand to include ...

Monday : L3/4/5,
Tues : M1,
Weds : L1 & L2,
Thurs : U16G

• Further sessions : On Saturday 19th @ 1200 we have a test & learn friendly game - L1 v Preston. Now the floodlights are sorted we will be bringing all other training groups in from w/c 21st (rest of juniors and rest of Men’s section)

• Leagues Starting : North League - Have proposed a delayed start of 3rd October. Yorkshire League - Have proposed a delayed start of 10th October.

• Match Days - The test & learn friendly will help us shape any final adjustments to our match day processes in order for us to cascade to you all how things will operate on a Saturday regarding arriving, warming up, playing and then post-match. For away games we will be required to follow whatever process each club has and their details will be provided each week.

• Bar - We have been looking into the options for reopening the Bar. Again this will be made available once we have fully established how this will operate. It is likely that the bar may be closed for the start of the season. We will do a full update and briefing on this when the time comes.

• Spectators - Spectators are allowed to come and watch games. At present we do not need to record these as a club for track and trace purposes. [Note - This is just referring to watching a game, we will need to record anyone that enters the bar and this track and trace process will be included in the bar update referred to above] We are currently consulting with England Hockey on if there is any guidance on where spectators should stand to watch the game. Spectators will be reminded that they need to follow whatever the government guidelines are at the time regarding social distancing etc and as a club we need to be seen to be encouraging this. We expect all our club members and supporters will be sensible and follow the rules at all times.

Again we appreciate there is a lot of information here but we hope it shows that there is a lot to do and coordinate to get us back as a club and therefore a lot to update you on.

Any questions just let one of the committee know.

Thanks for all your continued patience and we all look forward to seeing you on the pitch and in the bar soon

HHC Committee