President Update, August 19, 2020
Hi Everyone,
I just sent the below message to all SMRA registrants using our new RAMP mass mail out. If you did not receive the email, please let me know. Thanks
Michael
I hope this message finds you and your families well and safe. Can you believe we are in the middle of August already? How time flies! I personally want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding as we all grapple with COVID-19 and the impacts it is having on our lives.
There are many partners involved in making decisions about our ringette program. Trying to merge all the various protocols and procedures has been very challenging to say the least. As you know from reading my updates, I have stated I only wanted to share pertinent, definitive information with you as simply talking about what if scenarios would be a disservice. I am very happy to announce that we now have a clear, concise outline of what our startup will look like. That is of course, pending our current health levels remain the same, but let’s not spoil the moment! So here goes:
Return to Ice
- We now have a commitment from the PRC that ice will be available as of October 1 (pending approval by Town Council on August 25). As one of the major ice users with the PRC, we are committing to sixteen hours of ice per week. The PRC in return, has stated there will be no increase in ice rental fees for the duration of 2020. This has allowed us to determine our initial costs for registration.
- We are currently in Stage 2 of Ringette Ontario’s Return to Ringette Guidelines https://ringetteontario.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RO-Return-to-Ringette-v2.0-Updated-August-10.pdf
- We are applying to enter Stage 3 “Return to Modified Play” which basically allows us to get back on the ice and start to skate. Please read the Guidelines as it will help understand how progression will unfold.
Registration
- We have 125 players registered for the 2020/2021 season. Thank you to each of you for being committed to SMRA
- The best option for determining registration fees is to break the season into two halves: October 1 - December 31, and then January 1 - April 15 (give or take whenever the year end tournaments take place)
- The first half fee will be $200. This payment is due on September 15, 2020. So if you are a returning registrant, you will subtract your COVID discount from the $200, then submit a cheque or eTransfer for payment. For example, a U16 returning registrant would deduct their $90 COVID discount from the $200 first half fee, therefore submit $110 by September 15, 2020. For a list of the COVID discounts, please refer to the registration page on our website https://www.stmarysringette.ca/content/registration
- Credit Card payments are beyond our control as RAMP (our website developer) have not charged any amounts thus far and will not until they determine when is appropriate. We ask that if you initially selected a credit card payment, please consider changing that option in RAMP to either eTransfer or cheque.
- As the second half of the season approaches, we already know the PRC is proposing a 50% increase in costs due to cleaning and sanitizing of dressing rooms in between user groups. Once we have a better definitive cost analysis, we will then set the price for the second half of the season
- Completed waivers and payment of first half fee by September 15 is required to confirm your player’s registration for 2020-2021
- Any other registration questions, please read over our Registration page or contact our Registrar, Melanie Murphy
Divisions
- Each registrant will be placed in their age appropriate division
- As we can only have groupings of ten players, players will be randomly placed within each group of ten. This also requires two coaches as the coach/player ratio must be 1:5
- Initial ice time will focus on skill development through a variety of drills with the anticipation of mini leagues forming. As we progress to Phases 4 and 5 we will then be able to further open and begin full team formation
- More information will follow as we approach the start of the season
COVID-19 Impact
- There are many new protocols in place that everyone must follow or we, as an association could lose our ice for the season. For the purpose of this message, I will only highlight a few of the protocols. A much more detailed explanation of the COVID-19 procedures shared with each of you by Kim Garniss, our COVID Safety Officer and VP as we get closer to the start of the season
- You have each received a set of Waivers sent out last week through RAMP. Thank you to everyone who quickly signed them electronically and returned them. Until all waivers are completed, your player will NOT be allowed on the ice. So if you have not signed them and returned, please do so as soon as you can. An additional email with the Waivers may be sent out if you have not submitted.
- All participants will be required to use the RAMP app (available free in Android and iOs). This will allow for the screening protocols that must occur 48 hours prior to an event to ensure the health of participants. Failure to check in will result in being denied admittance to the building. The use of the app will also allow our Contact Tracing to be much efficient and secure. Again more details to come.
- Bottom line is, if a participant is feeling unwell or displaying any symptom, stay home!
One team/club commitment
- Players can only play in one ringette grouping. Coaches can only coach in one ringette grouping. If you coach, you cannot play for another ringette group. If you play, you cannot coach or volunteer with another ringette group.
- Earlier information from Ringette Ontario suggested that if a player played ringette, they could not be involved with another sport or activity. With the return to school, parents are encouraged to do their best to minimize exposure to their children.
That is a lot to process. More detailed information will follow. Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I’m sorry if you are getting tired of me saying this, but truly, I can’t say it enough, thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this! We are getting there and we will all get through this together!
Personally, I would also like to thank the Executive of SMRA. They have been working so hard behind the scenes in these unprecedented times to ensure your children will have a safe place to play this season. If all goes according to plan, we will be one of the first associations in the Province to move to Stage 3. So please, if you see a member of the Executive out in the community, please thank them for all the work they do.
Please stay tuned for more updates.
Thank you,
Michael Lynch, President
St Marys Ringette Association
president@stmarysringette.ca
