AHA COVID-19 Protocols
PRACTICES: Things will look different this year. Due to the reduced amount of ice available to us, for the first two weeks of September, teams will have one on-ice practice and one dryland training at Xcelerated Performance per week. Once more ice becomes available at Phillips Academy starting September 23rd, our teams will move to our traditional cadence of two on-ice practices per week with dryland training once every two weeks. Additionally, weekday practice times will be limited and many of our practices will be on weekends. With weekend games starting right away, practice times may shift to accommodate games. Please be patient and flexible, as schedules may need to remain fluid as we adapt to this ever-changing climate.
GAMES: AHA intends to move forward with playing games in the Valley, Martian and Middlesex Yankee Leagues when those seasons begin. The Valley League has announced that games will begin on September 12th for Squirts/U10, Peewees/U12, and Bantams; and September 26th for Mites. Middlesex Yankee games will also start the weekend of September 12th. Martian High School half-season begins on September 19th.
SAFETY: Keeping our players and families safe, as always, is the most important thing we do. AHA has created COVID-19 Protocols, which must be followed by all AHA members and individuals present at all AHA events. AHA members and all individuals entering the Phillips Academy Ice Rinks must also follow the Phillips Academy Guidelines which will be posted to the AHA website shortly. Failure to comply with AHA Protocols or Phillips Academy Guidelines will result in the suspension of the entire team. Both the AHA Protocols and the Phillips Academy Guidelines may change based on local and state guidance and as we learn more once the season starts. We will communicate any changes as they arise.
MOVING FORWARD: Understanding that not all families may be comfortable playing games against other towns at other rinks, the Board of Directors is exploring creating in-house options beyond our current Mites house program. For families that are not comfortable playing hockey this season, the Board of Directors has developed a new COVID-19 refund policy that permits refunds if members wish to withdraw prior to the season. The refund policy also addresses situations that could rise where the season is temporarily suspended or cancelled so that program costs/tuition can be adjusted at the end of the season to reflect the amount of programming AHA has provided its members.
The Board of Directors believes that our organization can safely proceed with practices and games if we all follow these Protocols. We’ve all seen throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic that things get better when we all follow expert advice and act with the safety of others in mind. Missing a hockey practice or two is not worth endangering the health of our teammates and friends. If you or your child has COVID-19 symptoms or is not feeling well, please stay home. If you do, hockey will be here for you when you're better. The health of your teammates and the success of the season depends on it.