HKHA 19-20 Circular no.1 - Potential disruption to hockey matches due to mass social events

To:  Convenor of Affiliated Club (Men’s and Women’s)

Cc.: Council Members
        All Sections’ Committee Members

Dear Convenors,

League games will be starting this Sunday and the HKHA has noted concerns raised by certain clubs and players about carrying their hockey sticks going to and from hockey venues and the potential difficulties of getting to and from pitches for league matches in case of mass protests. 

Firstly, whilst the conduct of certain bodies is outside the control of the HKHA, Council recommends that, to help mitigate against potential problems, other than exercising common sense with respect to attire worn when travelling to and from hockey venues, club convenors can download their club’s team player lists with photos and provide each player with a copy of their relevant team’s list.  Players can keep a hard copy of such list on hand to present if questioned when travelling with hockey equipment.

Secondly, with the league games starting this week, the relevant section’s committee will monitor the situation on any given match day taking into account both authorized and unauthorized events.  As you will appreciate, at the moment such matters are quite fluid and unpredictable. 

In order to ensure the safety of players, matches may be called off and rescheduled (without penalty) as a last resort.  Therefore, please ensure that your captains’ details registered with the HKHA are up to date as the named captains will be contacted on the day should game(s) at a particular venue need to be cancelled. 

Please bear with us with regards to the cancelling of games and when they may reschedule during these uncertain times.  If you have any further questions or concerns on a match day please do not hesitate to contact Richard Mak (+852 9363 5212) (Men) or Leela Patel (+852 9733 4898) (Women) directly.

Regards,

Ernest LI
Hon. Secretary General