HKHAMS 20-21 Circular No. 8 - Return to Hockey (February 2021)

Attachment: HKHAMS - Return to Hockey Guidelines

Dear Convenors,

Further to the relaxing of certain Covid-19 related restrictions by the HK Government, the HKHAMS is pleased to provide further updates on:

(I)                Return to hockey stages & resumption of competition

(II)               Competition formats

I           RETURN TO HOCKEY STAGES GUIDELINES & RESUMPTION OF COMPETITION

We reattach the summary of the different phases to ensure teams are able to get back on to hockey pitches as quickly and safely as possible, in accordance with government restrictions.  As at today’s date we are in stage 4 and subject to the following restrictions:

●       Matches (league or friendlies) – on pitch:

•  
  • 2 teams of 11 players
  • 2 umpires
  • Dug-out: up to 5 substitutes per team, 1 coach per team and for premier division, 1 match official.

●       Trainings:

•  
  • up to 22 players on a pitch if playing game format or
  • groups of 4 with 1.5m between each group.

Note that masks must be worn at all times unless playing or umpiring.

While we are waiting for the review and final decision by the LCSD on when the subvented sports activities can be restarted, Men’s Winter League for 2020-21 is provisionally expected to resume on Sunday 7 March 2021 as we make every effort to offer as much hockey as possible to everyone.

Fixtures: these will be circulated as soon as possible next week. All teams should make themselves available from this date.

Withdrawals: we appreciate circumstances may have changed since play was suspended in December 2020.  Please inform the HKHA by email by 5:00pm on Monday 22 February 2021 should you need to withdraw a team from the league.

Warm-up Matches: To facilitate the quick return to hockey, the HKHAMS will do its best to arrange warm up matches for teams on 28^th February, 2021 subject to the availability of the LCSD pitches. MS will set up chat groups for different divisions to work out the fixtures of the warm-up matches as soon as possible. Stay tuned.

II          COMPETITION FORMAT

Based on the expected date of resumption of competition and the requirement of minimum 7 to 8 hockey Sundays to complete the first round of league fixtures, Option D will be adopted.  This is copied below for ease of reference.  Please note this option continues to assume that the season will be extended until 5 June 2021.

Option D – Start by 7 March 2021 (tentative)

Should you have any questions about any of the above please do not hesitate to contact us.   

Kind regards

HKHAMS