Exciting news! Covid-19 Safety Plans developed by Maitland Hockey Inc and the Turf Association have been approved by Hockey NSW. This means that we can return to hockey training from Thursday 2 July 2020 and then to competition on Saturday 18 July 2020. (Approval from Maitland City Council is pending)

As part of the plan, Clubs will ensure that all players are aware of both their personal responsibilities and of the on-field and off-field protocols which will be in place to keep us all safe at Maitland Hockey Centre. Your Club organisers will provide you with a Covid-19 Safety Plan Individual Checklist, so you will be aware of all safety considerations.

Covid-19 Safety changes in place at Maitland Hockey Centre will include Attendance Registers, dedicated entrance and exit gates, provision of hand sanitiser, observing social distancing requirements, closure of dug-out areas, maximum of 10 players per quarter field at training, a “Get in, train, get out” training policy and various adjustments to on-field competition such as no hand-shaking, no huddles, no sharing of equipment, etc, minimal physical contact, only one parent/carer supporting juniors, no goalies at juniors (due to sharing of equipment) and some changes to canteen operations.

At our recent MHI meeting, we decided on a revised structure for our competitions. The Women’s competition will commence on Saturday 18 July and will be a 13-week competition, concluding on 26 September. We will follow the current draw structure from Round 3, (since we have already played Rounds 1 and 2) with no finals being played. A revised draw with new dates will be published. Women’s training will commence on Thursday 2 July from 6pm-7pm.

We intend to run a 10-week Junior competition on Wednesday evenings during Term 3, commencing 22 July and concluding on 23 September. Under 6s and Under 9s will play from 5pm-6pm and Under 13s from 7pm-8pm. Junior training will commence on Thursday 2 July 5pm-6pm. Expressions of Interest for an Under 18 competition will be invited, with a plan to run the training/comp on Saturday mornings.

Hockey NSW has been working closely with several stakeholders, including Hockey Australia, the NSW Government and Associations to manage the impact of COVID-19.

Due to the NSW State Government’s current Public Health Order (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) – which does not expire until the 29th June 2020 – our original proposed resumption date of 2 May became untenable.

As such, it is the strong recommendation of Hockey NSW that the start of all hockey competitions in NSW is delayed until Saturday 18th July 2020.

In determining this date, Hockey NSW has taken into consideration the current Government restrictions, as well as the dates of the NSW July school holidays. This would allow a potential return to training on 1st July 2020 subject to the status of public health restrictions and advice.

As the result of this delay, Hockey NSW has made a decision on 2020 season registration fees: Information about Registration can be found here: https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/latest-news/2020-season-rego-fee-update/

The COVID-19 situation is still constantly changing, as is the advice from State and Federal Governments. We are committed to keeping all our members updated over the next few months to ensure they are kept informed of further changes.

Hockey NSW have now prioritised our energies into planning for the resumption of community hockey competitions around the State. Our staff have already contacted all Associations and are providing them with any assistance they require.
It is hoped that the Adult COD program at Maitland will commence on 1st July 2020 (subject to Guidelines)

We appreciate the patience and support of our entire hockey community throughout this period. We would also like to acknowledge the hard-work and efforts of our volunteers at Clubs and Associations who have been undertaking important tasks to ensure that they remain economically viable and can return to the field as soon as practicable.

If you would like clarification around this guidance: https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/surveys/1387/

Information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the 2020 hockey season are posted below. Please also refer to the Hockey NSW website.

What impact does COVID-19 have on our insurance coverage?

Players, officials, and volunteers registered for the 2020 season will be covered by the National Hockey Insurance Program. The program will provide all registered participants with a minimum level of insurance protection.

Honan are the national insurance broker and details of the insurance cover, the claims portal and certificates of currency can be found on their hockey-specific website – https://hockey.honansport.com.au/

It is very important to note that Personal Accident insurance provides coverage for injuries sustained whilst participating in an activity under the following circumstances;

An official match or training sessions
Traveling to and from an official club activity
Participation in an official club function
Tours or representative matches
Personal Accident insurance does not cover illness, such as Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Club Management and Professional Liability Insurance is provided to all incorporated hockey clubs, affiliations and associations as part of the national insurance scheme and covers for honest mistakes made by directors and officers involved in the management of the affairs for the organisation. However, this coverage would not extend to decisions made which are illegal or in breach of a Government Order.

Will registration fees be refunded?

Hockey Australia and Hockey NSW have not made a decision on refunds at this point in time.

Given the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve and change rapidly, a decision on registration fees will be made once a full understanding of the impact of COVID-19 is available.

It is important to note that the season has been delayed NOT cancelled.

The patience and understanding of members in the interim as we deal with these unprecedented events is appreciated.

Will the season be extended due to the delayed start?

This will be a decision for each individual club, association and competition body and will depend on individual circumstances. It may be beneficial for Clubs and Associations to start investigating what options are available particularly if you are accessing a local government managed facility.

The Hockey NSW advice has been the result of considerable consultation with relevant expert bodies and places the health and wellbeing of our hockey community and the broader public as the number one priority. Hockey NSW is also very conscious that our sport is a genuine family sport involving multiple generations of players, volunteers and supporters that includes a number of at-risk populations including the elderly.

What is happening with Women’s Masters?

The 2020 Masters Championships, scheduled for July, have been cancelled. 

At this point in time, Hockey NSW will be prioritising our energies into planning for the resumption of community hockey competitions around the State when it becomes safe and practical. We will be in constant contact with our Associations and Clubs over the coming weeks and offering any support we can to ensure we get our hockey community back out onto the field when the appropriate time comes.

How do we stay up-to-date with changes?

Hockey NSW will continue to provide updates as government advice and circumstances change. These updates will be communicated on our website, social media pages and via email.

Further Information can also be sourced from expert organisations at the links on this page below.

Further Information
National Coronavirus Health Information Hotline: 1800 020 080
NSW Department of Health Website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
Australian Government Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novelcoronavirus2019-ncov-health-alert
Australian Institute of Sport: https://ais.gov.au/health-wellbeing/covid-19

IF YOU WISH TO PLAY IN MAITLAND HOCKEY INC JUNIOR Under 6, Under 9 or Under 13 teams, PLEASE REGISTER through this link (www.revolutionise.com.au/mhockey/registration) and complete the form below, so teams can be organised.
https://forms.gle/gtWGP4cTYQWwH7daA

U6, U9 and U13 start on Wednesday the 18th March.
Filling in this form assists us to know numbers for each comp and who you would like to play with (no guarantees, but we can try). The first 2 weeks are “Bring a Friend for Free” weeks. If you have any friends who would like to play hockey with you, invite them along and you’ll go in the draw for fantastic prizes, to be drawn in Round 3! We will supply sticks and shin pads to borrow- mouthguards will need to be purchased on the night.

U18’s – We need to get sufficient interest before we can start a comp. The plan is for Saturday mornings so if you want to play
a) fill in this form https://forms.gle/gtWGP4cTYQWwH7daA
b) invite a friend, a few friends, or even an entire team.

Training 6-7pm tonight Thursday (5.3.20) has been CANCELLED due to the field being underwater and forecast of more rain. See you on Saturday!