For the information of all clubs and members – please see below updated IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines:

IHNSW RETURN TO SPORT GUIDELINES V5.1 – updated 14 August

IHNSW would also like to provide signage and social media graphics to assist clubs in messaging to participants at training and games:

IHNSW COVID SAFE POSTERS AND SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS

As an indoor sport, it’s important that we continue to stay vigilant at all times. IHNSW recommends having club representatives act as ‘COVID Safe Hygiene Marshalls’ where possible, to oversee activities on and off ice and guide people to do the right thing where required.

We recommend all clubs, participants and spectators familiarise themselves with the IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines, and especially ensure that we:

1. Keep physical distancing at all times when not on the ice
2. Arrive ready to play and depart quickly after
3. Practise good hand hygiene
4. Adhere to all venue conditions of entry
5. No sharing of equipment
6. No spitting or clearing of the nose on the ice
7. Reduce spectator numbers to none or one person per participant where possible
8. Encourage everyone to stay at home if feeling unwell or have been in close contact with a positive COVID case or reported case location

Please continue to follow IHNSW’s website news and social media for more information

Since the announcement of the return of community sport competitions and the IHNSW Winter season resumed in July – IHNSW, clubs and members have been working under the IHNSW Return to Sport guidelines to guide the behaviour of participants, rinks and other attendees while at Ice Hockey activities.

Please click below to download the current IHNSW Return to Sport guidelines – which include updates around the newly implemented restrictions on spectators numbers allowed at community sport activities and information from the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex.

IHNSW RETURN TO SPORT GUIDELINES V4.5 – updated 16 July

The most important thing at the moment is anyone who had been to a COVID-19 case location (view a full list at the nsw.gov.au/covid-19 website) should now be in isolation for 2 weeks and seeking testing. These people should not be returning to Ice Hockey activities until they have followed all NSW Health advice and have been cleared to resume.

SPECTATOR NUMBERS:

As a result of the recent rising case numbers in NSW, NSW Health is updating the COVID-19 Safety Plans that Community Sport Organisations and Facilities must adhere to. Of note, sport and recreation organisations will be required to ‘take all reasonable steps to minimise the number of spectators attending community sport events’ – specifically one spectator for juniors and none for seniors.

This is a recommended restriction not a public health order at this stage, but it is now part of our document and should be adhered to where practical to do so.

IHA OFFICIALS SAFE PRACTISES

IHA have provided information with regards to how we can best protect our officials, including rules in play around abuse of officials, spitting etc. These recommendations are around game play and officiating only and should be implemented on top of all other COVID Safe plans, it should not replace them. 

LCC ICE RINK:

The Liverpool Ice Rink have advised that they have not been made aware of anyone with a positive case of COVID-19 having entered their premises. They have not been a part of any contact tracing investigations done by NSW Health. Should Ice Hockey NSW be made aware of any changes to this information, we will inform all clubs as soon as possible.

IHNSW MEMBERS MUST COMPLY WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES

Unfortunately in NSW, we are currently in the middle of a spike in positive COVID-19 cases and it is clear that there are individuals, organisations and venues not adhering to the social distancing regulations that are part of Public Health Orders. IHNSW has received feedback and observed activities of some teams and participants which go against our guidelines, and are putting the future of our sport and the health of our members at risk.

All clubs and participants are reminded of the key points of the Return to Sport guidelines:

-Physical distancing of 1.5m is to be maintained at all times when not taking part in training or games (IE getting changed in a common area, team meetings, benches, spectating)

-Physical distancing is only relaxed for:
— Participants who are training or competing on the ‘field’ of play.
— Family members from the same household.
— When medical attention is required.

-No sharing of players equipment or match equipment between sessions or games (ie new pucks)

-No group gatherings or meetings before or after activities – always with appropriate social distancing

-Clubs and rinks are to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to throughout all activities.

-Zero tolerance for abuse of officials, or arguing with rink or club staff who are enforcing social distancing or the Return to Sport Guidelines.

We thank you for your hard work and co-operation as we strive to make Ice Hockey as enjoyable and safe as possible during COVID-19.

Following the announcement of further lifting of restrictions including rinks opening from 13 June, and community sport competitions able to resume from 1 July – IHNSW would like to confirm that there are now steps being taken to resume the 2020 Winter season. 

Please click below to download the current IHNSW Return to Sport guidelines.

IHNSW RETURN TO SPORT GUIDELINES V3.2 – updated 1 July

IIHF Roadmap – safe return to practise

This information is designed for use by clubs to guide the behaviour of participants, rinks and other attendees – please use this document as a sport specific guide to how you can safely operate and comply with the NSW Government Public Health orders whilst returning to activities from this weekend. This document should not be treated as an exhaustive list of procedures that you can implement to protect the health and safety of participants – but as an information kit to guide you in your decision making.

Anyone participating in activities at Ice rinks should also make themselves aware of the venue’s guidelines and conditions of entry, and comply with them as well.

It is important to note that the Public Health Orders are changing all the time and when appropriate, IHNSW will make changes and updates to this information as required.

You can find sport specific resources at the Office of Sport website https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/industry-guidelines/sports-recreation-and-gyms