August 1, 2020
Hello BYHA Community
I hope you and your families are well and making the best of the summer. I wanted provide an update regarding plans for the BYHA 2020 – ’21 season.
On July 24th, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts provided guidance that classifies ice hockey under the “Higher Risk” category of athletic activities. You can see that guidance on page 3 of this document. Massachusetts is currently in Phase 3 step 1 of the reopening plan. The guidelines authorize Higher Risk sports to conduct Level 1 type of play which consists of "individual or socially distanced group activities (no-contact workouts, aerobic conditioning, individual skill work, and drills)." In practical terms, what this means is that, at this time, BYHA is authorized to conduct practice sessions with some modifications to format, to adhere to guidelines.
We’re hopeful that public health circumstances will improve so that later steps of the MA plan can be activated that would allow for BYHA games to be played. At this time, we’re planning to start the season with practices, skills with Dynamic Skating and possibly dry land training with Institute of Sport and Movement Boston.
We’re excited about bringing youth sports back to our kids, families, and community but our highest priority is the safety and wellness of or players, their families, our coaches and the community. In order to align with that priority, our activities will adhere to guidelines of the CDC, USA hockey, Mass Hockey and the State of Massachusetts. USA hockey issued Guidelines for occupying rinks on May 5, 2020 and we recommend that you review those guidelines here.
In order to secure ice time for practice and skills, we’re asking for an additional tuition payment for each player in the amount of $400. (For U19 and Midgets, the amount is $100 because of their shorter season and lower costs.) This 2nd payment will be due by 8/26/20. As we don’t know how the season will play out (i.e. when league games will start or whether there will be a full season), we’re unable to confirm total tuition cost for the season, other than it won’t be higher than the original amounts posted.
Prior to the start of our season, BYHA will require a waiver of liability for each participant. Please review a copy of that here. We will continue to monitor updates from Mass Hockey and USA hockey and adjust if/as needed to remain aligned with those guidelines.
Lastly, we recognize that some families will face a difficult decision as to whether to return to hockey this season. For those that choose not to return this year, we support your decision to do what is best for your player(s) and your family. If you decide not to play, please contact BYHA registrar Areti Fotis afotis@verizon.net and let us know as quickly as possible. To provide the best experience possible for all, we may need to re-allocate team assignments.
Thanks again for your support of BYHA and your patience as we navigate through these circumstances. These are extraordinary times and we believe strongly that youth sports can help us in our recovery. However, it has to be done safely, with the utmost care for the health of our youth and our community.
Michael French
BYHA President
About BYHA established in 1975 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the character development of Belmont youth through teaching, coaching and playing ice hockey.
Our organization is managed by a volunteer board of directors and operated by a group of more than 50 volunteer coaches. We offer programs for children between the ages of 5 and 19 and we are a member of Massachusetts Hockey’s District 9 and USA Hockey.
We welcome players of all levels of ability and are grateful for the support and participation of generations of coaches, volunteers, parents and players. We hope you will review information about our program within this site and consider participating. Please let us know if you have any questions.
