ROMANS - Return to Hockey Framework

Dear Romans Families,

We hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer.
The Romans Board is happy to announce that the framework for the Osgoode-Richmond Romans return to hockey has now been finalized.

While this hockey season will be very different than normal, following the guidelines of the Province, Municipality, Hockey Canada, Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and in discussion with other local hockey associations within our District (D4), we now have a plan in place that will allow players to get back on the ice and once again playing the game they love. In implementing this return to hockey plan, all public health guidelines will be followed and the health and safety of all members will be our top priority.

RETURN TO HOCKEY (RTH) FRAMEWORK:

Due to the ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19, traditional hockey; including try-outs, team formation, and league play is not possible at this time.  As a result, the Romans RTH program will focus primarily on skill development until a return to normal hockey activities is permitted by the Province, City of Ottawa and Hockey Canada/HEO.

To facilitate a return to the ice, the season will be divided into two phases.  Phase one, which will be referred to as the ”Development Phase” will run from mid-September to December and will focus entirely on player development, utilizing a combination of skill/drill based sessions and/or scrimmage situations. All Development Phase activities will occur with Romans participants only. There will be no crossover with other associations (e.g. MTK, Stittsville, Nepean, etc.) during the Development Phase.
Phase Two, will run from January to March/April and will either be a continuation of the development format of Phase One, or will convert to normal hockey programming if permitted under Provincial, Municipal and Hockey Canada regulations.

Given the current uncertainty around Phase Two activities, Romans has focused on creating a program, and subsequent registration process and fee structure for the Development Phase activities only.  Information regarding any Phase Two activities will be communicated further into the fall and a separate registration process and fee structure will be implemented at that time.

Please note players wishing to participate in competitive programming (Romans, Silver Seven, Cyclones, etc.) will need to complete the “pre-registration process” (identified below) with ORMHA or RMMHA and should also complete the Romans registration form to indicate their interest in participating in the Romans development bubble.
 
DEVELOPMENT PHASE – WHAT TO EXPECT

Current City of Ottawa regulations limit the number of participants on the ice to 25 (coaches and players included).  Current hockey programming regulations (from Hockey Canada/HEO) also require that players/coaches/volunteers be placed into “bubbles” that do not exceed 50 persons. As a result, Romans intends to allow 18 skaters plus 2 goalies at each age group to meet the participant requirements of both the City of Ottawa and HEO/Hockey Canada.

Romans bubbles will be formed using the following parameters as a guideline (in order of priority):

• Players (skaters or goalies) who played on the team in the prior season (excluding any import players from outside of District 4, i.e. Nepean, Leitrim).
• Players who played Rep B for another District 4 team and who choose not to remain with that team this season.
• Players who recently moved into ORMHA or RMMHA and played Rep B or higher the previous season.
• Players not chosen for an Ottawa Valley Silver Seven bubble who played Tier 1 or Tier 2 in the previous season.
• Players who chose to return to Romans without competing for a spot in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 bubble.
• Where the total number of players exceeds the maximum permitted, an on-ice evaluation will be used to determine the players to remain in the Romans bubble.
• Players not included in a Romans bubble may be able to play in another Rep B bubble within District 4, or may be moved up an age group, space permitting.
• Should there be space in a bubble remaining after the above, coaches may invite players from ORMHA and RMMHA house programs to be included in their bubble, with the approval of the Romans executive. Priority will be given to players affiliated to Romans in the previous season.
• The U10 bubble will be determined using an on-ice evaluation.

 
Ice times will then be provided to each grouping to permit practice and/or scrimmage play within the age group “bubble”.  The Romans Development Phase programming with run as follows:

• Approximately 12 weeks in duration – commencing mid-September and concluding around December 20^th.
• Ideally three 50 minute ice times per week will be provided. 80 minute sessions may be provided for older age groups.
• Ice times will be a combination of skill-based sessions and scrimmages at the discretion of the coaches.
• Depending on final registrations numbers, Romans will look to have a 9:1 player to coach ratio on the ice.
• A trainer will be assigned to the sessions and up to two additional off ice volunteers.

 
REGISTRATION

Fees:

Registration fees for the Development Phase not only cover the cost of ice, but also include player insurance fees (roughly $48) as well as a portion of the general Romans administrative costs (including coach/trainer certifications, coach/volunteer insurance, etc.).

The exact fees for the Development Phase will depend on the total number of players registered and will therefore be communicated following the end of the pre-registration period. It is expected that the per player fee will be between $500 and $700, less amounts paid to ORMHA or RMMHA upon initial registration.

Timing

As a first step in the registration process, participants will be required to pre-register with their respective home association following that associations registration process. Participants will then be required to complete the Romans registration form, due no later than September 16^th. U16 and U18 registration is due no later than September 16^th for players not competing for a Tier 1 or 2 bubble who wish to participate earlier, and no later than October 5^th for all others (i.e. those not successful at earning a spot in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 bubble).

Refund process:

Given the unique nature of this season, the following standardized refund policy has been put in place across our District (D4):

• If a player registers and has a confirmed spot in the Development Phase and then withdraws before the Phase commences: a 50% refund of the total fee will be provided.
• If a player registers and then withdraws after the Development Phase commences, but before October 31st: a 25% refund of the total fee will be provided.
• If a player registers and then withdraws after November 1st: no refund will be provided.
• Should the City shut down facilities etc. refunds will be provided for the balance of the sessions remaining.

COACHES, TRAINERS and SESSION VOLUNTEERS

In order to ensure a smooth delivery of the above program, Romans will require assistant coaches to help run the on-ice sessions, trainers to monitor the health and safety of participants, and volunteers to assist with skate tying, venue entry/exit, and so on.  If you are interested in volunteering in one of these roles please contact the head coach for your age group to express your interest.  Volunteers will not be permitted to assist in more than one “bubble”. Final selection/confirmation of volunteers will be finalized and approved by the Romans board.
 
OTHER INFORMATION/THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE REGISTERING

The following are some additional considerations which should be weighed when determining whether or not to register your player for this modified programming:

• Spectators ARE NOT PERMITTED in the arena (all parents, etc. must remain outside of the building). Players will be escorted into and out of the arena by City of Ottawa staff or Romans coaches/volunteers (depending on facility regulations in place at the time).
• Players must arrive at the arena fully dressed for their session.  Players are permitted to put skates on in the arena (or may arrive wearing skate guards).
• There must be NO intentional contact (at any age level).  Players are expected to keep a proper physical distance (two metres) as much as possible while on the ice. In cases where physical distancing is not being maintained, the coach will stop the drill/scrimmage until the proper distance is regained (e.g. if a player falls into another player they must immediately separate or play will be stopped).
• All public health requirements will be followed.  This will include the use of masks and physical distancing measures as required, when entering and exiting the arena (note: masks are not currently required on the ice surface).
• There will be no referees, scorekeepers or timekeepers permitted during the Development Phase

The Romans Executive will continue to monitor the situation and will work closely with our District (D4)/Hockey Canada/Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and the City of Ottawa to determine any necessary changes for the Development Phase and beyond.  As such, please continue to watch the Romans website for ongoing updates regarding the status and plan for the RTH programming and do not hesitate to contact a member of the Executive (email addresses included on the Romans website) should you have any questions.

The registration link to start the pre-registration process can be found HERE and on the Romans website main page: 

We thank you for your ongoing assistance, patience and flexibility with both the process and the program as we work to get the players back on the ice in as safe a manner as possible.

Yours in hockey,
The Romans Executive