Elite level of sport expanded, multiple bubbles of six now permitted on the ice – eiha.co.uk
The Government has issued new Covid-19 guidance for indoor sport in England and the EIHA have been working with Department for Digitial, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to ensure that our Return To Play guidance is in line with the new restrictions place on participants over the age of 18 whereby they must follow the ‘rule of six’ social distancing restrictions.
The EIHA and IHUK, alongside other indoor sport governing bodies such as basketball, netball and football, have been waiting on further guidance to confirm with grassroots clubs following updates released by Sport England yesterday.
The EIHA are pleased to confirm that we have been given the green light to expand the ‘elite level’ of ice hockey in England to include NIHL National Division, NIHL Division 1, WNIHL Elite and WNIHL Premier. These groups will not be limited to the ‘rule of six’ when training.
Outside of the elite level for adults, training must only take place in groups of up to six people. However DCMS have now confirmed that multiple groups of six can participate at the same location, provided groups do not mix and further information has been provided to support this by Sport and Recreation Alliance.
There are still points of clarity that the association are seeking, and further updates will be provided as and when they are received. Venues, clubs and other bodies cannot confirm the application of the return to play plans from governing bodies or DCMS based on an interpretation of the guidance and the EIHA continues to work with the Ice Rink Managers Association (IRMA) and the EIHA Leadership Team to address questions directly with DCMS raised by our sport.
What indoor ice hockey activity currently can take place? as of 6pm on September 24
- Elite level training – This includes the Elite League, NIHL National Division and NIHL Division 1, WNIHL Elite and Premier Divisions. These categories operate at Return to Play Phase 3 but without the ‘rule of six’ however clubs are required to meet guidance issued by DCMS and subsequently approved by the EIHA. Clubs without the necessary approval will be classed as non-elite senior training.
- Junior training – This includes U9s, U11s, U13s, U15s and U18s. Teams can continue at Return to Play Phase 3 without the ‘rule of six’ for participants under the age of 18.
- Non-elite senior training – This includes NIHL Division 2, and WNIHL Division 1, Recreational, Universities and U20s. Training in bubbles of up to six people (RTP Phase 3 but with six-person limit in a group). Multiple groups of six using the ice pad is allowed however groups must not interact for the duration of the session using multiple zones and separate access and egress points from the ice.
What indoor ice hockey activity currently cannot take place?
- Any senior or junior competitive games
- Any sessions exceeding 30 players in line with Return to Play Phase 3
- Non-elite senior training in groups of more than six people
- Non-elite senior training with individuals changing groups of six during the course of a session
- Informal ‘scrimmage’ in groups more than six people
- Any spectator related activity in venues
What does this mean for EIHA competitions?
- While we remain in Phase 3 of our Return to Play, activity is limited to training only. There will be no competitive games played at this present time.
The EIHA and Ice Hockey UK are engaged in discussions with DCMS around the safe return of spectators to venues supported by previously issued guidance to relevant clubs so when the time is right, we can return to the sport we love together. This work also includes working with DCMS to understand the risks, level of financial or other support that is needed for our sport and are supporting the sector in promoting the role we play in our communities.