Category: News

NOHA – Hotel Challenges

Please see the letter attached outlining the challenges the NOHA has been made of aware of with respect to Hotels during tournament weekends.

Letter to Associations – Hotel Challenges – February 13, 2023 (1)

Date: February 14, 2023
To: NOHA Associations and Single Entry Teams
From: Sue Shepherdson
Re: Hotels

The NOHA has received several complaints from various hotels associations around Northern Ontario.

The associations have been dealing with numerous circumstances regarding the actions of both players and parents who are staying at their facilities during tournament are behaving in an
manner that is negatively impacting their business.

It has now gotten to the point where several facilities are considering no longer permitting hockey (sports) teams to block rooms and are no longer providing discounts to these Teams.
They are also considering significantly increasing their rates to help deter larger groups.

With the cost of hockey already extremely high, and travel for many Northern Ontario Teams being extensive during the season which further impacts the costs to play the game, it is
extremely concerning that the behaviour of a small number of people is affecting so many families and Teams.

To address the challenges faced by hotel operators, the NOHA is currently discussing with them how we can collectively address the issues that they are encountering almost on a weekly basis with sports groups.

In the interim, we would ask that all Associations advise their Teams who are attending tournaments from now until the end of the season to respect the rules put in place by the
facilities, to treat hotel staff with respect, and to ensure a positive experience for all Participants.

It is also important to understand that hotels have the ability to enforce their house rules and can, if necessary, remove those who chose to ignore the rules. Eviction is a tool that hotels do not want to use, but the impact of unruly behaviour on hotel staff and other patrons is becoming an issue for them. Please do not put them in a place where they have to consider using this option.

2022 AGM Coniston Minor Hockey Association

Coniston Minor Hockey Association is pleased to announce that we will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, July 6th, at 7:30 PM.

The event will be held virtually through Zoom to accommodate everyone. To register and receive your Zoom invite, please register using the following form.

Contact us by filling out the form below.

We look forward to seeing you!

NOHA Officials Clinics

NOHA Officials Clinics

The NOHA has released a second set of officiating clinics to be held in November. If you are interested in officiating, please complete the steps below. If you have any questions, please contact Adam Morell at [email protected].

 

Step One (aged 18 and over only)

If aged 18 and over, must have valid VSS submitted to [email protected] (PDF scan), if the process has been started, submit receipt to given e-mail address.

If Letter of Engagement is required to obtain VSS, please contact [email protected].

 

Step Two (all officials who haven’t already completed the program)

Register and complete the Hockey Canada Planning a Safe Return to Hockey E-Learning module

 

Step Three (new officials only)

Register and complete the Hockey Canada Hockey University E-Learning module

Download the Hockey Canada Rule Book

 

Step Four (all officials)

Register for an NOHA Webinar

Saturday, November 13, 2021 | 10 AM – new officials only

Monday, November 15, 2021 | 7 PM – new officials only

 

Saturday, November 13, 2021 | 10 AM – returning officials only

Monday, November 15, 2021 | 7 PM – returning officials only

 

Step Five (all officials)

Attend your NOHA Webinar

 

Step Six (new officials only)

Complete Hockey Canada Level 1 Exam (open book)

 

Step Seven (all officials)

Register for Horizon Web Ref Assigning Software

  1. Visit https://www.horizonwebref.com/?pageID=newUser
  2. Enter the e-mail address you wish to receive assignments at
  3. Enter YOUR first and last name
  4. Enter this Association #: 206009 (disregard the account location)
  5. Select user type as: Official
  6. Personal Note: New Official (Location)
  7. Complete the remaining steps and click Submit Registration

 

Your Horizon Web Ref account will only become unlocked once all steps are properly completed.

 

Step Eight (all officials)

 

Submit Proof of Vaccination in PDF to [email protected] – pictures and screenshots will not be accepted

Condolences to the Sartor Family

Coniston Minor Hockey would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Sartor family. Jimmy spent many years as a coach, executive member and the President of our association. He always had a kind word, and would check in to assure the success of Coniston Minor Hockey. He gave his time, energy and continued support, with donations and contact with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings to ensure our players benefitted. Jimmy surely will be missed. Rest in peace.

SARTOR, James – Obituary – Sudbury – Sudbury News

 

 

NOHA VACCINATION POLICY UPDATE – OCTOBER 5, 2021

NOHA Vaccination Policy Update – October 5, 2021

As we continue to operate through these unprecedented times, please be aware that the NOHA Board of Directors has had multiple discussions since the summer about ways to enable players to continue playing this great game of hockey as safely as possible.

On September 9, 2021, the NOHA announced a COVID-19 Vaccine Policy that required all Participants born in 2009 or earlier to be fully vaccinated to participate in NOHA-sanctioned Programming.

The NOHA Board of Directors amended this policy on September 17, 2021. This decision was based on information from the Provincial Government that exempted Players who are between 12 to 17 years of age to be vaccinated.

Although the COVID-19 situation is ever-evolving, the health and priority of all Participants remains the number one priority of the NOHA. The Executive has continued to review appropriate information and has engaged in communication with legal counsel and various public health authorities, including the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario, Dr. Moore and his colleague, Dr. Warshafsky. See the enclosed letter from Dr. Moore here.

After carefully considering the evolving public health response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and considering the close contact nature of our game, the NOHA Board of Directors has decided to revert to the NOHA Vaccine Policy dated September 9, 2021, which will require all Players born in 2009 or earlier to be fully vaccinated. The policy has been amended to reflect a new timeline to be fully vaccinated. Click here for the full policy.

Note that the NOHA policy also references On-Ice Officials, Volunteers, Team Officials, however per the direction of the five (5) Public Health Units in the NOHA Territory, these participants must be fully vaccinated by October 14, 2021 in order to enter the facilities in Northern Ontario.

While we understand that there may be disappointment in the change to the NOHA policy, we assure you that the decision is being made in the best interest of all Participants to provide us with the best opportunity to play a full hockey season, without the stops and starts that we encountered for much of the last season.

Should there be anything that the NOHA can do to support you through this difficult period, please do not hesitate to contact your District Council Director.

Letter – NOHA Vaccination Policy October 5, 2021

NOHA Vaccination Policy Version 3 – Updated October 5, 2021

Letter from Chief Medical Officer of Health

AMENDED: NOHA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Letter to NOHA Associations – Amended Vaccination Policy – September 19, 2021

Re: Amended Vaccine Policy


The NOHA Board of Directors met to discuss the current vaccine policy for participants within
the NOHA.


The NOHA reviewed relevant health information and direction from the Government of
Ontario, coupled with legal advice specifically as it relates to the mandating of vaccination of all
participants in the NOHA.


After careful consideration of all factors, the NOHA Executive has supported an amendment to
the NOHA Vaccine Policy.

  • The NOHA will continue to recommend that Participants between the ages of 12 to 17
    (2004 and younger) receive a complete series of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine;
  • It will continue to be a requirement that all NOHA Participants (Team Officials,
    Volunteers, Officials, Players) aged 18 – born in 2003 or earlier – and above shall be
    completely vaccinated as of October 31, 2021.


The NOHA will continue to review applicable information, and reserves the right to amend this
policy in response to any new guidance received from or regulations passed by federal,
provincial, and local public health and governmental authorities in respect to the COVID-19
pandemic.


Please note that the complete revision of the policy will be provided as soon as possible.
Should you have any questions, please contact your District Council Director.


Yours truly,


Sue Shepherdson
NOHA President