MWF players, families, fans and friends,

The one week countdown for our MWF hockey gear swap is now ON! Weather permitting, the gear swap will take place in the parking lot of the BMO Arena. Should rain be in the forecast, we will set up on the second level mezzanine. Read on for additional details about how you may participate:

Equipment drop off and swap set-up time will occur between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.

Gear swap will run from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Separate stations will be set up for each type of equipment and will be generally organized by type and size.

Around each of the stations, junior leaders, coaches and/or parents will be available to assist with questions or requests for input

At the end of the swap, gear that is left behind will be stored onsite for donation or future use

We are opting for a simplified approach for this event. The primary focus is to equip players with “new-to-you” gear. If your preference is to sell your gear (e.g., on FB Marketplace, Kijiji or elsewhere), we completely understand!

Please ensure gear is clean (as much as possible) and is in good/very good/excellent condition. We all want our players and goalies well and safely protected on the ice!

We are looking forward to hosting this event. Should you wish to volunteer your time or if have any questions, please reach out to hfxhockeyfun@gmail.com

See you next week!

2021-2022 SEASON COVID UPDATE:

September 8th, 2021 the province announced that Nova Scotia will move into Phase 5 of its reopening plan at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 15. At this time, the only restrictions that will remain in place for the general population are those related to management of COVID-19 cases. Border measures will remain in place, and the province will also start requiring proof of full vaccination for non-essential, discretionary, recreation and leisure services and activities on Oct. 4.

It was also announced that as of Oct. 4, proof of full vaccination will be required for Nova Scotians who are 12 or older to participate in discretionary, recreational or non-essential activities such as dining out, going to a fitness facility, or going to a movie, theatre performance, concert or sporting event. Vaccine requirements include participants and attendees at sporting activities including practices, training, tournaments etc. 

The proof of vaccination requirement does not apply to children 11 years of age and under because they are not eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Children age 11 and under who attend these activities with a fully vaccinated adult will be allowed to participate. 

We understand that you will likely have some questions, and we will communicate with you in as much detail as possible as more information becomes available to us. 

Link: Province of Nova Scotia Press Release

Thank you, MWF Executive Members

METRO WEST FORCE is now accepting applications for our NEW Metro West Force "FIRST CALL" program. 

An overview of this program follows. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: please contact ARIC@METROWESTFORCE.COM

Our first sessions start September 25^th, please register ASAP by clicking HERE

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This is a FIRST OF ITS KIND program offering an avenue for introducing and attracting current and past players to becoming a female official within our organization and in Nova Scotia. 

GOALS

1. Provide females the opportunity to explore, learn and experience being an on-ice official with no obligation
2. “See her, be her”: Learn what it means to be a female official, the opportunities it can bring, and how to get involved from current elite female officials in our province
3. Increase the number of female officials in the province year-over-year

THE PROPOSAL

Our program will consist of both ON ICE and CLASSROOM sessions and include lots of support.

·         On-ice sessions      

o   Power skating session

o   Introduction and training to the basics of officiating in an on-ice scenario

·         Classroom sessions 

o   Introduction to key concepts of officiating in an off-ice scenario

o   “See her, be her”. Hear about first-hand experiences from current elite officials and specifically MWF's very own Shauna Neary and Morgan Greek!!

o   Learn about what opportunities officiating can bring

o   Video highlighting females at professional levels in various sports

o   Information on how to get involved and next step to becoming an official (how to sign up for a clinic, what is expected, what gear you need, etc.)

·         Support 

o   Critical mentoring, guidance, tips, tricks 

o   Financial support to help cover incidentals, registration, etc.

WHO: Female hockey players (current or past) – All age groups are invited to participate!!! U15 (or higher) and past players will be prioritized, but we wont turn anyone away.

• ·        U15 age category and up (age 13+) are prioritized as there are no barrier to signing up for required certification clinics and getting on the ice to officiate games (even potentially in year!!).

• ·        Understanding the CRITICAL role our official play, seeing the game from a different angle, and recognizing the importance of a respectful relationship between OFFICIAL, PLAYER, COACH and FAN are key benefits of being involved regardless of age.

WHEN: First session Saturday September 25^th!!!

·         The early season start is set to ensure participants, who wish to do so, can sign up for referee clinics in our zone 

·         NOTE – HNS Clinic Clinics are offered virtually, and will take 1 evening of commitment. Sessions will start SEP 27!

·         For more info, please go to: https://hockeynovascotia.ca/official

WHY:  Officiating provides an opportunity for our athletes to see another side of the game and another avenue through which they can participate and carry-on their love for the game continues to highlight the critical role our Officials play within our organization and to our game.

Did you see that amazing game last night and get shivers like I did - how cool would it be to try hockey to see what that feels like? WOW - WHAT A GAME...WHAT A GOAL!!

Metro West Force is very excited to be able to offer TWO TRY IT sessions for first time athletes giving them the chance to get on the ice and to experience hockey first hand!

TELUS TRY IT - for NEW TO HOCKEY FOR YOUNG ATHLETES: SEPT 18th: 9:15 am - 11:15 am

In partnership with Hockey Nova Scotia and sponsored by Telus, this program offers the opportunity for girls interested in starting hockey as a result of the 2021 IIHF Women's Worlds to quickly and easily find more information about female hockey, our organization and to participate in a facilitated, ON ICE SESSION: "SEE HER, BE HER".

AGES: Open to AGES 5 – 18 (aligned with our U7 through U18 programs)

If you have full gear for your daughter, we'd encourage her to wear it. However, if you do not have any gear available for your daughter and are still interested in your daughter getting on the ice…. please register and let me know via email!

TO REGISTER FOR TELUS TRY IT - for NEW TO HOCKEY YOUNG ATHLETE: SEPT 18th: 9:15 am - 11:15 am go to: LINK

ALSO NOTE: In parallel to this event, on September 18th we will be hosting our MWF Gear Swap: a great opportunity to get gently used equipment for the upcoming season.

TRY IT - for NEW TO HOCKEY FOR WOMEN: SEPT 17th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

It's never too late to learn how great hockey is! This session offers NEW TO HOCKEY mothers, grandmothers, aunts the opportunity to strap on the blades and get suited up to step on the ice with peers to have fun, build their network and open eyes to opportunities within the Metro West Force organization and female hockey as a whole, and see first hand how amazing our athletes are. 

This is still "SEE HER, BE HER", but in this case the role is somewhat reversed!

TO REGISTER FOR TRY IT - for NEW TO HOCKEY FOR WOMEN: SEPT 17th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm go to: LINK

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO GET ON THE ICE; Beginner level skaters: can stand and skate on your own, with full gear 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE (BUT NOT GET ON THE ICE): - NONE. If you don't have hockey gear or are just in the initial stages of learning to skate, you can still come out to join the fun!

For more information or questions about either of these, please contact  president@metrowestforce.com

Hello MWF members,

We hope everyone has enjoyed their summer.  It is hard to believe our 2021 Condition Camp is just around the corner; sessions start on September 7th.  We are very excited to get everyone on the ice again!

As is the case every year, we require volunteers to make these things run smoothly.  This year we require 1 COVID screener and 4 room monitors (2 per dressing room).  Monitors must have their required checks up to date.  If we do not have a volunteer to screen for COVID, we will not be able to allow spectators into the arena.

To volunteer, please view the most updated version of the volunteer schedule by clicking HERE

Contact Kristin Pelrine at marketing@metrowestforce.com if you are able to volunteer for any of these sessions.

All COVID protocols still apply until we are informed otherwise.  It is imperative that everyone abides by these protocols.  Contravening them could result in MWF having their ice contracts pulled.  

Teamsnap will be utilized for player health checks.  Everyone will be receiving their team invite shortly.  Please join and complete your players’ health check prior to arriving at the arena.  Players will be allowed into dressing rooms 15 minutes prior to their ice time.  Please have your player arrive partially dressed if you feel they require more than 15 minutes to get ready.  There are areas where parents are able to tie skates.  Spectators will be required to enter their information in the COVID log at the sign-in table before entering the arena.  This process will begin 10 minutes prior to the session start time.  All spectators must leave the arena when the session is over.

The BMO allows for 50 spectators during each session.  This allows us to accommodate 2 spectators per player for groups U11 to U18.  Due to the size of the U9 group, we are limiting spectators to 1 per player.

The Metro West Force executive wants to thank everyone for their continued support and cooperation.

REGISTRATION REMINDER

Registration will close on Thursday, September 9, 11:59 pm.

Online registration for all new and returning players is available by accessing the MWF registration store: Click HERE

Full Registration details: Click HERE

Registration Fees: Click HERE

Financial Assistance: Click HERE

New for 2021-22: e transfer payments will be accepted and sent to metrowestforce.registrar@gmail.com (auto-deposit, no passwords required).