REMINDER PARENT VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED

 

We are still in need of PARENT Volunteers for the Conditioning Camps, If you are available to help please sign up for other a Dressing Room Rep and/or COVID Check in : HERE

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Jersey Collection “LAST CALL”

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Timekeeper Sign Up

COVID-19 UPDATE 

We want to provide an update regarding the province’s proof of full vaccination announcement last week. Over the weekend, we received the following communication from Sport Nova Scotia:

FROM SPORT NOVA SCOTIA: We wanted to provide a quick update about last week’s announcement concerning COVID-19 immunization for sport activities. We have received word from the province indicating that there will be further review about participant vaccine requirements in sport. We expect to hear back early next week with a final decision about the logistical details (including potential age requirements) that go along with the vaccine policies. We will update you as soon as we have more information.

Hockey Nova Scotia will continue to work with the province and Sport Nova Scotia to determine what these vaccine requirements will look like for our membership this season.

We will communicate this information to you as soon as we have it.

Thank you, MWF Executives 

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