Handling Exposures and Cases of COVID-19 This Season

For Updated CDC Recommendations on Quarantine and Isolation
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

If You Have Tested Positive for COVID-19
If you have a positive COVID-19 test, please self-isolate and do not come to the rink for 5 days, even if you show no symptoms. Get tested before you return to play.

If You Have Been Exposed to a Positive COVID-19 Case
All NCWHL players and officials have been asked to be fully vaccinated this season. People who are fully vaccinated DO NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. If your immediate family has tested positive, we ask that you skip your game. Fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 10 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.  

If You Tested Positive After You Were at the Rink
If you were at the rink when you could have been exposed (the exposure was confirmed after you had already been to the rink) or you later tested positive, but did not know your status while at the rink, please email ncwhl.main@gmail.com. Your identity will be kept confidential, however, we would like to notify the rink, the players, refs, and scorekeeper, of this event, so that they can determine their next steps (possible testing, isolating, sitting out of games, etc.).

If the Rink Has a Positive Case
If the rink becomes aware of a case from individuals outside of our league (facility staff, spectators, other league skaters, etc), and it could impact our league, we will notify you. 

If You Feel Sick
In order to keep everyone healthy, if you are not feeling well for illnesses outside of COVID-19, please just stay home and don’t come to the rink. 

If you do not feel comfortable playing after a possible exposure at the rink, or if someone (the exact person will remain anonymous) you might have interacted with tested positive, you can let your Captain know that you will miss upcoming games, however, there will be no refunds or make up slots for games that you miss. Unless the rink is forced to close, by the County, or a large outbreak, we will stick to the schedule we have and run games and practices as planned.

Our policy comes from the CDC’s latest guidance. NCWHL may update these policies as local and CDC guidelines evolve.

NCWHL Sets COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for New Season

NCWHL will be requiring proof of vaccination for the upcoming Winter 2021-2022 season. Prior to the first ice slot, all registered players and officials will be contacted to provide a copy of your records.

If you were vaccinated in California, you can obtain a Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record. We will accept this or a picture of your vaccination card. If you haven’t, please submit your information for our records: NCWHL Proof of Vaccination Form

Upcoming Season Q&A

We’ll keep a running list of questions from League members here as we approach the Winter 2021-2022 Season. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigate through this season start under new pandemic rules. Our hope is to return to normal operations eventually as the pandemic subsides, but for the time being, we ask for your understanding as we try to make this as safe, fair and fun for everyone.

I registered, but didn’t receive a confirmation. Is this normal?
Yes, but if you are uncertain, please contact us and we will let you know.

Why aren’t evals being held this season?
Due to this being our first season back from a lengthy pandemic hiatus, we decided it was more important to focus on getting everyone back on the ice safely. We felt the quickest and most fair way was to start up where everyone was placed in the last season they played in NCWHL. We know some of you have worked hard to get ready to move up divisions and sincerely hope you will understand this temporary hold on evaluations.

I’m brand new to NCWHL. How will I be placed in a division?
The placement coordinator will reach out to you to determine your playing history and select an appropriate division for you. You will need to formally evaluate at the beginning of next season.

I’m returning to NCWHL after an extended time off. How will I be placed? Will I need to be evaluated?
For this season, you will be placed in the last division you skated in, however you will need to formally re-evaluate at the beginning of next season.

Will you make an exception if I have not had the COVID vaccine?
Sorry, at this time, we cannot make an exception.

If I am unable to play this season for any reason, will my 2020 Summer credit roll over?
Absolutely. We will hold onto your credit and you can apply it toward any future season. Or if you wish to request a refund, contact us at ncwhl.secretary@gmail.com.

How much does this season cost and will it be regular length?
You can find season fees on our Registration page. If all goes well (Covid and all), we are expecting a regular length season. Number of games will depend on registration numbers and how many teams we end up with. It will likely be close to a typical NCWHL season.

Give Hockey a Try Day Recap

Give Hockey a Try Day (GHATD) introduced over 50 participants to ice hockey on February 3rd and 24th. Winter Olympic years have always injected an added enthusiasm for GHATD as women’s hockey is spotlighted on the international stage. None have been more significant than this year with the smashing success of the U.S. National Team as they took gold in the tournament.

NBC Sports reached out to our League to do a story on this event and spent the day with us from set-up to tear-down. They chronicled the day with one of their reporters participating on-ice. During the first portion of the session, skaters were led through some light intro-to-hockey drills. Then they participated in a controlled, fun scrimmage to show off their newly acquired skills. Afterwards, skaters rushed to the Gear Sale to get equipped for the upcoming season. All equipment was donated by League members and sold for $10 a piece. We parted with so much gear that we are now in need of another collection. And so far, we’ve signed up 27 new skaters and counting!

Over 40 League volunteers from across all divisions came out to support GHATD: helping skaters get dressed, coaching, recruiting, selling gear, and cheering on the participants as they skated in their first scrimmage ever. As always, a huge thank you goes out to all our volunteers for helping us put on yet another successful GHATD!