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.
NCWHL 2020 Newsletter
Since we cannot meet in person for our annual General Membership Meeting, we’ve put together an update on the current state of the League. Even though we can’t be interacting in our primary way, i.e. out on the ice at the moment, there’s still a lot going on in the League! Please read about all of the great things our members are working on, and if you’d like to get involved, please email ncwhl.main@gmail.com for additional information.
COVID-19 (3/18 Update: Shelter in Place)
Updated March 18, 2020
Dear League Members,
Due to the recent “Shelter in Place” order issued by Bay Area county officials, we are suspending use of the remainder of ice slots for the Winter 2019-2020 season. For more information on the mandate, please refer to this helpful article:
Sheltering in Place: What You Need to Know
We support everyone doing their part to flatten the curve. Please stay safe and healthy. We will keep you informed of any updates as they become available.
Regards,
NCWHL Board
Updated March 13, 2020
Dear NCWHL,
After careful consideration, we’ve decided to cancel the remainder of our winter season. We feel obligated to do our part in implementing social distancing and not placing skaters at unnecessary risk. Avoiding a crowded locker room will help us achieve this goal.
Through March 21, 2020, we will cancel remaining games, the pre-evals skill clinic (originally scheduled March 17), and the Leaguewide Scrimmage (originally scheduled March 21). We plan to push evaluation sessions back by 2 weeks. We’ll work on an updated schedule and share with you all soon.
Ice the Next 2 Weeks
As we have purchased ice through the 21st, if you are a skater registered this season, you are welcome to use in a non-official capacity as a stick and shoot or pick up scrimmage. We will not have any scorekeepers or referees at these sessions. These will be skate at your own risk events.
Ice Oasis (both San Mateo and Redwood City locations) is looking to modify their schedule for the next week or 2 to implement robust cleaning procedures every 2 hours. If our ice slots get moved, we will notify you.
Our Ask to Protect our Community
We all have a responsibility to look out for each other and to stay away from the rinks if sick or exhibiting ANY symptoms. From the WHO website: Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover.
If you are confirmed to have COVID-19 or if you’re suspected to have it, and you have recently participated in an NCWHL event, or if you are at the rink in the next couple of weeks with other league skaters, please email ncwhl.main@gmail.com. We recognize the sensitivity around this and will ensure your privacy. It’s important for us to notify others to limit the possible exposure to our community. Your identity will be held private as we communicate in broad terms such as “a X division skater” or “a participant at X ice slot.” Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Next Season
Evals start next Sunday, but are postponed, as well as the start of the next season. It is our plan and hope to offer a full-length summer season as soon as that makes sense. We will update once we have more information.
General Meeting
The General Meeting (April 11) has been canceled for now. We will evaluate alternatives such as a video meeting/written update. We look forward to scheduling a face-to-face meeting and social event with everyone in the near future! As a not for profit, we have an obligation to hold an annual meeting and elections. Elections for all Board positions, which usually take place at the General Meeting may need to be held online, so look for that to come in your email.
As we continue to get more information, the League will relay updates via email, Facebook and the Weekly newsletter.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Whitney Kirschbrown on behalf of NCWHL Board
March 8, 2020
Dear All,
Our League will be continuing to hold games, practices, and soon, placement sessions in San Mateo and Redwood City. In response to the coronavirus/COVID19 outbreak, we recommend that we follow guidances put forth by the CDC and WHO, as well as adhere to a list of recommendations from USA Hockey, which can be found here: https://www.usahockey.com/playersafety.
Beyond not showing up to the rink when you’re sick, and practicing good hygiene such as frequent hand-washing, some ‘hockey specific’ practices that should be followed for the foreseeable future include:
- Handshake lines after games should include fist bumps with gloves on
- Use individual water bottles; do not share them
- Towels should not be shared in any way
If you don’t feel comfortable participating in a game or practice, please notify your captains of your absence. Thanks for helping ensure the NCWHL community remains safe and healthy!
Best Regards,
Whitney Kirschbrown
NCWHL President
NCWHL Donates $12,000 to BAYS
A Message from our Community Outreach Coordinator:
On Sunday, July 14, a group of representatives from Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS) came to accept the check for the money we raised through the NCWHL Invitational in June. Through raffles, donations, and bidding, we were able to raise $6,000 to donate to BAYS. In the days leading up to check delivery, an NCWHL skater reached out to me to regarding having their company match our donation. She and another league member helped complete the match and because of this unbelievably generous offer, we were able to double our donation to $12,000! Thank you, Shelby & Sally!
We surprised BAYS members with this news on Sunday, and needless to say, they were overwhelmed. The funds were earmarked to help send several of their Mets in the City group (those diagnosed with terminal metastatic cancer) to a healing retreat at one of our state parks. It’s an opportunity for them to get out of hospitals, houses, and care facilities. Through our donation, and subsequent match, they will now be able to send the whole group to this retreat.
I want to take a moment to recognize the undeniable collective impact our league has and how, together, we are able to do something amazing. I’m looking forward to continuing our outreach work and providing the league with more ways to give back and be a force for good in our communities.
– Eula
ncwhl.community@gmail.com