We are sure this is the update you’ve all been awaiting!

We are pleased to announce that following extensive work we are now in a position to roll out the first phase of our plans to get members of Sutton Sting back on the ice.

As we hope you will all appreciate there will need to be some significant changes to the way we operate and our expectations of you and the players.

May I start by saying that it will be great to have you back, but we must make sure we do the return in a very controlled environment with the fundamental focus on safety of absolutely everyone concerned.

Some of you may feel that the conditions of return are over cautious but I ask for your support and understanding in these challenging times.

The conditions around controls and restrictions are non-negotiable, so please do not ask any volunteer to consider relaxing them or making exceptions.

Extensive work has been undertaken to consider the risks of returning to a training environment and we have worked with both the Lammas and SIV to share our plans.

So I can set everyone’s expectations I’d like to refer you to the EIHA website and their definitions of a phased return to Ice Hockey. Irrespective of the current status of the EIHA phasing plan, Sutton Sting retains the right to work at stages behind that plan.

Initially we will only be offering training with social distancing and absolutely NO contact.

The fundamental principle for us is to get members back skating in an environment that is as safe as possible with risks mitigated and managed.

There will be differences depending on if players train in Sutton or Sheffield purely based upon the design of the respective locations and the rules and procedures of both rinks. I would recommend you do not concern yourself with what is happening at the other rink nor what other clubs are doing. We are not other clubs we are Sutton Sting.

There will be different pages on Team App for each rink detailing the exact procedures that need to be followed. Some are generic across both sites and some are rink specific.

As an example, the number of players we will allow on the ice will be restricted initially so at the Lammas each age group will have more than one session however players will book onto one session only. A dedicated coaching team will work at each group maintaining social distancing.

I will highlight here some generic rules (this list is not exhaustive as details will be provided separately);

1. Players will need to sign up 48 hours in advance for the session they are intending to attend as the details will need to be recorded for Track and Trace purposes.

2. Every player who is under the age of 18 years of age will need to be accompanied to* the rink by their own appointed adult – this cannot be delegated to another club parent.

3. Appointed adults will need to attest when booking sessions and prior to the beginning of every session that the player or any member of the family does not have symptoms relating to COVID-19 or is self isolating following for example return from a quarantine holiday destination.

4. At least for the first 2 weeks we do not want players to attend training if they have ANY illness (e.g. but not exhaustive – a standard cold).

5. Each player will need to sanitise their hands at the start and end of every session and undergo a temperature check.

6. Each player must bring a water bottle already filled and showing their full name.

7. Each player must be fully dressed on arrival at the rink. No changing or showering facilities will be available.

8. Each player is to maintain social distancing of 2m at all times.

9. Each player is to leave the arena immediately at the end of their session using the one-way system.

10. All washable clothing** is to be laundered after each session and sticks re-taped (attestation will be required and where coaches have any concern this task has been fulfilled access to the training session will be denied).

11. Player and their parent must only arrive at the rink 15 minutes before their session.

please read the details around numbers allowed in the Lammas in the initial 2 weeks period after “go live” please refer to the check list Sutton Sting have appointed a COVID-9 officer for Sheffield and Lammas and their details will be shared on Team App over the weekend.

So, the first step is to run a test and learn session for U18s and U20s at Ice Sheffield on Wednesday
9th September at 9pm-10.20pm.

We will share the details of ice availability at Lammas as soon as possible.

Ice time is at a premium due to restricted numbers allowed on sessions and opening hours so for Sheffield we currently have the slot detailed above.

Only Sutton Sting members from season 2019-2020 are eligible to attend the sessions, provided they have not signed elsewhere for the 2020 -2021 season.

Whilst we return in a phased environment, we are not seeking interest in new membership as the current offering is unknown.

What we can say is that for now training will be based on a pay as you train basis with details contained in the respective pages for either Lammas or SIV.

Every player will need to hold current EIHA insurance to train.

As I hope you can see from the above, which is just a small part of some of the work that has been undertaken in the background, there are many elements to consider, not least ensuring our dedicated team of volunteers are willing to offer their services in these very uncertain times.

We will definitely need to walk before we can even start to think about running but at least we are starting to get our skates back on.