Editor’s note: The following is a letter sent to hockey parents in the Valley after a new vaccine mandate was put in place by B.C.’s public health officials on Oct. 25, requiring all adult volunteers in youth sports to be double vaccinated.
I hope this letter finds you well, and we are excited to have your kids on the ice.
There has been a lot of worry and rumours circulating since the new mandates passed by the provincial government, of minor hockey suffering and/or kids missing games, practices, and in general, a lot of negative talk going around. I am writing you to assure you that hockey will go on!
Although people have had to step away for the time being, we have an executive that is dedicated and committed to keeping minor hockey going for all kids in our community that enjoy this great game.
We understand the challenges that some families are facing, not being able to be in the arena to support their kids as they play. Let us assure you that our goal is to keep all the players and kids in minor hockey, regardless of your beliefs and stance on the mandates.
BC Hockey has been in contact with the provincial government to make them aware of the challenges all associations are facing.
All this being said, hockey will continue in Clearwater! We will have games and practices as planned. We will grow, learn and make adjustments as necessary to keep hockey going for all the kids. What we would like to ask of you as parents, is for everyone to maintain a positive mindset and to remember that this is not about just us or our kids, this is bigger than that. It is about all the kids in our community. Their future. Our Future.
Although there have been challenges, our season has been great so far. Most kids have been involved in a development weekend to start the year. We were able to have two weekends of top-notch power skating with Michelle Peppin. We had a fantastic Bent Blade tournament. But most importantly, we have seen a lot of smiles on kids playing a great sport.
We will continue to do new and different things to create a better culture, continue to change and evolve to develop better hockey players and character in kids and continue to make hockey a fun environment for all the kids involved.
There will be changes, so please be open and willing to try new things and encourage your kids to become the best hockey players and people possible.
“Out of adversity, comes opportunity” Benjamin Franklin
Thank you,
Elijah Wicks, CDMHA President
newsroom@surgeryitaly.com
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