Hello Fellow ARHA Parents,
Many of you would have received an email directly from the GTHL or seen the news over the weekend; GTHL-sanctioned hockey (including the ARHA season) is officially postponed until at least January 2021. We support the GTHL in making this difficult decision. They clearly had the well-being of players and families in mind.
While this news is disappointing for all of us, ARHA will continue to offer programming, at no charge, over the coming months. Over the summer, we created a partnership with the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Some KPE students have already started working on curating various skills and drills materials for our players to try at home, and they will be sharing those on a regular basis. If there is interest, they may even try to organize some real-time video-based workshops as well. We’ve also been talking to the folks at the Toronto Magic Company about some virtual magic shows and workshops for the ARHA community. And finally, we are looking into a possible partnership with the manufacturer of backyard skating rink kits with the goal of getting a discount for ARHA families who may be interested in trying to build one in their yard.
We realize that none of these can replace the real on-ice hockey program and fun that is an Avenue Road season. Our league is more than 60 years young and resilient and we will get through this together. As January approaches, we will continue to work with the GTHL and the City to prepare for a possible return to play in early 2021. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
And, yes, those of you who paid for the season during the early registration period will be getting your money back. We thank you for your patience as we put that process in place.
Sincerely yours, and with best wishes for good health,
Avi Hyman, General Manager (Volunteer), House League, Avenue Road Hockey Association,
on behalf of Don Mintz, ARHA Director, and the entire ARHA volunteer executive.
Please note that Select and A level families will be hearing from their General Managers with any additional relevant information as it becomes available, but for now, all on-ice programming is suspended until at least January 2021.