Although new restrictions announced this week allow for recreational sports to continue for youth under 18 without proof of vaccination, one minor detail is benching minor hockey players in Cochrane..Thursday morning, Cochrane Minor Hockey Association (CMHA) President Cory Oaten, was sent an e-mail from Hockey Alberta stating: “…based on Hockey Alberta’s interpretation of current information, minor hockey games and practices can continue, subject to the updated temporary measures that came into effect at 12:01 am this morning.”.However, Friday morning, Oaten was notified by his local facility, Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, it would be requiring proof of vaccination for those 12 and older entering the building..That morning Oaten notified families registered with CMHA of the new requirement and included a provided statement from the facility and assured families the decision was not that of Hockey Alberta or CMHA..“… all persons entering the Cochrane Arena or SLSFSC (ages 12+) must show proof of full vaccination, proof of a single dose as long as the dose was given more than two weeks ago, a negative test result or a medical doctor approved medical exemption.”.“Tonnes of kids are withdrawing,” Oaten said..Within hours of sending out the e-mail, Oaten confirmed between 30 and 40 kids had withdrawn from the program..“I’m not against the vaccines, but I’m pro-choice,” Oaten said..The Western Standard spoke with one father who pulled his CMHA player as a result of the facility mandates. He requested to remain anonymous..“Obviously the government is just passing the buck on this and it’s the businesses that are going to take the brunt,” he said..A father of four children under the age of 12, he was also in line to coach his son’s team, but will not be permitted inside as he is not vaccinated. .“We’re not the type of parents that are just going to drop our kids off at a facility and leave them unsupervised,” he said, adding those decisions effectively ended his kids’ participation in CMHA’s sports programs..He said he also has concerns for the liability involved with those businesses being ill-equipped to manage peoples’ sensitive health records..“Forget the legality of all this. Morally, we just can’t support businesses that take this approach.”.Alberta Country Singer and former health care worker at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Paul Brandt, took to Facebook on Friday to express his thoughts on the vaccine passport issue. . Paul-BrandtFacebook post .“I want to be clear, I am not against vaccines,” his post confirms. “What is troubling to me is this: Why aren’t people who have had COVID and recovered being included in the conversation?”.Brandt’s son is a CMHA player. Both have recovered from COVID-19..“Why are we not being recognized as people who have adequate immunity?.As of today, my son has also been told by the arena that hosts his hockey association he will not be allowed to participate in sports unless he is vaccinated—even though he has immunity to COVID-19, and is of no greater risk to his peers than anyone else.”.Oaten pointed out that players who have yet to be vaccinated will be eliminated from the important tryouts happening now and, because of wait times between doses and the 14-day waiting period to be considered fully vaccinated, many will miss a chunk of the season..“It’s about the kids,” said an emotional Oaten..“What makes me upset is kids are going to have to quit hockey because they don’t want to have to choose a medical procedure in order to play.”.Risdon is a reporter for the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
