09/02/2020 Update–

COVID-19 Info: Our goal will be to communicate via email and social media to all registered players, coaches, and families as we lead up to Nationals. We are fully aware that this year will look different and are open to your program’s feedback leading up to Nationals. As it stands there are two issues we will address today.

1) Facility & Mask Policies– Following the initial COVID-19 shutdown, the Hy-vee Arena has re-opened and has been successfully running tournaments since June. Hy-vee has not canceled any events since re-opening.  Here is additional information on the Hy-vee Arena that they provided to us.

“From the beginning of June 2020 to today, we have held 11 events, 8 of them have been on a national level. Please note that there have been over 2600 health department reports throughout Kansas City concerning Covid-19 related issues and we have not been cited in any. We want your organization, students and parents to know that we have taken every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests… Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”

Hy-vee’s current policy & mandates are: “adults wear masks indoors at all times if social distancing cannot happen. Kids under the age of 19 do not have to wear masks.”  The HyVee Arena is being very proactive in the protection of athletes though day-to-day procedures as well as tournament specific actions.  Some of these include

– Signage laying out tips to avoid the spread of COVID-19, rules for entering, and directing the flow traffic inside the facility;

– Specific doors labeled entrance and exit only, as well as graphics on the floor to communicate clearly

– Hand Sanitizer stations throughout the facility

– Large seating sections to encourage social distancing

– Regular cleaning and sanitization of restrooms and public areas

– Food Court seating separated to ensure social distancing

Additionally, our Head Ref and Coordinator has assured us that refs will be ready to go and will be following all recommended procedures.  She also said, “Officials will wear masks and either use an electronic whistle or keep it in their mask at all times.”

If these policies change the NCHC will contact registered families, coaches, and teams right away.

2) NCHC Refund Policy– In the event that there is a cancellation, either by a team (by the posted deadline), the NCHC, or the facility, our refund policy remains in place. We do not issue refunds.  However, we do offer full credits for the following year. This is in large part due to the fact that we use the payments made to make non-refundable commitments for facility deposits, awards, programs, etc. If this causes concern or hardship for your program please email rob@flattmail.com to discuss further.