We are excited to open registration for the SPRING 2021 season of Newton Roller Hockey! We will run a regular, competitive season, just as we did last year. The start of the spring season is always weather-dependent, but we are currently planning to host an Open Skate on April 10. Teams will be chosen that weekend, practices will begin the week of April 12, and the first game will take place on or about April 19. Please sign up as soon as possible so that we can get an idea of how many teams and divisions we will be able to have within the league.

Registration Fees and Deadlines: To encourage early signups, we offer early-bird pricing this year along with increased pricing for registrations on and after April 1st. Sibling discount of $25 per child for each family with two or more players. Please contact me for the code.

Divisions: Depending on the number of players, we hope to have novice (Atlantic), intermediate (Central), and advanced (Pacific) divisions. Ages 6 to 18 (up through 12th grade) welcome. We will also have our Mites division (for new skaters ages 5 and up), but again these divisions are dependent on headcount, so please register early and spread the word! The more players we have, the more fun it will be!

Division Assignments: Please remember, players are placed in the appropriate division based on age and ability. Division placement decisions are made only by the coaches. Please note, a child's division assignment may occasionally change during the season if warranted. All decisions are made to ensure that every player has an enjoyable, safe, and competitive experience.

Equipment: Full equipment is required (shinguards, elbow pads, helmet with full wire or clear face shield, mouthguard, and gloves, as well as cups for the boys), but we do have plenty in our shed, so please come check it out if you need some extra gear. First come, first served! If you have taken gear from the shed in the past, we do expect that you return it after your child has outgrown it. As always, new Mites program participants each receive a helmet and a stick.

Mites: The Mites Division is an instructional-only division, with sessions on Saturday mornings at 10 am. Though Mites typically targets ages 5 to 8, any child who cannot skate well or is new to hockey is encouraged to join this division, regardless of age (children as old as 10 and 11 may join Mites if appropriate).

Games and Practices: Each team will practice once a week on a weeknight (to be determined) and games will be on Friday and Saturday evenings. While we certainly support children participating in other sports besides roller hockey, we strongly encourage your child to participate only if he/she can commit to most games and practices in order to ensure the best possible experience for everyone. Please contact your child's coach if your child cannot make a specific practice or game.

Volunteers: We are looking forward to a great season, but we cannot do it without your help! We need parent volunteers to help us keep the league running smoothly. Please step up and volunteer your time, whether you have just an hour or two or can commit to coaching a team or joining the board, or anything in between, we need your help. It is also likely that we will need volunteers to help ready the rink for play, so please let me know if you can assist with this task as well. In addition, we will need scorekeepers along with refs (referees will be paid per game). The child of any parent who consistently volunteers this season will receive in a minimum $25 credit towards next season. (If you coached or consistently volunteered last season, please contact me for the discount code toward this season's registration.)

COVID-19: All games and practices take place in an outdoor setting, so mask-wearing is not required. Please do not send your child if he or she is feeling ill or if she or she has been exposed to someone with COVID-19. We are counting on everyone to use common sense and courtesy. Spectators will not be required to wear masks, but we encourage social distancing and of course you are welcome to wear a mask at any time. For those concerned about germs, there are full face shields for hockey helmets that are available for purchase online that will provide protection for your child.

Financial Hardship: We recognize that the pandemic has been very hard on many people. If you would like your child to play but you're unable to afford the full cost of registration, please contact me privately and we will do our best to assist you. We want every child to have a chance to play!

Please contact me, Andrea Lovas, via text or phone at 973.270.7919 or Dion Zappe at (508) 816-1047 if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering. Thank you! We look forward to a great season!