The New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation has made the difficult decision to withdraw its WWIIB (Ice Fernz) team from the 2021 IIHF World Championship Programme, due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 in New Zealand and internationally.

The NZIHF Management Committee met and discussed the team’s attendance at the IIHF World Championship and after reviewing the situation, unanimously agreed that putting forward a team for this age group to compete in the 2021 World Championship programme was not possible due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 in New Zealand and internationally.

This decision was made based on a number of factors, including:

• The health and safety impact for players and team staff of
  travelling internationally during a global pandemic
• Limited availability and significant cost increase in international
  travel
• Non-coverage by insurers for COVID-19 related events
• Requirements for quarantine and extended time away required by team
  players and staff
• The impact that extended travel and quarantine requirements would
  have on players and staff, and their education and/or employment

The tournament typically take place around March each year, hosted by one of the participating team’s countries.

NZIHF President, Andy Mills, added that there is
too much unknown at this point, and with this tournament scheduled to take
place so soon, the NZIHF does not have enough time to prepare, nor would
participation in the programme be a financially responsible decision.
Additionally, the health and safety of all players and staff is paramount.