With the government’s announcement earlier this week and as the country moves to “Plan B”, the GalxC Cooling Services Basingstoke Bison can confirm that there are a few changes that we are asking the Bison family to follow in the weeks ahead.
We really do want to ensure fans continue to feel confident, safe and relaxed whilst enjoying the thrill of live ice hockey.
As always, it’s important that we look out for each other and keep everyone safe considering the impact COVID-19 has had on all our lives.
FACE COVERINGS: As of tomorrow evening’s, game (Saturday 11th December) and in line with government guidance and required by law in indoor sport stadiums, all supporters will need to wear a mask at all times when you are in the rink, unless you are eating or drinking, or you are exempt.
Where someone is exempt from wearing a mask, we will not require any proof of that exemption.
Full guidance information can be found here.
VACCINATION: We do not currently require Covid passports or a negative lateral flow test result to be shown to gain entry to the arena.
HOWEVER,
To keep us all as safe as possible whilst attending Bison games, we hope that many of the fans are either partially or fully vaccinated but as a further precaution to keep everyone as safe as possible we ask that all fans attending a game undertake a voluntary lateral flow test prior to arriving at the arena, we will not be asking to see the result.
STAFF: Government guidance is that “Face coverings must be worn by staff working in those settings where the public are required to wear face coverings and where staff come into direct contact with the public.”
We can confirm that all our match night staff, volunteers and Planet Ice staff will wear a mask unless they are exempt.
Our Players, Coaching and back-room staff will wear a mask at all times in the Arena unless on the bench, warming up, on the ice or in the locker room.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
- Please do not visit the arena if you feel unwell with any COVID-19 symptoms,
- Have been identified as a close contact of a positive case and asked to self- isolate by the NHS.
- You have had a COVID-19 test and are awaiting the results.
- Have received a positive COVID test in the past 10 days.
COVID-19 TICKET GUARANTEE: If you cannot attend a game due to any of the above reasons, please contact us via email at hello@bstokebison.co.uk by 12noon on the day of the game with proof of a positive test or proof of self-isolation requirement. We will issue a voucher (no refunds) to be used at a future game so you can return when it is safe to do so.
SOCIAL DISTANCING: We’ll be continuing to ask everyone to remain considerate and keep some distance between people when queueing in the common areas such as concession stands and toilets.
HAND SANITISER: Throughout the arena you’ll find hand sanitising stations, we encourage all fans to make use of these on your way to your seat and throughout your visit.
TEAM BENCHES: Due to COVID-19 protocols both team benches will be out of bounds for all fans before the game and during the period breaks.
MERCHANDISE STANDS: The Bison merchandise stand will be selling Bison merchandise and both card and cash payments will be taken as usual.
The trying on of garments for the foreseeable future will not be possible to protect the safety of our match night volunteers.
FOOD BANK: Its also the first opportunity for the Bison family to donate goods to our Basingstoke Food Bank appeal, please drop off any good in the boxes located by the merchandise table.
Further details can be found by clicking here.
TICKETS: We encourage you to book in advance online to avoid queuing on match night at the box office.
Our ticket system ensures you’ll be emailed instantly with your ticket and all you need to do on the door is show the bar code.
If you’re unable to buy online, then the ticket office will still be open for purchases on matchday for cash and card payments.
TICKET PRICES: Prices for game night tickets are:
Adult – £15.00
Child – £7.00
Senior Citizen – £11.50
Family (2 adult & 2 children) – £40.00
Disabled Admission Policy – One complimentary admission ticket will be issued to the carer of a disabled guest if ID is presented connecting the name of the disabled guest to the recipient of one or more of the following: Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Armed Forces Independent Payment (AFIP), or is a registered blind person.
FOOD & BEVERAGE: The rink bar will be open all evening long, Papa John’s will once again be producing freshly made pizzas.
You can order in advance before the game so your delicious piping hot pizza is waiting for you in one of the intervals or at the end of the game.
There’s no need to rush to eat before heading to the arena when you can grab a delicious Papa John’s during the game.
TWITTER COMPETITION: Back by popular demand is our weekly Twitter competition in conjunction with Papa John’s where fans choose who they think will be the Bison’s first goal scorer and one lucky winner wins a large pizza.
Keep your eye on @BisonHockey twitter feed on Saturday morning to enter.
VENDING MACHINES: The majority of our vending machines accept card and cash payment.
CARD PAYMENTS: The majority of the arena concession stands (food areas and bar) can take contactless payment and where possible we ask you to pay by card but if necessary, we will still accept cash.
OUTSIDE FOOD & DRINK: No outside food or drink is allowed to be brought into the venue, unless required for medical or dietary purposes.
END OF GAME & SOTB PRESENTATIONS: For the foreseeable future there will be no player handshakes at the end of the game, teams will stand at their respective blue lines where the MOM winners will be announced.
COMPETITIONS:
Our ever popular 50/50 draw will be running tonight, with one lucky winner each week taking home a huge cash prize. Tickets cost just £1 and are available from our roving sellers and at the Merchandise Club table.
Shirt Off the Player’s Back: is just a £1 ticket you could be the first person to own one of the clubs special edition “Christmas jerseys” when you could win one of the Blood jerseys.
Unfortunately, due to the current climate these jerseys cannot be presented on the ice and will require laundering before handing over to the lucky winner. The jersey will be available to pick up at the merchandise stand at the game on the 27th December. Tickets will be available from our roving sellers and at the Club merchandise table.
Chuck-a-Duck in association with Ma Humbugs so grab your ducks for just £1 head to the Ice Machine gate after the first period and aim for the centre of the rink and win yourself a bag of Ma Humbugs sweets.
Chuck-a-Puck: in association with Zizzi’s restaurant is once again back for another season so grab your puck for just £1 head to the Ice Machine gate after the second period and aim for the centre of the rink and you could win Zizzi vouchers.
SIGNING TABLE: Unfortunately for the foreseeable future to protect both the players and supporters alike there will be no signing table.
MATCH-NIGHT PROGRAMME: Tonight’s Stampede match night programme contains all the information hockey fans love to know.
There’s a preview of tonight’s opponents.
Coach Tait gives his weekly review of all things Herd related from his perspective.
Anthony Russell gives us a round up on last weekend’s games in National League competition.
As always, The Stampede features your official scoresheet in its centre pages.
We look forward to seeing you at the game …
