COUGAR VOLLEYBALL COVID-19 UPDATE PAGE
PLEASE NOTE: THIS UPDATE IS AS OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
COVID-19 Protocol
This document will include all relevant information regarding COVID-19 Return-To-Play Protocols for Cougar Volleyball
Transition Measures and Phased Approach to Volleyball Activity
If you have any questions please contact Shaun Lynch (Club Director) at rmcougarvolleyball@gmail.com or 778-823-0816
Disclaimer: While we fully recognize that Sport and Recreation (specifically volleyball) play an integral role in the social, emotional, and physical well-being of our athletes within the club and our wider community, our main priority is the safety of our players, coaches and volunteers along with the community as a whole. This Phased Approach to Volleyball Plan outlines the guidelines and considerations set by Volleyball BC and Cougar Volleyball Club for organized volleyball to resume.
A safe return to volleyball will take place carefully and gradually in phases that align with the public health guidelines. Movement between phases will be determined by public health directives. Any movement between phases will be decided through collaboration with viaSport BC, the Provincial Health Office, Volleyball BC, and the Cougar Volleyball Club Executive Board. All changes will be carefully considered before implementation to be sure they are in the best interest of the players directly involved with Cougar Volleyball Club.
APRIL 27, 2021
If you have any questions please contact Shaun Lynch (Club Director) at rmcougarvolleyball@gmail.com or 778-823-0816
The focus of this document is guidelines and considerations for a safe return to play. These may be adapted at any time as we move into future phases or as more information is available.
Key Protocols and Procedures for A Safe Return To Play
Please NOTE: To ensure that all participants and guardians are fully informed and consent to the risks associated with participating in volleyball activities, we will be requiring all participants to sign a waiver acknowledging their acceptance of risks and that they agree to abide by the Cougar Volleyball COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.
All participants, coaches, and volunteers/staff will be screened with a symptom checklist before the start of each session. If any individual is showing signs of the cold, flu, or COVID-19, with coughing or sneezing, they will be immediately removed from the activity and may be asked to self-isolate dependent on conversations with the parent/guardian and at the discretion of the Cougar Volleyball Executive Board. Each participant will also be required to sanitize their hands with hand sanitizer before and after volleyball activity as well as listing their contact information along with a signature for contact tracing purposes.
ALSO NOTE: Most insurance policies including that provided through Volleyball BC-exclude coverage related to communicable diseases or pandemics, including COVID-19.
The B.C. Government has created a ministerial order that protects amateur sport organizations, their employees and volunteers from liability. The ministerial order protects amateur sport organizations and their representatives from damages resulting, directly or indirectly, from COVID-19 for amateur sports. That liability protection would be in place as long as they follow applicable guidance, such as viaSport’s Return to Sport protocols and public-health guidance on how to prevent the spread of the virus. This guidance includes encouraging proper handwashing, regular disinfecting, limiting shared equipment, physical
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If you have any questions please contact Shaun Lynch (Club Director) at rmcougarvolleyball@gmail.com or 778-823-0816
distancing measures and the use of wellness questionnaires and health self-assessment tools. KEY PRINCIPLES OF SAFE RETURN TO PLAY FROM COUGAR VOLLEYBALL CLUB:
1. Participants must maintain physical distancing when possible
• Three metres apart from one another when possible. • In a return to Phase 2 of the Safe Return To Play Plan,
players will be required to maintain groups no larger than 3 players and must remain in that group in order to maintain smaller training groups and there will only be 6 players allowed on any given court at one time.
• Blocking at the net is not permitted.
• Non-contact activities only. No handshaking, hugging,high-fives, etc.
• No sharing of water bottles, towels, or other personalitems.
• Enhanced hygiene measures will be required duringtraining sessions including frequent and proper handwashing, set times for water breaks/sanitizing of surfaces, etc.
• Masks will be highly recommended (and will be provided) for all coaches and volunteers but not for the players, unless they choose to wear them. Any individual who feels safer wearing a mask will be highly encouraged to do so. Coaches will be required to wear a mask when not able to keep proper social distance from players.
2. Reduce contacts with balls, nets, and other shared equipment.
We will implement enhanced cleaning protocols for
common areas and common equipment.
We will use a minimal amount of volleyballs and keep
them designated for specific groups of participants. If a ball from another court or area comes over, participants will be required to use their feet to kick it back.
We will clean the volleyballs at frequent intervals and especially between different user groups. We will also clearly separate sanitized balls from those requiring cleaning.
We will also consider assigning minimal individuals to be responsible for all set-up and take-down of the posts/ nets, in order to reduce the number of contact points.
3. Limit the activity to development skills and drills and strength and conditioning.
• Activities will only be those typically done in practice
and/or training sessions which will assist in physical
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December 16, 2020
If you have any questions please contact Shaun Lynch (Club Director) at rmcougarvolleyball@gmail.com or 778-823-0816
distancing when possible. (Ex. serving, passing, setting,
attack practice).
• Blocking at the net is not permitted.4. Remain community-focused during this phase.
We will stay within the Cougar Volleyball Community for
all training sessions/practices. (Only travel to potential practices sites *if not in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows* will be encouraged if absolutely necessary due to facility availability).
No cross-regional, inter-provincial, or cross-country travel will be permitted until the Public Health Office and Volleyball B.C. recommend it is safe to do so.
Until further notice, the following is not permitted: activities that have a high risk of injury, competitive activities that encourage large group gatherings, or large public events or gatherings.
5. More Specifics
Cougar Volleyball will be implementing required
contactless payments. Either online, or e-transfer will be
required for payments to be accepted.
All registration will be handled online as well.
We will practice safe social distancing by setting up
schedules allowing smaller numbers, more time slots,
and maintaining space as much as possible.
We will discourage all who are considered immune- compromised or high-risk from participating in club
activities, dependent on conversations with those players/coaches and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
If travel does occur at any time outside of the country, participants will be required to self-isolate or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a physician before returning to play.
We will efficiently and safely manage the flow of people entering/exiting the court or facility and will give set times for arrival and dismissal.
There will be staggered start times to allow for adequate cleaning/sanitizing between groups.
Absolutely NO remaining after a training session to socialize. Players must exit courts and facilities immediately following a training session in order to allow for proper cleaning/sanitizing and will be required to use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the facility.
NOTE: We will continuously assess the risks involved with returning to club volleyball activities and reserve the right to change these protocols at any time to make sure they
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are in alignment with the Public Health Office and Volleyball B.C. and ViaSport’s Return-To-Play Policies.
Our intention is to provide fun, developmental volleyball programming but with strict adherence to the protocols set forth by the governing organizations to be sure we return safely and enjoy the sport we all know and love.
Coach/Staff/Volunteer Considerations
December 16, 2020
If you have any questions please contact Autumn Hull (Club Administrator) at rmcougarvolleyball@gmail.com or 778-955-2155
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Coaching should be completed while ensuring physical distancing guidelines.
Coaches/staff/volunteers must be healthy with no signs or symptoms of illness. Individuals should know of the common symptoms of COVID-19 and stay away if displaying symptoms.
Exec Board members will screen all staff/volunteers with a symptom checklist at the start of each session. Wellness questionnaires and use of self-assessment tools will be recommended and documented.
Coaches, volunteers, and staff must stay home if they have been in contact with a known case of COVID-19 in the previous 14-days.
Coaches and staff/volunteers who are considered high-risk or immuno-compromised, or with underlying health conditions may be deemed to be high-risk. Their involvement will be carefully considered and potentially discouraged on a case-by- case basis. The Executive Board of Cougar Volleyball reserves the right to discourage participation by anyone fitting this description.
Coaches and staff/volunteers will be highly recommended to wear a mask if physical distancing cannot be maintained and masks will be provided for them.
The Executive Board will maintain full contact information for all coaches/staff/participants in an activity in order to help with contact tracing should the need arise.
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If you have any questions please contact Shaun Lynch (Club Director) at rmcougarvolleyball@gmail.com or 778-823-0816
All coaches/staff/volunteers will be properly educated on public health information and protocols related to COVID-19 and expectations related to the implementation of the Return-To- Play Protocols.
An Illness Policy and all relevant documentation from the Public Health Office and Volleyball BC will be readily available on-hand at all club activities.
In the event a positive test for COVID-19 occurs with any player or coach whether at a Cougar Volleyball event or any other community activity, all parents and players will be immediately notified and all activities will cease to function until it can be properly assessed and all authorities can be notified, all contact tracing materials can be provided to proper health authorities and it has been deemed by a health professional safe to return.
DISCLAIMER NOTICE:
These Return to Volleyball Guidelines are intended to be used for the purposes set in this document. While we aim to provide relevant and timely information, because information known about the COVID-19 coronavirus and recommended health and safety measures can rapidly change, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided in the Guidelines.
It is important to note that these Guidelines are not a legal document and is to be used as a guide only. It is not a substitute for actual legislation or orders of the PHO. In the event of an ambiguity or conflict between the Guidelines and the Public Health Act, regulations or orders thereunder, the Act, regulations and orders prevail.
Nothing in this document is intended to provide legal advice. Do not rely on this document or treat it as legal advice. Anyone using these Guidelines does so at his or her own risk. COUGAR VOLLEYBALL shall not be responsible for any loss or damage of any kind arising directly or indirectly from the use of the Guidelines including, without limitation, reliance on the completeness or accuracy of the information provided.
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