BC Wheelchair Sports Return to Sport Update - January 13th 2020

BC Wheelchair Sports Return to Sport Update – January 13th 2020
massive-dev | January 13, 2021

To our community and membership

BC Wheelchair Sports continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation in BC and follow all public health orders.

As we enter 2021, BC Wheelchair Sports remains at Level 2 of our Return to Sport Plan. Per the most recent BC Provincial Health Orders adult indoor and outdoor team sports for those aged 22 and over remains restricted. Group training is limited to a maximum two participants for indoor sports and four participants for outdoor sports including the coach. In both cases, participants must maintain a distance of 3 metres from one another unless everyone lives in the same private residence.

Youth sports programs for those 21 and under are permitted to continue provided that physical distancing can be maintained and no competitions or tournaments take place.

The travel restrictions from our previous update are still in effect, athletes may only travel to programs and/or training sessions at their home club. Home clubs are defined as the sports organization, club, or facility with, or at which, a participant is registered for ongoing sports programming. If you’re unsure about your home club, please contact the program staff responsible for your sport.

Spectators continue to be restricted from all BC Wheelchair Sports programs and events. Please note though that volunteers do not count as spectators. This means that family members and/or support personnel who provide assistance vital to an athlete’s participation are still allowed to attend.

BCWSA encourages all of our community to read and follow all public health orders around social interactions, gatherings, group physical activities and travel.

We’re continuing to monitor releases from viaSport and the province on the health orders and their impact on sport. BCWSA will continue to provide updates as they become available. Updates will be published on our website, across our social media channels and in our newsletter.

Please note, that BC Public Health Orders supersede any BC Wheelchair Sports Return to Sport policies.

We know that this is a challenging and frustrating time for many and we appreciate the patience and understanding that our members and community continue to show us as we navigate the Return to Sport process.

What these changes mean for your sport

Athletics

Wheelchair Racing and Seated Throws remain in Level 2 of our Return to Sport plan.
The Junior and Adult Wheelchair Athletics programs will continue at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Attendance at the Adult Program will be limited to stay within the health guidelines
Athletes may only attend programs at their “home club.” Contact Ana if you’re unsure about your home club.
No spectators except for volunteers.

Tennis

Wheelchair Tennis moves back to Level 2 of our Return to Sport Plan
Athletes may only attend programs at their home club. Contact Michelle if you’re unsure about your home club.
Individual adult lessons and training sessions can continue.
All adult group training sessions are suspended until further notice.
Junior programming will continue with additional protocols.
No spectators except volunteers.

Rugby

All adult (21+) wheelchair rugby programs are currently suspended.
We will be in further communication with BC Wheelchair Rugby Clubs about what the current public health order and exemptions mean for their program in the coming weeks.
All athletes are encouraged to continue with individual training and exercise