BC Athletics Return to Training Update

June 12, 2020 16:31pm

BC Athletics is committed to safe sport for all members and has been working closely with the National "Back on Track" Task Force, and viaSport to develop return to training guidelines.

BC Athletics will be following the return to training guidelines developed by the National “Back on Track” Task Force. We have also published BC Athletics’ “Return to Training Addendum” which, highlights any additional or differing guidelines that have been set specifically for the Province of BC under Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan. These guidelines should be used after making the personal decision that you are comfortable to return to training. It is the responsibility of each athlete and coach to undertake their own personal risk assessment and determine whether they are willing and able to return to sport at this time.

 

BC Athletics Return to Training Plan: The Plan includes both the of the following:

  1. BC Athletics Return to Training Addendum  - Posted June 11, 2020
  2. Athletics Canada “Back on Track” Guidelines - Posted June 1, 2020

 

Additional Return to Training Documents:

  1. Club/Training Group Risk Assessment & Mitigation Checklist Tool
  2. Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk Agreement (To be executed by Participants under the Age of Majority and the Participant’s Parent of Guardian) (Available soon on Trackie.me)
  3. Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement (To be executed by Participants over the Age of Majority) (Available soon on Trackie.me)
  4. COVID-19 Questionnaire, Attestation and Participant Agreement (Available soon on Trackie.me)
  5. Club Attestation and Acknowledgement Form (Available soon on Trackie.me)

* Steps 2-5 will be conducted through Trackie

 

Here is where BC Athletics is in the Return to Sport (Athletics in British Columbia):

What Has Been Done:

  1. Athletics Canada released the “Back on Track” (return to sport plan) - June 1st
  2. viaSport released the BC Govt Return to Sport Government Guidelines – June 1st
  3. BC Athletics Return to Training Plan was completed and will appear as an Addendum to the Athletics Canada “Back on Track” Guidelines – June 5th
  4. The Provincial Govt 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. The liability protection would be in place as long applicable guidance is followed, such as viaSport’s Return to Sport protocols and public-health guidance on how to prevent the spread of the virus. – June 10th
  5. BC Athletics Return to Training Plan & Athletics Canada “Back on Track” Guidelines presented and approved by the BC Athletics Board of Directors - June 10th
  6. BC Athletics had the following documents reviewed and affirmed by Legal Counsel and SBC Insurance – June 10th
    1. Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk Agreement - (To be executed by Participants under the Age of Majority and the Participant’s Parent of Guardian
    2. Release of Liability, Waiver Of Claims and Indemnity Agreement (To be executed by Participants over the Age of Majority)
    3. COVID-19 Questionnaire, Attestation and Participant Agreement

 

What Still Needs to Be Done:

  1. Clubs to verify with BC Athletics that their 2020 club membership is in place. Clubs who still need to complete requirements will be contacted directly by Sam Collier (the status of each club will be posted on the BCA website)
  2. All BC Athletics 2020 Individual members will be temporarily de-activated
  3. BC Athletics Return to Training Plan (RTP) (approved by the BC Athletics Board of Directors) to be presented to the Clubs and Individual Membership;
    1. BC Athletics is planning a Town Hall to be held Wednesday, June 17th @ 5pm. Register here.
  4. BC Athletics Member Clubs will need to approve and adopt (By their own Board of Directors) both the BC Athletics Return to Training Plan & Athletics Canada “Back on Track” Guidelines.
  5. Clubs may wish to add requirements over and above the BC Athletics Return to Training Plan & Athletics Canada “Back on Track” Guidelines as per the requirements of the Local Health Authority and/or the requirements of the Training Facility Ownership or enhanced club measures.
  6. Club will complete and have the current Club President sign the “Club Attestation and Acknowledgement Form” document verifying that they agree to BC Athletics Return to Training & Athletics Canada “Back on Track” Guidelines.
  7. 2020 individual memberships will be re-activated through completion of the following 3 requirements:
    1. The Parent/Guardian of an individual member, the member being under the age of Majority, must agree to and sign the “Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk Agreement” (Trackie.me)
    2. Each Individual member, over the age of majority, must agree to and sign the “Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement” (Trackie.me)
    3. Each member or Parent/Guardian of a member who is a Minor, must complete and sign the “COVID-19 Questionnaire, Attestation and Participant Agreement” (Trackie.me)
  8. To facilitate contact tracing, in the event of an outbreak, each member will also be asked (as part of 7 a, b, c above), to verify that the contact information stated on their 2020 BC Athletics membership (Trackie.me) is current and up to date including:
    1. Individual’s PERSONAL Email 
    2. Home address
    3. Phone Number

 

Insurance:

  1. Insurance has always been in place – liability and sport accident for all individual members and member clubs of BC Athletics.
    1. The current Insurance Company has indicated that they will not respond (meaning no coverage) to any COVID Related Claims and will include a Contagion/Pandemic exclusion upon renewal (August 14, 2020 for BC Athletics).
      1. BC Athletics, through SBC Insurance, is exploring, through another Insurance underwriter to provide an Extension to our current Liability Insurance Coverage specifically for COVID-19 – More information to follow.
    2. Therefore, the need to  sign-off on the:
      1. Waiver/Release/Acknowledgement of Risk; or
      2. Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk Agreement for Minors; and
      3. COVID-19 Questionnaire, Attestation and Participant Agreement
    3. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
  2. On Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 the Provincial Govt 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. The liability protection would be in place as long applicable guidance is followed, such as viaSport’s Return to Sport protocols and public-health guidance on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

Regional Variances:

  • We understand and appreciate that conditions vary across the province;
  • That in some regions, municipalities, cities and communities there may be additional conditions (more than the Prov Health Officer/Govt of BC) in place as directed by the Local Health Authorities;
  • That the opening of facilities (date) or conditions for use may vary.

 

Thank you for your patience, understanding and help in the Return to Athletics in British Columbia.

 

Sincerely,

Brian McCalder, CEO/President BC Athletics