Monthly Archives: March 2020

UPDATED: Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics postponed to Summer 2021

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed on March 30 that the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic games will take place in Tokyo in the Summer of 2021. The Olympic Games will be celebrated from July 23 to August 8 2021; The Paralympic Games will be celebrated from August 24 to September 5.

As the IOC statement reads: “These new dates give the health authorities and all involved in the organisation of the Games the maximum time to deal with the constantly changing landscape and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates, exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020 (Olympic Games: 24 July to 9 August 2020 and Paralympic Games: 25 August to 6 September 2020), also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum, in the interests of the athletes and the IFs. Additionally, they will provide sufficient time to finish the qualification process. The same heat mitigation measures as planned for 2020 will be implemented.”

To read the full statement issued by the IOC, please click here.

IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Consideration and Planning (March 20, 2020)

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You can access the PDF version of this document here.

As the Organized Sport Sector in BC responds to the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19, Field Hockey BC continues to monitor the potential impact to our team sport environment. Given the growing and unprecedented uncertainty surrounding this health pandemic, Field Hockey BC is directing all members and affiliated clubs and associations to suspend all sanctioned field hockey activities in the province until further notice.

This decision will be monitored daily and reviewed on a week to week basis by the Field Hockey BC Board of Directors, with the expectation that a next suspension update will be posted early in April. As new information is received from both Federal and Provincial Government agencies, Field Hockey BC will provide appropriate program and service updates that we hope over time will include a responsible and gradual return to play. Field Hockey BC cannot emphasize enough that the health and safety of all participants in the field hockey community in BC is of the utmost importance and is central to any decision-making process.

To ensure the health and safety of the players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans in BC, Field Hockey BC recommends that all affiliated Leagues, Clubs, and Associations communicate to their members that they will cease all sanctioned field hockey operations immediately and until further notice. Field Hockey BC sanctioned field hockey activities include, but are not limited to, all indoor and outdoor competitions, leagues, training, practices, matches, in-person coach and official education, and formalized club group activities. The intent of this suspension is to limit situations of physical contact.

Whilst the entire Field Hockey Community in BC continues to work hard on contingency planning for the possibility that restrictions may be lifted over time, please stay patient as we collectively consider ongoing environmental implications. Field Hockey BC’s operational continuity plan is for Society staff to work remotely and all staff are equipped to continue their daily functions. Electronic media will be utilized to maintain lines of communication, with community members able to connect via phone and/or email in the normal way.

Field Hockey BC thanks you for your patience as we do our part to support all of the unprecedented steps taking place to slow the spread of COVID-19. You can stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information by visiting the BC Government website and the Ministry of Health website. Our thoughts are with all of you and your families during this challenging time.

FHBC BOD, March 20, 2020

FHBC staff working remotely

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In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and following public health recommendations from the Provincial and Federal Government, Field Hockey BC staff will be working remotely until further notice.

We will continue to provide support to our members via email, so please do not hesitate to reach out with any inquiries you might have.

FHBC would like to remind you that the Train to Compete Regional Girls Championship in Duncan April 2-5, 2020, is suspended, as well as all in-person educational courses and meetings. Our online Community Umpire course remains open.

Field Hockey BC is currently considering a COVID-19 response to all of its planned programs, events, and services for the spring and summer. Updates to this effect will be made in the days and weeks to come. Please, stay patient whilst we all work through this challenging time.

You can stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information by visiting the BC Government website and the Ministry of Health website.

Here you can access the latest advisory from the Canadian Sport medicine Advisory Committee.

Further information about the novel coronavirus is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

Please stay safe and healthy, and remember the recommendations for reducing the risk of exposure to novel coronavirus:

  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with your hands and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (ideally with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow)
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched workspace surfaces
  • Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise in moderation)
  • At this point, stay home as much as possible
  • Contact 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) or your health care provider for questions about your personal health situation

Decision to Suspend the Train to Compete Regional Girls Championship (April 2-5, 2020)

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Dear Field Hockey BC Train to Compete Athletes, Coaches, Officials and Families,

The Field Hockey BC (FHBC) Board this morning took the decision to suspend the Train to Compete Regional Girls Championship in Duncan April 2-5, 2020. Such a decision follows the directive from the Provincial Government to cancel any gathering larger than 250 people, effective March 12, 2020:

“Effective today (March 12, 2020), we also directing all event organizers to cancel any gathering larger than 250 people. This includes indoor and outdoor sporting events, conferences, meetings, religious gatherings or other similar events. This threshold has been selected, as it is much easier to maintain important social distancing to prevent transmission of COVID-19.”

As always, the safety and wellness of our players, coaches, officials, parents, fans and all other community members is our first priority. This is disappointing for all of us, but in the circumstances the FHBC Board came to feel that such a decision was in the best interests of everyone.

FHBC is actively pursuing possibilities of rescheduling this Championship to the calendar month of May but may well decide in the interim to cancel the event for the 2020 season. In true field hockey spirit, we hope you can support us with your continued patience and understanding.

Field Hockey BC will remain in close contact with Provincial Government Agencies, the Canadian Sport Medicine Advisory Committee, School Districts, Parks Boards, and with Field Hockey Canada, and will provide updates relative to all Field Hockey BC events, programs, leagues, and camps as soon as they become available. As the status progresses with the COVID-19 response within Canada, FHBC will continue to follow all government recommendations and adjust our approach to managing field hockey participation accordingly.

FHBC BOD March 13, 2020

Message regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Field Hockey BC (FHBC) and various member clubs have received a number of inquiries relating to the coronavirus and field hockey events, training environments, and camps in BC.

FHBC remains in close contact with Field Hockey Canada, the Canadian Sport Medicine Advisory Committee, Provincial Government agencies, School Districts and Parks Boards regarding protocol and next steps, and will provide updates as soon as they become available.

As the status progresses with the COVID-19 response within Canada, FHBC will continue to follow all government recommendations and adjust our approach to managing events accordingly.

At this time, Field Hockey BC is waiting on further government recommendations regarding mass gatherings in BC. As always, the safety and wellness of our players, coaches, officials, parents, fans and all other community members is our first priority.

You can stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information by visiting the BC Government website and the Ministry of Health website.

Field Hockey BC will also be posting regular updates from the Canadian Sport medicine Advisory Committee, the latest of which (March 11, 2020) can be found at the following link:

http://www.csipacific.ca/advisory-on-covid-19-from-smac-sport-medicine-advisory-committee-mar-11-2020/

Reminder on steps to reduce risk and exposure

As a reminder, Field Hockey BC would like to share the BC Centre for Disease Control recommendations for reducing the risk of exposure to novel coronavirus:

  • Wash your hands frequently (it is the single most effective way of reducing infection spread).
  • Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with your hands and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (ideally with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow).
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched workspace surfaces.
  • Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise in moderation).
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Contact 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) or your health care provider for questions about your personal health situation.

Further information about novel coronavirus is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control website at the following link: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)

Vancouver International Field Hockey Development Camp in May

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Sea to Sky Field Hockey Club invites all female field hockey players aged 14-18 from across Canada to join the first Vancouver International Field Hockey Development Camp. This camp is open to all skill levels and will provide world class coaching to players over three days of intense drills, skill development, and games.

Date: Saturday, May 16​th​ to Monday, May 18​th​ from 9 am – 5 pm each day.
Location: Rutledge Field, West Vancouver

Registration fee is $450 CAN for the three-day camp, which includes training, games, learning sessions, snacks & drinks. Register early, space is limited.

Click here for more information