COVID-19 Response: province-wide restrictions for sport

(updated on 11/20)

Dear Field Hockey BC Members,

Please take the time to read the message below from viaSport’s CEO, Charlene Krepiakevich, regarding new province-wide restrictions coming into effect immediately. As stated by the communique, “By order and direction of the PHO, all individuals, places of work and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce social interactions and travel”.

With that in mind, sport practice can only continue under the following conditions:

  • No spectators are allowed at any sport activities under the order. The only people allowed to attend are those that provide care to a participant or player (e.g. providing first aid).
  • Travel to, from and between regions for athletic activities like games, competitions, training and practice is restricted under this order.
  • Games, competitions, training and practice can continue without spectators and restricted to your local community. Until the written Order and public health guidance are released, we recommend that sport organizations err on the side of caution and stay close to home for now.
  • Masks are required in all indoor public settings. We recommend that sport organizations err on the side of caution and wear a mask in all indoor public settings, including lockers, change rooms, etc.
  • High performance athletes already training in B.C. and identified by CSI-Pacific are excluded from the sport-related restrictions. 

Dear sport leaders,

I hope this email finds you well. In the event that you missed the message from B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO) on province-wide restrictions coming into effect November 19 at midnight, here is what we know.

By order and direction of the PHO, all individuals, places of work and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce social interactions and travel. The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at midnight and includes information about sport activities.

At this time the written order has yet to be posted; however, information is posted on the Province’s website here with the following referring to sport:

Games, competitions and practices can continue under these conditions: 

  • No spectators are allowed at any sport activities under the order. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. For example, providing first aid. 
  • Travel to, from and between regions for athletic activities like games, competitions, training and practice is restricted under this order.
  • Games, competitions, training and practice, such as those outlined in the viaSport Phase 3 Guidelines, can continue without spectators and restricted to your local community. Until the written Order and public health guidance are released, we recommend that sport organizations err on the side of caution and stay close to home for now.
  • Masks are required in all indoor public settings. We recommend that sport organizations err on the side of caution and wear a mask in all indoor public settings, including lockers, change rooms, etc.
  • High performance athletes already training in B.C. and identified by CSI-Pacific are excluded from the sport-related restrictions. 

Since the announcement earlier today, we have heard from many of you as you seek clarity on travel, allowed activities and new safety precautions. Please continue to raise any questions you have about this order with us. We will continue to work with the Province on ensuring sport can continue to be safely played in B.C. during this pandemic.

Sincerely,

 
Charlene Krepiakevich
CEO, viaSport

COVID-19 Response: further details on Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley Restrictions

by viaSport

The order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) about Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley restrictions is now final and posted on the Provinces’ website.

The Order and what it means to sport:

The Order States: “No person or municipality may provide or host and no person may participate in an indoor sport unless the sport involves no physical contact between the participants.”

  • Clarification: Indoor sports can only conduct physical distanced activities. This does not mean all indoor sports are in Phase 2. Some Phase 3 activities may be possible as long as physical distance can be maintained along with other safety measures that we have implemented in return to sport (e.g., increased cleaning protocols).

The Order States: “No person may attend as a spectator at an indoor sport activity unless this is necessary to provide care to a participant.”

  • Clarification: We understand that “unless necessary to provide care to a participant” can be interpreted many ways. We are working with public health to provide more clarity.

The Order States: “No person may travel to or from the affected area or between the regions of the Fraser Health Authority and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for any sport related activity, including practice, training, games or tournaments, unless they are an identified by Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high performance athlete affiliated with an accredited provincial or national sports organization and are already training in the affected area and subject to the safety guidelines of their provincial sports organization.”

  • Clarification: The Order now clearly states that travel is not permitted for these or any sport activities. However, high performance athletes and their coaches are permitted to travel to, from and between the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health regions. High performance athletes are individuals that have been identified to a targeted athlete list with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific by their PSO or NSO.

The Order States: “No person or municipality may provide or host and no person may participate in a group indoor fitness activity until guidelines for group indoor fitness activities have been approved by the provincial health officer and the person or municipality who provides or hosts the activity has submitted an updated safety plan in accordance with those guidelines with respect to the activity to the Medical Health Officer and the safety plan has been approved. Once a safety plan has been approved, it must be posted in a place easily visible to participants.”

  • What it means: Group indoor fitness activities (e.g., dance, spin, etc.) will need to have an approved plan before they are able to reopen and operate again. This Order is NOT required for sport. We understand that some sport organizations have been receiving conflicting information directly from health officials, but now that the Order is available we will work with health agencies to improve the interpretations and communication.

Provincial health officer orders are always a last resort, but right now these additional measures are required in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions. We need everyone to re-double our efforts to protect our communities.


Please access http://ow.ly/tiyU50CiX7D for more information.

Field Hockey Canada launches its first Annual Digital Conference

Field Hockey Canada’s 1st Annual Digital Conference is a FREE event that will offer workshops, presentations and panels with members from the Canadian Field Hockey Community, who will share their lived experiences and insight on a variety of topics.

The four-day event will be held next month from Tuesday, December 1 to Friday, December 4, with the purpose to engage the sport community through a series of workshops and panels.
Read more and register at: http://ow.ly/Y2rF50Chcub

FHBC launches new regional Technical Development training program for 2020-2021

Field Hockey BC (FHBC) is excited to announce the launch of a new regional Technical Development training program for 2020-2021. Following the recent review of the BC athlete pathway, it became evident that BC club community stakeholders are keen for FHBC to continue to support athlete development in the provision of a technical training program targeted, but not limited to, those who may not have access to such technical training through the club community network. In response, FHBC will be launching the new FHBC Technical Development program according to identified geographical need and in a phased approach over the course of the current 2020-21 season.

Phase One

In the first phase FHBC is targeting those regions of the province that expressed a direct need for such program support. As such, FHBC is delighted to announce that the new Technical Development Program will be offered on Vancouver Island from mid-November 2020 through March 2021 (with the potential for summer season delivery), and in the Interior from mid-January 2021 through April 2021 (also with the potential for summer season delivery).

Phase Two

In alignment with the BC athlete pathway review recommendations, FHBC is launching a club outreach initiative targeted at community clubs across the lower mainland designed to complete a lower mainland regional Technical Development program needs assessment. Following such an assessment, a phase two program plan will be developed intent on launching the Technical Development program across the lower mainland in geographically appropriate regional locations. It is expected that such a club community needs assessment will be complete by the calendar year-end allowing for program planning and initiation in the new year.

For more information regarding the BC athlete pathway review recommendations, please refer to the following link.


Technical Development Program Summary

Program Structure

Designed with flexibility of access at the core, the new Technical Development program will be offered in small program windows of four to six weeks. A coach to athlete ratio of 1:8 is to be expected with one (or two) full training sessions scheduled per week. The program may be adapted during the summer months or other times to allow for camp style delivery.

Program Design

Designed to center on technical skill progression, each program offering will focus on developmentally appropriate core technical field hockey skills and include supporting education in aspects of sport science. Sessions will be adapted to meet the needs of the athlete pool with the expectation that each program’s first session will act as an opportunity for the head coach to determine athlete need and adapt program practice plans accordingly. Programs will not only focus on the development of field player technical skills, but also offer the opportunity for goalkeepers to participate in an integrated program format or goalkeeper specific program.

Program Curricula and LTFHD Alignment

The core curricula will focus on technical skill progression, but also include aspects of sport science and specialist training. The curricula will follow the Long-Term Field Hockey Development (LTFHD) skills matrix with technical skill progression aligned to stage of development and athlete ability.

Responsible Return to Play

Until further notice, the Technical Development program will be delivered according to the Stage One Responsible Return to Play Framework. The Stage One Responsible Return to Play Framework includes a full physical distancing protocol for athletes, coaches, and safety officers.

For more information regarding the Stage One Responsible Return to Play Framework, please refer to the following link.

For detailed information on the current Technical Development Programs being offered, please access the Female or Male programs pages.

DEADLINE EXTENSION: Vacant Position of “Coaching Director” with the FHBC Board of Directors

The application deadline for this position has been extended to Sunday, November 15. You can access the PDF version of this document here.


FHBC Board of Directors – Community Recruitment Notice

Vacant Position of Coaching Director

Dear Field Hockey BC Members,

On behalf of the Field Hockey BC (FHBC) Board of Directors, I am writing to inform BC stakeholders that there is an exciting opportunity for an individual to apply for consideration to become a voluntary member of the FHBC Board of Directors. The Board Member vacancy is in the position of Coaching Director, a position that provides for Society leadership and oversight across both the coach development and coach education portfolio. The FHBC Board of Directors are keen to consider the appointment of a Coaching Director to take on the reins for this portfolio for the remainder of the current term (to February 2022 when this position is next due for election).

A summary of the duties of the Coaching Director is as follows:

  • Provide strategic and policy oversight targeted at the promotion of formal coach education course delivery (NCCP) and other instructional activities throughout BC for the development of coaches;
  • Promote and encourage the development and circulation of instructional materials for coaches (professional development for coaches);
  • Assess the strategic merit in offering a formal provincial coach mentorship and coach talent identification pathway;
  • Serve as a member of the Board of Directors, be a member in good standing of the Society, and wherever possible:
    • Attend all FHBC Board Meetings;
    • Attend the FHBC AGM (held in the calendar month of February annually).

And through the recruitment and support of a Coaching Standing Committee:

  • Assist in the development of a strategy to recruit people into coaching;
  • Provide coaches with up-to-date coaching resources;
  • Implement the mandatory coach certification levels, as appropriate;
  • Consider innovative ways in which to further the coach educational learning experience;
  • Consider a mentoring and talent identification process/program within FHBC programming;
  • Ensure that coaches are duly recognized (coaching awards).

I would very much like to invite anyone interested in this role to return an expression of interest to info@fieldhockeybc.com with the title “Coaching Director” by a deadline date of November 15, 2020. Such an expression of interest should include a brief statement as to your motivation for consideration, your background, qualifications and/or experience in the field of coaching and what excites you about this opportunity. I very much thank you for your due consideration and assistance in moving this portfolio forward.

Yours in sport,

Margaret Johnson
Vice-President
Field Hockey BC
October 23, 2020