Covid 19 Return to Play Protocols
Hello SVC Families,
Stratford Volleyball Club wants your input regarding how comfortable you are with allowing your child to return to play volleyball this fall. SVC has developed a return to play protocol that adheres to the Phase 3 protocols for return to sport recommended by Ontario’s Public Health authorities. Below are some of the details regarding our return to play protocols. After reviewing the information below, please let us know if you feel comfortable allowing your child to return to play Volleyball in September by completing the survey at the end of the article.
SVC Phase 3 return to play protocol highlights -
(These protocols are in keeping with guidelines from Ontario Volleyball Association which have in turn been approved by Ontario Public Health Authorities)
- no more than 50 participants will be allowed at a practice facility at any given time. If the Agriplex cannot be secured as a practice facility, tryouts and practices may occur outside while also adhering to all the protocols outlined by the OVA
- practice times will be arranged to avoid exceeding the 50 participant limit. As such, teams practicing will vacate the gym or outdoor courts before new teams arrive.
- game play with other SVC teams will not be allowed.
- there will be no competition with teams from other volleyball clubs.
- all athletes will be required to wear face masks while indoors except when on the volleyball court AND engaged in play.
- all athletes will be required to have hand sanitizer in their athletic bag and will be instructed to use it before and after practice, at each water break, and as needed. They will also be required to have their own water bottle and will not be permitted to use public water fountains associated with the practice facility.
- all unnecessary physical contact will be eliminated (eg. high 5’s, huddles)
- drills and play will be designed to minimize the risk of direct athlete contact - Prolonged, and deliberate physical contact will be prohibited during game play; however, athletes can breach physical distancing while on the court in a game setting. Practices will be designed to avoid breaching this 2 metre distance as much as possible.
- no more than 6 athletes will be allowed on one side of the court (7 if a libero is being used).
- athletes will be instructed to maintain 2 meters of physical distancing at all times off the court and when possible during on court activities. Coaches will monitor to ensure this is followed.
- volleyballs with be assigned to teams and will not be shared with other teams.
- unless the setting is outdoors, parents will not be allowed to be present during practices except under special circumstances that are approved by the SVC executive.
- coaches will be required to wear masks at all times and ensure adherence to the SVC return to play protocols. A SVC executive will monitor practices to ensure protocols are adhered to.
- all athletes and coaches will be required to complete a health screening questionnaire before every practice.
- all practice participants will be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
- any athlete or coach who becomes unwell during a practice session will be isolated until they leave or be picked up from the facility.
- if the Agriplex is secured as a practice facility, athletes will be restricted to using the washrooms in the change rooms and will not be allowed to use the washrooms in the lobby.
- in the event that a coach or athlete tests positive for COVID-19, all coaches and athletes in the same practice time slot will be notified and prohibited from practicing for at least 2 weeks and all parents as well as public health will be notified.
- all SVC practice activities will cease or be modified accordingly if local public health recommendations change. An SVC representative will be assigned to monitor for public health recommendation changes and to answer any questions that families may have.
- SVC club fees will be lower and only reflect costs for the first half of the season.
- practice days and times may differ from previous years. This may be required to reduce the risk related to other groups who may be using the practice facility at other times. More details to come.
- use of the SVC lounge will not be permitted if the Agriplex facility is being used.
- all athletes/guardians will need to sign a waiver related to COVID-19.
- families will be kept up to date regarding changes in return to play protocols as well as the reasons for any changes.
Please complete the online Return to play survey. Click Here
Shawn Edwards
SVC President