Regional Academy Update (April 29th)
Update from April 29th that was sent via email:
Here is an update on the BCPFA Regional Academy and Team BC programming. Please understand that this is an extremely fluid situation that may continually be changing. We are doing our best to keep everyone updated and ensure everyone is staying within the guidelines.
Health and safety of everyone is our Number 1 priority!
Update from viaSport: We are a High Performance Program, but the high performance exemption does not allow for travel between regions during the current travel restrictions that are in place until May 25th. This was a change from before in which it stated: High performance athletes already training in B.C. as of November 19, 2020 can train, travel and compete together. They must follow the COVID-19 safety protocols of the provincial or national sports organization they are affiliated with. STAY WITHIN YOUR REGION and FOLLOW OUR RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOLS.
Being a High Performance Program allows us to continue to train, but does not exempt us from major Public Health Orders and we must continue to follow the Return to Play Protocols (max 50 participants on the field at once, no spectators, 3m physical distancing at all times, etc.)
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions
With the travel restrictions in place until at least May 25th, that means the Regional Games that were originally planned for that weekend are officially moved.
Regional Academies will keep training through May and June.
This is the updated plan:
STEP 1: REGIONAL GAMES
Option A if no travel restrictions and cleared for competition: June 19th all Regional Academies come to Langley (McLeod Stadium) for regional games
Option B if there are still travel restrictions but cleared for competition: Games will occur in each region and coaches will be there to evaluate
June 19th: Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver South, and Fraser Valley East would get together to play games
June 26th: Interior vs North games would be held
July 3rd: North Island and South Island games would be held
All locations are TBD and again this situation is fluid and may change
Option C if A and B are not possible: We will keep planning as the situation changes
STEP 2: TEAM BC SELECTIONS
Option A if Alberta game is still a go: We will select two (2) U18 teams and one (1) U16 team to represent Team BC.
Games vs Alberta are tentatively scheduled for July 23/24th in Kamloops
These games depend on the Public Health Orders in both BC and Alberta and whether Interprovincial travel is allowed and/or advised
Option B if no Alberta game: We will select two (2) U18 teams and two (2) U16 team to represent Team BC and they would compete in a Senior and Junior Bowl
Senior and Junior Bowl would take place in Langley (McLeod Stadium) on July 23rd
Teams would be split evenly to be create two equal strength teams to play against each other
Option C if A and B are not possible: We will keep planning as the situation changes
STEP 3: CANADA CUP GAMES
This step is completely contingent on how other provinces are fairing and if they are able to play games as well
Original plan had the winner of BC vs AB play the winner of SK vs MB, but no date has been issued for that due to the constant changes in every province
There is still a December date (exact date TBD) that Vancouver will host the East vs West Game
Some additional information:
Will I need to pay any more fees to BCPFA for the Regional Academy? No. If you have paid all your fees up to and including April Training, there are no additional fees for May, June, and July. Fees cover the Regional Games. The only exception is for the Interior Group in which we are still working out the fees to cover training and coaching. There also may be additional fees for those selected to Team BC.
I'm in the Interior, what is my schedule? We are working on finalizing a training schedule and currently it is looking like the dates will be Monday and Sundays in Vernon. An update email will be sent soon once this has all been confirmed.
Why are we allowed to continue to train? Right off the BC website: "Structured extracurricular activities and programs for children or youth 21 years of age and younger can continue to operate with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place."
What phase are we in? For sport, we are currently in Phase 2. Check out our Return to Sport plan here.
Even with the restrictions and protocols in place, I feel unsafe. What can I do? Send Katie an email communications@bcpfa.ca and we can discuss further.
Please note that we are constantly communicating with viaSport and CSI Pacific and they know what is going on and what our plan is moving forward. They have approved our plan and know that we are looking out for the health and safety of our participants. Any concerns about the programming or health and safety plans should be directly addressed to us at BCPFA.
I hope this clears up some of the questions for everyone and I emphasize again, the situation is very fluid and constantly changing and we will provide updates as we can. We are doing our absolute best to keep everyone safe and healthy but also working to find ways to provide all the athletes with a high performance training environment and film and data to help with recruitment.