​Return to Sport Guidelines


​Overview

The Elite Track and Field Academy will be following the return to training guidelines developed by the Athletics Canada’s “Back on Track” Task Force and the BC Athletics’ Return to Training Addendum. The Elite Track and Field Academy’s COVID-19 Safety Plan integrates and builds upon these guidelines with our club’s own assessment of the risks that face our athletes, coaches, parents and administrators across all of our training groups and locations.
The recommendations outlined in this document will be reviewed and updated regularly as we receive guidance from the BC Government, WorkSafe BC, viaSport BC, and BC Athletics. Please note resuming of sport activities may not be linear, increasing restrictions may be required in response to fluctuating numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province. Club Members need to be flexible to accommodate and respond to changes in community transmission and the changes in advice from the Provincial Health Officer.
Guidelines in this document are for use in training/practice settings. Elite Track and Field Academy will continue to update these guidelines as we progress through the later phases of the Pandemic. Return to Competition guidelines are currently being developed by government and sport authorities and will be released at a later phase.

​Disclaimer

The guidelines included in these Return to Training documents are intended to be used for the purposes set out in the document. While we aim to provide relevant and timely information, because information known about the COVID-19 coronavirus and recommended health and safety measures can rapidly change, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided in these Guidelines.
It is important to note that the Guidelines are not legal documents and are to be used as a guide only. They are not a substitute for actual legislation or orders of the Provincial Health Officer. In the event of an ambiguity or conflict between the Guidelines and the Public Health Act, regulations, or orders thereunder, the Act, regulations and orders prevail. All members of the Elite Track & Field Club should comply with the requirements of the provincial and local government and health officials in terms of public gatherings and sporting events when determining when it is safe to return to activities. Nothing in these documents are intended to provide legal advice. Do not rely on these documents or treat them as legal advice.

What will be different

There will be limited to no use of public washrooms at training facilities, so athletes are strongly encouraged to use their home washroom immediately prior to departing for practice.

Training Pods

In accordance with Athletics Canada and BC Athletics guidelines, and in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, training groups will be subdivided into training “pods.”
The total number of individuals in a training pod at any given practice must not exceed 10 individuals (1 coach + 9 athletes).
Athletes will only be assigned to one training pod. They may not be a member of two different pods (e.g. an endurance pod and a development pod), nor can they train with members of a different pod. The coach of a pod may vary from practice to practice.
Training pods (and the athletes assigned to them) will only be invited to attend practices on certain days. Every effort is being made to ensure that each pod will get to train at least twice a week.
For example, the training group typically practices with Krassimir Velkov on Monday to Friday (Possibilities of Saturday and Sunday)

Illness

The following individuals are NOT to be permitted to attend practice or training venues:
  • Any person who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, or shortness of breath). If these symptoms begin while at a training venue or within 14 days of having attended a training venue, the individual must leave immediately and contact their local public health office for recommendations. The individual must also inform their club and/or personal coach;
  • Any person who receives a diagnosis of COVID-19. Individuals must comply with the current mandated self-isolation policy as per the BC Ministry of Health (www.gov.bc.ca);
  • Any person who has been told to self-isolate at home;
  • Any person who lives in a home or has been in close contact with someone with symptoms of COVID-19;
  • Any person who lives in a home or has been in close contact with someone who has been told to self-isolate at home; and
  • Any person who has arrived in British Columbia from outside of Canada within the last 14 days as they are mandated to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days upon their arrival.

Symptoms of illness arise during practice

Should an athlete develop symptoms of COVID-19 during a practice:
  • That individual must wait in a designated location until their parent/guardian picks them up.
  • The coach should contact the athlete’s emergency contact immediately and request they pick up the athlete as soon as possible.
Should a coach develop symptoms of COVID-19 during a practice:
  • That practice session will be immediately terminated.
  • Athletes’ parents will be called and requested to pick up their children as soon as possible.
  • Athletes will sit and wait in a designated area while maintaining at least a 2m distance from other athletes, as they await transportation home.

Physical Distancing

All practice participants (athletes, coaches, designated parent volunteers, administrators) must maintain a 2-metre distance from all other practice participants, other recreational users, and members of the general public at all times. This includes:
  • Upon arrival at practice
  • During warm-up runs
  • During intervals/reps
  • In-between intervals/reps
  • Stretching
  • Core or strength activities
  • Prior to leaving
  • Travelling to and from practice – i.e. no carpooling with persons who do not live in your household
In an effort to not overcrowd a facility and compromise the health and safety of practice participants and users of the facility, we will be limiting the number of pods we schedule to practice at any one time.
  • For this reason, family members will not be allowed to enter the facility and are encouraged to remain in their vehicles when dropping off and picking up athletes.
Participants should aim to arrive at the facility no earlier than five minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their practice. They will be required to leave within 5 minutes of the scheduled end-time of their practice.
Depending on the facility and number of pods training that day, we may ask members to be dropped off and pickup up at specific entrances or locations at the facility so as to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between pods.

Hygiene

All participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer to each practice. Coaches will have hand sanitizer available as a backup.
Participants will be required to sanitize their hands for at least 20 seconds at the following times:
  • Upon arrival to the practice
  • Before using any club equipment
  • After using any club equipment
  • Before departing from the practice
  • Any other time your coach requests
You will not be required to wear personal protective equipment (“PPE) to practice. Should you chose to wear PPE, you must ensure that you safely dispose of disposable PPE or disinfect reusable PPE prior to returning to the next practice.
Participants must practise good hygiene, including:
  • Not touch their face (especially eyes, nose and mouth)
  • Sneeze only into the crease of their elbow
  • Not sharing any food or drinks (including water) with other participants
  • Not hi-fiving or elbow-bumping other participants. Air fives only.

Non-compliance

​In the event that an athlete is non-compliant with the terms or spirit of our guidelines, to the point where their coach or club administration feel they are compromising the safety of others, they will be asked to leave the practice.
That athlete would then only allowed to attend future practices once the coach and club administration is satisfied that the athlete no longer poses a threat to the safety of others.
In the event that a coach or entire training group is found to be non-compliant with the terms and spirit of this safety plan, their practices may be suspended.

Educational Training

All coaches, administrative staff, and parents performing any official volunteer capacities must review certain training materials prior to returning to practice. Details will be communicated directly to those individuals.

​Feedback and Safety Concerns

Individuals with health and safety concerns will be encouraged to report those concerns via any one of the following mechanisms  
Club administration will revise plans, policies and procedures as frequently as new feedback is provided. Revised plans and policies will be communicated via:
Policies