COVID-19 Safety Plan

The safety and well-being of FVC athletes, families, coaches and volunteers is our top priority in these uncertain times.

For any local programming we will adhere to the guidelines provided by our ruling body (Volleyball BC) and the appropriate government agencies.  For any competitions in Alberta (if allowed) we will adhere to the guidelines provided by Volleyball Alberta and appropriate government agencies.

Volleyball BC and viaSport Return to Play guidelines

UPDATED JUNE 3RD, 2021 – The protocols and Safety plan will update as the COVID-19 situation changes.  Next update expected June 15, 2021.

Return to Play protocols (Current – Outdoor)

  • Practices and competition are allowed for youth and adults within their home club. “Home club” means the sport organization, club or facility with, or at which, a person is registered for ongoing sport programming.
  • Physical distance is not required on field of play. Physical distance of 2 metres must be maintained off the field of play. Individuals should still seek to minimize physical contact wherever possible and should not engage in handshaking, high fives, hugging or similar behavior.
  • Travel is allowed to the home club only. Travel outside your travel region for athletic activities like games, competitions, training and practice is prohibited. “Travel regions” are defined as:
    ▪ Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
    ▪ Northern/Interior
    ▪ Vancouver Island
  • The maximum group size for adults and varsity sport is 50 individuals including coaches, managers, trainers, and any other person involved in an official capacity.
  • Youth activities have no maximum participants to accommodate the need for additional adult supervision.
  • No spectators allowed unless the presence of a spectator is necessary in order to provide care to a participant.

Return To Play protocols (Current – Youth Indoor)

  • Games, tournaments and competitions for indoor group sports for people 21 years of age and younger are prohibited. Indoor drills and training activities are permitted.
  •  Volleyball activities must be limited to non-contact, skills development that permits 3 metres of physical distancing at all times (eg. individual serving, passing, attacking practice). No blocking at the net.
  • Participants must maintain social distancing at all times on and off the court. The Provincial Health Order stipulates that participants must maintain 3 metres from one another and do not engage in handshaking, high fives, hugging or similar behavior. If you are providing programming, please ensure that all skills and drills ensure 3 metres physical distance at all times.
  • Travel is allowed to the home club only. Travel outside your travel region for athletic activities like games, competitions, training and practice is prohibited. “Travel regions” are defined as:
    ▪ Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
    ▪ Northern/Interior
    ▪ Vancouver Island
  • No more than 12 individuals on a court (6 per side) while maintaining physical distance at all times. Volleyball clubs and associations are reminded that physical distancing is required at all times on and off court, and while 12 is the maximum under these guidelines, each group must determine whether that is possible given the size of the particular facility they are using.
  • No spectators allowed unless the presence of a spectator is necessary in order to provide care to a participant.

Additional Considerations

Masks

  • Outdoor Volleyball – Masks are not required on the field of play. Individuals should consider wearing a mask during occasions that physical distancing is not possible off the field of play.
  • Indoor Volleyball – Players must wear a mask at all times to and from the court. Masks may be worn or removed on the court during activity. We strongly recommend that coaches, referees, and staff/volunteers should wear a mask at all times. Participants must follow all facility protocols about the use of masks.

Hygiene and Cleaning Measures

  • All Balls & high touch equipment will be cleaned in between sessions. (Indoor sessions)
  • Hand Sanitizer will be available and all participants are expected to use before and after each session. And during any designated breaks as indicated by the program administrator. (Indoor sessions)
  • There should be no sharing of water bottles, towels, or other personal items.

Health Screening

  • All participants will be screened by asking about a symptom checklist at the start of each session.
  • If a participant is showing signs of cold, flu, or COVID-19 with coughing or sneezing, they must be removed from the activity and self-isolate immediately.
  • Participants should know the common symptoms of COVID-19 and stay away if displaying symptoms.
    Participants must stay home if:
    o they don’t feel well or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19
    o they have traveled outside of Canada within the last 14 days
    o they have been identified by Public Health as a close contact of someone with COVID-19
    o they have been told to isolate by Public Health

Emergency Planning and Contact Tracing

  • Organizers will maintain full contact information for all participants coaches, referees, and staff/volunteers participating in each session of an activity.

Facility Specific requirements

Some Venues/Facilities may have additional restrictions/requirements/protocols in place. The FVC will adhere to any/all such requirements.