Beach Volleyball Training Sessions – conducted by Thunder Beach
Statement of Purpose
We are committed to providing safe and healthy sessions for all participants. A combination of measures will be used to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
- Principles under which we will operate:
During the current “Transition Measures Phase” of COVID-19, all beach volleyball sessions will operate under the following principles:
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Routine daily screening
- Anyone with any symptoms must stay home.
2. Participants must maintain physical distancing
- Two meters apart from one another at all times, including on court* (*does not apply to persons within your household ‘bubble’).
- Non-contact activities only
- No handshaking, high fives, hugging, etc.
- There may be no more that 6 people on the court and/or sharing the same ball (3 on each side).
- No blocking will be permitted.
- Coaches will maintain physical distancing.
3. When physical distance cannot be maintained
In the event that physical distancing needs to be broken (for example: to administer first aid), the coach will have a mask on hand to use.
4. Common equipment
- We will aim to reduce unnecessary contact with balls, nets, and other shared equipment.
- Balls and equipment will be sanitized before and after every training session. Hand sanitizer will be available for water breaks for participants and the coach to use.
5. General Hygiene Considerations
- Participants, coaches, and staff should wash their hands before and immediately following participation in volleyball activities.
- Breaks to ensure hand washing or sanitizing at intervals throughout the activity should be scheduled.
- Participants, coaches, and staff should avoid touching one’s face throughout volleyball activities.
- Participants, coaches, and staff should either: (a) cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash their hands, or (b) sneeze/cough into their elbow.
- All participants and coaches should consider wearing a mask and gloves.
- There should be no sharing of water bottles, towels, or other personal items.
- Physical distancing of 2 meters must be practiced at all times.
- There should be no unnecessary contact between participants – this includes handshakes, hugs, meeting at the net, and high-fives.
- Participants should “Get In. Train. Get Out”. Participants should not congregate or socialize before or after the activity.
- Consider signage to remind all participants of the hygiene considerations outlined above. See the Useful Resources section for examples from BC Centre for Disease Control.
6. Types of Permitted activities
We will limit activity to skill development and lower risk activities
- Activities will be those typically done in practice and/or training environments, which permit physical distancing at all times (e.g. Individual serving, passing, setting, attacking practice)
- No games/ competitions. Competitive volleyball does not permit physical distancing at two meters and will therefore not be played at this time.
- As participants may have had limited exposure to physical activity for the last 6+ weeks while confined to their homes, we will consider this layoff and have injury prevention top of mind.
7. Declarations and Waivers
- A written health declaration will be completed and signed by each participant before training begins, and a verbal questionnaire will be done before the beginning of any training session to ensure participants do not have any symptoms, nor does anyone whom they have come into contact with for the past 14 days.
- Each participant must provide the required waiver, completed and signed, to Thunder Volleyball Club before beginning training , which the waiver will outline the risks involved in resuming volleyball activities and in which the participant agrees to adhere to all relevant guidelines.
8. Communication plans and training
- As there is one coach and a same small group of athletes, the head coach will be responsible to maintain regular updates to the athletes and their legal guardians via email or in person at each session, while maintaining physical distancing.
- In the event of a substitute coach, the head coach will communicate all plans and restrictions to the said substitute coach in writing, including this Safety Plan.
9. What to do if someone develops COVID-19 symptoms
- If a participant develops symptoms of COVID-19 recognized by the BC Centre of Disease Control during a session, they must immediately don a mask, notify the head coach and return home.
- If a participant develops symptoms after having been at a session, they must immediately notify the head coach and remain at home. The other participants will be told they may have been exposed, but the name of the symptomatic participant will not be disclosed unless necessary.
- Participants who develop symptoms of COVID-19 must immediately contact public health or their physician for advice on being tested.
- If the participant is tested, they must self-isolate at home until the results of the test are known. If the test results come back negative, the participant must seek medical advice on when they may return to full participation in beach volleyball.
- If a test is either not available or not recommended, the participant must self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days from the onset of symptoms, and until their symptoms are completely resolved (i.e. it may be longer than the minimum 10 days). Self-isolating individuals should call public health (8-1-1) or their personal physician for medical advice and for advice on when they are fit to safely return to beach volleyball.
- Participants who live in the same household as a person with confirmed or clinical COVID-19 symptoms who is self-isolating must self-isolate and not return to beach volleyball sessions until cleared to do so by the public health officials (8-1-1).
- Participants who are self-isolating are not to return to beach volleyball sessions until: (1) they are cleared to do so by public health officials (8-1-1); and (2) they have notified the head coach that they have received the required clearance.
10. Monitor the overriding COVID-19 climate and update plans as needed
- As the summer progresses, and with continued advice from the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, plans will be adapted as needed to ensure they comply with public health restrictions and to ensure maximum participant and coach safety.
11. Questions regarding the Safety Plan
All questions and feedback should be directed to the head coach: Jonny Wiskar. Email – jonathan.wiskar@gmail.com
