Naismith Basketball Update - November 25, 2021
Hello Naismith Family! If you haven’t already heard the great news…. It looks like all of our pressure and petitions have worked! Upper Canada and the Catholic School Boards have decided to open up gyms in our region to after-school community use. We have submitted our gym time and location requests and are waiting patiently to get confirmation.
In the meantime, here is a Quick Update of IMPORTANT INFORMATION to keep you ready and informed as we attempt to get our kids back into gyms!
1) REGISTRATION
We have opened up registration once again to give families, that have been waiting to see what happens with the gyms opening up, an opportunity to sign their athletes up.
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE BY DEC. 2nd TO ALLOW US TO HAVE A FIRM GRASP ON TEAM NUMBERS AND COACH ALLOCATIONS.
Register here and click on Registration or Age Categories to first review the age groups
1) COACHES
Please email our coach liaison at thill@uppercanadaelevators.com if you have not already expressed an interest in coaching.
2) MANAGERS
It will be absolutely integral that each team have a “Team Manager” that is willing to take on organizational duties for their team. (ex: communication of practice/game times and locations, accepting and logging attendance and virtual COVID health screening information for each practice/game, etc.) If you have interest in volunteering, email our coach’s liaison at thill@uppercanadaelevators.com .
3) CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECK
Anyone working/interacting directly with any of our players will need to submit a CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECK. (The forms and letter needed to submit are available from our coach's liaison at the email listed above). Visit our Coaches Corner.
4) COVID PROTOCOLS
COVID protocols will align with provincial health regulations, where these regulations allow for flexibility or are not clearly defined, we will adhere to the protocols established by the facility manager and/or the governing association (OBA/EOBA) This will mean the following:
• ALL players, coaches and managers aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated in order to enter all facilities. Proof of vaccination will be mandatory before attending your team’s first practice session. (EXCEPTIONS would only be for Religious or Medical Exemptions with proper, official paperwork).
• At this time, athletes under 12 do not have to be vaccinated. This may be subject to change as we will align with provincial healthy regulations, facility manager and or the governing association such as the OBA.
• At all times, masks must be worn upon entrance by all and players may temporarily remove the mask for periods of vigorous exercise or sporting activity. Coaches and other team personnel must wear a mask at all times. Players under 12 will be fully masked at all times when entering, playing and exiting facilities. This is subject to change as we closely follow the directions and align ourselves with any updates given by the Health Unit and Ontario Basketball. Physical distancing is strongly encouraged at all times and masking is required when they can be worn safely based on the activity.
• Use of a Virtual Health Screening Tool will be mandatory before attending each event
• ABSOLUTELY NO SPECTATORS ARE ALLOWED IN FACILITIES AT THIS TIME. This is a directive from The School Boards and Naismith Basketball will respect their wishes. Should their policy change, we will gladly update ours.
For a full review, visit our COVID Protocols here.
As we now wait for gym time approvals, our Board is busy preparing behind the scenes to ensure we are ready to play when possible. It’s been a rough few years, and with the Covid restrictions still somewhat in place, we can’t expect everything to be perfect just yet. However, let’s focus on getting our athletes back to building skills, getting fit and competing in a fun environment.
The next communication you receive should be from your Team Manager and/or Coaches. As we work through who these amazing volunteers will be, please remember that everyone working with and for this Organization is a Volunteer, and we know that without them, getting back to the sport we love couldn’t happen!
See you all soon!