Return to Play - June 11th

Return to Play – Step One: Effective Friday, June 11th, 2021

The Government of Ontario announced on June 7th that the province will enter Step One of its Roadmap to Reopen effective Friday, June 11th at 12:01AM. Step One of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of more outdoor activities with smaller crowds where risk of transmission is lower. This includes: outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people & outdoor fitness classes, personal training and sports training up to 10 people.

Public health and workplace safety measures will continue to apply across all steps, including maintaining physical distance, capacity limits and wearing face coverings in indoor spaces and whenever physical distancing is a challenge.

NOTE: Porcupine Health Unit (which includes Timmins, Cochrane, Hearst, Kapuskasing, Moosonee and surrounding areas) will remain in lockdown at the discretion of their Medical Officer of Health until at least June 25. Basketball activities therefore remain suspended in this region.

Step One – Implications for Basketball

  • Activities may only take place outdoors during Step One.
  • Maximum of 10 people allowed in any group activity (ex: 9 players, 1 coach). In Step One, participants must maintain physical distance of at least three metres from any other person.
  • No spectators permitted – However, persons under the age of 18 that are participating may be accompanied by one parent or guardian.
  • Sessions may only be training for team members – No games or scrimmages permitted in Step One.
  • Drills that could result in contact should not be practiced or played during the session. In Step One, activities that are likely to result in individuals coming within three metres of each other must not be practiced or played.
  • Coaches should be gradually phasing players back into activity in order to reduce risk of injury.
  • Players should bring their own basketball and water bottle – No sharing of equipment.
  • Coaches are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to each training session.

Registration Process

Players must be registered with Ontario Basketball at the link below. Instructions on how to register through SportSavvy can be found here.

Register through SportSavvy

Clubs or Coaches interested in running their own programs will register their team (group of 10) through the link above for $50 per team, $5 for each player and $10 per coach. Registration will cover individual insurance. For outdoor space to be covered, insurance must be requested separately by the affiliated club. This is applicable until August 31st, 2021. In the event that indoor facilities may open in Step Two or Three, clubs will need to request additional insurance certificates at that time. More on OBA insurance.

Coaches or Administrators on site must record the following information in relation to each activity:

  • Name and contact information for every participant.
  • Have players complete an Attestation of Health and declare no recent travel history.
  • OBA Participant Attestation template, as a Word document or .pdf:    Microsoft Word     PDF
  • This information does not need to be submitted directly to OBA, but should be kept on file by the coach or administrator in case contact tracing is required.

Transfer Policy

Due to the nature of the team registration, Ontario Basketball’s Transfer Policy will be temporarily waived.

Funding Opportunities

  • Ontario Basketball announced last week additional funding available to affiliated member OBA clubs as they prepare for return to play. This is intended to cover expenses incurred up to December 31, 2020. The application period closes on Wednesday, June 30th.
  • The Coaches Association of Ontario announced today their Return to Coaching Community Grant, which will help coaches with return to play costs (including purchasing PPE and individual sporting equipment). Applications close on August 8th.

ICYMI:

  • Clubs or Coaches interested in running Ontario Basketball’s Mega Hoops program should contact Linnaea Harper. The program is comprised of 8 1-hour sessions geared at the Active Start and FUNdamentals age groups, and includes a basketball and t-shirt for every participant. Package costs are: $300 for a package of 10; $500 for a package of 25; $1000 for a package of 50.
  • Check out our outdoor court map and add your local court information!

Further details on Step Two and beyond of provincial re-opening will be determined and announced at a later date.

For more information on what is and is not permitted in Step One of re-opening, please see the Government of Ontario’s media release: Ontario to Move to Step One of Roadmap to Reopen on June 11.

More information on the extended lockdown in Porcupine Health Unit: Letter from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario

 

Disclaimer: 

The information included in this post is current for the time of publishing and is aligned with the current recommendations from national and international bodies, the Ontario government and local Public Health Unit (PHU) authorities. However, recommendations may change depending on daily provincial, local and global COVID-19 situation reports; local resources should also be consulted for up to date information.

This is Ontario Basketball’s recommendation based upon the regulations, but it is subject to the interpretation of the Ontario government and local health units. Until COVID-19 is fully eradicated, there will still be a risk of contracting the virus when participating in any public activity.

The information and recommendations outlined above should be used to develop individual plans that evaluate the unique risks that each training environment presents. The above information is to supplement and not to replace applicable law and the information provided by public health authorities. Individuals, in consultation with a medical professional, should also assess and evaluate their own personal risks. The above information is not legal advice.

The enforcement of the above guidelines and any additional restrictions is solely at the discretion of the local health unit. Ontario Basketball strongly recommend that member clubs notify local PHUs about their intention to use these guidelines, highlighting the proposed times, locations and planned activities. Any additional recommendations or restrictions from the local PHUs would be enforceable on a case-by-case basis and would be in addition to those listed in these guidelines.