Football Canada UPDATE on COVID-19 and Domestic Competitions

Football Canada continues to monitor the public health situation regarding the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The likelihood of contracting the virus in Canada continues to remain low. Football Canada strongly recommends that participants, coaches, event organizers and administrators carefully review the joint message of the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee comprised of Chief Medical Officers from the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network:

National and Regional Championships

There have been very few cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Canada. At this time, the Joint Advisory below suggests that there is currently no indication to delay or postpone sporting events in Canada, or to recommend limits on Canadian-based travel at this time. Football Canada and the Host PSOs of these events are moving forward with plans to deliver great events and positive experiences for all participants.

Football Canada is responsible for the operation and oversight of national and regional championships for both contact and flag which operate from late June to August. In conjunction with campus policy where applicable, along with regional and national health authorities Football Canada will:

• Determine the operation of the Annual General Meeting no later than May
• Determine the operation of all tackle/contact competitions no later than May
• Determine the operation of all flag/non-contact competitions no later than June

In regard to leagues and provincial jurisdictions, Football Canada highly recommends consideration of suspension of practice or play until further notice. However, if you choose to continue operation we suggest:

• Refer to your insurance policies regarding liability on COVID-19.
• Check daily with your provincial health authority on status regarding public gatherings and/or
• Check daily with your provincial sport authority regarding the latest bulletins on COVID-19.
• No sharing of water bottles – work to find ways to add water breaks during game to avoid similar to extreme heat water
• No shaking hands after
• Monitor and Follow provincial restrictions surrounding group
• Re-enforce washing of
• Instruct athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, trainers, equipment managers to stay home if feeling

The health and well-being of our football community is Football Canada’s top priority. Football Canada will continue to monitor of developments surrounding COVID-19 within Canada and provide updates to our members when available.

More detailed information regarding COVID-19 is available here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being- prepared.html

For more information for PSOs, please contact: Shannon Donovan,

Executive Director T: (613) 868-1179

E: sdonovan@footballcanada.com

For more media inquiries, please contact: Jim Mullin

President

T: (778) 996-7398

E: jim@northern8.com

This post is also available in: French