To RCTFC parents and athletes,

We are excited to now be authorized to return to the track, of course with many more restrictions than previously.  We have already begun pole vault specific training at Mercer.  Starting next week, Wednesday practices will begin at Swangard for athletes aged 13 and older.  We are unable to host activities for the athletes 12 and under due to limitations and restrictions imposed upon us, most notably on group sizes.  We will continue to work towards returning to other jumping events soon, but will not have throws until fall training begins.

This letter is being sent to you as the complexities of holding a virtual meeting for over 200 members to discuss are unwieldy.  If you have feedback, concerns or wish to have further discussion or clarification, please contact us at info@royalcitytrack.ca

While we are following the guidelines and instructions of Athletics Canada, BC Athletics, ViaSport, the Cities of Burnaby and New Westminster, and both the Provincial and Fraser Health Authorities, these are times of uncertainty, and we can only guarantee to make our best efforts, as information rapidly changes, and sometimes conflicts with that of other authorities.

Your child’s BC Athletics membership has to have been reactivated, with the Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk Agreement, Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement and COVID-19 Questionnaire, Attestation and Participant Agreement completed by the parent or guardian of each athlete.  This is required in order to participate. These were emailed by Athletics Canada Subject: Return to Sport – BC Athletics – Action Required and need to be completed at least 1 day before their first practice so that the coach can confirm participation.  Please do not attend your first practice without this being confirmed by the coach in advance as we will have to refuse entrance.

By now we have all become very familiar with social distancing and other measures to protect our population, but we are required to confirm with you that no one is allowed to attend practice if any of the following applies:

Any person experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, or shortness of breath). If these symptoms begin while at a training venue the individual must leave immediately and contact their physician for advice on further management. The individual must also inform their club and/or personal coach. This person must receive clearance by their physician before returning to training and the training venue.

Any person who receives a diagnosis of COVID-19. Individuals must comply with the current mandated self-isolation policy.

Any person who has been told to self-isolate at home.

Any person who lives in a home or has been in close contact with someone with symptoms of COVID-19.

Any person who lives in a home or has been in close contact with someone who has been told to self-isolate at home.

Any person who has arrived in Canada from outside of the country within the last 14 days as they are mandated to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days upon their arrival.

Anyone who experiences any of the above within 14 days of attending practice is obligated to immediately report this to the appropriate health authorities and the club.  If symptoms are observed at a practice, we are required to send the athlete home and report to the health authorities and the facility owner.

As we share our facilities and the surrounding area with other groups, and in some cases the public, athletes should not arrive earlier than 15 minutes before practice.  Parents should not attend unless they are assisting as a volunteer as requested by the coach as our group sizes are severely restricted.  Parents who use a different entrance to Mercer and do not interact with our group are members of the public and are free to sit in the stands, run laps, or otherwise enjoy the City’s facility separate from our athletes.  As Swangard is a closed venue, the coach(es) will have to advise the rules for each practice based on attendance, but it is unlikely that parents may attend.

Prior to being allowed to enter a facility as part of our club, a Health Check questionnaire will have to be answered at every practice, and all attendance will be tracked, both so that we can confirm compliance to the restrictions placed upon us, and for future contact tracing should that be required. If you are dropping your child off, please do not leave until you see their entrance is granted.

Each practice will have a confirmed entrance to allow for these procedures. 

Social distancing of a minimum of 2 metres must be maintained at all times, except when in the lanes of the track, where every second lane will be empty, or athletes otherwise staggered.  In cases where distancing is not viable PPE must be worn.  Each attendee is required to provide their own masks and sanitizer, water bottle, towel and other personal requirements.  The club will provide PPE for coaches and volunteers, and gloves when required.    Any shared equipment will be cleaned between users by the coach or delegate, as will hurdles that have been knocked over, starting blocks etc.

We have been asked by the Cities to vacate the tracks as soon as possible after our practice ends to allow for other user groups.  We will continue to revise and update these policies as required.

Some events will have additional protocols assigned, which will be communicated to the athletes and parents involved.  Please ensure that you share and discuss this with your athletes, and that they understand our policies.

Thank you,

Ian Coutts, President, Royal City Track and Field Club