Dear Field Hockey Athletes and Coaches,

Eventually COVID is going away and when it does we want to be able to get back onto the pitch performing at our best. What could be worse than transitioning back into sport only to be sidelined by an injury!

Research shows that 1 in 4 elite field hockey athletes experiences an injury every 2 weeks in season. Injuries impact our ability to play the sport we all love as well as our physical and mental health. Emily Fisher who is a licensed Physiotherapist says that structured injury prevention programs can decrease your risk of injury by 46%.

Join Emily Fischer (MScPT, BSc, CSEP-CPT) on her free webinar Wednesday May 20 where we will be covering the 4 key components to injury prevention programs for field hockey athletes. She will be focusing on what you can do now as we prepare to transition back to sport and what we can do in the future to ensure you and all of our athletes can continue to play the sport we all love!

Registration is limited to the first 100 people. Please use the link below to secure your spot

When: May 20, 2020 08:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Field Hockey Injury Prevention

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UoUV0A1tQCqovMxLpVks3g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

August 2020 – Update from Field Hockey Victoria:

TURF UPDATE
Field Hockey Victoria (FHV) has been in touch with Vikes Athletics and Recreation regarding the use of the water-based turf, Field 1. At this time, booking of the turf for the community is not available. They would like to do so in the near future and will require an FHV safety plan as part of a bigger safety plan that has to get approved through a few layers at the University level. The entire process is aimed to be complete by the middle of September.

It should be noted that FHBC still does not have a return to competition plan. Scrimmages, modified games, and match-play are NOT SANCTIONED at this time. Please read the “Responsible Return to Play” below for more information.

Once booking is available, there will be no change in turf rental rates at this time. There will be no change to the booking process. The FHV turf coordinator will advise of additional terms and conditions of use, ensuring the following items are communicated and agreed upon.

It should be noted that other field/facilities (other than at UVic) may be available for FHV members to use. As such, FHV requires the following responsible return to play framework regardless of location.

RESPONSIBLE RETURN TO PLAY
FHV requires all members to familiarize themselves with the FHBC Responsible Return to Play Framework for any and all field hockey sessions. FHV is the Local Sport Organization (LSO) as referenced in the FHBC framework.

The following are mandatory elements for every field hockey session/activity:
Pre-activity health screening for all participants
Pre-activity reminder of public health guidelines to all participants
COVID-19 Attestation Questionnaire (attached) completed for all participants
Note: all completed questionnaires must be held by the permit holder for up to 2 years to ensure information is available should contact tracing be required.
Since the majority of field hockey activities will happen at UVic’s Field 1, all participants must follow the attached field/facility access plan. If using a different facility, all participants must adhere to the field/facility access plan provided by the booking authority for that space in addition to the FHBC framework. Session plans must incorporate a 15-minute Facility Entry Protocol (to collect questionnaires and verbally check in with all athletes) and a 15-minute Facility Exit Protocol (to ensure athlete, coach, and officer departure prior to subsequent session booking).

The following are mandatory elements for setting up a field hockey activity:
Coaches must consider equipment setup to ensure social distance is maintained throughout the session. Please refer to FHBC Head Coach checklist (follow the link above) more detail.
Safety officers must come prepared with all appropriate forms/checklists. Safety officers must wear a high viz vest or jacket at all times. Please refer to FHBC Safety Officer checklist (follow the link above) for more detail.
A hard copy of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) (attached) must be at each session and this documentation should include a First Aid response and Outbreak plan.

Athlete capacity must meet the following restrictions (diagram on page 25 of the FHBC Framework):
A maximum of 8 athletes are permitted per quarter
The booking group must assign one (1) coach for each athlete-group (max. 8 players per player-group)
The booking group must assign one (1) safety officer to every two athlete-groups (max. 16 players each)
The maximum occupancy per field is 38 (32 athletes, 4 coaches, 2 safety officers)
The coach, safety officer, and athlete can not be the same person.

Players should be reminded:
Not to arrive before their scheduled time, and to immediately leave the field once the session is complete.
Not to attend if experiencing any cold/flu-like symptoms.
To exit the premises if any symptoms manifest during the session.
To only bring their stick and water bottle. All safety equipment (e.g. shin guards, mouthguard) should be put on prior to entering the field. Bags should not be brought onto the field space.
Not to touch any facility equipment. If a goal need to be moved, players should use the sanitizer spray bottle provided to disinfect the surfaces after moving the goal.
To maintain physical distance at all times, and to practice good hygiene when coughing/sneezing.
That they must be a registered FHBC member, in good standing. (i.e. FHBC player dues paid and received).
Thanks to everyone for your patience as we responsibly return to play.

Sincerely,

Mark Baggott
President, Field Hockey Victoria

April 7, 2020 UPDATE

Hello Everyone,

I hope this message finds you all well and staying at home.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreck havoc on all aspects of our lives and unfortunately, our children’s field hockey too. As a result, UVIC has made the appropriate decision to keep everyone safe and healthy through continued social distancing by extending the closure of its athletic facilities to June 30th. Sadly, this closure means our upcoming spring league season is cancelled. Our junior league board is currently looking into the most efficient option to refund all registration payments made and we thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

For those that are interested and eligible, there are some free educational opportunities available:

Coach Education

For those who completed the Fundamentals Coach Course in March 2020, you will be receiving information on two additional coaching modules that will complement your recent course work.

Community Umpiring Course

Available through the Field Hockey BC website: https://www.fieldhockeybc.ca/fhbc/courses.php/
Note: This course is recommended for those 13 years of age or older.

We wish continued safety and health to our field hockey community of players, families and volunteers. I hope you all are enjoying ‘at home’ time and creating some memorable experiences. Thank you for all your support and we together will get through this difficult time. Hope to see you on the pitch again when it is safe!

Kind Regards,

The Victoria Junior Field Hockey League

Response from FHBC Board to COVID-19 – March 20, 2020

As the Organized Sport Sector in BC responds to the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19, Field Hockey BC continues to monitor the potential impact to our team sport environment. Given the growing and unprecedented uncertainty surrounding this health pandemic, Field Hockey BC is directing all members and affiliated clubs and associations to suspend all sanctioned field hockey activities in the province until further notice.

This decision will be monitored daily and reviewed on a week to week basis by the Field Hockey BC Board of Directors, with the expectation that a next suspension update will be posted early in April. As new information is received from both Federal and Provincial Government agencies, Field Hockey BC will provide appropriate program and service updates that we hope over time will include a responsible and gradual return to play. Field Hockey BC cannot emphasize enough that the health and safety of all participants in the field hockey community in BC is of the utmost importance and is central to any decision-making process.

To ensure the health and safety of the players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans in BC, Field Hockey BC recommends that all affiliated Leagues, Clubs, and Associations communicate to their members that they will cease all sanctioned field hockey operations immediately and until further notice. Field Hockey BC sanctioned field hockey activities include, but are not limited to, all indoor and outdoor competitions, leagues, training, practices, matches, in-person coach and official education, and formalized club group activities. The intent of this suspension is to limit situations of physical contact.

Whilst the entire Field Hockey Community in BC continues to work hard on contingency planning for the possibility that restrictions may be lifted over time, please stay patient as we collectively consider ongoing environmental implications. Field Hockey BC’s operational continuity plan is for Society staff to work remotely and all staff are equipped to continue their daily functions. Electronic media will be utilized to maintain lines of communication, with community members able to connect via phone and/or email in the normal way.

Field Hockey BC thanks you for your patience as we do our part to support all of the unprecedented steps taking place to slow the spread of COVID-19. You can stay up-to-date on COVID-19 information by visiting the BC Government website and the Ministry of Health website. Our thoughts are with all of you and your families during this challenging time.

Below is a message from the Victoria Junior Field Hockey Association executive:

As you are aware, the situation around the COVID-19 continues to evolve with further restrictions on events and gatherings instituted by our provincial government.

The health and safety of our children, parents, guardians, coaches and volunteers are our top priorities. We will work with Field Hockey British Columbia on a plan based on the restrictions set by the provincial government and we will work with the University of Victoria Athletics and Recreation department based on their operation and response.

Once we have a clearer picture of the situation, the Executive Board will meet and provide a further update by e-mail.

Thank you and we appreciate your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

For questions or concerns please contact info@victoriajuniorfieldhockey.ca

Field Hockey Victoria will be hosting an information meeting open to the entire community of VILFHA (ladies), VIFHA (men), VJFHA (juniors) and the Umpires Association. Coaches, players and parents are welcome to attend.

Where: McKinnon Building (Room 150) at UVic
When: Monday, March 2 from 6:30-8:00 pm

Topics that will be updated and up for discussion:
1. Summary of recent discussion with newly-elected FHBC President, Andrew Dewberry
2. How the future of FHBC will effect field hockey on Vancouver Island
3. Summary of discussions with UVic Associate Director, Michelle Peterson.
4. What the future looks like for the UVic turf
5. Open forum for any other items concerning field hockey in Victoria.

Current FHV Board members:
President – Mark Baggott
Vice President – Denise McGeachy
Treasurer – Amy Jones
Secretary – (vacant)
Directors at large – Nancy Griffin, Jim Knight, Shahbaz Claire, Kirsten Duncan

For questions or concerns, contact Mark Baggott (baggott_mark@yahoo.ca)