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Return to Play

Our plan is designed to help Special Olympics Alberta athletes, coaches, affiliates, and caregivers understand the steps and requirements for in-person sports and events to return as safely as possible.

We will be continually updating this website page as the situation evolves. Last update: September 25, 2020

What’s happening right now

SOA is currently meeting with individual affiliates to determine a return to play plan that is right for their program, member and community. Plans, sports and timelines will differ affiliate to affiliate.

Our current sport level

Our Return to Play protocols have been approved and Special Olympics Alberta staff are currently working with each Affiliate and Community Program to determine what their plan will be for the fall.

While this announcement does not include a set return date, we are hopeful and excited for a successful return to play in many of our communities. We want to reiterate that each community’s return to sports will differ depending on their facilities, sports, and available volunteers.  

We will still continue to provide virtual opportunities for athletes through our Healthy at Home newsletter and in collaboration with Chapters across the country. 

Return to play is going to be an ongoing process, so we want to thank you for your patience as we continue to be conservative in our approach. Our priority is, and will always be, the health and safety of our athletes, volunteers, and coaches.

Click here for the full version of the latest Programs Update and Announcement. 

SOA Return to Sport Guidelines

 

RETURNING TO SPORT & PROGRAMS

What to know before you return:

forms And Resources

Here is what all participants will need to fill out when their program restarts and they want to rejoin, as well as forms required for programs. These forms will need to be filled out before your first practice. The forms can be found in the plan above, and will soon be linked individually below. Specific Resources from the Return to Play Guidelines have also been individual share below under Resources.

Forms:

Guidance For Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation

Training Sessions

 

RTP Training

All volunteers, coaches and Program Safety Volunteers are required to take RTP training.

For those volunteers who were unable to participate in our live training sessions on September 9 and 14 we have created a recorded version that you can take any time!

SOA Return to Play Volunteer Training Video: https://bit.ly/32FNJbP

After watching the training video please fill out the following form to complete your RTP training: https://forms.gle/wv329diTZMFLzBfC8

Sport-Specific Coach RTP Meetings

Sport specific coaches meetings are a mandatory part of Return To Play for Affiliates and Community Programs. Head coaches must be a part of a sport specific meeting prior to any program start. Assistant coaches and coaches that are planning a start date to still be determined, are welcome on these calls as well. If you are unable to participate in the scheduled call please reach out to Rochelle at rchamczuk@specialolympics.ab.ca to make alternate arrangements.

Please click here for more information or to register.

After watching your sport-specific video training sessions please fill out the following form to complete your RTP training: https://forms.gle/cgxuxELxMLgCLhsM6

Dates:

Alpine Skiing: Oct.5 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Alpine RTP Coaches Training Video: https://bit.ly/3nyMJ1w

Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing: Oct.7 - 7:00-8:00pm

Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing RTP Coaches Training Video: https://bit.ly/3lr97YJ

Curling: Sept. 23 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Curling RTP Coaches Training Video: https://bit.ly/3csKsja

Floor Hockey: Sept. 24 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Floor Hockey Coaches Training Video: Click Here

Powerlifting: Sept. 30 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

5-pin & 10-pin Bowling: Sept. 16 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

5-pin & 10-pin Bowling RTP Coaches Training Video: https://bit.ly/3iKZ7IX

Swimming: Sept. 21 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Swimming RTP Coaches Training Video: https://bit.ly/32TaaKH

All other sport-specific meetings dates are TBD.

The next pieces we’re working on right now

  • Sport-specific safety requirements for all sports
  • Return to in-person Fundraising

Resources for programs

SOA Covid-19 Program Updates & Announcements

https://www.specialolympics.ca/alberta/covid-19

PROVINCE OF Alberta

DISINFECTANTS

NON-MEDICAL MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS

FITNESS & STRONG MINDS RESOURCES

 

Virtual opportunities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact

covid@specialolympics.ab.ca

This email address will be monitored by Denise Fisher, Manager of Youth, Competitions, and Sport; Rochelle Chamczuk, Community and Volunteer Coordinator; and Kathy Urquhart, Executive Director Special Olympics Alberta-Calgary for timely responses.