Please visit often for current updates. Last updated January 5, 2021
Caution and Encouragement: Covid-19 Safety Reminders
We’re doing pretty well. There have been few incidents of the rules being broken or bent, and we’re proud of how flexible our parents and players have been, and how we’ve all been following these new rules and protocols, but we’ve also heard of a couple of hockey teams being barred from the rink due to NOT following the rules, and, well, we don’t want to go there.
COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions remain in place, as required by the City of North Bay, public health agencies, the Province of Ontario, and Ringette Ontario. Ringette Ontario requires that you attest to being COVID-free the day you participate in any ringette activities. (more on that below)
In addition to completing the attestation form before each session, please maintain the COVID safety protocols:
- no sharing of food, drink or water bottles
- maintain two metres of separation whenever possible
- wear a face mask / covering
And we must all adhere to the following “rink rules” as issued by the city of North Bay:
- Players must arrive fully dressed; their skates, helmet and gloves are the only equipment that should be left to put on after they arrive.
- Players will be permitted in the building no earlier than ten minutes before their ice time begins.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times by spectators and when athletes are not on the ice.
- Players may remove their mask prior to getting on the ice; when masks come off, helmets go on and when helmets come off masks go back on.
- One parent/guardian per player may stay to watch the game or practice; unfortunately, siblings and other friends and family members cannot be accommodated within the COVID rules
- The warm area at Pete Palangio is now where the players put on and remove their skates and helmets; this is no longer the viewing area
The parent / guardian may watch the game from the benches in the rink and there will be signs to this viewing area; parents are not to stand board side. - The players will have 10 minutes to exit the arena after leaving the ice. There are signs to the exit to use.
- Players are asked to not bring their large bags into the arena.
Daily Attestation Form
WFRA is now using a phone-based app for COVID attestations; you should have received an invitation from your / your child’s coach earlier this month with an invitation to use the app; if you did not receive this email, please ask your coach to resend it.
If you are not able to use the RAMP app, a link to the WFRA online Daily Attestation form is posted on the WFRA web site.
Please complete the Covid-19 Daily Attestation Form within 48 hours of the ice time using the online form, or within 24 hours using the RAMP app, but no later than three hours before the session.
Players, coaches and minor officials must all complete a COVID attestation form before each ice session; timekeepers and scorekeepers are to use the link on the WFRA web site.
Unfortunately, we cannot let any player who has not completed the daily attestation form on the ice.
Thanks in advance for your patience and flexibility as we all continue to manage through these procedures and requirements. And we’ll see you at the rink!
Message from the WFRA President
In these uncertain times, the West Ferris Ringette Association has two top priorities: keeping our players and volunteers safe, and keeping our membership informed as we work through the steps to return to the ice. Through our communications, messages from myself, and our upcoming “virtual” town hall on September 13th we want to keep all of our players and parents informed.
Registration for the 2020-2021 season remains OPEN. Many of you have already registered – thank you – but our numbers are still somewhat below the norm for this time of year, no doubt due to COVID-19 related uncertainties. We are now heading back on the ice and it is important that all players are registered by September 14th so that their insurance is in place and we can form divisions that accurately reflect our numbers. Registration fees have remained unchanged from last season, and we are reasonably confident that the season will run its full duration. Payment options are available and are described on the RAMP registration system. (click HERE)
Our approach to this season’s start up is to follow the Ringette Ontario “Return to Ringette Guidelines” that layout a 5-stage process to ultimately return to 5 on 5 play (this will include our regular house league play, and rep team / tournament play later in the season). The Return to Ringette Stages are as follows:
The full Ringette Ontario Guidelines can be viewed HERE
WFRA recently announced that Kelli Van Buskirk has volunteered to act as our COVID Safety Leader (CSL), helping us return to the ice safely and in accordance with Ringette Ontario and all Public Health requirements. We are very grateful for Kelli’s help as we develop our association protocols and organize to meet the numerous requirements.
A huge shout out to Kelli and the Return to Ringette Committee for their hard work on our Return to Ringette package! As many of our members are aware, Ringette Ontario has confirmed and approved our application to resume ringette activities, under COVID-19 related guidelines. We are fully immersed in Stage 2 which allows our programming to focus on individual training, dry-land, drills/skills and practicing. This will allow participants to safely get back on the ice while adhering to Ringette Ontario, facility and local health regulations. This stage will emphasize smaller groups and focus mainly on the development of the fundamental skills of the sport.
We are currently in the process of completing the RO Stage 3 requirements and are optimistic that approval will be in place this upcoming month which will allow for modified games – such as 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 – and will continue to follow the Return to Ringette Guidelines. It is important to also note that progression through the Stages is based on the continued requirements and conditions established by Ringette Ontario, the Province of Ontario, our Local Public Health Unit, and the City of North Bay.
We recognize that many of our membership may have questions related to the COVID-19 precautions that will be put in place by the Association, RO and the City of North Bay. Our Return to Ringette WFRA guidelines will include protocols for players, parents, and coaches, as well as incident response plans, and will be available to all members. Protocols will include, for example, self-screening attestations prior to stepping on ice, and physical distancing.
As we move through Stage 2, a Return to Ringette Town Hall is scheduled for September 13, 2020 @ 6:30pm via Zoom to review the Association guidelines and answer any questions from our membership. Please register HERE. Details will also be posted on the WFRA web site and Facebook page.
Please know whichever RO Stage we are in, the WFRA intends to deliver a program that continues to build ringette skills in a manner that is safe to all participants while focusing on fun, fitness, and friendship! We are looking forward to seeing everyone back at the arena in the upcoming months and at the Town Hall on September 13th.
Sincerely,
Dee Johnson
President, WFRA
Ringette Ontario: Return to Ringette Update
Ringette Ontario would like to thank all of our members for their commitment and support during this time. Our wonderful Associations, COVID Safety Leaders (CSLs) and volunteers have been working tirelessly to get everyone back on the ice in the safest way possible. Our players, coaches and officials have also been working hard off the ice and preparing for the season.
As we start the 2020-2021 season, we encourage you to do your part and stand #ALLIN with Ringette Ontario. With your help, ringette will continue to be a sport that is focused on unity, community, inclusion and collaboration.
Visit https://ringetteontario.com/we-are-all-in/ and follow @RingetteOntario on social media to see how you can stand #ALLIN with us.
Best Wishes,
The Ringette Ontario Team
General Reminders from Ringette Ontario
For Associations:
- Annual Report: Ringette Ontario recently released our 2019-2020 Annual Report. Read our report to see what we accomplished last season and our plans for the 2020-2021 season.
- Athlete Advisory Committee (AAC) Applications: The AAC is looking for ringette players to join our Athlete Advisory Committee. The Committee acts as an informed advisor to RO on the implementation of policies and initiatives focused on athletes. Visit https://ringetteontario.com/the-athlete/aac/ for more information and to apply.
Return to Ringette:
- RTR Update: Ringette Ontario is now in Stage 2 of our Return to Ringette guidelines. Associations are submitting their Stage 2 RTR Plans for approval to the RO Office. We are so impressed with all the hard work that everyone is doing to make sure they are prepared before they conduct any on-ice training or activities. There have been some outstanding examples of creativity and forward-thinking! We ask that everyone please be patient with your volunteers and see where you can support and help out!
- RTR Resources: For further information on Ringette Ontario’s Return to Ringette framework, resources and plans, please visit https://ringetteontario.com/rtr-covid19/.
Coaching:
- Modified Bench Staff Requirments: As we enter stage two of our RTR guidelines, please make note of the modified requirements for bench staff. Coaches can find a complete overview online.
- National Coaches Week: Ringette Ontario will be celebrating and highlighting coaches in our community from September 19th – 27th! If you know a coach that has displayed teamwork and leadership and deserves some recognition, email us.
Officiating:
- Registration: Stay tuned for information and updates on registration.
Safe Sport:
- Safe Sport Course: Take the free Safe Sport Training online! The Safe Sport Training module developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) will help anyone involved in sport identify and prevent situations of maltreatment. Take The Course Here: https://safesport.coach.ca/
- Rule of Two (Online): The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications between participants in sport are open, observable, and justifiable. As our interaction with one another increases online, please read some recommendations for implementing the rule of two in virtual settings: Rule Of Two Online
Resources:
- ‘Team Talk’: ‘Team Talk’ shares real stories from real athletes about ringette, life, multitasking and representation. Watch Now!
- Article: A True Sport Guide for Parents and Caregivers
- RO Apparel: Get your Ringette Ontario Gear! Visit https://hometownrivalry.com/ for masks, t-shirts, hoodies and more.
If you have any questions about the information provided in this newsletter, please contact Ringette Ontario at info@ringetteontario.com
WFRA COVID-19 Safety Lead
Ringette Ontario requires each Association to designate a COVID-19 Safety Lead who is responsible for confirming that the Association and our players and parents are following safety requirements. WFRA has designated our Registrar, Kelli Van Buskirk, as our COVID-19 Safety Lead.
Return to Ringette Waivers
Waivers related to a return to ringette while COVID-19 related safety measures remain in place have been incorporated into the RAMP online registration process. If you registered before August 15th you will have received an email with the subject line “West Ferris Ringette Association: Waiver Signatures Required”. Please search for the email and open the link to sign the required waivers.
General Health & Safety Guidelines
- If any participants have experienced any symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, they must not attend activities for 14 days.
- If bench staff have come in contact with someone experiencing these symptoms, they are not permitted to attend for 14 days.
- All members must adhere to all health agency & safety regulations
- All members must adhere to facility capacity restrictions
- All players should arrive and leave as per facility regulations
- Wash hands/hand sanitizer frequently and follow facility regulations
- No spitting
- No chewing tobacco, no sharing of vapes or other tobacco products
- No sharing of water bottles. All participants MUST have individual water bottles
- No sharing of any ringette gear
- No touching or hugging
- Elimination of handshake – Wave to opposition or “air” high fives – salute Referees & say Thank you
- Coaches, athletes and officials should keep rings, equipment and other objects required for play in a clean, separate space at their own homes.
- Items should be clean and sanitized frequently.
- All participants should carry wipes, hand sanitizer OR pump soap in their equipment bags
- Coaches/Bench Staff should carry extra PPE (masks, hand sanitizer, gloves) in case someone forgets theirs
- Participants should avoid handling equipment with their bare hands