FOOTY SEVENS - CURRENT COVID-19 PLAYER RULES AND PROTOCOL

 

Latest Update: Sept 2nd, 2021

League Status: Play has resumed as of June 30th, 2021.

Latest Update - Vaccine Passports. Please see our latest news item regarding vaccine requirements for upcoming outdoor leagues and programs. (Sept 2nd)

Update Regarding New Provincial Policies:  We are following Phase 3 of the reopening guidelines.

Accordingly, full compliance with ALL rules and protocols is mandatory for all players and compliance will be monitored.  Players or groups who do not comply with the protocols will face disciplinary action and will be asked to leave the facility.  There will be no other warnings. 

 

COVID-19 PLAYER RULES AND PROTOCOL

Updated Waiver

• All players must accept the new waiver that will be available prior to the beginning of the new season.  It is the responsibility of the team captain to make sure all players have accepted this.  Players who have not accepted it will be prohibited from playing.

Prior to Play

• Rosters must be complete prior to the start of any team program in case contact tracing is required in the future.  We may require additional information from each player and will contact teams where appropriate.  If a player is not on your team roster, they cannot play. 
• Captains are asked to have a working phone number listed under their profile for communication regarding contact tracing, if necessary.
• Footy Sevens will be checking in all players prior to entry to the facility.
• Do not come to the field if you are feeling sick or unwell. Please consult the Ottawa Public Health website for detailed information on COVID - HERE
• For Brampton please consult the Peel region website for updates - HERE 
• Access to facilities is not permitted for players who are in self-isolation for any reason or have been in contact with anyone who is sick.
• Please wash your hands with soap and water (or hand sanitizer) before and after gameplay.
• We will be asking players to leave the facility immediately following the program or booking. Exit from Immaculata Field will be through the second gate into the Main Street parking lot (beside Subway).
• Only active players who are listed on the roster and have completed the waiver will be admitted to any facility.

At the facility

• For Immaculata (Ottawa) - Entrance to Immaculata Field will be from the parking lot entrance (Main St. entrance).  Players must arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before the game and will not be allowed to enter any area of the field until the previous participants have departed and staff have sanitized as necessary.
• For Carleton Stadium (Ottawa) - Entrance to MNP Park will be at the main gates near the tennis bubble. Players must arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before the game and will not be allowed to enter any area of the field until the previous participants have departed and staff have sanitized as necessary. 
• For Carleton Ravens Road Field (Ottawa) - Entrance to Ravens Road Field will be at the main gates near ice house parking lot. Players must arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before the game and will not be allowed to enter any area of the field until the previous participants have departed and staff have sanitized as necessary. 
• For Norm Fenn Gym (Ottawa) - Entrance to the Norm Fenn Gym will be through the ice house facility from the north side of the facility. Players must arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before the game and will not be allowed to enter any area of the gym until the previous participants have departed and staff have sanitized as necessary. The exit will be directly out of the gym through doors at the north side of the gym (near court 1).  Masks are mandatory upon entry and exit of the facility (indoors), and while getting ready for the game.  Masks may only be removed during gameplay, and we ask that substitutes practice social distancing on the sidelines.
• For Heart Lake (Brampton) - Entrance and exit will be through the main gate and clearly marked. Players must arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before the game and will not be allowed to enter any area of the field until the previous participants have departed and staff have sanitised as necessary.
• Please DO NOT arrive too early for your game so we can minimize the number of people there at any one time.
• Please maintain social distance at all times when not involved in gameplay.
• There will be no access to change room facilities at the present time. 
• Players will be asked to leave within 5 minutes of the end of their game. This is to allow for a smooth transition from game to game and the sanitization process.  Ie. Teams may not stick around and socialize or be a spectator for other games.
• Spectators are not permitted at this time, only players.  We will continue to review this policy as the health authorities dictate.   - -- Although if a facility permits, we are allowing spectators to watch from outside the field of play (ie. Grass hill at Immaculata). 
• All participants must maintain 2m of socially distanced space when not on the field.
• All participants must follow the directions of staff at the field and proceed to their designated field or bench area.
• There will be no access to washrooms and change rooms at this time. Players using public areas at the school or field will be banned permanently. 
• Any player or participant not complying with COVID-19 protocols will be asked to leave the facility immediately.
• Good hand hygiene is vital: wash or sanitize hands before entering the facility and as required while there.
• Spitting on the field will result in immediate dismissal and expulsion from the facility.
• No sharing of water bottles or other personal equipment. All personal belongings and garbage should be kept to a minimum and removed at the end of your game. 
• Leagues and games disrupted by provincial restrictions will be rescheduled to a later date. Doubleheaders and games on alternate nights of the week are our best tools for making up games. 
• If the restrictions result in a league being cancelled, prorated refunds will be issued. 

Procedures:

Prior to your game:

• Our updated waiver includes information regarding COVID-19. All players must have accepted this new waiver  before entering the dome. Players will also be expected to accept the Carleton University's online screening tool prior to entering either of the Carleton facilities.  
• We must record who is at the field during any game and will be checking players against the roster. Any player not on the roster for their specific team will not be allowed to play.

When arriving at the facility:

• Do not arrive at the field more than 5 minutes before your game time, we will not be allowing entry to the dome prior to. 
• Once entering the dome, players will be directed to their field or to a designated waiting zone. Players are not allowed to warm up with a ball in the waiting area. 
• Please remember to respect 2m of social distancing at all times before your game, on the bench, and after the game. There will be designated areas for individual players to keep their belongings when playing. Players are expected to remain in or near their zone when off the field. 
• Please mask when entering the facility. 
• The field and equipment will be sanitized between games and at the end of the night. Please allow for staff to complete this task before warming up. 
• Be COVID-aware before and after the games. There is absolutely no tailgating allowed and you should not car-pool with people outside of your social bubble

During/After the game:

• Be COVID-aware before and after the games. Tailgating and car-pooling with people outside of your social bubble puts you at risk. We ask everyone to good public health practices. 
• At the end of the game, teams will be asked to collect their things and exit the field. If players need to change, they will be asked to head to the waiting zone before exiting the dome. 

Game Play Specifics

• Any face to face confrontation will result in a dismissal. 
• We recommend roster sizes to be around 10-12 players at each game. Capacity limits have been increased so this is no longer a requirement. Please note, this is subject to change depending on government policies.
• No spitting allowed. Spitting will result in a caution and dismissal. The player dismissed will not be eligible to return in the game but the team won't be required to play a man/woman down.
• No switching sides/benches at halftime. Players must remain within the designated bench area at all times when not on the field.
• It will be mandatory for all goalies to sanitize their gloves prior to the start of any program.
• Participants in Footy 7s programs will provide their own ball or will be using a sanitized Footy7s soccer ball for the immediate future.
• A simple “Great game!” from distance is encouraged at the end of the game. 
• The league will not have access to pinnies/practice jerseys for colour clashes - teams should have a change of jersey in their bag (it's a great practice anyhow!) 

Volleyball

• Referees will be using electronic whistles for your safety. 
• The game ball(s) will be sanitized between each game. 
• Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to each facility. 
• Masks must be worn when entering and exiting the facility due to Provincial Guidelines outlining indoor sports.  They may be removed only during gameplay. 
• Teams should only arrive 5 mins before their scheduled game time to avoid crowds in our facilities.
• Teams must social distance while on sidelines.

- The common volleyball practice of licking hands and then applying that saliva to bottom of shoes is banned.  Yes. Seems gross looking back at this common practice. Ie. proper hand washing and sanitizing is essential to keep our leagues safe.  Be covid wise!

 

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We understand that the COVID-19 environment can be challenging or unpredictable. We will do our due diligence to provide safe programs and strict protocols, but if individuals feel uncomfortable or unsafe in the current climate - we respect and understand any player's choice not to participate at this time.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. 

Your Ottawa Footy7s Team (Andrew, Ryan, Chris, Joel and Matt)