At long last, our 2021 Spring Season will officially be starting on Saturday April 10^th

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What to expect...

 

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viaSport/Softball BC (SBBC) conditions

We are currently under “Phase 1/Innings 1” guidelines for Return to Play for youth sport. This means “within team” practices and skills development only and no games or scrimmages are allowed.

Once we are allowed to, SBBC Innings 2 will involve games within the club while Innings 2.5 and Innings 3 will allow us to play games outside of VMSA. Our progress through these Innings will depend on the timing of restrictions being lifted by the PHO.

More details on this can be found in Softball BC’s “Back To Bases” Guidelines.
 

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Creating Opportunities out of Challenges

While we are waiting to be allowed to play games again, we are focusing on what we CAN do!

To start the season, all House teams will be starting with two sessions per week, one will be a team practice on a weeknight while the other will be a skills clinic. The skills clinics will be run by our VMSA instructors every weekend for the first four weeks. This will give ALL players the chance to receive high-level skills and fundamentals coaching while also allowing everyone, players, coaches and parents, time to adjust back into playing softball and the new COVID19 protocols.

The skills clinics will also be mapped to Softball Canada’s Long Term Player Development Model (LTPD) and will provide age-appropriate coaching and direction.  

Details regarding the schedule for the practices and clinics will be coming out soon from your Age Group Coordinators and Coaches.
 

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What has changed…

While some of you may have had some experience over the last year with sports in “COVID times”, there are a couple of things that are a little different for this season compared to previous seasons. These include;

• Attendance tracking and health screening at all softball activities.
• Staying home if you feel sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID19.
• Cleaning and sanitizing of facilities and equipment on a regular basis.
• Physical distancing (currently set at 3m)
• Limits on the number of people in an area at one time (the current limit is 50)
• Designated areas for players, spectators, etc. at fields and facilities.
• Wearing a mask whenever possible
• Frequent hand sanitizing/washing
• Not sharing equipment, food, etc.

Full details regarding these can be found in VMSA’s Return To Play Plan as well as in Softball BC’s “Back to Bases” Guidelines.
 

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What hasn’t changed...

… the focus of all our activities continues to be on creating a fun, positive and safe environment and experience for everyone involved. Cheering is definitely still allowed (and encouraged!) as is having fun, learning new things and meeting new friends.

Over the next few months, a lot of balls will be thrown (and caught), a lot of balls will be hit (and possibly caught?), a lot of bases will be run and a lot of fun will be had playing softball again.  
 

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Help Wanted

We will also be calling on parents and volunteers for additional help through the season to make sure we are able to maintain our playing areas and facilities safely and to keep everyone safe and healthy.

More details on that will be provided by your Age Group Coordinators and Coaches/Managers.
 

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Coaches

Additional training and support are also in place for our wonderful volunteer coaches.

If you are interested in coaching and haven’t been contacted yet, please reach out to your Age Group Coordinator as soon as possible. This is a GREAT year to be a coach, no previous experience necessary.
 

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Team Formation

The Age Group Coordinators are currently busy organizing coaches and putting teams together so you should expect to hear more about your team later this week or early next week.

If you haven’t heard anything by April 8^th, please reach out directly to your Age Group Coordinator.
 

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Questions or Need Some Help?

Be sure to reach out to the Age Group Coordinator for your Division as they are probably in the best position to help you out with your questions.

Information for other club coordinators and Executive members can also be found on the VMSA website HERE.
 

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Finally, on behalf of the VMSA Board of Directors, I want to welcome everyone back to softball for 2021 and we look forward to seeing you all (safely) out on the field again very, very soon.

Regards,

Derek Thompson
President, VMSA
president@vmsa.ca
604-340-1700