ALA COVID-19 Updates - Updated June 4, 2020
Alberta Lacrosse Association Update for Thursday, June 4
Return to Activity Announcement
The Alberta Lacrosse Association is launching it's 2020 Return to Activity Recreation Season for Stage 1 starting June 4 for registration and June 15 as teh earliest date to Return to Activity.
The ALA is excited to provide the opportunity for players and coaches to return to lacrosse in an environment based on physical training and skill based sessions. As per government restrictions, these activities will be held outside.
The ALA encourages all ALA Member clubs to operate this recreational session to keep sticks in the hands of the players. This registration season will remain open until December 31, 2020.
Please contact your local club for details.
The ALA will provide drills for coaches within the government parameters through www.albertalacrossetv.com
All activities must follow Regulation 37 - Return-to-Activity, Alberta Lacrosse's Return-to-Activity Framework, and Government Health Regulations. Full details on the requirements can be found here: www.albertalacrosse.com/content/return-to-activity
Alberta Lacrosse Association Update for April 9
RE: COVID-19 Coronavirus
This is the update from the March 25 Membership Information release, ALA is monitoring the COVID-19 virus status and recommendations from the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta. Due to the restrictions on facilities in various Local Governing Bodies, the ALA is continually reviewing what the landscape of lacrosse will look like going forward.
The ALA BOD has made a motion to discontinue the regular form of competition for the 2020 Minor Box lacrosse season. Major box lacrosse is still considering options to proceed with a possible season at this time, more information will be provided in the future. The ALA Board of Directors are optimistic that alternative forms of competition will occur once facilities are open to the public. The ALA is pursuing with their Leagues and Member Clubs alternative programming such as reduced season, 4 on 4 events, club house league, player development camps, hybrid box/field season just to name a few alternatives.
At this time Alberta Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) has postponed the Alberta Summer Games to the summer of 2021. The CLA will provide an update on CLA National Events on or about May 15.
In addition, ALA is optimistic this situation will be alleviated, and the regular Field Lacrosse Season will be able to continue. Information on field lacrosse can be found here http://albertafieldlacrosse.net/
At this time, all “in person” events are still suspended until further notice.
The ALA fiscal year runs September 2019 to August 2020. Therefore, since the ALA is seven months into its fiscal year, many costs have already occurred in preparation for the 2020 competition year. Such costs
include the 2019 ALA AGM, 2019 CLA AM, development of coaches, strategic planning, and organization of ALA programs such as ALA Development Camps, Team Alberta, and Alberta Summer Games. As with every business in today’s environment, the ALA is working to reduce several costs in order to ensure the viability of the organization and programing of lacrosse for Alberta. Some of the cost saving measures that we have undertaken include:
- The ALA will no longer have an office and some furniture will be liquidated. A new address will be circulated shortly.
- The ALA has reduced staff, salaries and benefits.
- The ALA has cancelled all funding projects
- The ALA has changed the ALA AGM in November to a one-day AGM and removed the development portion of the meeting.
- The ALA is pursuing all applicable refunds as well as any government funding and
programs during these difficult times.
With the above cost saving measures, the ALA still must rely on our membership fees as the major source of revenue. The fees that are paid by our member clubs not only covers the box and field playing season for our membership but is a necessity for the year-round operations of the ALA. The ALA is reliant on Membership fees to continue business. The ALA and its Board of Directors have made a decision to invoice ALA clubs a fee of $10 per member registered rather than the approved fee as voted upon at the AGM. This is necessary and essential for the continued operations of the ALA. The clubs fee will be derived from the RAMP registration pulled on March 25.
When alternative programming resumes, a further fee to be set by the ALA BOD will be determined for participation in these programs. At this point, the RMLL season has not been cancelled, so no refund will be given until that decision has been determined. The RMLL “Intent to Play” fees will also be subject to the $10 if they are unable to continue for the 2020 season.
With this collection of a portion of the registration fee, the ALA will allow the member organizations to provide refunds as their policies allows or as they determine. It is the recommendation of the ALA Executive Committee that clubs should consider withholding a portion of fees collected to ensure their continued operation as an organization. As with the ALA, there must be financial considerations to ensure the continued operation of ALA Clubs when we are able to resume alternative programming. We also understand that every member may have different circumstances to contend with and case by case refunds may have to be reviewed by each individual organization. ALA would like to remind all Members to stay engaged in the programming ALA is offering while we are
at home.
The ALA encourages all coaches to take advantage of the Great Opportunity of attending the Online Zoom coaching clinics, which have not been offered before. The ALA is proceeding with online Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) clinics to assist Coaches in progressing their training during this time. Coaches can sign up here via their profile https://nccp.lacrosse.ca/
The ALA continues to offer coach mentorship clinics as well via Zoom. Information is posted on the ALA Web site www.albertalacrosse.com as well as https://www.albertalacrossetv.com/en/. These Zoom classrooms sessions will be interactive so have your questions ready for the presenter. Coaches can register here http://alacc.rampregistrations.com/
For all our athletes to keep up their skills as well as provide them activities that can be done while following the governments recommendation of social distancing, the ALA is continuing to post on Social Media. These are available on the ALA Accounts of Alberta Lacrosse FB, @AlbertaLacrosse Twitter and Instagram. The ALA encourages all ALA members to promote the social media events in their organizations and increase the visibility of lacrosse across the province.
The ALA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on alternative programming for minor box lacrosse. All Members are encouraged to stay up to date on developments.
With the daily and sometimes hourly changes related to the virus, we recommend you check the below government links daily.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=6980324A5B1B0-BC2C-40A8-A6AD9E30E3189425
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
If you require further clarification please contact the ALA at info@albertalacrosse.com
Please be safe and healthy.
Rob Matsuoka - President
Alberta Lacrosse Association
president@albertalacrosse.com
Alberta Lacrosse Association Update for March 25
RE: COVID-19 Coronavirius
This is the update from the March 14 Membership Information release, ALA is monitoring the COVID-19 virus status and recommendations from the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta. Due to the restrictions on facilities in various Local Governing Bodies, the ALA is continually reviewing what the 2020 Box Season will look like.
This does NOT mean there will be no box lacrosse in 2020. The ALA Board of Directors are pursuing with their Leagues and Club Members alternative programming such as reduced season, 4 on 4 events, club house league, player development camps, hybrid box/field season just to name a few alternatives. In addition, there have been no decisions on Alberta Summer Games or CLA National Events at this time.
In addition, ALA is optimistic this situation will be alleviated and the regular Field Lacrosse Season will be able to continue. Information on field lacrosse can be found here http://albertafieldlacrosse.net/
At this time, all “in person” events are still suspended until further notice.
The ALA would like to let all our members know that we are continuing with a desire to certify our coaches and officials. With this, we are encouraging all members who were considering coaching or officiating that this is a good opportunity to achieve your certification. This would give all coaches and officials a head start once the ALA gets going and saving time for everyone to focus on a return to the floor knowing this is complete. We ask that you see the information below and look to take advantage of these online clinics.
The ALA encourages all coaches to take advantage of the Great Opportunity of attending the
Online Zoom coaching clinics, which have not been offered before. The ALA is proceeding with online Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) clinics to assist Coaches in progressing their training during this time. Coaches can sign up here via their profile https://nccp.lacrosse.ca/
The ALRA is carrying forward with online referee clinics. Information can be found here
http://www.albertalacrosserefs.ca/
The ALA continues to offer coach mentorship clinics as well via Zoom. Information is posted on the ALA Web site www.albertalacrosse.com as well as https://www.albertalacrossetv.com/en/
Alberta Lacrosse is combining the previously scheduled NLL Coach Mentorship Clinics March 28 and April 4 via an online webinar on March 29, 2020 from 10 AM to 4:00 PM.
Confirmed presenters:
Curt Malawsky (Head Coach Calgary Roughnecks), Josh Sanderson (Head Coach San Diego Seals), Bruce Codd (Head Coach Toronto Rock), Dallas Smith (16U Head Coach of Alberta 16U Female Box Team), Jesse Fehr (Head Coach Calgary Raiders Junior A Lacrosse Team), Jimmy Quinlan (Former Assistant Coach of the Saskatchewan Rush)
These Zoom classrooms sessions will be interactive so have your questions ready for the presenter
Coaches can register here http://alacc.rampregistrations.com/
For all our athletes to keep up their skills as well as provide them activities that can be done while following the governments recommendation of social distancing, the ALA is posting on Social Media the following:
Alberta Lacrosse Content Schedule
Mobility Mondays
Tactical Tuesdays
Wall Ball Wednesdays
Technical Thursdays
Fit Fridays
These are available on the ALA Accounts of Alberta Lacrosse FB, @AlbertaLacrosse Twitter and Instagram.
The following message was sent by CLA Indigenous Lacrosse Director which the ALA would like to share with all members:
Remember this is not just a sport and a game its a medicine. The wooden
sticks are made from one of the strongest things on mother earth. Grab
a stick play with it for a bit let it help you clear your mind of all the worries
and stress. It may not cure but it will give your mind relief for a period of time.
This is the power of Lacrosse. - Findley Wilson
The ALA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly. All Members are encouraged to stay up to date on developments.
With the daily and sometimes hourly changes related to the virus, we recommend you check the below government links daily.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=6980324A5B1B0-BC2C-40A8-A6AD9E30E3189425
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
If you require further clarification please contact the ALA at info@albertalacrosse.com
Please be safe and healthy.
Rob Matsuoka - President
Alberta Lacrosse Association
president@albertalacrosse.com
Alberta Lacrosse Association Update for March 14
RE: COVID-19 Coronavirius
This is the update from the March 12 Membership Information release, ALA is monitoring the COVID-19 virus status and recommendations from the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta. As such, the ALA is suspending sanctioned “in person” lacrosse events immediately until April 5. This includes but not limited to practices, camps, tryouts, coaching clinics, officials’ clinics, Alberta Summer Games, Team Alberta and any previously sanctioned events such as camps and travel permits. This does not mean we are cancelling the season. ALA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly. All Members are encouraged to stay up to date on developments.
With the daily and sometimes hourly changes related to the virus, we recommend you check the below government links daily.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=6980324A5B1B0-BC2C-40A8-A6AD9E30E3189425
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
If you require further clarification please contact the ALA at info@albertalacrosse.com
Please be safe and healthy.
Rob Matsuoka - President
Alberta Lacrosse Association
president@albertalacrosse.com
Alberta Lacrosse Association Update for March 12
As the information and actions that are being undertaken with regards to COVID-19 continue to change at a very rapid rate, the Alberta Lacrosse Association is continuing to monitor how this affects our members and participants.
As of 330pm today the Alberta Government has stated that Alberta needs to try and slow the spread of the virus and protect the health of the Albertans. With that they have stated that they wish to have all large gatherings (250 people) cancelled at this time and advising Albertans to not travel outside of the country. With this the ALA is recommending to all our member associations that any event they have planned in a facility that has a capacity of over 250 people that they should postpone these events for at least a week. The ALA is also postponing the Team Alberta tryouts that were scheduled for this weekend and further information on those will come in the coming weeks. For any member organization that is in a facility that is under 250 the ALA is recommending that these events also be postponed. The ALA wishes to ensure that we are caring for the health and safety of all our members and hope to help the province in slowing the spread of this virus.
If an event by an organization is going to occur under these situations, the ALA is letting every member know that they are able to make the decision themselves whether or not to attend these events and encourage all organizations to respect the decisions of these individuals and their decision to not attend. The ALA wants to ensure that all our organizations are considering the safety of their members and be responsible in their decisions with these events.
The ALA will continue to monitor the COVID-19 virus and its affects of our organization and what the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta recommendations are and encourage all members to also stay up to date. As we continue to get updates, we will inform all of our members.
With the daily and sometimes hourly changes related to the virus, we recommend you check the below government links daily.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=6980324A5B1B0-BC2C-40A8-A6AD9E30E3189425
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
Please be safe and healthy.
Rob Matsuoka - President
Alberta Lacrosse Association
president@albertalacrosse.com
