Note From Merle:
I skimmed the notes and it looks like Biathlon insurance coverage for all training activities needs to be identified in advance. As our range remains open, and the RWF is generally an active place these nicer days, I expect we should report as such?? We have 2 targets on the range and shooting as an individual or family unit I expect would not violate the provincial social distancing orders?? From our membership conversations I expect very intermittent use and nothing is organized nor formally coached. Our partner handgun guys are doing the same as their one large target is now also set up on the range. I have talked to a few and they have offered to help with our renovation projects if we need.
Merle
Biathlon Canada
Division Update April 15, 2020 Hello Divisions,
I hope this finds you healthy and safe. This email has some important updates on a variety of topics as we approach the kick-off to the 2020-2021 training season. Response is requested on a few topics in a week’s time (April 22).
It was fantastic seeing you all two weeks ago at our first ever virtual Nationals event. We are considering whether we can incorporate an online component to future awards ceremonies so that we can include more biathletes and supporters from coast to coast to coast. If you have any feedback, we are happy to hear it.
A few updates:
1. Board Update: The Biathlon Canada Board of Directors is meeting every three to four weeks to monitor the COVID-19 situation and discuss and model the potential impact this will have on the 2020-2021 season and beyond. All Divisions received a reach out from a member of the Board asking for more information on how the pandemic is impacting your Division. Please continue to reach out as things shift and change. Effective immediately, we are working on our Revenue Generation strategy for 2020-2021 and are developing a plan to strengthen our biathlon community during these unprecedented times. This will include professional development sessions, athlete-specific learning opportunities etc. Many thanks for your feedback on this topic. Heather will provide an update in the next two weeks summarizing our board meetings this past quarter.
2. Insurance during COVID-19: ACTION REQUIRED by April 22, 2020. a. Online programming: Our insurer has approved of online instruction/programming contingent upon them knowing what your group will be doing in advance. Please take a look at the list of activities below and let me know if there is anything else your Division/Clubs are doing that is not included in this list of activities. This way I can get it approved through our insurer. **NOTE that the activities below have not yet been approved. - Online dry-land training (minor equipment, which could include exercise equipment or similar props): Online, led by a coach for a workout at home (through an online video platform). - Dry-land training on your own (minor equipment, which could include exercise equipment or similar props + running/biking/skiing/roller skiing): Program prescribed by your biathlon club/PTSO/Biathlon Canada but done on your own time. - Shooting training: Dry firing at home: online, led by a coach for a workout at home. - Shooting training: Dry firing at home: Program prescribed by your biathlon club/PTSO/Biathlon Canada but done on your own time. - Theory sessions (nutrition, mental performance, video analysis etc.) work: on your own time but program prescribed by the coach OR group sessions done online VERY IMPORTANT: - Next week we will share the final list of approved activities by our insurer as well as best practices for offering online training. - When offering virtual/online training the Rule of Two applies! Having two trained and screened coaches present is best practice, click HERE for more information. - All individuals (coaches and athletes) participating must be registered with Biathlon Canada for the 2020-2021 registration period. More information on the opening of the 2020-2021 registration season can be found below. b. Contagion Exclusion – IMPORTANT Our insurer has included a contagion exclusion to our policy. This applies to claims and/or losses related to COVID-19. For example, if someone decided to ignore COVID-19 health orders to stay inside or practice physical distancing and something happened where they were infected and got someone else infected, then the lawsuit against this individual would not be covered through our policy. Please find our updated policy online here if you are looking for more information.
3. Biathlon Activities during COVID-19: Any biathlon activities your Division or clubs are offering must align with what local, regional, and national authorities deem appropriate. If you would like to discuss this in more detail with someone from Biathlon Canada please reach out to Roddy Ward (rward@biathloncanada.ca) or Jacqueline Akerman (jakerman@biathloncanada.ca). We will also host a webinar next week on how COVID-19 is impacting the training season and creative ways to stay engaged in the sport. Find more information on all Professional Development opportunities here. Please share this link with coaches and athletes. Precision Shooting: We are looking at different options for the Precision Shooting competition for the 2020 season. More information to follow.
4. Certificates of Insurance: Our insurance policy has renewed for 2020-2021. If you require a Certificate of Insurance for your Divisions/Clubs, please fill in the attached form and send this to Sarah at smurphy@biathloncanada.ca. This is a new procedure for obtaining certificates of insurance from our insurance provider. The form is very easy to fill in and should only take 2-3 minutes.
5. Division Affiliation Fees: I will send the 2019-2020 Division Affiliation fees by next Tuesday, April 21. To note for the 2020-2021 affiliation fee: Please note that our insurance fee has increased slightly in 2020-2021 as our abuse coverage has improved to $5 million (this is a mandatory change by our insurer for all related policies). I will also send you the 2020-2021 Division fee this week if this helps for planning purposes. As per usual, this is not due right away.
6. 2020-2021 Registration: Due to some technical issues the opening of registration has been delayed. We are currently completing final testing. Registration will be open early next week. We will notify you when this becomes public. a. Gender Equity Research: Biathlon Canada will be conducting a gender audit this year with Brock University through a grant from Sport Canada. In this year’s registration form, there is an “opt in” option and individuals can elect to have their data included in this study. More information will be posted on our website about this project next week. Should you have any questions please contact Jacqueline Akerman at jakerman@biathloncanada.ca.
7. Safe Sport Policies: We have a new suite of Safe Sport related policies that we are in the midst of finalizing. In May/June we will convene a video conference with Division leaders to review these policies, provide background information, and answer any questions. More information to come. Please see the new Safe Sport section of our website here for up-to-date information on our Safe Sport initiatives (the new policies are not yet included here).
Thanks so much for your time. Please reach out if you have any questions or comments.
Best,
Heather Ambery General Manager Biathlon Canada hambery@biathloncanada.ca
Cross Country
Click the following link to see the Cross Country Update, https://mailchi.mp/df552e62d710/weekly-update-to-divisions-may-20-24-mise-jour-hebdomadaire-semaine-du-20-au-24-mai-4663901?e=b5abbd19b2