COVID-19 Update 3

April 3, 2020

Dear Club - Association and League Presidents,

Subject: COVID-19 Update

On Friday, March 27 Ringette BC sent out an e-newsletter to all ringette families. The newsletter had information related to online activities that parents, coaches and athletes can do while selfisolating at home. Ringette BC will continue to share online activations with the ringette community as the come up and try to help keep our ringette community positive and active during spring and summer.

Ringette BC will be shifting our e-newsletter to come out every three to five weeks to families as information becomes available. The newsletters meant to keep the ringette community engaged and informed on the activities of ringette and sport.

Gaming Information:

The Community Gaming Grants Branch released an official statement on March 24 to all sport organizations regarding their 2020 Applications. The update confirmed that the application period is open and organizations should follow the normal application process for 2020. The update stated that if Annual General Meetings are being postponed that organizations should continue to apply as normal and meet the Gaming Application deadline of May 31, 2020. The Gaming Branch has changed its notice deadline from August 31 to September 30th. Organizations should continue to check the Community Gaming Branch website for updates.

Funding Initiatives:

As ringette enters April the majority of Associations will be opening registration for the upcoming season to start in September. As registration opens and many families will not know what the next couple of months will look like and a number of families could be faced with economic challenges there are some initiatives that can be utilized to help support our ringette families.

KidSport Funding:

There are a number of Ringette Families that access KidSport funding each year to help off-set costs of registration. According to the KidSport BC page with Sport BC KidSport will continue to accept applications but no cheques will be issued until sport resumes. Please keep this in mind when accepting registrations as some families may not be able to provide their registration monies at registration.

Payment Plans:

Ringette BC is aware of a couple of Associations that practice payment plans and deferred payments for registrations to help their families and participants. It is advisable at this time to allow for individuals who wish to register early and receive early bird discounts should be able to do so; however, the Associations should consider allowing families to provide post-dated cheques and partial payments so that families can register and commit to the sport for the fall but having some flexibility with payments.

Annual General Meetings:

Ringette BC is postponing our Annual General Meeting and Conference until August 2020. Further details will be provided. The meeting is still scheduled in person and at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel at this time. Associations that postpone AGMs should ensure that they are adhering to their Association ByLaws. If Associations have questions about postponing AGMs they are able to contact Ringette BC or they can contact the BC Registry. Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Ringette BC is accepting applications for the 2020 Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards. There were a lot of amazing moments this season and a lot of great achievements by athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers and these individuals deserve recognition. Presentations of the awards are scheduled to take place at the Annual Awards banquet during the Annual Ringette BC Conference.

Please distribute to your membership to submit nominations for the awards. Details on the awards can be found on the Ringette BC website under the Volunteer Recognition program.

Ringette BC will continue to update our members with information as it comes available. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Dennis Callaghan

Chair of the Board of Directors

Nicole Robb 

Executive Director