CW Community,
Many of you will have heard that as a result of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, BC Rugby has made the decision to cancel the rest of the 2019-2020 Rugby season. While this is very disappointing news for our community, CW supports BC Rugby’s decision that puts the safety of our rugby community above all else.
This pandemic is impacting many in our community and while we are all hopeful that we will get back to ‘normal’ sooner rather than later, we must accept the possibility that it could impact more of us over the medium and longer-term.
To this end, CW Executive passed a motion on March 26th, 2020 that offers to reimburse approximately half of the Club’s portion of the player’s dues for the 2019-2020 season for those players whose season has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All players will have an ‘opt-in or out’ option allowing players to either request a cash payment or forego reimbursement. While the Club can manage this financial ‘hit’, it is a significant fiscal impact and therefore if a player or family can afford it, we do ask that you consider foregoing the offer.
Please note that CW cannot address BC Rugby or Rugby Canada’s portion of your dues. BC Rugby has indicated there may be a partial refund for players that registered in the spring – we are advised they will reach out directly to players. Rugby Canada at this time is likely not to offer any refunds. Their portion of dues is largely dedicated to your insurance which activates the moment you step on a pitch – practice or games.
Next week (week of March 29, 2020) details on the process to apply for the reimbursement will be made available. There will be an established deadline to request reimbursement and a set period for payment thereafter. We have limited administrative capacity which is why we will provide a simple, structured plan to execute payments. We will communicate broadly across all channels to ensure players are aware of the offering and ensure there is a reasonable amount of time for players to make the request.
Over the past three years the CW’s Executive has worked tirelessly to ensure our Club is in a strong financial situation. We undertook this effort to ensure the CW is on solid ground today and into the future. While none of us could have predicted the current global event that is having a dramatic economic impact everywhere, this work is allowing us to provide this modest offering to our players.
Looking to next season we will need ‘all hands-on deck’ working harder than ever with fundraising efforts to ensure we get back on track and deliver a great season for all involved. I have no doubt that together we can do just that!
CW Executive wants you to know that we care deeply about all of you, our players, members and families, and therefore want to do what we can to help. Simply put, our people are more important than our equipment.
Go CEEDUBB!
Matt Gordon,
CW Rugby President (on behalf of Club executive)
New CW Restrictions
Until further notice, any and all planned CW tours are suspended pending further evaluation and consideration. This means any travel by a CW player or organizer does so on their own accord and without CW support.
Current travel restrictions by the federal government highly recommend no non-essential international travel by Canadians. The advice from the Provincial Chief Medical Officer (effective March 12, 2020) is that any person from B.C. who travel internationally, including to the U.S.A., is expected to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return. Further, if there is a planned touring side visiting CW in March of 2020, the touring side needs to be notified there will not be a game available to them. Any touring fixtures planned for April, May or June should be advised immediately by the CW coordinating member that the possibility of cancellation is under consideration based on best available information closer to the event.
COVID-19 Health Reminders
Best Practices
Please follow any/all advice, direction and Orders of the Provincial Chief Medical Officer and all other government officials (ie: B.C. Premier, B.C. Solicitor General, federal Chief Medical Officer and the Prime Minister). Based on current updates by the federal and provincial governments, all members are asked to reinforce the following amongst the CW community:
1. Wash your hands frequently (it is the single most effective way of reducing infection spread)
2. Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with your hands; and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (ideally with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow)
3. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
4. Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise in moderation)
5. Practice physical-distancing (at least 2 m distance from people other than whom you are living with)
6. Do not participate in any gatherings of 50 or more people
7. Leave home only for essential tasks (ex: groceries, medical appointments and pharmacy pick-up)
What to do if you show any symptoms
If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms, you should seek medical care just as you would with any contagious illness. This means you should remain at home, if necessary call 8-1-1 for advice and be prepared to self-isolate and monitor your health or visit a physician if you are directed to do so. If your symptoms are severe you should call 9-1-1 if you are unable to present yourself to an Emergency Room.
Reliable Information Sources
It is essential that CW and our community are making decisions based on the best possible information and expert advice. Please visit the website for the B.C. Centre for Disease Control at:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel) for the most accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19.
