Dear Ontario Volleyball Family,  

The Ontario Volleyball Association’s Board of Directors have approved the Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols (RTP) - Version 2.0. These protocols will provide clubs in Stage 3 communities the tools necessary to restart indoor volleyball in our province. These steps will also provide guidance on how to reintroduce game play while avoiding deliberate and/or prolonged physical contact between participants.

In Stage 3 of Ontario’s Re-Opening Plan, gathering sizes for indoor events increases up to 50 participants and modified game play is now permitted by the government. Prolonged, and deliberate physical contact is prohibited during game play; however, athletes can breach physical distancing while on the court in a game setting. 

The Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols Version 2.0 includes all previous appendix items and sees the introduction of the “Back to Operations” tool providing questions Clubs should ask facilities in order to secure permits for a safe return to volleyball.

We understand after reviewing the Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols Version 2.0 there may be some questions, so a Townhall session will be held on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 7:00pm on Zoom. You must register in advance by clicking here:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvd-uorTwrHNXlghy7j_jyF_najoSc093R.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting and how to pre-submit questions. If you are unable to attend the Town Hall session, a video recording of the evening as well as the PowerPoint deck will be posted to the OVA website at: https://www.ontariovolleyball.org/town-hall

These protocols and supporting documents are necessary to support a safe return to the sport and are based on current Ontario statutes and regulations, current public health requirements and directives, and the OVA’s desire to make our sport safe for all. These protocols are subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws, regulations, by-laws and orders as they may exist. 

Please note the Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols Version 2.0 document will be updated with detailed competition protocols once we are closer to understanding the competition structure for the upcoming season. As protocols are updated, they will be distributed to the membership and you can find all documents online at: https://www.ontariovolleyball.org/ova-return-to-play. 

The OVA’s Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols – Version 2.0 must be followed by all member clubs, athletes, coaches, or service providers offering indoor volleyball programming if they are in Stage 3 approved communities. Failure to follow protocols will result in your activities being disqualified from OVA insurance, potential fines and other penalties from local by-law authorities, or potential loss of permit. 

If your community is still in Stage 2, you must continue to follow the OVA’s Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols – Version 1.1.

As a part of the protocols, the following must be completed prior to delivering indoor volleyball programming in your community: 

• Review the Indoor Volleyball Return to Play Protocols – Version 2.0
• Complete the Club Assessment Risk and Mitigation Tool 
• Fill out the OVA Return to Play Protocol Acknowledgement form and email it back to the OVA office via info@ontariovolleyball.org. 
• Draft and implement all required plans, policies and mitigation strategies required per the Protocols.
• Ensure participants complete the Daily Health Screening Questionnaire prior to participating in Club programs at each session.
• Always follow physical distancing government regulations.
• Be aware of which stage your Club or program falls within Ontario’s Re-opening plan.   
• Follow all Government and public health protocols and laws for a safe return to sport. 

The OVA believes sport is an essential ingredient for the physical and mental health of all participants. We look forward to being safely back on the courts and hope to see you all soon!