Coaching Association of Canada

Coaching Association of Canada Statement on COVID-19

March 13, 2020

The impact of COVID-19 is becoming increasingly disruptive to sport and continues to have an expanding impact internationally. The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) has been closely monitoring all available information related to the continued spread of COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees, partners, and the coaches we serve in Canada, as well as upcoming events, are our priority.

After reviewing the relevant positions from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, and the Government of Canada, the CAC has decided to postpone all its upcoming events until April 20, 2020.

At this time, upcoming CAC events to be postponed include:

  • Female Mentorship Program (March 25)
  • Mentorship Training with CCAA and USports (March 26)
  • Safe Sport Summits (March 26, 27, 30, and 31)
  • Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCR) Meeting (April 7/8)
  • Alberta Women in Sport Leadership Program (April 16)

While the risk factor in Canada remains low, these events were to attract a high number of Canadian and international delegates.

The CAC will consider rescheduling the events after April 20, 2020, following the information and advice from local health authorities for events in Canada.

The CAC recommends that its NCCP delivery partners monitor information and advice of the public health authorities in their respective provincial/territorial jurisdictions, as well as that of their municipal and/or local health authorities, to assess the risks and to make the best decision for their organization and hosted events.

Given the dynamic nature of this situation, additional protocols to promote the health and safety of all participants and coaches at upcoming events should be implemented to align with recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

In addition to establishing additional protocols, we encourage all athletes, participants, coaches, officials, staff, volunteers, spectators, and everyone participating in any events in the upcoming weeks and months to be vigilant with regards to their health and safety.

The Public Health Agency of Canada currently assesses the public health risk associated with COVID-19 for Canada and for Canadian travellers as Low. The public health risk is continually assessed as new information becomes available. Updates on COVID-19 can be found at: 

Further updates by the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee are available every 48 hours. See the document ‘Advisory on COVID-19’ for more information.

These updates are important in aiding sport leaders in assessing the risks associated with travelling for events.

The Coaching Association of Canada will continue to monitor this evolving situation and its impact on travel and will aim to share any further risk mitigation measures for COVID-19. This page will be updated if and when details change.

The above statement is a response to a joint message from the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee comprised of Chief Medical Officers from the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN).

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