LACROSSE IS BACK!!

OLA RETURN TO ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

Phase 1 & 2 - July 3rd 2020

June 2020

UPDATE FROM THE COMMISSIONER

With the recent Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) announcement that the traditional box season has been cancelled for 2020 and the Province beginning to re-open, many of you are wondering, what does that mean for Ontario Women's Field Lacrosse?

As previously stated in May, Ontario Women's Field Lacrosse traditional season is cancelled for 2020. That decision was made as there were too many unknown variables and the potential health risks to players, their families, coaches and officials. At that time we had stated that a number of conditions needed to be met if we were to be able to offer some form of organized competition this summer. Progress has been made but the progress required to allow for competitive play this summer has not gone far enough.

At present the OLA has struck a task force to develop ‘Return to Activity’ and’ Return to Play’ protocols. Ontario Women's Field Lacrosse is well represented and will ensure that the steps and guidelines developed address the women's field game specifically. These protocols must be developed and approved before any sanctioned activity can take place. Once available, the Return to Activity and Return to Play guidelines will be shared with all clubs and will be posted to our website.

Each club will need to determine what training programs they are able to offer this summer, if any, based on the stage of reopening in your respective communities, access to facilities, ability and willingness of families to participate.

To our graduating athletes, thank you for your passion, your dedication and commitment to your sport. You have made your teammates, your parents, your coaches and all those who have supported you along the way incredibly proud. This is not the end you had envisioned to your minor lacrosse careers but is by no means the end of your dreams but the beginning of a new chapter for you to harness all that you have learned through sport and realize your full potential as strong, passionate and determined young women.

This is not the news most of you had hoped for. It is certainly not the news we hoped to share. We continue to support the OWFL community and look ahead to the time when we can be back on the fields enjoying this beautiful game.

RESOURCES & SUPPORT

We are all struggling with the dizzying change that has been thrust upon our daily lives since March 13th and as adults we are also trying to provide some constancy and support for our kids. Not easy when the sands seem to be shifting daily and the goals they had set for themselves this year seem so out of reach. The time frame may have been altered and the path could look different from what they expected.

This is certainly the time when our girls could most use sport as an outlet and while many may be connecting on social media with their teams or working hard individually, some may be finding the loss of school, sport, summer jobs and other plans overwhelming. So if your daughter is struggling, you might find the following articles helpful in how to talk with her about the loss she is feeling.

Grieving The Loss of Camp

Teen Girls' Risk for Depression During the COVID-19 Crisis

Another resource that athletes can use themselves if they are looking for and needing support is the Kids Help Phone. Staffed 24/7 with professionals, this resource can be used effectively by children and youth alike. There are options to phone, text or access their website at kidshelphone.ca.

WELCOME TO ONTARIO WOMEN'S FIELD LACROSSE

The mandate of the OWFL is to provide opportunities for girls and women of all ages to participate in women’s field lacrosse in the province of Ontario. The OWFL organizes and co-ordinates all sanctioned competitions and related activities for the sport of women’s field lacrosse in Ontario.

OLA COVID-19 INFORMATION BULLETIN

OLA COVID-19 DIRECTIVE - May 15th

The updated OLA COVID-19 Directive (May 15th) is now officially in effect.

Effectively immediately, sanctioned in-person lacrosse activities are now placed ON HOLD until JUNE 15th.

As this is an evolving situation, it is subject to change if new information becomes available. For more information please see the above linked directive or visit ontariolacrosse.com.

Impact on the OWFL season and further information will be communicated to club directors as it becomes available. We ask all of our lacrosse community to show patience, flexibility and be prepared to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.