Return to competition update May 29

Thank you to the BCDS membership and disc golfers in BC for continuing to be dedicated to following the protocols required by the Provincial Health Authority and being great representatives of the sport. 

Competitive, organized play continues to be not allowed in the province within the current phase of reopening. We are being asked to keep our activity geared towards community participation and training rather than games and competition.

The BCDS is working with our insurance provider and the discussion of risk mitigation strategies continues.

We can confirm what the next steps will be to get us back to competitive play. First, the BCDS will create a sport-specific Safety Plan using the Return to Sport Guidelines to be released by viaSport in the first week of June. We anticipate this document will be required to include things like:

• Guidelines for tournament directors and competitors at organized events
• Guidelines for how to safely run a club event like tags or league
• How to manage disc golf competition in multi-use parks
  
  

FAQs: (source: viaSport)
Q: What types of activities are allowed within the current phase (Phase2)?
A: Low risk activities that can occur with the following public health recommendations in place:

• Ability to maintain physical distancing
• Minimal sharing of equipment
• Focus is on skill development, not competition
• Community focused
  
  

Q: What is the definition of competitive activities?
A: Competitive activities are formal, organized games, matches and tournaments between participants where scores are recorded and standings are kept.

Q: When is competition allowed?
A: This will vary from sport to sport. Some sports will be able to introduce in-club play or modified games during this initial phase of re-opening if they deem those activities to be low risk.
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Q: Will there be a sport-specific return to sport date, depending on each sport return to play protocol?
A: Each sport will have different dates in which they will resume based on the type of sport, access to facilities, the ability to adapt to Public Health Guidelines and the development of their sport-specific plans.

PDGA-related FAQs:
Q: When will tournaments begin to be sanctioned again?
A: Once the Provincial Heath Order has been lifted.

Q: Why can’t we use the PDGA insurance instead of the BCDS’?
A: The PDGA requires us to provide corroborating documents supporting competitive play is allowed in our region. The expectation at this time is these supporting documents will hinge on approval of the BCDS’ Safety Plan.

Please note that in our current phase (2) of reopening, we’re being asked to stay close to home and avoid any travel between communities that’s not essential.​ We encourage you to remain active while enjoying the outdoors and facilities that have opened in small groups at a safe distance.

​Please feel free to reach out with any questions and help keep your club members informed. We’ll be sure to share any new information as soon as we know.