Canadian Aquatic Sports Working Together to Ensure a Safe Return to Sport
(May 12, 2020 – Ottawa, ON) – Over the past few weeks, Water Polo Canada has been working closely with its partners across the country to ensure a safe return to activity when the pools gradually reopen. In collaboration with Swimming Canada, Artistic Swimming Canada and Diving Canada, Water Polo Canada is working to establish a safe return to sport protocol to share with our communities when the time comes. Water Polo Canada will also work on sport-specific recommendations to share with its Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs) and Clubs.
“I want to thank my other aquatic sport colleagues for their leadership and engagement. Working together as a taskforce and sharing our expertise will facilitate the process for all our communities; we have lots in common and basically operate within the same facilities. Given the nature of the sport of water polo, the usual training regime and drills will be modified to ensure that all return plans follow the municipal, provincial and national health guidelines. The health and safety of all participants remains our priority,” said Martin Goulet, Water Polo Canada Executive Director.
From a high performance standpoint, the return to training will be a gradual process and based on the guidelines provided by different levels of jurisdiction. Water Polo Canada is in constant communication with its high performance partners, including the Institut National du Sport du Québec, Régie des installations olympiques, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee. “When the global situation has improved, and the return to activity is allowed, the Senior National Teams will be the first to resume training. Our athletes will follow all the local authorities’ guidelines and the recommendations from our partners at the National Training Centre,” indicated Water Polo Canada High Performance Director, Justin Oliveira.
Water Polo Canada will also discuss with its Provincial Sport Organizations the specific return to sport protocols on a case-by-case basis to ensure that all local guidelines are followed, and all participants can train in a safe environment. We encourage the clubs to work with their PSOs and inform them of their needs and the specifics relative to their region/area/facility.
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For more information, please contact:
Mylène Turcotte-Fitzgerald,
Water Polo Canada Communications