Ontario Basketball (OBA) is pleased to announce Return to Play guidelines for Phase 3 of our multi-phased approach to safely resuming basketball activities.
First and foremost, please remember that all the current restrictions and those that will come into effect as we reach next stages, are imposed by the Ontario Government and medical health authorities. These, and the Return to Play protocols in development by OBA, are designed to facilitate the ongoing and continued safety of our members and all Ontarians.
It is important to note that OBA’s Return to Play Phase 3 is based on basketball activities in the province and this and future phases will not directly correspond to the Ontario Government’s reopening phases (which broadly cover all sectors of business) or Canada Basketball’s Back to Basketball plan (which broadly applies to all provinces and territories).
This document outlines working timelines, guidelines, measures and precautions that support a phased Return to Play plan while following health and safety measures at all times. We encourage our members to read and share these guidelines for Phase 3 and the OBA will continue to update these guidelines as restrictions are lifted.
ONTARIO BASKETBALL PHASE 3
OBA member teams can now practice or train at an indoor facility in areas of Ontario that have moved to Stage 3, with modified health and safety measures in place to ensure practices are “non-contact.” This means you can pass the ball to teammates, and run certain drills but none that would likely result in physical contact including defence. These rules have been set by the Ontario government.
The process for the OBA is as follows:
- Fill out the OBA Assumption of Risk Waiver form with a parent or guardian if you have not yet done so. This will ensure you have insurance for associated risks of basketball activities, not for COVID-19 as contagion insurance is not being offered at this time.
- Arrange in advance with an open facility to train and ask what to expect when you arrive. Indoor basketball gyms are subject to the Ontario Government’s Essential Business guidelines and must follow those regulations at all times.
- When you arrive at the gym a staff member may ask you to give a Daily Attestation of Health where you declare that you have no symptoms. The facility records that information and keeps it on file in case of suspected outbreaks.
- Training can take place with a maximum of 50 persons inside of an indoor facility subject to local gathering guidelines. If gyms are separated by doors/ permanent walls training can occur in each space but not if a multi-court facility is one open space. Phase 3 allows for passing of the ball between teammates for drills, but activities that may result in physical contact (including defence) are not permitted at this time.
