2021 Box Lacrosse Season Notice

The NWMLA Executive would like to welcome everyone to the 2021 Box Lacrosse Season and provide an update on the plans for the next few weeks.

The safety of our members is our primary concern. We would like to thank all of our players, families, and volunteers for adhering to the arena and practice safety plans to date.

 Currently, youth lacrosse in British Columbia remains at Phase 2 as defined by viaSport - Return to Sport. Phase 2 allows players within their associations to participate in socially distanced skills and drills practices. The BC Lacrosse Association hopes that as the Provincial Health Orders change for the better, viaSport will move into Phase 2.25, which allows competition within an association. The next viaSport phase is 2.5 that allows competition within two or three lacrosse clubs and a loosening of travel restrictions.

 Moving forward, like other youth lacrosse associations in British Columbia, we have at times had to quickly pivot and use new approaches to make practices challenging and fun for everyone. With that in mind, the approach to evaluations is evolving to be ready for Phase 2.25 and 2.5. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be evaluating players in mixed Pee Wee, mixed and female Bantam and mixed Midget divisions and placing them in groups with players at or around the same skill level. We feel this makes the most sense now to help all players improve, continue to be challenged and to have fun. We hope this will create a healthy learning environment where the players will not get frustrated or discouraged, and will flourish and enjoy their time on the lacrosse floor.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Go Bellies!

Coaches & Managers Needed For Upcoming Box Season

NWMLA is always on the lookout for great coaches & managers! 

If you have coached before or are interested in coaching during the 2021 box lacrosse season please fill out the coaches application form.  Scan and send completed forms to headcoach@minorbellies.com.  All training is covered by NWMLA and no prior experience is necessary.

If you are interested in managing a team please send an email to admin@minorbellies.com. Please state what division and if it's girls or boys in the email.

Bellies Don't Bully

Red is usually the Bellies’ colour of choice, but today let’s all put on PINK  to support anti-bullying!!

The annual Doug Hazelwood Lacrosse Clinic usually takes place this weekend, with all our Little Bellies running around in their pink shirts. We will be back next year! 

#gobelliesgo #salmonbellieslacrosse #newwest #newwestminster #pinkshirtday

NWMLA Update

Dear NWMLA Members

As I am sure you have all heard by now, on Feb.5, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Provincial Health Office (PHO) addressed the current COVID-19 restrictions and announced these restrictions will be extended without a specific deadline date.

We are continuing to actively plan for the 2021 box lacrosse season and are excited to continue the tradition of minor box lacrosse in New Westminster. We are currently in the process of creating contingency plans to address potential changes in viaSport restrictions, and ensure that all our players can play lacrosse in a safe environment.

Phase 2 of our box lacrosse registration will open March 1 through our website www.minorbellies.com.To ensure that our girls and boys can start their 2021 box season as soon as possible we have secured Queens Park East Turf throughout March. We plan to run clinics and practices for all age groups, so please register your athlete as soon as registration opens March 1 so they do not miss out.

As the COVID-19 situation continues, we will adapt to the PHO restrictions with direction from viaSport.Since the recent announcement did not include any updates to the restrictions related to sports, this means that the following key items remain in place:

• Lacrosse activities (practices) can occur as per the BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 2 Guidelines reverting to Skills & Drills training ONLY.
• Individuals can travel to their home club for the purpose of sport, while following all restrictions in the current public health order; however, individuals should not carpool with other participants who are not in their household.
• Participants can only travel to their home club/association.
• Games and tournaments are temporarily suspended.
• Participants must maintain a physical distance of three metres from one another and do not engage in handshaking, high fives, hugging, etc.
• Please see province-wide restrictions for sport (latest updated information).
• Read the full details around what these updates to the Order mean for sport: (viaSport page).
   

The BC Lacrosse Association (BCLA) is planning a town hall meeting for the upcoming box season soon. Once we receive details, we will pass that onto our membership.

Thank you for your patience through this challenging situation. If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at president@minorbellies.com.

Sincerely Yours,

Rich Catton

President NWMLA

BCLA Scholarships & Bursary Info For 2021

Hi Everyone:

The 2021 nomination forms for the Wayne Goss Scholarship, Dorothy Robertson Bursary, Ted Fridge Scholarship and Gene Regier Memorial Scholarship are now posted on the BCLA website.

The deadline for submission is Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 4:30 PM into the BCLA Office.

The direct link to the nomination forms:

http://www.bclacrosse.com/forms.php#scholarships

*UPDATE*BCLA & Province-wide Restrictions NO SPECTATORS ALLOWED

November 24, 2020

Dear BCLA Members:

This message is a follow up to BC Lacrosse Association's (BCLA) November 20, 2020 President's Message regarding Lacrosse activity updates and the latest BC Health Authority and Dr. Bonnie Henry's announcement on November 19, 2020. The BCLA will continue to update our members as we receive new information. The latest information details province-wide restrictions.

The BCLA has further updates to report and how it relates to BCLA Lacrosse activities. We are in constant contact with viaSport, who are working to gain further clarification from the BC Health Authority. We continue to wait for the official written Order from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) that came into affect November 20, 2020 at midnight.

Read the province-wide restrictions by order and direction of the PHO (updated November 24):
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions#athletics

The BCLA's current understanding of the new Order and its application to BCLA Lacrosse activities in the Province of BC, with the following restrictions, are as follows:

The Order is in effect until December 7, 2020 at midnight.
The Order applies to all health regions in BC.
Lacrosse activities (games and practices) CAN occur in the current BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 3 Guidelines (the current phase Lacrosse has been since adopting the cohort model).
No spectators are allowed at any sport activities. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. (For example: coaches, team manager, and safety persons CAN attend).

NEW
Individual athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, officials, & umpires, who live in one city/community, CAN attend lacrosse activities in other cities/communities.
Team travel is prohibited and must be limited to stay within each city/community. Team travel to, from, and between cities/communities CANNOT occur. Team location is based on the team's association/club location in which the team is registered.

The PHO press conference on November 19th and their notices use the words community, city, and regions in ways that create some ambiguity on the travel restrictions for play.

BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 3 Guidelines: http://www.bclacrosse.com/return-to-lacrosse.php

The BC Government and PHO continue updating information as it relates to COVID-19. The BCLA will provide updates and information as we learn more.

Please note that once the final written Order from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) is written and available, along with viaSport's clarification, we may be required to adjust further.

If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at gerry@bclacrosse.com


Yours in Lacrosse,
Gerry Van Beek
BCLA President

BCLA & Province-wide Restrictions*NO SPECTATORS ALLOWED

Dear BCLA Members:

This message is a follow up to BC Lacrosse Association's (BCLA) November 11, 2020 President's Message regarding Lacrosse activity updates and the latest BC Health Authority and Dr. Bonnie Henry's announcement on November 19, 2020. The BCLA will continue to update our members as we receive new information. The latest information details province-wide restrictions and how it relates to BCLA Lacrosse activities.

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all individuals, places of work and businesses in BC must significantly reduce social interactions and travel. The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at midnight.

Read the Provincial Health Officer Order (updated November 20):
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions#athletics

The BCLA's current understanding of the new Order and its application to BCLA Lacrosse activities in the Province of BC, are as follows:

The Order is in effect until December 7, 2020 at midnight.
The Order applies to all health regions in BC.
Return to Phase 3 Lacrosse activities with the following restrictions added,
o Athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, officials, & umpires, who live in one city/community, can not attend activities in other cities/communities.
No spectators are allowed at any sport activities. The only people allowed to attend sport activities are those that provide care to a participant or player. (For example: coaches, team manager, and safety persons CAN attend).
Lacrosse activities (games and practices) CAN occur in the current BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 3 Guidelines (the current phase Lacrosse has been since adopting the cohort model).

BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 3 Guidelines: http://www.bclacrosse.com/return-to-lacrosse.php

Read the viaSport November 20, 2020 update:
https://mailchi.mp/51db77a557b2/return-to-sport-ceo-november20?e=f32d571d5a

The PHO press conference on November 19th and their notices use the words community, city, and regions in ways that create some ambiguity on the travel restrictions for play. The BCLA is working to get clarification. As of the writing of this notice, we do not have clarification. Until we get further instruction and clarification, play should only occur within city/community boundaries.

The BC Government and PHO continue updating information as it relates to COVID-19. The BCLA will provide updates and information as we learn more.

If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at gerry@bclacrosse.com


Yours in Lacrosse,
Gerry Van Beek
BCLA President

Spectators Now Permitted At Queen's Park East Field

Hi Bellies Family,

 

The City of New Westminster has just updated their guidance, again, regarding spectators at their facilities.

They have now informed us that spectators are permitted at their outdoor facilities.

 

As a result, you may once again attend your child’s practices & games at Queen’s Park East field.

 

However, New West Minor Lacrosse still strongly suggests that only one parent or family member attend an event, and that you wear a mask while in attendance. 

 

Further, it is essential that you:

 

• DO NOT attend if you are feeling unwell
• Maintain at least 2 meters physical distancing
• Practice respiratory etiquette (i.e. cough into elbow/sleeve)
• Sanitize or wash your hands often
• Follow all Provincial Health Office orders and New West Minor Lacrosse Return to Play Protocols

 

Please do your part in helping encourage the observance of these rules. Resist the urge to gather while watching the game, and politely remind others to do the same. 

 

We do apologize for the many updates and quickly changing guidance, but we are bound to pass along the information as we receive it from the various governing bodies. 

 

Enjoy the games this weekend, but please do so safely and responsibly.

 

Best regards,

 

Julie Edgar

VP - Girls Field Lacrosse

 

Bill Tyler

VP - Boys Field Lacrosse

NWMLA

No Spectators At Games & Practices

Hi Bellies Family,

Julie Edgar Bill Tyler

VP - Girls Field Lacrosse VP - Boys Field Lacrosse

NWMLA NWMLA

NWMLA AGM November 19th 2020

New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association's Annual General Meeting will be held on November 19, 2020 at 7:00pm. This years meeting will be held online via Zoom. Please email secretary@minorbellies.com to register before November 17, 2020. Only registered members will be permitted to attend.