Announcements
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No Spectators At Games & Practices
November 11, 2020
Hi Bellies Family,
We have now received new guidance from the City of New Westminster. In adherence to the November 7, 2020 Provincial Health Office Order, the City is temporarily prohibiting spectators from attending sporting events at their facilities.Effective immediately, spectators are not permitted at any New West Minor Field Lacrosse game or practice, until further notice.While we all enjoy watching our kids play, we must follow the guidance issued by the Provincial Health Authorities, the BCLA and the City of New Westminster.If we fail to comply with these instructions, and the City sees spectators at our games/practices, their next step will be to close the facilities altogether.We appreciate your support.Sincerely,Julie Edgar Bill Tyler
VP - Girls Field Lacrosse VP - Boys Field Lacrosse
NWMLA NWMLA
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NWMLA AGM November 19th 2020
October 19, 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.
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Start Of Season Information
September 13, 2020
Hi Bellies Family,We know you’ve been waiting patiently for further information on the start of field season, and we apologize that we’ve not been able to provide updates sooner.The unique challenges we face this year have meant far more planning, and time, to ensure we provide a safe environment for your children to enjoy the game again.As a result, we we will be delaying the start of practices for one week, with sessions now starting on Monday, September 21st.Fortunately, we are finally able to share our tentative practice schedule with you:TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
4:15-5:15
U8 Girls
U5 Boys
U15 Girls (1)
U12 Girls
U7/U9 Boys
U15 Girls (2)
5:30-6:30
U15 Girls (1)
U8 Girls
U7/U9 Boys
U15 Girls (2)
U12 Girls
U13 Boys
6:45-7:45
U19 Girls
U11 Boys
U11 Boys
U15 Boys
U13 Boys
U15 Boys
8:00-9:00
Not Available
U18 Boys
U18 Boys
U19 Girls
I have included two attachments to this message: the BCLA Waiver Form and the NWMLA Players Code of Conduct. Both of these documents must be completed and returned to admin@minorbellies.com by Sunday, September 20th. Your child will not be permitted to practice until we’ve received your completed forms.For those that are first time registrants for field lacrosse, you’ll also need to ensure you’ve completed payment and submitted all necessary documents to registrar@minorbellies.com.In the coming week, you can expect to receive the following:- An invitation to your child’s TeamSnap
- An email detailing NWMLA’s COVID-19 Phase 3 Return to Play Procedures for Parents & Players
- An invitation to attend a Team Parent Meeting
Once again, we appreciate your patience as we get the season underway. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:- For Boys: Bill Tyler - vpfield@minorbellies.com
- For Girls: Julie Edgar - girlsfield@minorbellies.com
Thanks very much,Julie Edgar - VP - Girls Field LacrosseBill Tyler - VP - Boys Field Lacrosse -
Please See The Latest Message Below From The BCLA President Gerry VanBeek
August 28, 2020
Dear Members,
On August 24, the BC Provincial Government announced viaSport BC's Phase 3 additions to the Return to Sport Guidelines. This is welcomed news for sport and for BC Lacrosse members!
The BCLA reiterates that a patient approach to new activities will be vital, that each sport and organization will progress at different rates, and that each region and municipality will have its own ways of keeping their communities safe.
The health and safety for all participants in the BC Lacrosse community is paramount and is central to our decisions around COVID-19 and Return to Lacrosse. All involved in our sport must take direction from the appropriate health authorities, including the Public Health Agency of Canada and the BC Ministry of Health and your local health authority. We strongly remind all, as we return to some levels of lacrosse activities, we cannot relax our health and safety practices (I.e., 2-meter physical distancing; increased hand hygiene; outdoor activities with small groups, etc.).
The BCLA Return to Lacrosse Committee and support groups are working hard to update and align the next phase BCLA Return to Lacrosse Guidelines to the viaSport BC Phase 3 Return to Sport Guidelines. The committee will swiftly clarify any issues, update, and publish the plans accordingly. Once the draft is ready, the document must receive BCLA Board approval before implementation.
What this means for BC Lacrosse Associations/Clubs-
We are entering the traditional Field Lacrosse season with encouraging expectations. The BCLA has confirmed a reduction in 2021 field player registration fees and communicated to associations/clubs to open registration and promote registration to their athletes. Let's embrace this opportunity and invite all lacrosse athletes to participate.
The viaSport Progressively Loosen phase will offer revised guidance for activities involving contact, cohorts, competition, competition hosting, high performance camps and travel. See viaSport BC Phase 3 guidelines here: https://www.viasport.ca/sites/default/files/ Phase3ReturntoSportGuidelinesw ebV2.pdf
The BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 2/3 document will align with viaSport BC's guidelines. Our new guidelines will include activities and game play with modifications that are as close to normal lacrosse activities. All activities will follow the direction from viaSport BC and the appropriate health authorities.
We expect the BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 2/3 Guidelines will be complete for release the first week of September.
The BCLA Board, Directorates, and Technical Support Groups continue planning normal fall meetings of which all are being conducted virtually. We will continue to communicate information to the lacrosse community as we receive it to inform our sport leaders.
To all administrators and volunteers, thank you for remaining strong through this trying time.
Thank you for your patience.
If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at gerry@bclacrosse.com
Yours in Lacrosse,
Gerry Van Beek, BCLA President -
*Deadline Extended* Wayne Goss Scholarship, Dorothy Robertson Bursary And Ted Fridge Scholarship
June 19, 2020
In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic the deadline for submission has been extended to July 6, 2020 at 4:00 PM into the BCLA Office (original deadline was June 4, 2020).
The nomination forms for the Wayne Goss Scholarship, Dorothy Robertson Bursary and Ted Fridge Scholarship are now posted on the BCLA website.
The direct link to the nomination forms here -
COVID-19 Update-Refunds
May 20, 2020
Hi Bellies Family,As always, we hope you are all staying healthy and safe. We are encouraged by the progress our province has made in flattening the Covid-19 curve, and thank all of our front-line health care workers, first responders and those working in essential roles, for their heroics on our behalf.While the Province’s plans to carefully, gradually ease Covid-19 restrictions continue, it has become apparent that a return to the sport of box lacrosse will not happen this summer. Though at this time there has been no official decision from the CLA, our executive has voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 box lacrosse season in conjunction with other Lower Mainland lacrosse associations.Our lacrosse families will receive a 100% refund of 2020 Box Lacrosse registration fees. The only funds that will not be returned are the try-out fees for A Team Evaluations, as these sessions did take place and the floor time was paid for. All refunds will be issued by cheque, regardless of original means of payment, to avoid the high cost of credit card processing fees.While our executive is united in this decision, it does not come without careful deliberation. Our Association is a non-profit organization that operates on a very tight budget. Though the box season will not proceed, our Association has nonetheless incurred costs and expenses that we remain responsible for. We’ll have some tough choices to make as we manage our budget going forward, but feel this is the right thing to do for our member families.The CLA, BCLA and other bodies governing the sport continue to work on ideas to get our athletes back on the field in a safe, physically distanced manner. However, any return to play this summer will not resemble the sport of box lacrosse for which you registered your child. We know these times are difficult for everyone, and you are as eager to see a return to normalcy as we are. We sincerely hope that when a return to play is possible, we’ll see you and your children back at the field, arena, or box alongside us. Moving forward we’ll keep you updated with any news or information from our governing bodies.Warm regards,Rich CattonPresident
NWMLAApril 17, 2020
Hi Bellies Family,
We hope you’re all staying healthy and safe, as we all do our part to help flatten the COVID-19 curve.
As announced previously, all formal lacrosse activities remain on hold until at least May 15th. While we remain hopeful that we’ll be able to hit the floor in some format, that remains far from certain. The CLA, BCLA and Lower Mainland Minor Lacrosse Commission continue to monitor the situation and discuss plans for the possible resumption of lacrosse, should it be deemed appropriate by the relevant government authorities. We, as your Executive, are doing the same.
Recently, we've received a few inquiries regarding the refund of registration fees. As resumption of lacrosse activity remains a possibility, the Club may yet be responsible for floor times, BCLA and league fees etc. As a result, we are unable to make a plan for potential refunds until final decisions on the season are made by our governing bodies.
We appreciate your patience in these uncertain times, and will continue to provide updates as they come available.
Warm regards,
Rich Catton
President - NWMLA -
BC Lacrosse Association Update
March 26, 2020
March 25, 2020LETTER FROM THE BCLA PRESIDENT RE: COVID‐19Dear BCLA Members:As we continue to navigate through the implications of COVID-19, we hope that you are copingwith the ever-changing environment that is the world right now.It is too early for anyone to make a call on whether or not the box lacrosse season, or someformat of the season, will take place. So, because we have no idea of what is going to happenover the next several weeks, we are taking a wait-and-see approach at this timeWe urge all of our members to take this same approach. It is too early for anyassociation/club/league to make any firm decisions about their seasons at this time. We need toprotect the future of the not only the BC Lacrosse Association, but all of our memberassociations/teams/leagues. We believe cancelling the box lacrosse season is premature. It is adrastic step that would be detrimental to the sport of lacrosse in BC as we hope to facilitate someform of box lacrosse competition this summer.The BCLA insurance is still in place, and the BCLA office is still fully operational, albeit mostlyremotely. Most minor box athletes have stepped on the floor which put the insurance into play.So, I would assume that if refunds are necessary (if there is absolutely no box season), therefunds will be a portion of, to cover both portions of the BCLA’s fees and the minor associationexpenses incurred.We are in communication with the BCLA Minor and Senior Directorates, and they arediscussing contingency plans that include looking at new alternatives for lacrosse activities in2020.You will continue to hear about major events being cancelled, many that were supposed to occurin the summer of 2020. Most recently, the BC Games Society just announced that they havecancelled the BC Summer Games that were going to happen in Maple Ridge in July 2020; andthe 2020 North American Indigenous Games event has also been cancelled. This does not meanthat sport will not happen this summer.For now, in the same way that we are asking for patience and calmness from our memberassociation/club/leagues, we ask that you reach out to your community members to do the same.Yours in Lacrosse,Gerry Van BeekBCLA President -
**UPDATED April 03/20**A Message From Rich Catton, NWMLA President About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
March 13, 2020
Updated April 03, 2020
Hi Bellies,
I hope you're all staying healthy and safe during these uncertain times. Based on recent direction from both the BCLA and CLA, all lacrosse activities will remain on hold until at least May 1st. While we remain hopeful that some semblance of a season can be salvaged, we will continue to prioritize public health and safety. We encourage you to continue to follow the advice of our public health officials - stay home and practice physical distancing. As updates become available, we'll be sure to share them with you.
Best regards,
Rich Catton
President, Minor BelliesUpdated March 14, 2020
Please read message below from NWMLA President Rich Catton:
Subsequent to the Covid-19 update we emailed to our membership earlier today, the Canadian Lacrosse Association issued a recommendation that all lacrosse activity in Canada be postponed until April 5th.
In the interests of the safety of our players, coaches, officials, staff and fans, the Minor Salmonbellies will follow this recommendation.
We will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 developments in consultation with the CLA, BCLA, and public health authorities, and provide updates.Posted March 13, 2020
A message from Rich Catton, NWMLA President about COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
As per the recent declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is now a pandemic. The situation both here in BC and around the globe is changing hourly and daily, and we wanted to provide an update on how the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association (NWMLA) is responding.
We’re lucky to have had strong leadership from the province’s public health officials. This is why we’re basing our response on the expert advice of those organizations, as well as the BC Lacrosse Association and the Canadian Lacrosse Association. While, like you, we are concerned about the turn of events in the last 48 hours, the risk level to Canada and British Columbia remains low as defined by the leading health authorities.
Despite that assurance, we know the situation will evolve. We want to assure you that the NWMLA is taking steps to ensure that the health and safety of our players is paramount.
We are in the early stages on the 2020 Box Lacrosse season with evaluations nearing completion. As such we will continue to proceed with completing evaluations, balancing teams and beginning the process of scheduling games and practices.
We will also be taking further steps, including:
- No handshaking after games
- No shared water bottles
Some may ask why we don’t go further at this point. The simple reason is as stated above: we are committed to following the advice from federal and provincial public health agencies and right now this is based on what they’re advising.
As the situation evolves locally and the risk level changes, we will respond accordingly, whether that’s further restrictions on practices and / or games, or postponing the season.
As for what players and parents / guardians can continue to do:
- Keep following the recommended practices, such as washing your hands more frequently with soap and water, using proper coughing & sneezing etiquette
- If you or your child is ill, please stay home
- If you think you have coronavirus-type respiratory symptoms or have travelled to a country with a travel health notice, immediately speak to a medical professional or call 811
- If you are returning from a trip outside of Canada, please follow the 2 week self quarantine period recommended by government health authorities
There is a ton of information in the news and online about the virus, some factual and some not. It’s important to make sure what we’re consuming comes from credible health sources (the links below offer a few good ones).
We understand that we’re all anxious and that right now things are changing
quickly. Thankfully, this province has some of the leading public health institutions and testing practices. We’ll continue to monitor and update you on the situation as it pertains to the NWMLA.
If you have any questions about what we’re doing at NWMLA, please reach out to either of the board members listed below.
Rich Catton
President NWMLA External links:
- World Health Organization: About Coronavirus
- World Health Organization: Advice for the public
- Government of Canada: FAQ
- Government of Canada: Travel advice and advisories
- BC Centre of Disease Control: BC update
NWMLA Board Contacts
2019/20 Directors
President
1st VP - Boys Box Lacrosse
2nd VP - Girls Box Lacrosse
3rd VP - Boys Field Lacrosse
4th VP - Girls Field Lacrosse
5th VP - Equipment
6th VP - Scheduler
Secretary
Treasurer
Registrar
Director At Large - Head Coach
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Wall Ball Challenge
March 12, 2020
*CONTEST TIME*
With most of us home for Spring Break and organized activities on pause, you can stay ready for the season by...HITTING THE WALL!Send us a video of you and your most creative wall ball work out for a chance to win some cool Bellies swag! The Winner will be announced after Spring Break.
Keep that stick in hand - box lax will be back Bellies!
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Bellies Store At The Hazelwood Clinic
February 19, 2020
The Bellies Store will be selling a small selection of youth sized hoodies, t-shirts and shorts at the Hazelwood Clinic this year. February 19th only from 6-8pm.
Come check it out!