Early bird registration is now open for the BCSSA 2021 Spring Conference, April 16-18, 2021.
https://whova.com/web/coach_202101/

Recover. Plan. Succeed.
With the adoption of an online virtual delivery, BCSSA is able to expand its educational offerings to include workshops for club managers, officials, volunteers, and Board of Directors.

2021 Conference Registration fees for BCSSA members:
Early Bird (February 3 – March 18) $25
Regular (March 19 – April 2) $35
Late (April 3 – 18) $40

2021 Conference Registration fees for non-BCSSA members:
Early Bird (February 3 – March 18) $30
Regular (March 19 – April 2) $40
Late (April 3 – 18) $45

Some of the Conference highlights include workshops on these topics:
- Developing Self-Compassion in Sport (presented by Nathan Reis, PhD student at the University of Saskatchewan)
- Using the LTAD for Planning & Periodization (presented by Adam Deckler, kinesiologist with the New Jersey Devils)
- “All Youth Matter: Inclusion and Diversity NCCP Training” (presented by Elisabeth Walker-Young, C.M., Paralympian gold-medal swimmer)
- Strategic Planning 101 (presented by Francis Cheung, past-VP of BCSSA)
- How to run a Swim Meet in 2021 (presented by Sean Cauley and the BCSSA 2021 Competition Task Force)
- Coaching tips and Secrets (with sub-sessions on breaststroke, relays, butterfly, water polo, and diving)
Among Many More

Also included during the conference are a variety of physical activity and social opportunities:

• Zumba work out ** (Friday @ 3:30 PM)
• “Wine & Cheese” networking* (Friday @ 6:30 PM)
  Swimming Specific Yoga* (Saturday @ 8 AM)
• Virtual Aquafit* (Saturday @ 12 Noon)
• BCSSA Trivia Game* (Saturday @ 6 PM)
• Regional Roundup* – Guided discussion groups (Saturday @ 7 PM)
• BCSSA Board Q & A* (Sunday @ 12 Noon)
  Visit https://whova.com/web/coach_202101/Agenda for a complete conference agenda

A Few Reminders:

• All athletes need to come pre-changed and leave the pool in their swimming clothes and/or an appropriate uniform.
• The pool deck will be closed to anyone but participants, staff and designated members (ie. Lifeguards).
• No equipment will be shared or borrowed therefore each swimmer will bring their own training equipment (kickboards, pull buoys, bands), towel, cap, goggles, and water bottle as water fountains are turned off.
• Only one person is permitted in the bathroom one at a time and only for emergencies. Hands will be sanitized upon returning from the bathroom. Soap, warm running water and paper towels are available in change rooms at all times.
• Social distancing must occur at all times, entering the facility, upon entry to the pool, during the swim and upon exiting the pool. No physical contact, no high 5’s, no shaking hands, and no horseplay.
• Drop Off at H20:
• With masks on, swimmers need to arrive in the foyer at Jugo Juice 10-15 min earlier than their scheduled practice times.
• Please say a quick goodbye from outside the facility as it is very important that there is no congregating of parents or caregivers. Coaches will assist the swimmers with their caps and goggles if needed.
• The swimmer’s coach will open the side door by Jugo juice and direct them to take off their socks and shoes and leave them in a roped-off area inside the side door.
• Their coach will sign them in and ask them Covid kid-friendly screening questions and apply hand sanitizer.

Drop Off at Parkinson:

• Wearing masks, swimmers need to arrive outside the facility 10-15 min before the scheduled practice time and meet by first the door that is right beside the steps of the second entrance to the facility (directly across from the playground).
• Please say a quick goodbye from outside the facility as it is very important that there is no congregating of parents or caregivers. Coaches will assist the swimmers with their caps and goggles if needed.
• Their coach will sign them in and ask them Covid kid-friendly screening questions and apply hand sanitizer.
• The facility will let the group in through this door and onto the pool deck.

Once Swimmer Enter the H20 and Parkinson:

• Swimmers will line up single file in their swim groups with their coaches leading.
• Everyone will remain 3m apart from other swimmers in the line.
• Coaches will lead the group up to the swim deck and have them leave their swim bags in a designated area.
• Then as a group, they will walk in singe-file to the family change room area to shower with soap and water.
• The group will then walk back up to the pool deck in single-file and 3m apart with their coach to the pool deck.

On Pool Deck for both H20 and Parkinson:

• Coaches will assign each swimmer a lane and position within these lanes. For example, one swimmer’s home position will be at one end of the pool, the next is in the middle of the lane and the last swimmer will be on the opposite end of the pool at the bulkhead
• Coaches will go over the practice outline and any other important information before practice

In the Pool for both H20 and Parkinson:

• Swimmers are not allowed to pass one another in order to switch a swim position or switch lanes. If they need to switch positions because of a difference in speed, they are to speak to their coach.
• Swimmers are permitted to pass by one another as they swim in a circular motion during a swim set
• If a swimmer needs to adjust their equipment, they are to tell a coach and then they will direct them to an area to get out and make the necessary adjustments.

Exiting The Pool at H20:

• Exit the water and line up in single file in your designated swim group with your coach leading.
• Swimmers will put on their masks and then quickly towel off and then pick up their swim bag and follow their coach back down to the side door in the roped-off area by Jugo Juice.
• We encourage swimmers to leave the pool in their swimming clothes and/or an appropriate uniform.
• Swimmers will put on their socks and shoes and exit into the H20 lobby.
• Parents make sure to be on time to pick up your swimmer (maximum 5 min before pick up)
• Parents please meet your swimmer on the sidewalk area in front of the H20 and leave the area immediately.

Exiting The Pool at Parkinson:

• Exit the water and line up in single file in your designated swim group with your coach leading.
• Swimmers put on their masks and then quickly towel off and then pick up their swim bag and head to the change rooms.
• We encourage swimmers to come pre-changed and leave the pool in their swimming clothes and/or an appropriate uniform; however, if needed they can use the change room to change.
• When exiting the changeroom, swimmers must wear their masks.
• Exit the facility through the facility’s main entrance.
• Parents make sure to be on time to pick up your swimmer (maximum 5 min before pick up)
• Parents please meet your swimmer out front of the facility and leave the area immediately.

Are you a current swimmer who is 14yrs of age or older and interested in becoming a coach?

Complete the Jr. Coach Application found HERE and email it to ogocommunications@gmail.com or give it to your coach.

Registration for the January to April 2021 session closes Sunday January 17th 2021

Online Database is coming in 2021!

BCSSA staff has been hard at work behind the scenes creating an online results database that will fully integrate with our existing website. We are pleased to be able to announce that this will be live on our website January 18, 2021.

The database is the result of many hours of coding and uploading results data from the 2018 and 2019 competitive seasons, completed by BCSSA Coaches Representative Lee Vanden Ham.

“It’s taken a lot of work but I really think this will move our organization forward technologically while preserving our past. BCSSA has a rich history and it is important we don’t lose it. The new database is aimed to help preserve some of that data,” said Vanden Ham.

When the database is live it will hold the results and records from only the 2018 and 2019 seasons but the plan is to continually add all the previous year meet results until we have a complete and extensive record of all competitors within BCSSA events from 1999 onward (when results are available electronically.)

We will be hosting a webinar on January 23to highlight the capabilities and limitations of the database, as well as to answer questions that you may have about how to use it effectively in building your best competitive teams.

Registration in advance is required for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscuqopzgpE9ab-X9GnRouRd2b5CX6JGzJ?mc_cid=3ec0dbd0e7&mc_eid=4959b66537

(Please note that the link sent in the December 23, 2020 e-newsletter was incorrect. The above link is correct for meeting registration.)