Calgary Minor Sports Groups Will Continue To Play, Adapt To COVID-19 Restrictions In 2022 | The Canadian News

It was a busy start to the New Year at the Calgary West Soccer Center in northwest Calgary.

Eighty-three youth teams from across Alberta played in the annual Winter Classic Tournament. With the increase in cases of Omicron variants, some parents and gamers were surprised that it was celebrated this year.

“I was a bit surprised that the schools weren’t coming back. But I think it’s very positive for the kids to continue this and keep playing, ”said Courtney Dias, who traveled from Edmonton to have her daughter play in the tournament.

Capacity at the Calgary West Soccer Center is now limited to 50 percent, which means that only one spectator per player is allowed on the premises.

Proof of vaccination is required to enter and spectators and players are required to wear masks at all times. Team officials and referees may remove their masks when they are actively on the field.

There are no open food and beverage services and food consumption is not allowed on site due to restrictions announced in late December.

Hockey fans were disappointed with the cancellation of the annual Mac’s U18 AAA tournament and the World Juniors tournament.

However, Hockey Calgary released an updated information bulletin on December 31 stating that all league games beginning January 2, 2022 will operate as scheduled and that Esso Minor Hockey Week, which is scheduled to begin on January 7, 2022. January, will operate with the opening. ceremonies to be reduced.

In the newsletter, Hockey Calgary also reminds families of the importance of mask requirements.

“Many of these requirements were implemented in late August, but over the course of the past four months, we have seen a reduction in compliance with these restrictions,” said Hockey Calgary.

The organization now requires that all coaches and team personnel wear a mask at all times while on and off the ice. This includes the dressing room area and the players bench.

The referees have been instructed to stop play and ask the coaches to put on a mask or to leave the bench if they do not comply with the mask requirement.

Coaches must also wear a mask at all times when on the ice during practice time.

Parents at the weekend soccer tournament in Calgary said they were happy the kids were still in the game, even though the return to school was delayed.

“At first we were a bit hesitant, but we cannot ignore the social needs of children. Sports are an emotional and physical outlet. Exercise is really key to mental health, “said Darla Wutzke.

Terrence Kowalchuk is a father and assistant coach who traveled with his family from Medicine Hat to attend the tournament.

“For young people, mental health is very important at this time. Opportunities for children to get together, play and have fun, ”said Kowalchuk.

“The organizing committee did an incredible job. They kept the players and the referees safe. It was a great experience for our boys. “

Esso Golden Ring tournament canceled

The Esso Golden Ring tournament has been canceled due to the uncertainty surrounding the increasing number of COVID-19 infections. The tournament was scheduled for January 14-16 in Calgary.

There would be 163 teams scheduled to compete in the Esso Golden Ring. Of the teams registered to participate, 46 of them were traveling from Alberta, while 18 were from outside the province.

In a statement, the tournament committee said they were devastated to make the announcement.

“The health and safety of our participants is of course important to us, but with the Omicron variant increasing in the number of cases, it led to more and more people facing mandatory isolation requirements,” said the tournament president. , Kate Coolidge.

“We couldn’t predict which teams would be forced to withdraw, which groups would fall short and whether we could replace any volunteer or referee shifts left empty.”

Coolidge added that Ringette Calgary has had a fairly regular season to date with many tournaments taking place during the 2021/22 season.

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