Dear Members, 

As we face the realities of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are working with our Provincial Rowing Associations and Federal Sport Partners to ensure our rowing communities are supported during these unprecedented times. There is a lot of uncertainty during these challenging times.  

We are working diligently to develop organizational contingency plans and offer similar planning support to our member clubs and organizations. We are in this together.  

With this in mind, we are providing the following updates.  

– Terry Dillon, RCA Chief Executive Officer 

Annual Declaration and Dues and Fees 

We have modified our Annual Declaration process in light of our changing landscape due to the impact of COVID-19. The membership should expect to hear from RCA the week of April 6th outlining the requirements that need to be completed in the short-term. 

We continue to establish options for 2020-2021 Dues and Fees that are considerate of the reality that our membership is experiencing and the need for RCA to continue to offer essential services and insurance coverages, and maintain membership support.  

We know that our member organizations are in the process of financial planning that requires insight on the RCA Dues and Fees and we want to assure you that we consider the need to finalize these decisions a very high priority. We appreciate your patience as we work through the remaining details required for us to provide you this information.  

Web Registration 

The RCA Web Registration System is open for the creation of club programs for the 2020-2021 year. 

The RCA participant fee is currently set at $24. Should any future decisions in response to COVID-19 impact the participant fee, please be assured that RCA will address this with the membership retroactively.   

Insurance 

It is RCA’s current understanding that RCA sanctioned rowing activity, which is not impacted by a local cessation mandate, is covered under our existing insurance provision.  

While all provinces and jurisdictions across Canada are taking steps to mitigate the risks associated with conditions created by COVID-19, we recognize that these requirements are not uniform. There are an increasing number of areas in Canada where there exists a mandatory requirement to close facilities and cease collective activity. Member organizations are advised to keep themselves informed and strictly adhere to local mandates and requirements. We have been advised by our insurer that RCA member organizations must abide by the COVID-19 related requirements of their jurisdiction to ensure continued insurance coverage.   

Many of our member organizations are transitioning programming to an online model to keep their community engaged.  

Some of the prescribed activity may not provide the degree of supervision and appropriate oversight that is expected for our typical sanctioned rowing activity. Additionally, it is unlikely that these venues where individuals are participating have been assessed in relation to meeting safety standards.  

RCA is seeking further clarity on what types of activities will be covered by our insurance, and we are also preparing disclaimers for use by member organizations when necessary. More information will be available the week of April 6th, 2020. 

A reminder that all individuals – including participants and coaches – must be registered in the RCA Web Registration System to ensure insurance coverage for sanctioned rowing activity.  

We are preparing to host a webinar on Tuesday April 7th at 12pmPT/3pmET to address your insurance-related questions and concerns. Stay tuned for details.  

National Events 

At this time, we have not made any decisions related to the delivery of our National Events for 2020-2021. We are in contact with the relevant local organizing committees. We will update you with information as it becomes available. The safety and well-being of our communities remains paramount in our decision making.  

Financial Support for Clubs and Organizations 

In recent weeks there have been a number of announcements from both the provincial and national governments to address the economic impact of COVID-19 for individuals and organizations. Please visit this resource to remain up to date on all announcements.   

We recognize it can be challenging to understand how some of these initiatives can apply to member organizations. We will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday April 7th to provide an overview and to address your questions related to these initiatives. Webinar details will be circulated tomorrow. 

High Performance 

On March 22nd, RCA, along with all Canadian Sport Organizations, endorsed the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees’ recommendation to the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees, calling for the need to postpone the dates of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

Following these discussions and based on information provided by expertise within the fields of public health and high performance sport, RCA’s High Performance (HP) Team made the challenging and ethically sound decision to close the National Training Centre (NTC) effective March 23rd. This decision was made in light of the rapidly changing landscape related to the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of ensuring the health and well-being of everyone involved in delivering a safe and healthy high performance environment.  

RCA recognizes that the decision to close the NTC may be a disappointing outcome; however, based on the information and public health directives, it is the right decision for the safety of everyone, including our rowing community and the public at large. RCA’s HP program will continue to work closely with RCA’s (and the COC’s) Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mike Wilkinson, and the Canadian Sport Medicine Advisory Committee to advise on any further contingencies.   

RCA has provided ergs and spin bikes to all Olympic and Paralympic Camp athletes living in close proximity to the NTC and has further offered all camp athletes, coaches and HP staff the opportunity to relocate to be with their families in their hometowns, highlighting the risk that travel may have on being exposed to or transmitting COVID-19 and the further requirement for mandatory isolation for a period of 14 days upon arrival at their home environments. For athletes relocating outside of BC, RCA encouraged them to reach out to their home clubs for support in accessing equipment to train in isolation.  

RCA’s HP program will continue to work closely with our performance partners to monitor this situation and its impact on high performance sport nationally and internationally.

Upcoming 

RCA is designing a series of webinars and engagement initiatives to keep you informed and connected with the entire Canadian rowing community.  Stay tuned for more information on topics and how to join us. 

“Stay at home and stay safe.”