Please see below for any WSA COVID-19 updates.

As of March 1st, 2022 Update

The Alberta Government has entered Step 2 on March 1. The following changes came into effect at that time.

  • Any remaining school requirements removed (for example: Kindergarten to grade 6 cohorting).
  • Youth screening activities for entertainment and sport activities removed.
  • Capacity on all large venues and entertainment venues lifted.
  • Restrictions lifted on interactive activities, table limits, liquor sales and closing times for bars, restaurants and other food serving businesses.
  • Indoor and outdoor social gathering limits lifted, including for all wedding and funeral events.
  • Mandatory work-from-home requirements lifted.
  • Provincial mask mandate lifted except:
    • on municipal and intra-provincial public transit for Albertans 13 and older
    • at AHS-operated and contracted facilities, and all continuing care settings

Masks

  • The provincial mask mandate has been lifted for most settings, except:
    • on municipal and intra-provincial public transit for Albertans 13 and older
    • at all AHS operated and contracted facilities
    • at all continuing care settings
    • continuous masking must be followed for up to 5 days following mandatory isolation due to COVID infection for vaccinated individuals. For more information, see the isolation page.
  • If a person chooses to wear one, masks should fit well and be of high quality. People at risk of severe outcomes should wear medical masks when in settings with people outside of their household.

September 23rd, 2021 Update On Monday, September 20th, 2021 the Alberta Government put into place new restrictions to limit sport and recreation participation. They have also introduced a restrictions exemption program. Please visit the Alberta Government website for more information on these restrictions. We have done our best to interpret the restrictions with the comments below:

Sports: Facilities– we need to work with the facilities where we are renting space. We are anticipating that all facilities will comply with the exemption restrictions method to keep their businesses open at full capacity. However, it is their choice how they choose to operate. The first thing to do is to check with your facility to get confirmation of what their intentions are. 
Sports: Under 18 years old– they do not need to provide proof of vaccination, however when these individuals are not participating in physical activity they must social distance (2m) and be masked. Spectators are permitted to enter without proof of vaccination as long as they are masked and social distanced (2m).
Sports: 18 years and older– athletes may participate by providing proof of:               – vaccination status (only 1 dose will be accepted from sept 20-oct 25th as long as their first dose is at least 14 days before the activity, after oct 25th every individual must have 2 doses)              – medical exemptions              – negative test results within 24 hours
Sports: MIXED AGES– We have received confirmation from the ministry that we are able to have mixed age groups participating together- we must treat the respective age groups by their own restrictions


Again, we are just trying to provide some clarification on the restrictions put out by the government. Our organizations MUST COMPLY with the government restrictions, however they have given us a choice. 

February 8th, 2021 Update

On Saturday February 6th, the Alberta Government lifted restrictions on youth team training. We are very excited that we are beginning to return to sport and we hope that soon everyone will be able to be back on the court, ice, and track! Please read below for specific details and please note that games are still not allowed. For more information please visit the Government of Alberta’s Website

November 25th, 2020 Update

The Alberta Sledge December 28-30 camp has been cancelled. With all the new restrictions by Alberta, WSA and Hockey Alberta, Alberta Sledge is unable to host this event for the safety of the players and staff.  Alberta Sledge will keep working on and hoping that they will be able to host some kind of event in 2021.  Please continue to monitor WSA’s website and social media channels for further updates.

November 24th, 2020 Update

The Government of Alberta has announced further restrictions for all organized sports and group fitness programs beginning November 27th. Due to this announcement, WSA will not permit any wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby activities until further notice. For other sports please contact your PSO. Please continue to stay safe and we look forward to the opportunity to run our programs again in the future.

November 12th, 2020 Update

The Government of Alberta has announced new, temporary restrictions for two weeks starting Friday November 13th, including a two-week pause on group fitness and sports activities. Due to this announcement, WSA will not permit any wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby activities. For other sports please contact your PSO.

Para-Athletics: Please visit Athletics Alberta website
Wheelchair Tennis: Please visit Tennis Alberta’s website
Para Ice Hockey: Please visit Hockey Alberta’s website

September 9th, 2020 Update
Wheelchair Basketball and Alberta Sledge Update

Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair Sports Alberta has decided to postpone the October 3rd & 4th Talent ID wheelchair basketball camp that was to be held at Leduc Recreation Centre. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic and current Alberta Health Services zoning guidelines for Return to Sport we are unable to host the camp for all interested Junior age Albertans.  As everyone cannot all train together just yet the Talent ID has been postponed and will be rescheduled as soon as zone restrictions are lifted.

Alberta Sledge
It has been decided that WSA and Alberta Sledge will not be able to host the Team Alberta Tryouts in October. The current methods that Rec Centres are using with regard to athletes, dressing room use and use of other areas makes it impossible for Alberta Sledge to successfully hold this event. We will monitor this situation with the hope holding our tryouts in late December.

July 20th, 2020 Update
WSA Phase Two Approach

Since the launch of phase two from the Government of Alberta’s relaunch strategy (https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-relaunch-strategy.aspx) we have an opportunity to engage in competitive sport. Please note that the Government of Alberta’s guidelines are always to be adhered to and follow online closely to stay up to date on changes. Please see below for some sport specific approaches to safe participation.

Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby
Please adhere to the Government of Alberta guidelines on phase two, follow all restrictions.

If your organization is not prepared to start indoor or contact activities, some strategies instead could be outdoor team pushes, shooting hoops outdoors, or team drills while managing contact.

Please note that exceptions can be made in certain situations. For approval to start practicing please email Jen at jen@wheelchairsportsalberta.com
 
Para-Athletics – Follow Athletics Alberta updates on their website
Wheelchair Tennis – Follow Tennis Alberta updates on their website
Para ice hockey – Follow Hockey Alberta updates on their website

June 4th, 2020 Update
WSA Phase One Approach

With the launch of phase one from the Government of Alberta’s relaunch strategy (https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-relaunch-strategy.aspx) we have an opportunity to start participating in our first stage of returning to sport. Please note that the Government of Alberta’s guidelines are to be followed at all times and please follow them closely to stay up to date on changes. Please see below for some sport specific approaches to safe participation.

Para-Athletics: Please visit Athletics Alberta website
Wheelchair Tennis: Please visit Tennis Alberta’s website
Para Ice Hockey: Please visit Hockey Alberta’s website

Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby:

March 15th, 2020 Update
Dear Members,

Wheelchair Sports Alberta takes the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, and families very seriously. Due to the advisement of the Government of Alberta to stop all activities in the province for persons living in the “high risk” population, WSA is cancelling all WSA sanctioned activities in Alberta until further notice, effective March 13, 2020. We are working with our national sport bodies, the Government of Alberta, and Sport Canada when making decisions.

Please note that WSA sanctioned events include league activities, practices, camps, and championships.

Please let us know what questions you have, and we will do our best to get you answers right away.

We will get through this. Can’t wait to see you all on the court, track, and ice in the near future!

Sincerely,

Wheelchair Sports Alberta