EN Commitment to Safe Sport

Water Polo Canada adheres to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. Learn more…

Return to Sport Plan 2021 

COVID-19 VACCINES UPDATE – NOVEMBER 25, 2021

CONSISTENT WITH WATER POLO CANADA AND FACILITY MANDATES, ALL 12+ YEAR OLD ATHLETES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE MUST BE FULLY- VACCINATED TO PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICES, SWIM MEETS AND WATER POLO TOURNAMENTS.

Coaches reserve the right to remove any athlete who refuses to adhere to these policies and procedures. Please take them seriously. No refunds will be issued if there is a failure to comply.

Dual Sport Athletes

All Capital Wave athletes in the dual sport program must adhere to the rules of Water Polo Canada and Swim Canada.

All registrants of the dual sport programs (Junior Waves and 13U Competitive) must complete the following forms via their Swimming Canada registration system account for the 2021-22 season and be fully registered: Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk;  COVID-19 Attestation; Rowan’s Law requirements.

If a dual-sport athlete tests positive for COVID-19, they must inform Swim Ontario Report by completing the Incident/Injury Report Online Form.

Pre-Training

  • Athletes will arrive at designated time for each training session.  
    • They must not arrive earlier or later than the designated arrival period.
    • Athletes will complete the daily self-screening protocol before entering the training environment.
    • Athletes must follow all facility rules (covid safety rules and health regulations)
    • Athletes will only bring training equipment that is required.  
    • Athletes are required to bring their own pre-filled water bottle.
  • Athletes are expected to have reviewed workout expectations before arriving at the pool.
  • Athletes will place bags 2m apart in designated area.  
  • Athletes must wear a mask at all times except when in the water.

Training 

  • Athletes will start/stop training sets at opposite ends and middle of the pool, ensuring physical distancing is maintained at all times.
  • Athletes will maintain same lane grouping at all times.
  • Athletes will maintain appropriate distance from each other at all times while in the pool.

After Training

  • Athletes are not permitted to leave equipment at the pool.
  • Athletes will clean their equipment with disinfectant pre and post training sessions.
  • Athletes will leave the pool immediately after training, ensuring that physical distancing is maintained at all times.

Safe Sport

  • An Open and observable environment will be maintained at all times.  
  • At no time will a coach/staff be alone with a single athlete. 
  • Open and Observable environments will apply  to online communication. All forms of electronic communication (email, text, Zoom, Skype, etc.) will never be in the form of a one-on-one interaction and will always be done in a group setting.

Mandatory Screening (regardless of vaccination status)

COVID screening will be conducted for all participants daily by the club and/or facility prior to the activity.

All club COVID screening and attendance data for all participants (coaches, swimmers, service providers, volunteers etc.) will be stored in a secure manner for a period of 10 years.

Participants should not attend the activity if they: are currently diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19; have been notified by Ottawa Health that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and told to self-isolate; have been told by a doctor, health care provider, or public health unit to self-isolate; do not pass self screening.

Prior to each practice, parents and athletes MUST complete the following health assessment TOGETHER and no earlier than 24 HOURS prior to their practice. Please save a copy of the assessment as a screenshot or pdf for your records. Each copy must be saved for 3 weeks for tracking purposes by OPH and Capital Wave should it be needed. Athletes and parents do not need to bring a copy or show their completed assessment. They will simply screen and ask them.

Should the self-assessment results indicate that the participant should self-isolate and/or be tested for COVID-19, the following must occur:

ATHLETE MUST STAY HOME.

Notification of the self-assessment results sent to covid@capitalwave.ca
Follow the directions of Ottawa Public Health.

In the event that an athlete or staff member test positive for Covid-19, the following must occur:

ATHLETE MUST STAY HOME.

The individual must notify the club at covid@capitalwave.ca
The club will notify the Pool Supervisor of the facility the individual trained at.
The team will be notified and will follow directions of health officials as to next steps.
The individual will require proof of medical clearance prior to returning to the team or any club events.

All participants should monitor their health during an activity, and if they feel ill or experience signs or symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild) they must leave the activity and contact their medical provider (doctor/nurse practitioner) or Ottawa Health to consider the appropriateness of further investigations.  Further investigations may include a test for COVID-19.   If home isolation is required, all Ottawa Health instructions must be followed.

CITY OF OTTAWA POOLS (BMRC, BREWER, NEPEAN, SAWMILL CREEK):

All athletes:

  • Complete self-assessment before EVERY practice (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/) – Coaches will ensure all athletes have completed self-assessment and keep attendance. NO need to print or show self-assessment to the coaches as they will ask each athlete VERBALLY. It is the responsibility of the athlete to answer honestly.
  • Ensure you have all your gear in your bag including goggles and a full water bottle
  • Ensure that you are there 15 minutes early – NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED LATE
  • Ensure you are masked and maintain social distance – do not remove your mask until the coach tells you to

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

DROP OFF AND PICKUP POINT IS THE SIDEWALK ACROSS FROM THE HANDICAP PARKING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS TO MONTPETIT HALL – Google Maps

Junior Waves and under 12 (2010 and younger who cannot be vaccinated but not including accommodations):

  • COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration Online Tool does not work for athletes under 12
  • Complete self-assessment before EVERY practice (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/) – Coaches will ensure all athletes have completed self-assessment and keep attendance. NO need to print or show self-assessment to the coaches as they will ask each athlete VERBALLY. It is the responsibility of the athlete to answer honestly.
  • Ensure you have all your gear in your bag including goggles and a full water bottle
  • Ensure that you are there 15 minutes early – NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED LATE
  • Ensure you are masked and maintain social distance – do not remove your mask until the coach tells you to

All athletes 12+ (2009 and older):

  • Sign up for Ottawa U’s COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration Online Tool (https://www.uottawa.ca/coronavirus/en/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination) – ensure you register a few days in advance of your first practice at Ottawa U as it may take at least 24 hours for the registration to become active; you must load proof of vaccination – both proof of vaccine receipts are required separately
  • Complete Covid Assessment Tool – OTHER (https://cst.uottawa.ca/en/csa) before EVERY practice at OttawaU – sign in and complete the DAILY HEALTH CHECK IN – type “NONE” in contact and “Montpetit Hall – pool” in Name of Buildings – answer the questions and get the result – ONLY ATTEND IF YOU GET THE MESSAGE THAT YOU MAY PROCEED TO CAMPUS TODAY.
  • Ensure you have all your gear in your bag including goggles and a full water bottle
  • Ensure that you are there 15 minutes early – NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED LATE
  • Ensure you are masked and maintain social distance – do not remove your mask until the coach tells you to

CARLETON UNIVERSITY

Under 12 (2010 and younger who cannot be vaccinated but not including accommodations):

  • Athletes under the age of 12 need to complete a Covid-19 Screening Form which will be stored in the system – a pool rental screening form will be compiled by the Coach for all athletes which will have a QR code assigned

All athletes 12+ (2009 and older):

  • All athletes 12+ must attest to receiving their first dose by September 8 and their second does no later than October 15, 2021
  • Sign up at Carleton University (https://carleton.ca/covid19/cuscreen/?mc_cid=1c629dabe7&mc_eid=6e12198f27) VISITORS (NO MC1) – CREATE NEW ACCOUNT
  • Follow the steps to sign up for a new account on THRIVE HEALTH and load your proof of vaccination – both proof of vaccine receipts are required separately
  • Before EVERY practice at Carleton, log in to thrive health account and choose COMPLETE COVID-19 SELF ASSESSMENTS – ensure you receive the green “Based on your answers, you may continue to come to Carleton University as planned. This self-assessment does not confirm a negative diagnosis of COVID-19.”
  • Ensure you have all your gear in your bag including goggles and a full water bottle
  • Ensure that you are there 15 minutes early – NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED LATE
  • Ensure you are masked and maintain social distance – do not remove your mask until the coach tells you to
  • EACH individual will do the attestation (at the Carleton website), confirming they are eligible to go to practice – Coaches will keep track of those that attend the practice (Coaches and athletes). YOU DO NOT NEED TO GET A QR CODE

Mandatory Waivers

All athletes must have the proper waivers filled out upon registration and before their first practice. Please click here to find the necessary Waivers documents.

Carleton & Ottawa University Vaccination Mandates

Equipment Procedure and Requirements

Athletes are expected to bring their own equipment this year with the exceptions of water polo nets. Each athlete will use their own set of goggles, balls, and fins (only applies to certain groups). Athletes cannot share equipment (except balls for passing while in the water). It is expected that all athlete equipment will be brought home and thoroughly cleaned after each practice (balls, goggles, fins, and water bottles). For each practice, each athlete must bring the following items or coaches will have the option of sitting the athletes out:

Face MASK (on at all times unless instructed by the coaches to remove)
Their own water polo BALL
Changed in their BATHING SUITS
GOGGLES
Filled water BOTTLE

To purchase limited supplies of club masks, suits, and water polo balls, please click here.

Athletes cannot share equipment. It is expected that all athlete equipment will be brought home and thoroughly cleaned after each practice . For each practice, each athlete must bring the following itemss or coaches will have the option of sitting the athletes out:

Face MASK (on at all times unless instructed by the coaches to remove)
Their own water polo BALL
Changed in their BATHING SUITS – jammers or briefs for boys, one-piece for girls, no swim shirts
GOGGLES
FINS
PULL BUOY/KICK BOARD
Filled water BOTTLE

To purchase equipment click here.

Pool Procedures

1. Arrive 15 minutes prior to start of practice and line up at designated doors (3 meters apart).
2. Parents cannot enter the facility and should not crowd the pool entrance (this includes close parking spaces for coaches).
3. Athletes must maintain 3 meter physical distancing rules at all times.
4. Coaches will explain to the athletes the proper procedures to enter and exit the facility on the first day.
5. Athletes should shower at home prior to practice and upon returning home.
6. Athletes should arrive with their training suits on as change-rooms are not available upon arrival. They should plan to leave with their bathing suits on as well.
7. Lockers, hairdryers (wall mounted or personal), and showers are NOT to be used.
8. Masks are to be worn at all times except when lining up to enter the water and in the water.
9. Upon practice arrival, coaches will ask for verbal confirmation of the completion of the health self-assessment and ask if they are healthy. Athletes should only be showing up to practice if they are cleared by the self-assessment online form.
10. Athletes must sanitize their hands at the hand-sanitizer stations upon entering facility.
11. Belongings must be placed on deck at their designated zone (instructed by the coaches), identified by the pool supervisor. NOTE – in case of inclement weather at outdoor pools, athletes should be prepared to place belongings in a large plastic bag to keep contents dry. During winter, athletes will be required to put outdoor shoes on either bins provided by the facility (such as Sawmill Creek and BMRC) or shelves (such as Brewer Pool)
12. Parents must follow physical distancing guidelines outside of the facility while waiting for their athletes
13. There is absolutely no horsing around at any time, in or out of the water. Athletes will be asked to leave the pool if they do not follow the rules and can be subject to expulsion of summer camps.
14. If parents leave during practice, they are asked to be on time for pick up as we are not allowed to “hang around” after our allotted time. This is so that other groups can get into the pool for their time. After the athletes exit the facility doors at the end of practice time, the athletes are no longer the responsibility of the coaches
15. After practice, athletes will be able to change quickly in the changing room and showers should be taken at home to reduce time in the changing room. Please respect the 10 minutes that the coaches are allowing athletes to change. (NOT AN OPTION FOR SUMMER CAMPS)

  • After entering the facility, club coaches and athletes will head up to the viewing gallery to the designated zone to drop off their belongings and bags.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will make their way up to the viewing gallery, grab their bags (outdoors shoes are to be left in viewing gallery) and walk back down the set of stairs to enter the appropriate changeroom.
  • Athletes are to only put their belongings on the benches in the changerooms on the blue checkmarks
  • Athletes will have 15mins max to shower and change and exit the facility
  • When they are done in the changeroom, athletes will make their way back up to their spot, grab all outdoor clothing and proceed to exit the facility
  • The new entrance AND exit to Brewer Pool faces Sloan Avenue and can be accessed by the following two options:
    • Intersection of Bronson & Sunnyside
      • Turn right onto Sloan Avenue
    • Intersection of Bronson & Brewer Way
      • Turn left at the stop sign, and right around the bend to access Sloan Avenue
  • The following roads are closed with barricades set up blocking all traffic flow and parking: Hopewell, Glen and Grove (west of Seneca). Only local traffic is allowed on these roads—please ensure you are not accessing these roads
  • While parking is permitted on the east side of Sloan, we ask that you do not park there to allow for a clear pick up and drop off zone. Please do not hang around to chat as there will be other groups needing the space to drop off. Please allow our coaches to have room to park as well
  • NO parking is permitted on the neighbouring streets and those residents are closely monitoring the situation as the Covid-19 testing site has set everyone in that area on edge. NO parking is permitted in the Covid-19 testing site parking (the original pool/arena parking lot). NO parking is permitted at the former Westboro Academy
  • Other parking options include: parking at Carleton University (free for Spring 2021) or the South Brewer Park parking lot near the Rideau River
  • The Green arrow in the diagram below points at the “new entrance”

  • Athletes and coaches will meet outside the roundabout entrance as shown on the map 15 minutes before the scheduled practice. Everyone will sign in and enter together 10 minutes before practice.
  • Parents are allowed to park in the parking lot if they choose to
  • After entering the facility, club coaches and athletes will sign in and head downstairs to the main pool lobby while they wait for the lifeguards to let them in. Athletes must respect the 3 meter circles and stay put. No bouncing the ball around or horsing around will be tolerated. Once allowed in, athletes will place their belongings in a bin provided by the pool.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will be assigned to the changing rooms and they can quickly change and exit the facility the same way they came in.

  • The pool door will be opened by a lifeguard 10 minutes before our booking and our group will be admitted together at the same time. Coaches ask athletes to arrive at the pool 15 mins before the practice starts and can wait in their cars if needed. We will then enter all at once.
  • During winter athletes will each take a blue bin to put their outdoor shoes (boots or no boots)
  • Parents are allowed to park in the parking lot if they choose to
  • After entering the facility, club coaches and athletes will go through the family changing room and place their belongings under a green check mark and wait for instructions.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will be head into their respective changing rooms where they can quickly change and exit the facility the same way they came in.

  • Athletes and coaches will meet outside the main entrance as shown on the map 15 minutes before the scheduled practice. Everyone will sign in and enter together 10 minutes before practice.
  • Parents are allowed to park in the parking lot if they choose to
  • After entering the facility, club coaches and athletes will enter through the main lobby and enter right into the pool deck where they will place their belongings 3 meter apart from everyone.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will go into their respective changing rooms and they can quickly change and exit the facility through the exit door.

  • Athletes are asked to line up and wait for coaches to enter together.
  • Parents are allowed to park in the parking lot if they choose to
  • Again, no parents can enter the facility
  • After entering the facility, club coaches and athletes will head up through the main lobby and enter through the main doors. They will place their belongings in their designated mapped zone and place it on the green check marks.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will make their way up to the stands, grab their bags, put their masks on, and walk back down the set of stairs to enter the appropriate change room.
  • Athletes will have 15 mins max to shower and change and exit the facility through the exit doors from the main entrance.

DROP OFF AND PICKUP POINT IS THE SIDEWALK ACROSS FROM THE HANDICAP PARKING NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS TO MONTPETIT HALL – Google Maps

  • Special instructions regarding COVID-19
  • Coaches will screen athletes prior to going down the stairs to the main desk where the Ottawa University staff will let them go through.
  • Parents are allowed to park in the parking lot if they choose to (recommended to drop off and pick up)
  • Again, no parents can enter the facility
  • Athletes are to place their belongings 2 meters apart on deck.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will make their way through the changing rooms.
  • Athletes will have 15 mins max to shower and change and exit the facility through the exit doors from the main entrance.

  • Special instructions regarding COVID-19
  • Athletes are asked to line up and wait for coaches to enter together.
  • Parents are allowed to park in the parking lot if they choose to
  • Again, no parents can enter the facility
  • After entering the facility, club coaches and athletes will head up through the main lobby and enter through the main doors. They will place their belongings in their designated mapped zone and place it on the green check marks.
  • Once the practice is completed, athletes will make their way up to the stands, grab their bags, put their masks on, and walk back down the set of stairs to enter the appropriate change room.
  • Athletes will have 15 mins max to shower and change and exit the facility through the exit doors from the main entrance.