Notice of Squash NS AGM – 27 Jun 2020 at 6pm via Zoom – Meeting materials published

Squash NS will hold its Annual General Meeting on 27 June 2020 via Zoom video conference from 6-7pm ADT in accordance Article 15 of the SNS Constitution and Bylaws 0f 2018 and the Direction of the Minister – Shareholder or Member meetings under a state of emergency https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/Ministers-direction-EMA-AGM.pdf

The meeting invite was sent to members via club locker email on Saturday 20 June and contained the link to the meeting, the meeting ID and password and instructions. If you intend to attend and did not receive an email invite please contact philjourdeuil@gmail.com

The proposed Agenda follows:

  1. Welcome and Introductions
  2. Approve Agenda
  3. Approve Minutes of the 2019 AGM
  4. Receive the Presidents Report
  5. Receive the Treasurer’s Report
  6. Approve Annual Dues, Membership Classes and Discounts
  7. Update on Event Sanctioning, Athlete and Team Selection Policies and 2020-21 Competitive Calendar
  8. Covid Response
  9. Election of Directors
  10. Award Recipients
  11. New Business
  12. Adjournment

Meeting materials are available here https://nssquash.ca/board-activity/agms/2019-20-agm/

Updated – Squash Return to Play Guidelines for Nova Scotia

Hello everyone,

After consultation with Sport Canada, Squash Canada, Sport Nova Scotia, the Provincial Squash Associations in the Provinces and Territories, review by the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, and approval by the Board of Directors of Squash Nova Scotia I am pleased to release the following Return to Play Guidelines for the sport of squash.

So what does that mean? It means that can we play again as soon as your club can prepare, approve and communicate a plan to operate under these guidelines and the provincial public health restrictions in force.

Although Squash Nova Scotia will not be inspecting facilities and monitoring compliance, Public Health will and clubs should be aware of the impact of non-compliance with fines of up to $1000 for individuals and $7500 for businesses being levied for each COVID-19 incident.With the Premier’s further relaxing of the COVID-19 Restrictions today I am pleased to provide an update on the implementation of the approved Return to Play Guidelines. Whereas before play was to be limited to solo play or drill and match play within a two family bubble.  We are now happy to announce that you could proceed to implement phase three of the guidelines which includes two strangers drilling or playing modified games which maintain the physical distance of two meters, but also of play between two members of the same 10 person social group who are not practicing physical distancing. We will let you know if anything changes.

Clubs are also reminded to check with their insurance provider as Squash Canada learned, for example, that their General Comprehensive Liability policy has an exclusion for pandemic, as they were advised is the case with most policies,.  Their Director’s & Officers Liability Policy does not specifically exclude claims relating to a pandemic.  Do you know what your policies might and might not cover?

Clubs should not reopen if they are not ready to do so safely. A risk assessment tool is included here. The recommended process to reopen a squash facility includes:
  • The facility’s Board or Management having discussions about how to provide a safe environment for your members within the context of Provincial Health and Sport guidelines and those of Squash NS.
  • Creating a plan to ensure that you provide an ongoing safe environment for your members and everything has been accounted for before opening the doors.
  • Ensuring that you clearly communicate to your members what is happening and their obligations to ensure they maintain a safe environment at your club.
  • Bringing your plan to life and ensure people are responsible for each ongoing action.
  • Routinely checking that your plan is being implemented as designed and based on good practice. If it’s not adjust it.

Here are the  Return to Squash Guidelines approved by the Board of Directors of Squash NS in two categories:

  1. Player guidelines
  2. Organizational guidelines for facilities and coaches

Some useful solo and socially distanced drills are included for coaches.

Please address questions on these guidelines to Phil Jourdeuil. Please address questions about your facility’s reopening plans to them.

People affiliated with Squash NS on ClubLocker and who have opted in to receive communications will have received an email with information on the reopening guidelines.

Many thanks,

Phil Jourdeuil,

President Squash NS

 

COVID-19 Update

On 1 May 2020Nova Scotia extended the provincial state of emergency to noon on the 17th of May. At the same time it did ease restrictions somewhat to allow some new activity https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restriction-updates/

On 2 May 2020 your board of directors met and approved a 180 day extension to existing Squash NS memberships. This reflects the cancellation of the remains of the competitive season and the expectation that competitive squash is unlikely to be available until the start of the 2020-21 season.  This has been implemented and your club locker account should now show a revised membership expiration date.

Squash NS has been working with Squash Canada to put together guidelines for return to squash after the pandemic for players and facilities and organizations.  These will be made available as soon as they are finalized and approved by the Board.

COVID-19 Update

Hi everyone,

I hope that everyone’s is staying safe and healthy in this uncertain environment.

Since the province of NS extended its State of Emergency to the 3rd of May, and there is little expectation that even if the state of emergency is not renewed then, there is little expectation that clubs will be in a position to reopen and host squash leagues.   Squash NS is cancelling league play for the remainder of this season.

As Squash Canada is still hoping to be able to run 2020 Canadian Masters, Senior and U23 Championships in the the November timeframe, we are going to continue to list the 2020 NS Open and Atlantics as postponed, with the hope to run them in the month preceding the nationals if they are held.  If Squash Canada formally cancels the 2020 Canadian Masters, Senior and U23 Championships, we will follow suit and cancel the NS Open and Atlantics.

In the meantime if you miss squash, check out #SquashedInside !

 

Squash Canada Webinars

Squash Canada is holding a number of webinars which might be of interest

Simplify your game & training for better results ** Open to Juniors Only
Synopsis: Learn the areas to prioritize to get the maximum out of your training & practice
Cost: Free
Presenter: Martin Heath, Squash Canada High Performance Director
Date: Wednesday April 22, 2020
Time: Noon to 1:00PM EST
To Register – Click Here
Tips for Applying to US College** Open to all interested 
Synopsis: Advice for student-athletes & parents to navigate college application process & choice
Cost: Free
Presenter: Martin Heath, Squash Canada High Performance Director
Date: Wednesday April 29, 2020
Time: Noon to 1:00PM EST
To Register – Click Here
SC Coach PD Session: Understanding Officiating for Coaches
Synopsis: Explains what  Referees are looking for in terms of player movement  relate to the striker playing the ball and non-striker clearing, to help coaches train players for success.
Cost 15.25
Presenter: Dave Howard, Canadian National and Pan American Regional Referee
Date:  Thursday April 30th, 2020
Time: Noon to 1:00PM EST
SC Coach PD Session: Developing High Performance Habits
Synopsis:  Train Smart by developing HP Habits that are LTPD based, support healthy mindsets, flexibility and creativity, and a positive training study balance. Includes facility and personnel requirements.
Cost: $15.25
Presenter: Presenter: Martin Heath, Squash Canada High Performance Director
Date: Wednesday May 20th, 2020
Time: Noon to 1:00PM EST