There is now plenty of golfing happening in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area, but what about other sports?
COVID-19 has greatly impacted just about every local sports group and organization.
Most are keeping their fingers crossed that the coronavirus pandemic will be under control soon. Their decision whether to officially start their season are mainly guided by the federal and provincial authorities.
There are those who have decided to extend possible starting dates for their respective season, while there are others that have decided not to open at all.
Among those groups is the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club, which informed members the board has decided to cancel the 2020 season in its entirety. They said it’s the recommendation from Bowls BC.
The club will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and should the situation improve, they will inform members of any changes.
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The Qualicum Beach Lawn Bowling Club has not given up yet, but has declined to collect membership fees which were due on May 1. The club president Dawn Rigg has told members they still can’t say when their season will start. Once that has been determined, they will pro-rate the membership fees and collect only the amount due.
Baseball
Baseball BC has cancelled all its major events this year.
They include the Canadian and Western Canada Championships and provincial championships.
Despite the cancellations, Baseball BC has informed all its members, including Oceanside Minor Baseball, that despite all the cancellations, that this is not to suggest they are cancelling the season. They’re still unable to give a specific possible return date or even what baseball might need to modify to return to play, which has been suspended since March.
Lacrosse.
The BC Lacrosse Association has postponed all activities. Oceanside Minor Lacrosse follows decisions made by the BCLA, which is still hoping to get the season started.
BCLA president Gerry Van Beek understands the frustration with the uncertainty of what will happen and when.
He stressed that the sport cannot afford to abandon its entire box lacrosse season as it would be detrimental and permanently damage lacrosse in the province.
“We need our lacrosse community to be as strong and united,” Van Beek said in his memo. “For the next few weeks, waiting to see what will happen will require much patience and calmness from all our members, and hopefully you, as leaders are setting that example. We must support each other now and when we get our lives back to a new normal, and that will include the game of lacrosse.”
Pickleball
The Oceanside Pickleball Club was hoping to start its season May 1. It decided to cancel the start of its 2020 season to comply with health directives regarding COVID-19. It also had to cancel its AGM last month.
Soccer
Oceanside Youth Soccer Association has cancelled its spring soccer season.
It has been informed by BC Soccer and Soccer Canada that the suspension for soccer activities have been extended until May 15 but it comes with uncertainty when the suspension will be lifted or if there will be another possible extension.
The club remains optimistic that fall soccer season will start on time and operate like it always has in the past.
Meanwhile, OYSA encourages players to keep on training at home.
“Please take the opportunities you may have to get some touches on the ball and welcome the family to get involved and stay active,” the club stated in its information to members. “If you do not have a soccer ball at home, we will be happy to give you one.”
It has a Train at Home Program online. The club intends to add videos with contests available to be won. It will be shared as useful resources through its website and Facebook page.
Here is a link to some videos provided by BC Soccer. https://www.bcsoccer.net/skill-development-activities.
Softball
Oceanside Minor Softball Association has refunded house league fees for the 2020 season but it has stressed that it does not mean they’re officially cancelling the season. At this time, OMSA has not decided to refund the fees for the rep teams for the 2020 season.
OMSA continues to work with Softball BC regarding 2020 season and fee structure.
Softball BC has extended the suspension of all sanctioned activities to June 1. They include games, practices, try-outs, clinics, camps, fundraising or face to face meetings. However, Softball BC has not cancelled provincial and regional championships.
A task force is being formed to create return to play plans should the rules for gatherings be relaxed and allow the play to continue.
Tennis
Mount Arrowsmith Tennis Club continues to suspend all activities until further notice. The tennis courts in Parksville Qualicum Beach remain locked.