2021 Minor Lacrosse Tournaments Eliminated
The Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Invitational Tournament Committee members announced that traditional minor box lacrosse tournaments will not take place this season.
The assumption is the announcement will mean the traditional Owen Sound NorthStars Father’s Day Weekend Classic will not be conducted in 2021.
The decision was based on the current COVID-19 scenario in Ontario, along with public health limitations and the OLA’s Return to Activity / Return to Play Guidelines
The O.L.A. is hopeful for spring, summer and fall play, and the tournament committee is working to prepare options that fit within the Return to Activity & Return to Play Guidelines,
Ontario Lacrosse Association Release
As COVID-19 continues to cause uncertainty moving forward into the season, it is the decision of the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Invitational Tournament Committee members that minor box lacrosse tournaments as we know them will not take place this season.
This decision was carefully considered based on the current environment, as well as applicable Provincial/Regional public health limitations and the OLA’s Return to Activity / Return to Play Guidelines. With consideration given to the current state of the province, coupled with uncertainty over potential future restrictions, the ability for the OLA to conduct tournaments as we would in a typical season will not be realistically possible.
That said, there is reason to remain hopeful for spring, summer and fall play, and our tournament committee is working to prepare two options that fit within the OLA’s Return to Activity / Return to Play Guidelines, as well as a number of provincial and regional health restrictions that may be in place as we move through 2021. Included in this document on the following page is a platform for clubs to host single day games and modified tournaments in the event that restrictions are relaxed or lifted. We will continue to provide information on how host associations can host events as more public health information becomes available into the spring and summer.
All tournament host application fees received by the Ontario Lacrosse Association to date will be automatically credited to the respective club accounts for which they have been submitted, and will be applied toward 2022 tournament hosting applications.
We are fully committed to keeping each player’s stick in their hands and playing the game they love, while complying with all provincial guidance and prioritizing the safety of our membership. We thank you for your understanding and continued involvement, and will continue to keep everyone updated as new information becomes available.
– FOR OLA TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS – January 27, 2021
OLA MINOR BOX TOURNAMENT MODIFICATIONS FOR THE 2021 SEASON
OLA Invitational Tournaments Stage 1 (determined by the Invitational Tournament Committee):
Games are played based on the guidelines released by the Ontario Ministry of Health, Regional Public Health Unit and the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Guidelines for Return to Play (RTP), as well as:
• Participating players and teams must be OLA-registered with their home club for the 2021 season;
• Games are hosted as “Fun Days” and open to all divisions in an indoor or outdoor facility;
• OLA Invitational Tournaments fees are not applicable to host these events;
• Hosting associations may apply a team registration fee to participating teams;
• Games are played in accordance with RTP Guidelines, including applicable cohorts;
• An assigned RIC is not required;
• Teams in Ontario’s Green, Yellow or Orange Public Health zones may travel to participate (teams in
Red and Grey zones are ineligible to travel);
• Spectators are permitted, subject to municipal regulations and RTP Guidelines;
• All participants (players, team staff and officials) must be screened prior to each game;
• Participant tracing is required and must be held for 30 days in accordance with RTP Guidelines;
• Participants in a cohort must refrain from competition for at least 14 days prior to entering a new
cohort, but may continue to train during isolation according to RTP Guidelines;
• Participating associations are prepared for last-minute changes based on the uncertainty of the
current environment (if there are changes to regional restrictions or a participant becomes ill, teams
may become ineligible to participate and new teams may be required to fill space, or the games
may be cancelled).
OLA Invitational Tournaments Stage 2 (determined by the Invitational Tournament Committee):
Where restrictions are eased and the Ontario Emergency Order is partially or fully lifted, modified invitational tournaments may be hosted based on the guidelines released by the Ontario Ministry of Health, Regional Public Health Units and the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Guidelines for Return to Play, as well as:
• Participating players and teams must be OLA-registered with their home club for the 2021 season;
• Invitational Tournaments are hosted in an indoor or outdoor facility, subject to OLA approval;
• OLA Invitational Tournaments fees are applicable to host these events;
• Hosting associations may apply a team registration fee to participating teams;
• Games are played in accordance with RTP Guidelines, including applicable cohorts;
• An assigned RIC is required;
• All participants (players, team staff and officials) must be screened prior to each game;
• Participant tracing is required and must be held for 30 days in accordance with RTP Guidelines;
• Games are recorded for information purposes only (Game Sheets are completed according to RTP
Guidelines for officials and submitted to the OLA Office with standard tournament documentation);
• Participants in a cohort must refrain from competition for at least 14 days prior to entering a new
cohort, but may continue to train during isolation according to RTP Guidelines;
• Participating associations are prepared for last-minute changes based on the uncertainty of the
current environment (if there are changes to regional restrictions or a participant becomes ill, teams
may become ineligible to participate and new teams may be required to fill space, or the games
may be cancelled)
Event Refunds/Cancellations:
• Where a registered team is unable to participate in an association’s “Fun Day” or modified
invitational tournament due changes in the Ontario Emergency Orders, a reclassification of the
participating team or the host team, or a COVID outbreak affecting the participating team, a full
refund should be issued to the association without penalty, less any applicable banking fees;
• Municipal facilities should be consulted prior to scheduling any association events to determine
their cancellation policy and timelines.