News

Please read the attached Governance Proposal Version 2 in full and circulate to your colleagues.    This document was updated based on the recommendations and feedback recieved over the past 8 months and will be discussed at the Governance Proposal Question and Answer Session to be held on November 7, 2020. 
We are very excited to introduce the BCSS Cross Country Pandemic Challenge presented by SUBWAY. This challenge is not only for cross country athletes but multi-sport athletes across the province as we push for student-athlete engagement during these difficult times. This event will run from October 21 – November 4, 2020 giving lots of time for athletes to participate in the event.   Above you will find the  outline for the challenge, this should give you and your school all the tools you need to successfully participate in this challenge. If your school is interested in participating please contact the BCSS office to recieve an excel submission template, this document will be used to submit your school times as well as challenge shirt order by November 10,2020.   IMPORTANT NOTE: Students do NOT have to be rostered or registered in STARS to participate in this challenge.     HAPPY RUNNING!    
 We continue an ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.  While we are not moving to a new stage some minor adjustments should be reviewed.  The changes to the document have been highlighted throughout  and are  also listed in the revision history at the front of the document.    BCSS Return to School Sport v3.0 - Oct 23, 2020.pdf
This membership update contains information on the following: Fall & Winter seasons of play BCSS Return to School Sport Plan BCSS Cross Country Pandemic Challenge Presented by Subway E-Sports Trial Governance Q & A Session  Membership Updates - October 23, 2020.pdf
After much anticipation from our member schools over the past few months, we are excited to announce the details of our 2020-2021 BCSS Esports Trial.   Above you will find a package outlining the mechanics of the Esports trial and our partner GameSeta who will be providing the platform for this trial. If your school is interested in participating, please complete the School Intent to Participate Form which you can find inside the package and submit to bwhyte@bcschoolsports.ca by no later than November 4, 2020 at 12pm noon.   It is important to note that this is strictly a trial, Esports is not an official sport under the BCSS mandate and will not be using STARS registration as it is strictly a trial. Participation and feedback is encouraged in order to measure the success of Esports in British Columbia and the potential of introducing it as a BCSS activity in the future.    
Find attached a growing document of Sport Specific Resources for coaches and AD's as a resource for skills and drills that align with the BC School Sports Return to School Sport Plan. 
Find below the recently released October Newsletter     If you have any questions about the content in this document please don't hesitate to contact the office Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm
After discussions with our Government Partners we are happy to provide some updates to our Return to School Sport Plan.  Version 2.0 reflects changes in the following areas; Updated to relect the allowance of shared equipment between cohorts which also allows for coaches to come into contact with equipment to facilitate drills, while maintaining social distance. Update to reflect that Virtual Competition is permitted within outlined guidelines. [[{"fid":"5469","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"link_text":"BCSS Return to School Sport Plan v2 - Sept 23 2020.pdf","type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
The BCSS Welcome Package contains a series of short updates regarding BCSS as well as links to this years online calendar and handbook.   [[{"fid":"5467","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"link_text":"Welcome Back Package.pdf","type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
BCSS is moving to Stage 2, effective September 10th.  It is important to note that this is different from club/community sport as published by ViaSport two weeks ago. It is important to note that the ViaSport guidelines are NOT being applied to school sport.   These guidelines attached are consistent with the Ministry of Education’s Restart Education plan and will provide some practical clarifications for our member schools. In this stage, school sport activities are permitted but limited to students in the same educational learning group/cohort. We are the first to admit that in most of our sports this will restrict basic team practices in most schools.      We are hearing the frustration and concern from every corner of the province regarding the discrepancy between those in the club/community setting and those in school sport and the potential for long term damage to school sport. We will continue to share these concerns with our partners in government as we explore every option for expanding school sport at the appropriate time.   This uncertainty does provide the opportunity to try different things and approaches in our schools. While we continue to work behind the scenes to advance school sport opportunities, we are strongly encouraging our member schools, specifically our administrators, athletic directors and coaches to be creative in finding ways to create opportunities to engage students for their physical and mental well-being, maintain the relevance of school sport and perhaps even increase the reach of school sport in each school. As key people in the delivery of school sport across BC, we know you already believe in the power of school sport and its importance to our student-athletes and the schools that each of you works. We hope that those of you in a school will share this message of opportunity at this time.  
The BCSS Board of Directors have decided to lift the ban of all in-person school sport-related activities currently in place effective the first day students are in session.  The attached memo outlines more details on the Return to Play for Fall 2020. 
The BCSS Board of Directors have decided to leave the emergency policy of the full stoppage of all in-person school sport-related activities in place until further notice.  The attached memo outlines the timeline and planning for the return to play in Fall 2020.   [[{"fid":"5429","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"link_text":"BCSS Return to Play Update - July 2020.pdf","type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
BC School Sports“To foster the development of good character through positive and equitable school-based sport experiences” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     BC School Sports Announces 2019-2020 Award WinnersBurnaby, BC (June 11, 2020) – BC School Sports (BCSS), the governing body for high school sport in British Columbia, is pleased to announce their 2019-2020 award winners.   BC School Sports is a non-profit organization, representing over 450 member schools in British Columbia. As a member-based organization, BC School Sports is self-governed with member schools approving policies by which school sport is governed. BC School Sports supports more than 70,000 student-athletes participating in 19 recognized activities.   BCSS President Mike Allina says “on behalf of the Board of Directors, we are thrilled to announce our 2019-2020 Award recipients today. They represent the very best of what we do. We are saddened we can’t recognize them in our normal way, but we will find the appropriate time in the future to celebrate their accomplishments.”   Executive Director, Jordan Abney noted “school sports have always been and will continue to be reliant on educators to serve their schools and BC School Sports to provide the opportunities for our student-athletes. We have over 7,000 coaches across the province every year, and countless other volunteers in other capacities and it is so important to recognize those that give in an extraordinary way. This year’s award winners are servant leaders of the highest order, and cumulatively have given just shy of 200 years of service to school sport; a lifetime of service given to positively impacting countless youth of this province.”   The Merit, Honour, Male and Female Coach of the Year, and Outstanding School awards are presented annually to individuals in the BCSS community that continuously embody the BCSS core values of growth, fulfillment, sportsmanship, and equity throughout their contribution to school sport. These awards recognize and celebrate coaches, officials, and sport management volunteers for their long-time commitment and involvement in BC School Sports both on and off the field, keeping school sport alive in the province. Please joins us in congratulating the following 2019-2020 BCSS Award Winners:   Female Coach of the Year: Kathy Hoshizaki (Revelstoke Secondary).   Male Coach of the Year: Ron Van Driel (Bulkley Valley Christian School, Smithers).   Male Coach of the Year: Stephen Burns (South Delta Secondary).   Merit Award: Ian Hyde-lay (BCSS Boys Rugby Commission).   Merit Award: Don Moslin (BCSS Soccer Commission).   Honour Award: Tom Dinsdale (BCSS Eligibility Appeals Committee).   Outstanding School: Guadangaay Tlaats’aa Naay Secondary School (Masset, North West Zone).
BCSS COVID 19 Update #5 - May 29 2020.pdf This memo follows the correspondence issued by BCSS on March 10, March 17th and April 7 2020.
Please see package 2 for details regarding the Virtual AGM to be held on June 16th.   The package includes: meeting agenda and voting information          IMPORTANT DATES  Advanced Votes may be cast from June 3, 2020 at 12:00pm - June 12, 2020 at 12:00pm                                  (All times are in Pacific Daylight Time) AGM Registration will be available from June 12, 2020 at 3:00pm - June 15, 2020 at 3:00pm                                  (All times are in Pacific Daylight Time) The Virtual AGM will take place June 16, 2020 at 12:00pm-3:30pm                                 (All times are in Pacific Daylight Time)
 Tier numbers are based on school populations as of September 30, 2019 as submitted to the Ministry of Education on the 1701 report *Population numbers from grade 10,11 & Secondary Ungraded ( from September 30, 2019) are totaled and moved forward one year to determine BCSS tiering numbers.
This memo follows the correspondence issued by BCSS on March 10 and March 17th.   COVID 19 Update #3 - April 7 2020.pdf
In light of the recommendations made by the Provincial Government and the Ministry of Education, BC School Sports has immediately suspended the Spring Season of Play and all school sport related activities. This includes scheduled training, practices, scrimmages, jamborees, matches and similar school sport activites. We appreciate your patience at this time and understand that the uncertainty can be frustrating, the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, teachers and staff are our top priority. We will continue with regualr updates as new recommendations come forward. Please take a moment to read the attached release from the BCSS Board of Directors. [[{"fid":"5382","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":""},"link_text":"COVID 19 Update no 2 - March 17, 2020.pdf","type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":""}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
Check out the BCSS 2019-2020 Winter Season Banner Winners! Congratualtions to all our athletes on an amazing accomplishment. 
BC School Sports (BCSS) continues to actively monitor the public health situation in relationto COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We are receiving many questions from our members andconcerned parties, and we want to assure our membership we are taking this matterextremely seriously and are committed to the health and safety of our student-athletes,coaches and supporters around the province. Please see the attached memo for more details. COVID-19 Memo - March 10 2020.pdf

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