Organized Youth Sports activities Now Allowed Throughout Inside Well being Space – Kelowna Information

Photo: Kelowna Minor Football

UPDATE 2:20 pm

Interior Health sent a short email explaining its stance on sports activities across the health region.

“Interior Health makes it clear that team sports for adults and youth can take place as part of Interior Health’s public health regime, including competitions such as games and tournaments,” the statement said.

“Spectators are allowed, but the capacity is limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Sports such as martial arts, gymnastics, dance classes and cheerleading can take place and must meet the indoor capacity of 50 people. Events such as cycling or running races must not exceed the event capacity of 100 people. “

Click here for information on orders currently on hold across the Interior Health region.

The city of Kelowna informed youth leagues across the region on Wednesday that games were not allowed due to IH restrictions.

The city administration was informed on Thursday morning that this was no longer the case.

UPDATE 1 p.m.

Less than 24 hours after youth sports leagues across the Interior Health area were notified that they could not play games, that decision was reversed.

While the health department has not responded to requests for comment, the city of Kelowna posted a brief statement on its website confirming the switch.

“We are awaiting further details but have received confirmation directly from Interior Health that competitive sport can be resumed in the region and we wanted to share this information with the team organizers immediately as we know there are many teams in the process, alternative schedule arrangements hold true.” of Interior Health bulletin issued Aug. 23, “the statement said.

Active Life and Culture director Jim Gabriel told Castanet News an article on the IH website that said organized youth sports were not allowed until confirmed after several phone calls from the city to health officials.

“Once we got that, we made the call because the health authorities are calling for public health and it is part of our responsibility and our process to obey,” said Gabriel.

He said they notified the leagues of this policy and then received information that they could change, which was confirmed by email this morning.

“I think more information will be released and we will be clear about whether there will be any conditions, but for us at the moment we are continuing with the sports competition.

“We are very fortunate … we understand and appreciate the importance of sport and what it means to the community and to youth and adults and the overall healthy lifestyle.”

Interior Health has not yet responded to requests for comment.

ORIGINAL 12:20

The Kelowna Minor Football Association president is outraged after learning that children are banned from playing competitive games “until further notice.”

Katrina Gaspar received the notice from the City of Kelowna on Wednesday.

“We have received further clarification from Interior Health outlining the latest restrictions on exercise and exercise for the Central Okanagan area,” wrote community development coordinator Brad Duquette in a letter.

“With immediate effect, all team-based competitions and games (both outdoors and indoors) in the Interior Health region will be suspended until further notice.”

Like last summer, children can take part in “Skills and Drills”.

“The children are devastated, the children are crying,” said Gaspar.

“We talk about high school sports, we talk about community sports. This is an opportunity children have that they enjoy. It teaches them life skills. “

Gaspar says the ruling could cost KMFA children and be financially devastating if they have to return funds to children in excess of the latest restrictions.

Minor football played a very short season through October and November last year before closing for a second time.

The KMFA has started an online petition addressed to Dr. Henry, Prime Minister John Horgan, Health Secretary Adrian Dix and others address and call for the restrictions to be lifted.

Castanet reached out to both the city and Interior Health for comment.