• The NBBA has been requiring proof of vaccination in applying this policy. Currently U13 and older players must be fully vaccinated.
    • Players born after 2009 (U12 and younger) became eligible for vaccination on November 23. The Executive Committee decided on December 13 to extend the club vaccination policy to Development Program players, with a first dose by January 31 (or, if later, before getting on the court in 2022) and a second dose completed accordingly. The EOBA requires that competitive players born after 2009 had their first dose by January 1 and are fully vaccinated by March 1.

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Vaccines are a safe and reliable way to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Due to the close-contact nature of basketball, getting vaccinated is the best way for coaches and players to protect themselves, their teams, and their families.

While the NBBA has been strongly encouraging coaches and eligible players to become fully vaccinated, we are implementing a vaccine mandate for the 2021-22 season whereby eligible players plus all coaches, team managers and junior officials are required to be fully vaccinated. This is consistent with policies adopted by other Ottawa youth basketball clubs. Here are the details:

      • Players born in 2009 or earlier are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination. All are required to be fully vaccinated before starting the 2021-22 season, i.e., participating in try-outs, sort-outs, practices, games or any other activity. The exception is players born in 2009 who recently became eligible for vaccination (as of August 18): they must become fully vaccinated as soon as possible, and may participate in the interim.
      • If players born in 2010 or later become eligible during the season, they will be required to become fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
      • All coaches, team managers and junior officials (referees, scorekeepers) must be fully vaccinated before participating in any 2021-22 activities.
      • All players, coaches, team managers and junior officials will be required to make vaccination attestations as part of registration.
      • Proof of vaccination may be requested in addition to attestation.
      • Proof of vaccination may well be required in future, e.g., if schools or other facilities require vaccination for all visitors (which would also cover any spectators at games or team practices, where permitted).

Everyone who takes part in NBBA programs is expected to continue to follow all other applicable local and provincial public health protocols such as screening, hygiene, masking, and capacity limits.

If you have questions about this vaccination policy, please contact the General Manager, Heather Sheahan.