Following our announcement last week regarding remote training and insurance coverage, additional requirements have been put in place to ensure the safety of remote training participants and coaches. 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many gymnastics clubs across the province have begun providing remote training to members through various types of technology.

While activities outside of member club facilities are not usually covered by GBC insurance, GBC’s insurer has temporarily modified the scope of GBC’s general liability policy to allow remote training (providing certain requirements are met).

In order for remote training activities to be covered by GBC insurance, clubs must adhere to the requirements listed below; requirements set out in red text are new and effective immediately.

Remote training activities that do not meet the following requirements are not covered by GBC insurance.

Remote Training Requirements

1. Clubs must be aware that remote training is only covered under GBC’s general liability policy, not the sport accident policy. If an accident or injury occurs during remote training, costs that are usually covered under the sport accident policy will not be covered. The details of each insurance policy are available online.
2. Remote training coverage only applies to GBC members and cannot be extended to non-GBC members. Publicly-accessible broadcast tools such Facebook Live, YouTube, etc. are not acceptable methods of remote-training delivery. Clubs should consider the use of controlled, multi-screen video conferencing tools such as Skype or Zoom.
3. Prior to training sessions taking place, clubs must:
   1. Email a list of coaches delivering remote training on the club’s behalf to John Carroll, Technical Director at jcarroll@gymbc.org. Only certified coaches registered with GBC can offer remote training (no exceptions permitted).
   2. Provide GBC with the address (location) that each coach will deliver programming from.
   3. Provide GBC with basic programming information including a program schedule (e.g. during April and May, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 PM PDT), program content (e.g. flexibility and upper body conditioning), and the expected number of participants (e.g. 5-8).
4. At the beginning of each remote training session, coaches must verify that only registered GBC members are at the other end of the remote communication tools (for example, non-member siblings are not allowed to participate).
5. Currently, ONLY remote training programming is permitted; regular programming at member club facilities is currently NOT permitted.
6. As per GBC rules, all members must complete required consent forms and waivers at the time of registration (as set out on page 15 of the Registration Handbook). As always, clubs must ensure that they have required documentation completed for each member (including remote training participants).  
7. GBC certified coaches are able to deliver physical activities and conditioning programming that is reasonable and safe, with consideration of each gymnasts’ abilities, accessible space, and equipment. Coaches must carefully consider and select appropriate, individualized programming to meet each participant’s needs.
8. Use of trampoline devices is strictly prohibited.
9. In accordance with Safe Sport guidelines, coaches should refrain from one-on-one communication with participants. If communication must be directed at one participant, there should be an adult on either side of the call to supervise (e.g. a parent beside the participant, or another adult with the coach).
10. All clubs must continue to notify and file incident reports and accident claim forms with GBC for all injuries which occur during gymnastics activities.
11. Participants in remote training must follow all provincial and federal requirements, including physical distancing requirements (maintain a minimum of 2 meters between all participants). Additionally, no more than four participants can take part in remote training from one physical location at a time.

We understand that this unprecedented situation requires changes to the way our community approaches sport and risk management, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

If you have any questions about remote training insurance coverage, please contact GBC’s Safety Officer (Nathan Kindrachuk) at nkindrachuk@gymbc.org.