Wolverines still hopeful for football, registration open
By Jake Davies - West Carleton Online
WEST CARLETON – While there’s no word yet, the West Carleton Wolverines Football Club is moving forward with a plan to host football this summer.
Last March the Wolverines announced a plan to offer full spring flag football this year, with the goal to start indoor training in mid-April. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, things change on the daily. Roughly a month after that announcement, Ontario entered its third provincial stay-at-home order.
Today (May 10) the Wolverines issued an update, but still hope to host flag football this coming season.
“We hope that this finds you all staying safe and managing the current lockdown situation,” the club’s executive released in a statement. “The Wolverines executive is still very hopeful we will be able to run programs for both the girls flag football and boys /open (flag or tackle football) divisions in 2021. With this in mind, we are working with the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA), Ontario Football Alliance (OFA) and Football Canada on a safe return to play once Ontario Health permits.”
Currently, the club has opened registration for flag football, and asks the community register their interest in the season without having to put money down.
“It is important everyone who is interested in participating in our programs for 2021 register as soon as possible,” the Wolverines said. “This will help us plan and coordinate teams, coaches as well as a return to play strategy and ensure we can get back on the field as smoothly as possible.”
The club is cognizant of the ongoing, ever-changing environment that is the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Wolverines understand the uncertainty of the current environment and with that in consideration, we are not going to be collecting fees yet for new registrations,” the Wolverines said. “We will collect fees upon the start of the season. For those of you that have already paid with your registration, we will still honour our full refund policy.”
The OFA does require full payment upfront but are offering a full refund of their fees in the event programs are cancelled due to the pandemic or players choose to not participate.
“Our hope is that provincially determined cohort sizes will permit some interclub play to allow players to experience game competition vs other teams and clubs,” the Wolverines said. “NCAFA is exploring not only summer flag football options for girls and boys/open divisions but fall season options (girls’ flag/and either boys/open flag or tackle). We want to make sure we are prepared once we are permitted to return to play regardless of the season.”
