Canoe: Polo Championships 2021-21

Entries Open
Tuesday 6 April 2021

Entry Closing Dates - Stage One: 

Tuesday 18 May 2021 at 11:59pm - Student/Competitor Deadline

(Students/Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 20 May 2021 at 11:59pm - Institution Administrator Approval Deadline

(Institutional Administrators have 48 hours after the student/ competitor deadline to approve entries)

Entry Cost

Men's Championship Entry
£240 per team

Women's Championship Entry
£240 per team

Staged Entry

Should the competition allow more entries a Stage 2 Entry window will open. Priority will remain with the entries received before the Stage 1 entry closing date. Entries received in the Stage 2 window and accepted into the competition, will be charged an additional 20% fee.
 

Institutions have 2 guaranteed entries (1 x Men’s team and 1 x Women’s team) for the BUCS Championships.

Please note: each team must supply a referee of a standard to oversee each competition entered. If you enter 3 teams, you must bring 3 referees.

NB: Eligible female players can choose to play for either the BUCS Men’s or Women’s Championship team for their institution.  However, a maximum of three female players may be entered into a Men’s team squad. All three female players may form part of the team for each individual match, but only two may be in active play at any one time. Three females being active in the field of play will result in that team automatically forfeiting the match.
 

1. Prior to the event entry closing date, any entries submitted can be amended or removed. There is no charge to amend an entry prior to the deadline. Entry fees will not be charged for entries removed prior to the deadline.

2. Once the event entry closing date has passed, entry fees will be charged for all entries submitted except for where any of the following apply:

• If BUCS has rejected an entry for not meeting the criteria, the institution will not be charged the entry fee. For example, an entry is rejected in Athletics for not meeting an entry standard.
• If BUCS has rejected an entry due to the event having reached capacity, the institution will not be charged the entry fee. Please note: For events which operate a reserve list for entries not initially accepted into the event, if an entry is not withdrawn from the reserve list and is subsequently added to the event, the entry fee will be charged.
• If a local lockdown is imposed by the UK government or devolved administrations which would prohibit an individual/member of a team from attending the event, and where applicable they are not able to be replaced, the institution will not be charged the respective entry fee(s). In this instance BUCS will require proof of where the individual is living that would place them in the local lockdown.
• If an individual/member of a team has developed COVID-19 symptoms or is isolating and therefore cannot attend the event, and where applicable they are not able to be replaced, the institution will not be charged the respective entry fee(s). In this instance BUCS will require proof that the individual has informed their institution of this as per any institutional policy in place.

3. Once the event entry closing date has passed, most events do not charge a fine for withdrawals up to ‘x’ time prior to the event. However, after this period, most events will charge a fine for ‘late withdrawals’ or ‘no-shows’. This will all be detailed in the entry information for each event, including how withdrawal requests must be submitted. However, ‘late withdrawal’/’no-show’ fines will not be charged where any of the following apply:

• There is a medical reason for a withdrawal. In this instance BUCS will require a medical/doctor’s note is provided as proof.
• If a local lockdown is imposed by the UK government or devolved administrations which would prohibit an individual/member of a team from attending the event, and where applicable they are not able to be replaced, the institution will not be charged the respective fine. In this instance BUCS will require proof of where the individual is living that would place them in the local lockdown.
• If an individual/member of a team has developed COVID-19 symptoms or is isolating and therefore cannot attend the event, and where applicable they are not able to be replaced, the institution will not be charged the respective fine. In this instance BUCS will require proof that the individual has informed their institution of this as per any institutional policy in place.

4. As mentioned in points 2 and 3, some events will offer the opportunity for institutions to replace individuals/teams who are no longer able to compete, using other individuals/teams entered elsewhere in the event or that they have registered on a specific reserve list. Any events which have a substitution policy will have this clearly detailed in the entry information. Alternatively, some events which are often oversubscribed will place any entries not initially accepted onto a reserve list and individuals/teams from this reserve list will be called up to replace any withdrawals/no-shows in accordance with the event specific policy.
 

Club Captains are responsible for ensuring that their members conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner throughout the weekend, and follow the guidelines and rules set out by the organisers.

Team Captains also assume responsibility for the actions of their players. In the event of any reasonable complaint the organiser will discuss the issue ONLY with the Club Captain and the Team Captain. If the problem cannot be resolved the organiser reserves the right to disqualify the team from the competition. Anyone who is disqualified will be subject to BUCS disciplinary procedures.
 

Your Team Zone:

When you arrive you will be allocated a marked zone. This is the area where you will be based for the duration of the tournament. You must keep all your kit and players in this area when not competing.

• You MUST NOT enter other team areas or mingle with people from other universities
• You MUST always maintain social distancing from people when outside your team area

Feel free to bring camp chairs etc to make yourself comfortable when off the water and not playing

Accessing/Getting Off The Water:

We will have dedicated get on/off points for the water. These can be seen on the EVENT MAP.

The get on point will be near the pitches, and the get off point will be further up towards the swimming end of the lake.

Do not get on or off the water at any other points other than those marked

Moving Around The Event Site:

When you are outside of your team zone (this may be to access the water, seek medical attention etc), you must maintain social distancing at all times and get back to your team zone as quickly as possible

Accessing The Pontoons:

The pontoons/floating walkways are for REFEREES and EVENT OFFICIALS ONLY

Players must NOT walk on the pontoons at ANY POINT IN THE EVENT, except in an emergency.

Coaches cannot access the floating walkways.

Buoyancy Aids are MANDATORY on the pontoons for referees

Requirements For The Event:

• You will be required to check in at the entrance to the event (scrutineering - top end of the car park).
• You must have your Student ID which will be checked against the participant list submitted on BUCS Play. This is for Track and Trace purposes
• You will NOT be required to show proof of a negative COVID test on arrival, but you must not arrive at the event if you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been told to isolate by NHS test and trace
• You will NOT be required to provide proof of vaccination
• You will be required to scan the NHS QR Code on you NHS COVID-19 App upon arrival. Please ensure you have it downloaded and set up to streamline the check in process

Team Sizes:

Due to the fact that restriction easing has been delayed, we must abide by the current British Canoeing Canoe Polo COVID Action Plan. This means the following rules will be in place:

• Teams may only have a maximum of 7 players on the water at any one time. This is 5 people in active play, with 2 substitutes in the sub area
• Teams should bring 8 people MAXIMUM to the event
• Charge starts are not allowed under current guidance (see link above). This means the team on the right of the lead referee will start with the ball
• Games will; be 8 minute halves, with a 3 minute half time break
• Teams WILL switch sides at half time, in a distanced manner

Equipment:

Students can share equipment within their university bubbles.
Under no circumstances must you share equipment across university bubbles

Car Park:

Once you arrive at the event site, you must vacate the car park as quickly as possible.
If you need to return to the car park during the event, you must go alone, and as quickly as possible. 
If there are groups congregating in the car park, they will be split up and/or punished for repeated rule breaking

Mask Use:

Due to the fact the event is happening outdoors, you will not be required to wear a mask during the event. Please bring one anyway, in case situations require one.

Sanitisation:

There will be multiple hand sanitisation points around the event site. Please regularly sanitise your hands throughout the course of the event.

Spectating:

You will only be able to remain in your team area when off the water. If you are unable to spectate from your team area, unfortunately you will not be able to walk around and sit down near the water edge to maintain social distancing in walkways.

What’s expected of competitors:

1. Event competitors should stay home if they have any Covid-19 symptoms, live in the same household with someone with Covid-19 symptoms or have been diagnosed with, or suspected to have, Covid-19 in the past 14 days.
2. Competitors must follow direction from BUCS staff
3. Competitors must complete Covid-19 questionnaire before competing
4. Competitors should always follow social distancing guidance
5. Competitors should ensure they are following hand hygiene practices at all times
6. Competitors should wear a face covering when indoors
7. Competitors should not share equipment at this time unless permitted within NGB guidance
8. Follow the guidance and safety procedures outlined for the event you are attending. These can be found in the Event Guide

Competitors are expected to follow government guidance when attending an event including but not limited to guidance around travel and accommodation. This guidance should be considered prior to entry.