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2021 CPL Season General News


narduch

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13 hours ago, Cheeta said:

I'm having a hard time imagining any region of Canada remaining in any sort of lock down/under stern measures once the majority of the USA returns to whatever passes for normal down there.  Not suggesting such measures aren't necessary, just calling it like I see it.   I think for a lot of people Battle Fatigue is rapidly setting in and certain past policies are becoming increasingly unsustainable.   

In a society governed by rationality we'd look at the USA returning to "normal", then we'd look at ourselves and give our collective heads a shake in a sort of Taylor Twellman styled "WHAT ARE WE DOING" fashion.

However, any society that deems it worthwhile to walk to your restaurant table in a mask, sit down at your table without your mask, then put your mask back on to go to the bathroom, while walking past tables of unmasked patrons, yeah that's a society that's not governed by rationality. We take the effort to mask up to go on a plane, then we undo whatever safety that provides by unmasking to eat or drink. It's not a rational way to go about things.

So can I imagine any region in Canada remaining in any sort of lock down once the majority of the USA returns to "normal"? Let's just say it wouldn't surprise me. Sure half of the USA has already moved past lockdowns and stern measures for the most part, while the other half is taking a far more measured approach, but they are opening. They are slowly moving out of it while we seem to be at a standstill at best. 

Turn on any American MLS game and you see fans in the stands to varying degrees, meanwhile our teams play outside of Canada with no fans, even though the USA (as far as I know) is not in any different of a situation when it comes to case totals or covid deaths.

The people who aren't questioning the rationality of this (or lack thereof) probably haven't hit the "Battle Fatigue" wall. 

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20 minutes ago, Watchmen said:

Mid June/early July start now targeted. Games in a bubble to start. 28 game season still the plan.

The bit about updating and expanding the virtual stadium leads me to believe that this bubble tourney won't be at IG Field or a similar venue (unless they're only talking about the corporate ads being projected on the stadium, rather than projecting the stadium itself). That would be a huge disappointment, personally. 

There's a short article on the website, but not much different from the Twitter post: https://canpl.ca/article/cpl-2021-season-update-clanachan-committed-to-june-or-early-july-start-at-single-site-full-28-game-season

Edited by m-g-williams
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So do we still get an announcement tomorrow? 😄

To be honest if they can get a better grass pitch rather than astroturf then I have no problems not going in a big stadium. I would rather have something more beneficial for the players who are lacking match fitness and susceptible to injury than a big stadium. 

Unless they change their mind, do it at Mosaic and allow fans in. Then I am completely onboard. 

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1 hour ago, Obinna said:

In a society governed by rationality we'd look at the USA returning to "normal", then we'd look at ourselves and give our collective heads a shake in a sort of Taylor Twellman styled "WHAT ARE WE DOING" fashion.

However, any society that deems it worthwhile to walk to your restaurant table in a mask, sit down at your table without your mask, then put your mask back on to go to the bathroom, while walking past tables of unmasked patrons, yeah that's a society that's not governed by rationality. We take the effort to mask up to go on a plane, then we undo whatever safety that provides by unmasking to eat or drink. It's not a rational way to go about things.

So can I imagine any region in Canada remaining in any sort of lock down once the majority of the USA returns to "normal"? Let's just say it wouldn't surprise me. Sure half of the USA has already moved past lockdowns and stern measures for the most part, while the other half is taking a far more measured approach, but they are opening. They are slowly moving out of it while we seem to be at a standstill at best. 

Turn on any American MLS game and you see fans in the stands to varying degrees, meanwhile our teams play outside of Canada with no fans, even though the USA (as far as I know) is not in any different of a situation when it comes to case totals or covid deaths.

The people who aren't questioning the rationality of this (or lack thereof) probably haven't hit the "Battle Fatigue" wall. 

Or try living in Ontario, the only jurisdiction in the world where retired guys like me can't play golf because Ford's buddies "go for pops" after they play.  I know I am being a selfish prick (for which I don't care) but how rational is that?

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1 hour ago, Watchmen said:

Mid June/early July start now targeted. Games in a bubble to start. 28 game season still the plan.

At this point I'll take it.  Gladly 

Off last week of June, be a grand Canada/Dominion Day if I could spend it in the 'stand at IG Field.

 

 

 

 

 

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24 minutes ago, Ivan said:

Or try living in Ontario, the only jurisdiction in the world where retired guys like me can't play golf because Ford's buddies "go for pops" after they play.  I know I am being a selfish prick (for which I don't care) but how rational is that?

That's not being a selfish prick. That's just being a normal human being. You should be able to responsibly play a round of golf in your retirement.

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17 minutes ago, narduch said:

Pretty ambitious to still play 28 games and start that late

It is, but they really need to have a full season, because playing 10 games or whatever it was in PEI just won't cut it.

If the bubble is in Newfoundland they can play on Turf relatively late into the year. It should be fine. Would be harder to do in a place like Winnipeg.

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Henry : hopes fans will be in the stands by the late summer or fall

As for professional sports, Henry said she hopes fans will be in the stands by the late summer or fall. This could mean the BC Lions have bums in seats at BC Place for the start of the CFL season.

“I’m watching the U.K. where they have done experiments, doing planned events when people are monitored,” Henry said.

“Later in the summer, into the fall, we will be looking at spectators in the fall.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7860457/b-c-s-covid-19-restart-2-0-plan-wont-come-until-after-may-long-weekend/amp/

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A lot of things will have to fall into place within the next week to be able to start in a month. York and Forge being able to train somewhere and clearance and a venue for the bubble sorted. I feel like the 15th announcement was said with confidence those things would be lined up. A random press release a day earlier makes me feel they are behind where they expected to be. 

Canada day weekend still seems the most logical but hopefully they get going in June and even more hopefully no later!

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On 1/21/2021 at 4:15 PM, CDNFootballer said:

No reason to start things in a bubble imho, all clubs should be playing in their home stadiums and they should be putting a well thought out plan in place to have fans in these outdoor stadiums from the start, 30% at least.

Once there's herd immunity/more widespread vaccine available to those who choose to get it then open it up for 50-60% fan attendance.

I like your optimism

Edited by DrFitzpatrick
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@m-g-williamsI don't think that tweet hints at any additional info. In a "few weeks" we will be in early June, and the CPL said they are aiming to start in mid June or early July. By early June they will either have told us they are starting mid-June, or they will have to tell us it's going to be a longer wait.

So I don't think they necessarily know more than us, they could just be saying they should know more by then.

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Today's Toronto Star story about Ontarians looking to other cities to get vaccinated had a picture of Sparx, the Forge FC mascot in a photo for the story! More coverage than the entire league ever got in the sports page!
That's page A6 for those with access to the printed paper or the epaper.  They don't know the mascot's name but hey, a walking orange flame carrying a hammer getting an oversized needle from a masked nurse in the parking lot is certainly memorable.  
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Pacific FC's Rob Friend on Vancouver hosting the single sire portion of the 2021 Season :

Earlier this week, you made it known that Pacific’s interested in hosting the single-site portion of the 2021 CPL season. What makes Langford an attractive option?

Friend: Well, I think there were challenges last year, not playing in a CPL market—not [only not] having the infrastructure, but the staffing. We have our business operations staff here. We’ve got Langford, as a city, [that’s] extremely supportive; their motto is “support the capital.” So they’ve got facilities; they’ve got great fields. We’ve got Starlight Stadium set up for broadcast. The training facilities are there. World-class hotels. Obviously, Victoria being such a tourist destination, it’s set up perfectly for an event like this.

We’re working day and night—and I know there’s other markets in the mix—but I would be extremely disappointed in our government if we can’t support something like this. We’re talking multiple weeks, 300-plus players and staff coming into a city, in a city that’s really been decimated [by the loss of] the tourism industry. So this is bigger than the CPL, in my opinion. This is coming out of COVID, supporting local economies, and sometimes you need the support of the government. And we’re asking them, putting pressure on the BC government, to support this. Because it goes directly into the local businesses.

“We’ve got Starlight Stadium set up for broadcast. The training facilities are there. World-class hotels … I would be extremely disappointed in our government if we can’t support something like this.”

We’re all passionate to support our local businesses to come out of this, and what better way than to bring the CPL into our market, show the recovery [after] COVID, and play games? Hopefully there’ll be fans in the stands and in hotels that are struggling. [There are] so many reasons why we want this tournament here, and absolutely, we can support it with [the] great hotels, transportation, and hospitality that Greater Victoria offers.

We’re hopeful. We’re doing everything we can, and the rest is up to which government puts their best foot forward.

https://fortheisle.substack.com/p/one-on-one-with-pacific-fc-ceo-rob

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BC Re-opening plans include fan attendance starting June 15th outdoors (Step 1 - up to 50) then increasing on July 1st (Step 2, masks no longer mandatory as well) so Pacific FC can start prepping. Step 4 is pretty much full opening.

https://www.radionl.com/2021/05/25/b-c-lays-out-reopening-roadmap-through-summer-travel-restrictions-extended-to-mid-june/

By “Step 2,” as soon as June 15, up to 50 people will be allowed at indoor “organized” gatherings, like at live theatres, movie theatres and banquet halls. Indoor sports can also resume at that point, and up to 50 fans will be allowed at outdoor sporting events. By Step 2, all intra-provincial travel restrictions will be lifted.

For “Step 3,” starting no earlier than July 1, masks will no longer be mandatory indoors but will still be recommended. There would also be a “return to normal” for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Some fans will also be allowed for indoor sports, and nightclubs, casinos and bingo halls could also reopen.

The province also says WorkSafeBC will be working with industry associations to come up with updated workplace safety plans, prior to Step 3 of reopening. Those plans will be ready by July 1.

Meanwhile, “Step 4” would be a return to essentially normal conditions in our day-to-day lives, no sooner than Sept. 7. That would mean no limits to social gatherings, and no limits to fans in sporting events.

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Neanderthal thinking out here in BC. I just booked a trip to Victoria this summer. Hoping I'll be in the stands wearing my year old never worn Pacific shirt

Should also be noted if the conversation is about when and where the CPL could play, Alberta announced even more aggressive timeliness. All restrictions lifted by mid July

Edited by SpursFlu
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2 hours ago, SpursFlu said:

All restrictions lifted by mid July

That's tempting a fourth wave, unless they put in restrictions on those who haven't had a first dose by the end of June.

Don't people learn lessons - like the current uptick in cases and deaths in the UK after they relaxed restrictions?

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