Coaches, Players, Parents and Guardians should read and understand the information below.
The FA released their latest guidance on the return to competitive training and matches on the 18th July 2020. The club have digested this information and have commenced the necessary work to implement these latest measures. The safety and wellbeing of our members is of upmost importance to us therefore we are writing this message to everyone to update them on the latest situation from the club.
The latest FA’s guidelines and rules can be found by accessing the following link: http://www.thefa.com/news/2020/jul/17/grassroots-guidance-for-competitive-football-restart-in-england-170720
In this latest guidance, the UK Government and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have sanctioned the return of competitive (contact) training and matches. The FA recommend a phased approach and the club have been following the below approach:
- Until 20th July 2020, training resumed with small groups (5 players plus one coach) in a socially distanced manner.
- From 3rd August 2020, competitive training can commence with up to 30 people providing the necessary risk assessment, plans and briefings to coaches are in place and parents have completed consent forms for every player
- Also from 3rd August 2020, competitive matches in the form of pre-season friendlies can commence in line with the club risk assessment, plans and FA rules/guidance.
- From 1st September 2020, league matches can commence in line with the club risk assessments, plans and FA rules/guidance. The club will remain in contact with the relevant leagues (Royston Crow and Mid Herts Rural Minors League) as to their plans.
The club will keep updated with the latest FA guidance/rules throughout this period to ensure compliance.
What will the club be doing?
The club are required to put together a comprehensive plan, risk assessment and implement the necessary safety measures required to allow the resumption of competitive training and matches. So far, the club have:
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Digested the information provided by the FA to understand the measures we need to put in place to ensure the safe resumption of competitive training and matches.
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Completed a risk assessments, plan and guidance in alignment with the FA guidance/rules.
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Assigned a COVID-19 Safety Officer who is responsible for the implementation and compliance of COVID-19 safety measures. The club have appointed Sharon Hyland, also the Club Child Welfare Officer to this role
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Purchasing Hand Sanitiser, Wipes, Visors and Emergency Aid Face Masks for all our teams including excess stock to allow for replenishment.
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Implemented system to enable NHS Track and Trace for all training sessions and matches.
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Ensured all our coaches are informed of the FA Guidance to educate them on the safety requirements and expectations to ensure compliance.
Only once coaches and teams have the necessary safety measures in place then they can resume training sessions and eventually matches (from 1st August).
A copy of the Club Risk Assessment (dated 25th July 2020) can be found here: Club COVID Risk Assessment
