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SANFL Community Football | Return to Play Update (as at 9 May 2020) | Forward to Clubs

9 May 2020

Please see the below media release and statement from SANFL CEO, Jake Parkinson, regarding a return to formal training on 18 May and SANFL’s Return to Play Roadmap – this applies to SANFL and Community Football.

Following that statement are key considerations for SANFL Community Clubs and Leagues as we prepare for the recommencement of formal training in a safe and healthy manner from Monday, 18 May.

FOOTY TRAINING SET TO RESUME IN SA (FROM 18 MAY)

SANFL has received State Government approval for a structured return to training in groups of 10 for SANFL and Community Football, with training to commence under strict protocols from Monday, May 18.

The first phase for football’s return from this Monday (May 11) will be to plan, implement and communicate to members hygiene protocols and enable the delivery of an education program to all 257 SANFL and community clubs across the State. This is to ensure clubs undertake the necessary preparations for returning to play in a COVID-19 environment.

Following the Government’s announcement of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in South Australia, SANFL has been advised by SA Health and the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing that senior and junior football teams are permitted to train in three groups of 10 divided across three areas of an oval under strict conditions (see image below).

SANFL Chief Executive Officer Jake Parkinson said despite outdoor sport training for groups of 10 being allowed from Monday, it was imperative for football – the most participated club sport in South Australia – to return in a structured and safe manner to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 community transmission.

“Appreciating that we have some 54,000 registered club players in the State with a minimum of 20 players in every football team – together with the number of teams at each club – it’s important to return to play under strict guidelines and protocols which ensure the health and safety of participants and the broader football community,” he said.

“Furthermore, we have to consider that many of our dedicated volunteers at football clubs are in the vulnerable cohort and therefore are at a greater risk of serious illness if they are infected with coronavirus.

“Measured and controlled SA Health-approved return to play protocols are therefore the responsible and only way to ensure football has the opportunity to return to normality with a continuous season.”

SANFL earlier this week submitted a comprehensive Return to Play document to the State Government, developed in accordance with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Post COVID-19 Environment as well as the Federal Government National Guidelines for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation activities.

The protocols outlined in the document, now approved by the Government, for a return to football training under the current ‘Level B’ AIS framework include:

  • Club staff and medical officials (including trainers) required to undertake COVID-19 infection control training in advance of training returning.

  • Mandatory education briefings in advance of training returning for all players/coaches/staff/officials at every club to outline protocols.

  • Applying the AIS framework principle of ‘get in, train and get out’, with no access to changerooms, gyms or wet areas.

  • Temperature checks of all participants before training

  • Training (both SANFL and community football) to be conducted in groups of 10 across three divided areas on the oval. The groups are not to mix or cross over at any time.

  • Training activities to be non-contact and social distancing of 1.5 metres between coaches/players/club officials required at all times.

  • Limited use of equipment with sanitised footballs allocated to each player during ball drills

  • Stringent hygiene practices to be applied, including no sharing of towels/water bottles/food.

Mr Parkinson said he acknowledged that the return to play under strict protocols would be a significant undertaking for all clubs, especially small community clubs, but was essential to ensure the protection of their communities.

“Our grassroots community clubs undoubtedly still have a very challenging time ahead of them, which is why we need return to training in a timeframe to ensure they can do this effectively,” he said.

“However, SANFL will provide as much support and resourcing as we possibly can to educate and assist clubs, to ensure they have the capabilities to implement these protocols and get their players back on the field and re-connect local communities.”

Mr Parkinson said he was pleased that the State Government and SA’s Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, had recognised the importance of local sport resuming in a controlled manner.

“Resumption of community football can contribute many health, economic, social and cultural benefits to South Australia as it emerges from the COVID-19 environment,” he said.

“There are also the physical and mental wellbeing benefits for participants – men, women, boys and girls – across regional and metropolitan South Australia, along with their coaches, plus more than 2,500 umpires and members of over 250 community clubs.”

SANFL will continue the process of consultation with SA Health and the Office of Recreation Sport and Racing for commencement of competitive training followed by matches from June 8 onwards, understanding the current restrictions will be groups of 20 people.


Note: each area is approx 5,000m2

**ENDS**

Key considerations for SANFL Community Clubs and Leagues as we prepare for the protocols associated with a recommencement of formal training from Monday, 18 May:

  • In preparation for a return to training in the week commencing Monday, 18 May please find attached two documents which will contain important information for Leagues & Clubs:

  • SANFL – Return to Train – Level B – Clubs & Leagues (this is an abridged version of the SANFL Return to Play Document, the focus in the abridged version being on what protocols need to be implemented for a safe return to Level B training on 18 May)

  • SANFL Return to Play Roadmap

  • To support the upholding of protocols set out, SANFL has developed an education resource, and will be working with leagues and clubs to deliver this over the next week (further information to be provided)

  • Education and Preparation is a key requirement of our approval to return to train. SANFL will provide ongoing support to ensure all Leagues and Clubs are prepared for training and as we move towards the next stage.

  • Prior to the commencement of training, we encourage the following:

  • Download the COVID Safe App

  • Any league/club official (including coaches) responsible for the conduct of training, match day operations or any other relevant activity should undertake COVID-19 infection control training

  • Clubs should speak with their asset owner (i.e. local council or otherwise) to ensure venue is ready for return to training

  • For updated information and resources please refer to SANFL’s COVID-19 | Resources & Information for Community Clubs page: https://sanfl.com.au/communityfootball/covid19resources/

We thank you for your continued work, patience, support and understanding.

Take care and stay safe.

Kind Regards,

Tom Hurley

Head of Community Football

SANFL

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