As a result of several reports of breaches of social distancing rules, but also to reduce the chance of community transmission, the Dept of Health is turning its attention to school and community sport. In many cases, inter-school sports have already been cancelled. Community football and other sports could be next.
In order to keep playing, FNSW/CDSFA have agreed with the Deparment of Health that all clubs must begin to tighten our Covid prevention measures. Extracts from the latest communication from CDSFA are as follows:
Junior fixtures
Only one parent is to attend with a junior player at either games or training
If possible, it is preferred that the parent leave the ground after dropping off their child and return just before the end of the game/training to pick up their child
If a parent must stay at the ground on game day, it is a condition of entry that you register your attendance by scanning the QR code using your mobile device. Attendance at training will continue to be managed by team officials
When the game or training has been completed, the player and the parent must leave the ground immediately - the player is to get changed at home The only exception to the above guidelines in terms of arriving or departing the ground is when a team has been asked to arrive earlier to set up as the first game of the day on a particular field, stay behind to pack up as the last game of the day on a field or to arrive at their allotted timeslots to fulfill their canteen/BBQ volunteer duties
No siblings or other family members should attend either games or training
Social distancing must be maintained at all times at both games and training
There is to be no social gathering of players, team officials or parents
Adult fixtures
Players should arrive at the ground as ready to play/train as possible and then leave immediately after playing/training - players are to get changed at their car or at home
The only exception to the above guideline in terms of arriving or departing the ground is when a team has been asked to arrive earlier to set up as the first game of the day on a particular field, stay behind to pack up as the last game of the day on a field or to arrive at their allotted timeslots to fulfill their canteen/BBQ volunteer duties
There must be no social gatherings after games or training. Players must not congregate at the end of a game drinking and celebrating
Spectators must not attend games
Players who are injured and who are not participants in the game must not attend at all
There is to be no carpooling for either games or training
These measures must be followed in order to ensure that we are doing all we can to play/train in a COVID safe environment. In order to achieve that, we must have the assistance and the participation of every player, official and parent to ensure that the protocols are strictly adhered to.
Most importantly ...
If there are ongoing reported breaches, the CDSFA will begin point deductions against offending teams. At present the deduction of 2 competition points per infringement is contemplated. Serial offenders will be deregistered - including whole teams.
It is in the interests of parents and players to ensure that the protocols are adhered to. If the breaches continue to occur the decision to terminate the competition will be made by the NSW Government. We will be powerless to influence that decision. The loss will be shared by all of the participants within our Association. We are seeking to protect the interests of the players with a view to ensuring that we complete the season. We cannot do so without the full and complete cooperation of the players, and in relation to junior players, the supervising parent.
Photos, especially those posted on social media, must all demonstrate social distancing as well.
