Return to Football Protocols and Guidelines

Friday 22nd May, 2020

Please see some important information regarding a return to footy training for our club.
It is very important that we all read and commit to these guidelines.
These measures are not negotiable - if we’re not able to implement them we will not be able to to train this season, nor participate in any eventual return to competition.

SMJFL Update

Here are the key points:

AFL VICTORIA AFFILIATED COMMUNITY CLUBS CAN RESUME SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING (UP-TO 10 PEOPLE) IF THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS ARE MET:

• Clubs/teams are to strictly adhere to the maximum of 10 participants per group (not including a coach or the minimum number of support staff who are reasonably required to manage the activity)

• Groups of 10 must not mix with each other and must remain distant, with participants not allowed to swap between groups.

• Strictly no physical contact between players can occur (i.e. no tackling, no bumping, no marking contests).

• Social distancing of 1.5m must be maintained at all times.

• No access to club rooms, changerooms or wet areas can occur, other than toilets. Access will be permitted for the purpose of one person obtaining equipment, immediately following which the rooms must be locked.

• Footballs can be used for small outdoor group training, however only limited additional equipment is permitted to be used during training (i.e. field marking cones are permitted).

• Each club must nominate one COVID Safety Officer  - thank you to Peter Martin for taking on this role. All coaches, team managers and trainers will be required by our club to complete this training

• A log, or register, will be maintained by team managers at each training session and sent to our COVID officer

• Return to small outdoor group training does not include Auskick at this stage

• The Return to Small Outdoor Group Training hygiene protocols outlined are to be strictly adhered to at all times, with no exceptions.

WHAT DOES SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING LOOK LIKE?

• Staggered training schedule with no cross over to manage entry and exit points and help avoid gatherings. We will inform all age group of their training time in the coming days
• Training groups of no larger than ten 
• Groups of 10 must not mix with each other and must remain distant, with participants not allowed to swap between groups.
• Training activities must be non-contact (e.g. no tackling, no bumping, no marking contests).
• Use of equipment to be limited to footballs and marking cones.
• If pair/group work is required, pairs must be consistent across each training session.
• Specific group activity footballs can be used, but must be wiped down after each session.
• Any necessary meetings to occur remotely using video technology.
• Parents or caregivers for junior participants must remain outside the boundary line and observe social distancing and we strongly recommend junior players have a maximum of 1 parent/caregiver present at training.

HYGIENE PROTOCOLS FOR A RETURN TO SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING

• If you, or people you have been in contact with are sick, DO NOT attend training and advise your team manager who is responsible for informing the COVID Safety Officer.

• Generally, you should be tested for COVID-19 if you develop fever or respiratory symptoms and meet at least one the following criteria: You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days, been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, travelled on a cruise ship (either passenger or crew) in the 14 days before developing symptoms, are a health care, aged care or residential care worker, have lived in an area where there is a higher risk of community transmission, as defined by the local public health unit.

• Staggered training schedule 

• Alcohol-based hand sanitisers will be available for all  training sessions, with players encouraged to use prior, during and following training.

• There is strictly to be no sharing of personal items such as water bottles, food or towels. Personal items need to be easily distinguishable, labelled and kept separate.

• Players and coaches must not spit or clear nasal passages at small outdoor group training.

• No high fives, handshakes, or other physical contact.

• Changerooms, club rooms and wet areas are not to be used

• Club provided footballs must be wiped with antibacterial wipes or alcohol-based sanitiser prior to and after small outdoor group training sessions.

GENERAL HYGIENE PRACTICES

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home and seek medical treatment when you are sick.

• Cover your mouth with your elbow to cough or sneeze.

• Any player or club member that has underlying health conditions or is considered a vulnerable person should consult with a healthcare professional prior to returning to small outdoor group training.

COVIDSafe APP

• Our club strongly encourages all players, volunteers and families to download the COVIDSafe App to help in tracing the spread of COVID-19

A full statement from AFL Victoria regarding the Return to Small Outdoor Group Training of up to 10 People Protocols can be found here.

As a club we need some time to process the above requirements and ensure all coaches, team managers, trainers, volunteers, players and parents and trained and educated to meet all protocols.

We will be conducting an information session for coaches next Tuesday evening via Zoom followed by a session for Team Managers and Trainers next Thursday evening. Information will be emailed to all involved but we require all coaches, team managers and trainers to complete the COVID 19 Infection Control Training and encourage as many other members of our club to do so. The training is brief and concise and should only take a small amount of time.


Training at our club will commence from June 1 once we have met all requirements.
We will be sending out further information regarding training arrival and departure protocols in the coming days. Important to note and plan for is that all players from U8 - U12 age groups will need to be dropped off and signed in by a parent or carer. Based on the protocols we need to adhere to, and the grounds available, we have allocated the following training times.
This schedule accommodates all age groups training in small groups across both ovals if necessary. Note Bolts teams training at Souths.

Monday
4.30pm - 5.30pm U8 / U9 age groups
5.30pm - 6.30pm U14 Girls

Tuesday
Seniors 

Wednesday
4.30pm - 5.30pm U10 age group (boys and girls)
5.30pm - 6.30pm U12 age group (boys and girls)
6.30pm - 7.30pm U15 Bolts

4.30pm - 6pm U13 Bolts at SMDJFC
6.15pm - 7.30pm U14 Bolts Boys at SMDJFC
6.15pm - 7.30pm U16 Bolts Boys SMDJFC
6.15 - 7.30pm U16 Bolts Girls SMDJFC

Thursday
Seniors and Masters 

Friday
4.30pm - 5.30pm U11
5.30pm - 6.30pm U18 Girls

Very exciting news but lots to do to ensure the safety and well being of our players and volunteers.

I would also like to gently remind everyone that we’re all volunteers. When we put up our hand to help out around the club we never envisaged we would be dealing with a situation we now find ourselves in. All feedback is welcome. We will do our best to sort through any problems or concerns but I ask for one thing - please be respectful and kind - every one of us has been through a difficult few months. 

I especially thank our committee who are working very hard to ensure our club is compliant by June 1st and also to our families and players for their support during these unprecedented times.

Darren Williams
President
M: 0424 190 880