Version 5, 19th July 2021 – Summary: Post Unlocking Step 4
In the current Covid-19 pandemic situation:
- If a player or anyone in his/her household has any symptom of Covid-19, he/she must not attend any football sessions. For the up-to-date list of symptoms refer to NHS guidance.
- A player and if appropriate (under 18) parent/carer must be thoroughly familiar with the information provided herein and by attending agrees to strictly follow the stipulated instructions.
Need and Aim
This guidance establishes the boundaries and processes which Sporting coaches and participants must adhere to in order to safely deliver youth football sessions until further notice.
All staff involved in managing, administering and delivering sessions will be made familiar with this document and receive relevant training where deemed necessary on the detailed risks and mitigation.
All players and parents/carers will be made familiar with specific instructions derived from this document for their activity.
Resposibility and contact
The Sporting Covid-19 Officer as required by mandatory FA instruction is Darren Brown. If you require any related information or have any concerns please contact him immediately: 07772 781404 or Darren.Brown@SportingTrust.org. The Sporting Covid-19 Officer may delegate related duties to coaching staff and specially appointed Covid-19 supervising staff.
Communications
All parent/carers and players will be informed of Covid-19 safety guidance in the first instance of attending a one-off or regular activity by the Covid-19 Officer, and thereafter when deemed necessary (to remind and reinforce, and when information updates are issued).
References
The guidance herein is given in relation to the current laws, rules and protocols issued by:
Victory Sports Ground Community Interest Company: Covid-19 Operating Policy
National Government: latest Government guidance on COVID-19
The FA: latest FA notice on COVID-19
FIFA: latest FA notice on COVID-19
Reminder of the Sporting’s general responsibilities
All activity involved in running a session and the processes of administering and managing a session shall not be compromised in terms of normal stringent standards of health and safety, and safeguarding.
Sessions must deliver positive educational, physical and psychological outcomes along with fun and enjoyment. Value in these terms, and in relation to session duration and cost shall be considered to determine the whether an activity is worthwhile for each session.
When first aid is administered during activities staff will take the utmost care not to compromise the instructions herein. Additional to a standard Sporting first aid kit which contains gloves, kits will now contain a thermometer, a nose and mouth face mask and goggles. Face masks will be used by staff when they are within 5m distance of players and parents/carers and when administering first aid.
In non-urgent first aid cases an attending parent/carer may be asked to assist with treating the player, e.g. to apply a medical plaster, bandage or ice pack.
In emergency situations (to save life and limb) in order to provide potentially life-saving treatment any local distancing rule will not apply to staff and affected player(s) .
Host facility stipulations
All instructions, rules and guidance as supplied by the host facility must be adhered to, such as:
- General opening times
- Booked usage times
- Main access by foot and by vehicle, including car parking
- Movement in and around the facility to access designated areas
- Changing rooms and toilet facilities
- Sanitation of players, parents/carers and staff
Instructions for players
Before the activity players must:
- Book into the facility using its NHS QR code.
- Wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home.
- Wear clean kit and clean their personal equipment before leaving home, including water bottles.
At the activity players must:
- Sanitise his/her hands (gel will be provided).
- Avoid touching his/her face, and facility fixtures, e.g. gates, fences and benches, etc.
- Avoid at all times spitting, and coughing must be done into the crux of their elbow.
- Not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five).
- Allow others (in a previous session group) to leave before they enter the activity area.
During the activity players must:
- Adhere to the coaches and other staff instructions without exception.
- Poor behaviour jeopardising the safety of the player and/or others will result in firm application of the Sporting behaviour policy.
- Report any sudden Covid-19 related illness to the coach. The coach will immediately remove the player from the session and request parent carers to take the player home and monitor the symptoms. If these persist the player must submit themselves for an NHS Covid- test and advise Sporting of the result. See further instructions for after the activity below.
After the activity players must:
- Wash their kit and take a shower immediately arriving home.
- If a player develops any symptoms of Covid-19 within 7 days of taking part in an activity, he/she must immediately self isolate and inform Sporting. Note that if this happens, all fellow participants and supervising staff will be informed that they have been in contact with a potentially infected person. In such a case fellow participants and supervising staff must closely monitor themselves for any symptoms of Covid-19, but they do not need to self-quarantine unless symptoms are present.
- If a player is diagnosed with Covid-19 within 7 days of taking part in an activity, he/she must immediately self isolate and inform Sporting. Note that if this happens, all fellow participants and supervising staff will be informed that they have been in contact with an infected person. Sporting will advise Suffolk Public Health and so instigate NHS track and trace processes. For track and trace purposes Sporting will supply contact details of relevant players and parents. The outcome of a positive test by a player may result in NHS contacting players with instructions to quarantine.
Instructions for parents/carers
Parents/carers must:
- Book into the facility using its NHS QR code.
- Ensure that players in their care follow the instructions provided above.
- If an accompanying parent/carer/ develops any symptoms of Covid-19 within 7 days of attending an activity and while there closely socially interacting with others, he/she must follow the same instructions as for the players and Sporting will also act accordingly.
- If an accompanying parent/carer is diagnosed with Covid-19 within 7 days of attending an activity and while there closely socially interacting with others, he/she must follow the same instructions as for the players and Sporting will also act accordingly.
Personal medication and medical apparatus
Players will continue to be allowed to bring drugs, ointments, and apparatus as they require (as advised to Sporting when signing onto an activity) and will be instructed to keep it near them during the activity, in a clearly labelled and distinct waterproof bag.
Activity design and sanction
All activities will be designed with respect to the instructions and documents referenced herein. A minimum scope and number of equipments including balls will be used. A session plan including risk assessment will be produced for each activity, which will be approved by a Sporting director or technical officer.
Kit and equipment
Players will bring/wear their own kit, including goalkeeper gloves. They may also bring wipes and a towel to use immediately the activity ends.
Food and drink
Only bottles of water that are brought to the activity by the players or members of staff are permissible. No food or drinks can be shared.