Community football clubs can return to training from Monday, May 25, but it won't be a matter of senior and/or junior players just turning up at their local club and training.
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AFL Victoria has implemented strict guidelines for clubs to follow in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here's what each club has to do to have training sessions and what a small group training session might look like for senior and junior teams.
SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING UP-TO 10
The club can undertake training in groups no larger than 10 people. The group of 10 does not include a coach or the minimum number of support staff who are reasonably required to manage the activity. Two groups of 10 can utilise the same oval provided they do not operate closely together, and the oval is split into two zones. No more than 2 small training groups per oval at any one time with groups not permitted to interact.
STRICTLY NO CONTACT
The club has advised its participants, coaches, volunteers and parents that all training must be strictly NON-CONTACT (i.e. no tackling, no bumping, no marking contests, etc.).
1.5M SOCIAL DISTANCING
The club has advised its participants, coaches, volunteers and parents that all training must strictly observe social distancing requirements of 1.5m.
NO ACCESS TO CHANGEROOMS
The club is aware that all club rooms, changerooms and wet areas are NOT to be used as part of the return to small outdoor group training.
FOOTBALLS ALLOWED, BUT NO OTHER EQUIPMENT
The club is aware that footballs can be used for small outdoor group training, however only limited additional equipment is permitted (i.e. field marking cones are permitted).
CLUBS AND TEAMS UNDERSTAND THE RETURN TO SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING PROTOCOLS
The club and all teams have read, understood and agree to adhere to the Return to Small Outdoor Group Training Protocols provided by AFL Victoria.
HYGIENE PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE
The club has implemented the hygiene protocols as outlined in the Return to Small Outdoor Group Training Protocols document. Hygiene protocls include no sharing of water bottles, no spitting, no handshakes, no high fives. Club provided footballs must be wiped with antibacterial wipes or alcohol-based sanitiser prior to and after small outdoor group training sessions.Players are to be responsible for their own strapping if required. No player massages.
AT LEAST ONE COVID SAFE OFFICER
Nominated club official(s) has undertaken the Australian Government online COVID-19 Infection Control Training and submitted a certificate of completion to their league administrator contact prior to recommencement of club activity.
A REGISTER OF PARTICIPANTS
The club has implemented a log, or register, to keep a track of which participants are in attendance at all training sessions, and this is available upon request by their League, AFL Victoria or health authorities.
COVIDSafe APP
The club has encouraged all players, volunteers and families to download the COVIDSafe App to help in tracing the spread of COVID-19.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
The club has received approval from the Local Government to access the oval for small outdoor group training.
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
The club and training groups understand that they must follow the direction and advice of local and state authorities at all times.
WHAT DOES SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING LOOK LIKE?
- Staggered training schedule (e.g. start times, different days, potential for different locations) with no cross over to manage entry and exit points and help avoid gatherings.
- Training groups of no larger than ten (10), 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.
- 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 care givers for junior participants must remain outside the boundary line and observe social distancing and we (AFL Victoria) strongly recommend junior players have a maximum of 1 parent/caregiver pr esent at training.
FIELD LAYOUT FOR SMALL OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING
- The oval must be divided into two distinct areas where groups of 10 can train.
- No more than two (2) groups of 10 will be permitted per oval (20 people max training at one time, not including a coach or the minimum number of support staff who are reasonably required to manage the activity).
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