We have published in full below notes relating to the risk assessment agreed between ourselves and Silver Jubilee Park. Further to these, you can now click through directly to our risk assessment to understand the measures Silver Jubilee Park and ourselves will be taking to ensure the safety of everyone participating in activities.

For the avoidance of doubt, all football will be behind closed doors until otherwise advised.

Everyone’s health, wellbeing and safety are our priorities and feedback from ALL user groups is essential.

Each club’s Chair or Secretary should designate an existing member of their Board/Trustees, Senior Club Official or Staff member as a ’Covid-19 Officer‘, who will be responsible for oversight of the Covid-19 risk assessments, ensuring the necessary level of risk mitigations are in place and the minimum guidance to be achieved has taken place. They should also ensure that the club, or any venue used can adhere to their guidance responsibilities within local constraints. For clarity, the Covid-19 Officer does not have to hold a formal qualification but clubs should give thought as to who the most relevant person would be for the role.

Clubs should also check the insurance polices they have in relation to all football activities (e.g. personal accident and public liability), specifically any changes to insurance provider’s advice and guidance on returning to competitive play, ensuring full compliance with its terms.

The FA strongly recommend a phased return to competitive football activity as follows:
- Until 31 July – When ready, you can begin competitive training, with the overall group size (inclusive of coaches) being limited to 30 people;
- From August – Competitive matches to begin, for example pre-season fixtures, festivals and small sided football competitions;
- From September – Grassroots leagues, National League System, and FA Competitions can commence.

Clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents/carers, spectators should read The FA’s full guidelines:
- First Aid Guidance for Returning to Outdoor Competitive Grassroots Football
- First Aid Guidance for Returning to Outdoor Competitive Grassroots Football - Summary
- Football Activity Guidance
- Non-League System Club Guidance for Returning to Football
in addition to the latest Government guidance on COVID-19 .

Feedback from ALL user groups will be essential.

CLUB CONSIDERATIONS

Clubs using SJP should encourage all players to arrive for training and matches by their own personal car or by other means if viable such as walking or bike. Players must not car-share outside their household or social bubble unless unavoidable.

WELFARE

All players, officials, volunteers and spectators must undergo a self-assessment for any Covid-19- symptoms. No-one should leave home to participate in football if they, or someone they live with, has any of the following:
- A high temperature (above 37.8oC);
- A new, continuous cough;
- A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste.

This check should be done before each training session and must be recorded in regular risk assessments and it is important to note that no training session should take place without this having been done.

Players should bring their own personal water bottle to SJP for training and matches, which should be clearly labelled, and the use of communal water bottles should be discouraged.

Players should arrive ready changed where possible and bring spare clothes to travel home (or if they choose, travel home in the kit they have used).

Following activity, players must refrain from any contact. The evidence is that transmission during training or matches is minimal in comparison to social interactions over a prolonged time, hence the need to be vigilant on players not having social contact pre or post activity.

Changing rooms for training should be avoided where possible, as such provisions by players for a change of clothing post activity of match must be considered and communicated. Whilst we recognise that this is not ideal for players, the need to travel home without social interaction in groups after training is absolutely critical.

Bibs should only be used if absolutely necessary and they must be worn once and not swapped during any exercise. Bibs should be washed immediately after use.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment (balls, bibs, cones, goalposts etc) must be regularly wiped down with appropriate cleaning equipment and cleaned thoroughly cleaned after every session. Club volunteers or players may consider the use of face masks and gloves during this process.

MEDICAL / PHYSIOTHERPY

All Clubs using SJP are advised to refer to The FA First Aid Guidance . The FA MedicalDepartment has produced a Guidance note specific to the NLS, with key principles of working and specific additional guidance per Step of the NLS.

CLUBHOUSE/BAR

Any food or drink facilities, including bars or food areas, inside clubhouses were authorised to be open from 4th July, in accordance with the latest guidance. The SJP Management will undertake the relevant actions within the guidance and to assess the capability to open in accordance with the Government guidance.

For other facilities within the clubhouse, toilets and throughways may be kept open, but guidance on hygiene and social distancing should be followed.

SPECTATORS / GATHERINGS

Current Government guidance: Gatherings of more than 30 people are not permitted while social distancing. Therefore, clubs are unable to have gatherings or spectators of any size at this time for any matches or training. The FA are currently working with DCMS and other key stakeholders to understand the timescale for the return to spectators at sporting events. Initial discussions have identified that it will be difficult to return to competitive matches without the ability to welcome some form of spectators to matches. There is no current available or formal guidance.

The following guidance is designed to provide clubs with suggested considerations to prepare for spectators based on social distancing. We strongly urge all clubs using SJP to give this some thought now in order to move forward when guidance becomes available:

Considerations for clubs: If social-distancing measures are relaxed in future to permit spectators, Clubs will need to consider the management of any spectators within the applicable social distancing guidelines. Clubs are advised to consider their own Risk
Assessment and Action Plan. If spectators were to be allowed at, for example, a reduced capacity, Clubs should consider how they could manage this effectively such as introducing advance purchase ticket schemes, allowing clubs to manage walk ups.

Clubs may need to consider markings for queues with tape on the floor at 2m where possible, but a minimum of 1m if not (i.e. at turnstiles and takeaway food areas), markings for spectator standing, reducing the availability of seats within covered accommodation, management of toilets, hygiene protocols (more hand sanitisers in toilets, entrances and exits to spaces), extensive signage, crowd management processes, i.e. barriers at pinch point/one way flow.

BOARDROOMS

For the foreseeable future, boardrooms and associated hospitality will not be required to be undertaken by clubs. With this in mind, clubs are encouraged to consider how boardrooms could be used by players/match officials to support effective social distancing.

MATCHDAY VOLUNTARY STAFF

Clubs rely heavily upon volunteers to effectively operate. It is strongly recommended that all Clubs using SJP take time to consider all their Matchday Staff/Volunteers and how they
can adapt their normal roles to maximise safety. A club may wish to provide PPE for their Volunteers to safely work and support operations.

For example:
- Gloves/face masks/coverings for those undertaking cleaning of equipment or indoor spaces;
- Plastic Screens for those volunteers serving/selling hot and cold drinks;
- Ensure that any volunteer who has any symptoms is sent home and self-isolates, requests a test from the NHS and contacts NHS Test and Trace.

DISCLAIMER

This guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice, nor it is a replacement for such, nor does it replace any Government or PHE advice; nor does it provide any specific commentary or advice on health related issues. Club and Organisations using SJP should therefore ensure that they seek independent advice from medical practitioners, or healthcare providers, prior to implementing any re-opening plan, as required. Independent legal advice should be sought, as required and
depending on your, or relevant circumstances. While efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of
publication, the reader is reminded to check the Government website to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding social distancing and any other Government measures.

The SJP Management team are committed to working closely with all our service providers, user groups and individuals in order to provide good practice guidance for those responsible for delivering and taking part in all different aspect of physical and well-being activities within our ground at Silver Jubilee Park.