For the attention of our Shark Community:
FOOTY’S BACK!
PLEASE READ ON BECAUSE WE’RE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Club has been advised that AFL Victoria has endorsed a return to club sanctioned small outdoor group training at community football level from Monday, May 25, provided participants follow the relevant Victorian State Government guidelines and all AFL Victoria’s COVID-19 protocols are implemented.
The primary focus will be preparing to return to train in a safe environment in a well-prepared and educated manner. In order for a return to small outdoor group training to be successful, and in line with Government advice, it is essential that we work within the timeline and protocols as specified by the AFL, the State Government and the Australian Institute of Sport.
This will not happen overnight, and a number of strict policies will need to be adhered to and procedures will need to be properly logged.
The logistics of a re-boot are significant and will require the club to appoint COVID Officers.
Accordingly, the Club is looking for volunteers to act as COVID Officers. Those interested will be required to undertake a 15 minute online training session. If you are keen to help our club with this very important function, please contact Club Secretary Tracey Francis by texting her on 0418 593 586.
A summary of GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS are as follows:
1. 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), as per the current Victorian Government restrictions.
2. Groups of 10 must not mix with each other and must remain distant, with participants not allowed to swap between groups.
3. Strictly no physical contact between players can occur (i.e. no tackling, no bumping, no marking contests).
4. Social distancing of 1.5m must be maintained at all times.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. A log, or register, using the approved AFL Victoria or League template, of all participants in attendance at each training session MUST be maintained and available upon request by either the League, AFL Victoria or health authorities.
Hygiene protocols and ‘what does small outdoor group training look like’ will be a large focus of the return to training and there will be club communication surrounding these important rules before training can be sanctioned.
The BFC will be implementing all hygiene protocols as outlined by AFL Victoria and the State Government. We will provide those details.
PLEASE NOTE, THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE STATEMENT FROM JUNIORS PRESIDENT NICKI SPENCER IN REGARDS TO OUR JUNIOR SECTION IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
All Senior, U19s and Womens players will need to contact their respective coaches to ensure they are aware of training times and durations.
It is important that we are prepared to go through this process and stick to the guidelines outlined, particularly if it means we can start playing footy this season.
Foremost, the BFC Committee encourages everyone in the Shark community to stay safe and healthy.
Fins Up & Go Sharks,
Terry Lucas on behalf of the BFC Committee.