Covid-19 Route map Phase Three Update August 21
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The suspension of football by the Scottish FA will be lifted from Monday 24 August in line with the update provided by the First Minister yesterday, Thursday August 20 to phase three of the Scottish Government’s route map out of the COVID-19 crisis.
In practical terms, this means that contact training for the youth and adult game – including professional and non-professional – can resume from Monday morning in line with updated government guidelines.
This guidance refers to the Route map for the return to football that has been issued by the Scottish FA Joint Response Group throughout the recreational game in conjunction with Sportscotland and the Scottish FA’s Return to Football Hub has been updated to reflect the most recent advice.
Walking Football Scotland recommends all interested parties, familiarise themselves with these important guidelines. For the adult game, specific restrictions apply with regards to distancing, pitch, and group sizes.
From Monday we have an opportunity to come closer to the walking football we all look forward too, but we must be mindful that it is not business as usual or back to normal. We must observe the guidelines and protocols in place to enjoy our sport safely.
To reiterate, the suspension on competitions, friendly matches, festivals, and events REMAINS in place until further guidance permits this next step to be taken.
It should also be noted that, at this time, access to facilities may be challenging for clubs and we ask for your continued patience as local authorities and leisure trusts put in place plans to fully re-open outdoor pitches and facilities.
We urge all clubs to utilise the resources and guidelines now available on the Scottish FA. Return to Football Hub. This will allow clubs to plan in conjunction with committees, coaches, and participants to make sure everyone is aware of their role in ensuring our return, is safe and continues to promote public health guidelines.
Walking Football Scotland have highlighted a small part of the Return to Football Hub and urge everyone to have a good look through the document.
Some key elements of the guidance for adults will be as follows:
The creation of contact bubbles on the pitch. At all other times before and after training, physical distancing must be maintained.
The number permitted in each bubble will be dependent on the area of the pitch being used and the players cannot interact with another bubble during the session.
No dressing rooms or showers should be used at this stage.
Players should arrive separately and ready for training.
The previous medical and personal hygiene protocols for “physical distance" training still apply
During Training
• Players do not need to adhere to physical distancing whilst on the pitch, but all coaches must always maintain 2 metre physical distancing.
• Follow the instructions of your coaches, club officials or facility staff regards procedures for keeping everyone safe.
• Try to avoid touching hard surfaces. This includes, goalpost, cones, markers, poles, hurdles, or any other equipment that is used for training.
• Goalkeepers gloves MUST be worn at all times and never exchanged
• Goalkeepers, please adhere to Goalkeeping COVID Guidelines, which can be found here: https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/media/6918/guide-for-gks-24-august.pd
• If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or your elbow and then wash your hands at the hygiene station provided.
After Training
• Please leave the football club or facility immediately after the training session.
• Please limit your attendance at the football club or facility and only attend for arranged training sessions.
• Apply hand sanitiser.
• Clean and wipe down your equipment, including water bottles before and after use.
• Ensure you take all personal belongings and equipment with you at the end of the activity and do not leave anything at the venue/facility.
• You must maintain 2 metre physical distancing, with those out with your household once you leave the pitch.
The Return to Football Hub link: Scottish FA Return to Football
Sportscotland COVID Officer E-Learning course : Covid E-Learning Course
