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Whaley Bridge AFC Season 20/21 Commences 5th September
The FA have stated that at CFL level spectators are not allowed to attend. However, as we all know that's only practically feasible within the confines of an enclosed ground; Horwich Park is open green space and accessible to anyone at anytime.
Attendance is therefore 'not' the Club's responsibility and WBAFC will neither encourage nor deter. However, spectators, should they decide to attend, must adhere strictly to all Government's general 'Social Distancing' Guidelines, spread out along the touchlines and not gather in groups. Please do not interact with the players (unless within a family bubble) or congrigate in groups in or or around the dugouts & leave promptly after the final whistle.
The players, staff and match Officials have additional guidelines issued directly by the FA covering all manner of football related issues; a brief outline of their responsibilities will be published below in due course along with the Club's mandatory Risk Assessment.
In all cases the conduct of spectators, players & none playing staff may be monitored and failure to comply with general Government or Specific FA Covid 19 Guidelines may result in the Club being sanctioned.
This is a difficult time; Jamie & Aaron and their assistants are disadvantaged by the circumstances but are working hard pre-season... match days will not return to normal for some time.
Thank you for your cooperation; watch this space for further information.
WBAFC Covid-19 Guidance Notes 1.0: 13/08/2020
The following is a brief summary containing the key points of the FA’s latest guidance; it is important that all football related personnel (management, coaches, players & parents) read and absorb the content.
The full FA Guidance can be accessed &/or downloaded by clicking here on FA GUIDANCE
- Everyone should self-assess for Covid-19 symptoms before every training session or match. If you are symptomatic or living in a household with possible or actual Covid-19 infection you must not participate or attend. You should stay home and follow the latest Government guidance.
- Coaches must maintain attendance sheets for both training and competitive games. Records need to be kept for a minimum of 21 days, to comply with 'Track and Trace'. The FA can turn up to audit at any time without notice and will take appropriate action if good practice isn’t maintained; that action may result in suspension from the league.
- Youth team coaches should re-acquaint themselves with all safeguarding policies and procedures
- Meet-up times should be adjusted to avoid time spent congregating at a venue
- Travelling together by car should conform to government guidelines but as a minimum face masks should be worn inside a well-ventilated vehicle. Sanitise your hands before entering and after leaving the car; clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products - make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch. Obtain prior written permission from a responsible person for those under 18 travelling with adults.
- Hand sanitiser will be made available at the ground to facilitate the use of the toilets; separate guidance on the toilet protocol in line with government guidance will be issued in due course.
- Players should have their own individual water bottles clearly labelled with their name and bring their own hand sanitiser (alcohol based). Water will not be available at the facility.
- The changing rooms and showers will not be available under any circumstance until further notice. However, the toilets will be open on a one in one out basis.
- Players and officials should arrive changed in their pre-allocated kit and shower at home afterwards.
- The ball, goal posts and corner flags should be wiped down with anti-bac wipes before matches, after matches and at half time.
 Managers/Coaches & substitutes should adhere to social distancing on the touchline. If social distancing cannot be fully accommodated in the dugout then spread out in a line along the touchline. - When the ball goes out of play, it should not be retrieved by non-participants and should be retrieved using the feet rather than the hands where possible.
- Close proximity goal celebrations should be discouraged.
- Participants must not spit and should avoid shouting or raising their voices when facing each other, as detailed in The FA Covid-19 Code of Behavior
- If a player gets injured a member of their household can assist but everyone else must socially distance unless emergency care is required. Otherwise a first-aider can assist but must be equipped with appropriate PPE including a face mask.
- Unless absolutely necessary, participants should take their kit home for washing. Managers/coaches will ensure that the kit is returned in the event that a player be subsequently unavailable or not selected.
- All Club personnel should adhere to social distancing before, during and after the game. The facility should be vacated within 30 minutes of the final whistle.
- Ideally, reduce the use of cash to a minimum (Referee email to follow). Senior players & junior fees will ideally be completed by bacs transfer; failure to do so will exclude that player until arrears are dealt with. This item is under review tbc.
- Recent communication from the FA states that the Tuck Shop can operate within government guidelines.
- Theoretically all games should take place behind closed doors. However, attendance is something we can’t control at Whaley but all we ask is that those directly involved in club activity inc. parents, socially distance whilst attending events and adhere to discrete six person gathering limits and spread in line with wider government guidance.
- Please adhere to the above guidance and remember, a single case of Covid-19 infection could theoretically subject the whole team to quarantine.
- Reported failure to comply with any of the above guidance could result in the club being sanctioned.
Prepared by the WBAFC Covid-19 Committee: Ros Dranfield - Covid-19 Officer
Steve Rampley - Chairman
John Hind - Development Officer
Nigel McCann - Welfare Officer
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