Throughout the past 24 hours, we updated with the latest statements and guidance from sporting bodies as the nation prepared for a second lockdown.

 

GAELIC GAMES BODIES ISSUE CLUB AND COUNTY GUIDELINES

 

The GAA issued these comprehensive guidelines to all clubs and county boards across the country just after 7 pm on Wednesday night.

For Consideration of Clubs:

1. Club Games and Training

Level 5 restrictions mean neither adult club games nor Training can take place between now and December 1st. The GAA is adopting a 32-County approach in this context and therefore training for adult teams will not be allowed in the North either.

From midnight tonight, training at Minor level and below only will be permitted for clubs in all 32 Counties (but not inter-county). However it must be on a non-contact basis in pods of no more than 15 people. Dressing Rooms cannot be used and the Health Questionnaire must be filled out by all those participating. Attendance by parents/guardians should be on the basis of one per child (for child protection reasons) and the Health Questionnaire must be filled out by all of those coming into the ground.

Injury Benefit Fund – GAA injury benefit cover is only in place for Inter County training and where non-contact training is organised for school aged children (i.e. Minor grade and below) outdoors in pods of 15

GAA Injury Benefit Fund cover does not extend to physical training sessions conducted remotely (i.e. online, via zoom etc.)

2. Use of indoor facilities

Commercial use of indoor halls continues to be permitted where agreement was in place prior to March and relevant insurance are in place. Use by State bodies e.g. HSE/Schools is also permitted.

These are the only instances in which Indoor facilities should be used.

3. Outdoor Astro facilities/All weather pitches

These can only be used for underage Gaelic Games training purposes. Under Level 5, they cannot be hired out to recreational users (Schools are the only exception in this context)

Essential property checks maintenance and pitch upkeep is permitted in Level 5

In the case of Community Employment Scheme workers, local scheme operators will need to confirm the position to each club. We would remind all units that an extension of cover request is required for engagement of such workers at club properties

4. Club Lottos/Draws

These are not permitted to take place indoors on GAA facilities.

5. Walking Tracks

These are permitted to be used on the basis of the relevant control measures (signage etc) being in place. Clubs should remind users of the 5km travel restrictions in relation to use of these facilities.

6. Drive in Events

Drive-in events are not permitted in Level 5 in the 26 Counties or for clubs in the 6 Counties.

7. Handball Handball Alleys can only be used for individual training (i.e. one player at a time)

 

Inter-County Matters

8. Minor and U20 Training and Games

All games and training at U20 and Minor level will cease from midnight tonight, Wednesday 21st.

The GAA will issue further advice in relation to when these competitions will now take place in due course.

9. Attendances at Allianz League and Championship Games

All Senior inter-county games in both the 26 and 6 Counties must be played behind closed doors.

This means only essential personnel should be in attendance. A maximum of 40 persons per team will be allowed access to games. This figure should include all players, management, coaches, ancillary backroom personnel and officials. There can be NO EXCEPTIONS to this and this needs to be clearly communicated to team management, players and backroom personnel. Counties hosting league games will have ultimate responsibility for ensuring access is limited as outlined.

For clarity, the 80 team personnel (40 per team) is in addition to essential matchday personnel such as Match officials (Referees, Linesmen, Umpires), Media, Streaming personnel and required event officials (stewards etc.)

10. Other issues to be conscious of for inter-county games

• Group team photographs are not permitted before or after games due to the challenges they present with regard to social distancing.

• Players should not stand together for the National Anthem and should assume match positions before the Anthem proceeds.

• Jerseys should not be swapped after games

• Please ensure Huddles are not formed by your players

• Players should not shake hands before or after games.

• Water breaks – players should avoid coming together in a close group for water breaks

 

 

TENNIS IRELAND INTERPRETATION TO KEEP COURTS OPEN

 

“The Board of tennis Ireland met late on Wednesday night to consider the implications of Level 5 of the Government’s Framework for Living with COVID-19.”

“Having considered very carefully the Government’s Framework for Living with Covid-19 and the protocols within it, and in the absence of more specific guidance from Government, the Board of Tennis Ireland’s interpretation is as follows and will be in place until further clarification is forthcoming.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a replica of the regulations that were in place during the first stage of reopening from the original lockdown.

It is an immediate statement that gives clarity to clubs and will remain in place, with justification, until such time as alternative advice is received.

 

FAI ISSUES GUIDELINES

 

Shortly after 8 pm, the FAI issued a statement confirming the guidelines that would apply across the sport.  They also said that they would maintain close contact with the government over the period of lockdown and advise of changes as they had the potential to arise.

  • All underage club teams from Under-19 age group down are permitted to train outdoors during Level 5 restrictions
  • All outdoor training for underage players is to be non-contact in pods of no more than 15 and in compliance with the latest Government guidelines
  • For underage training – players/coaches/parents/guardians are permitted to travel more than 5 kilometres to attend an organised training session
  • For underage training – players/coaches/parents/guardians are permitted to travel outside their resident county to attend an organised training session
  • SSE Airtricity Premier Division and First Division and Women’s National League matches and training continue
  • All other domestic adult and underage football matches remain in cessation
  • In accordance with Government Level 5 guidelines, training is not permitted for non-elite adult teams

 

RUGBY ISSUES GUIDELINES

Irish Rugby is the latest sport to issue guidelines around level five with a good visual approach.

GOLF CLUBS TO SHUT ACROSS THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Statement from GUI and ILGU

4.45pm Wednesday 21st October 2020

Following intensive engagement over the past 48 hours, we have been informed this afternoon by Sport Ireland that, very regrettably golf clubs must close under the new level 5 restrictions.​

Essential course maintenance is permitted to continue under level 5. We have sought clarity on the issue as to whether ranges/practice facilities can remain open for exempted activities. We will update clubs on this as soon as possible.

At 4-30 we are still awaiting word on whether sports like Tennis and Golf will be permitted to operate and if so at what level and under what restrictions.

A number of sports are in consultation with Sport Ireland whose Expert group is the main liaison point to NPHET and the Government.

There have been rumours swirling through the day on what will emerge.

We also are still in the same boat as regards advice being given by the main field sports in terms of updated guidance for clubs and volunteers.

It is, of course, better to do it right than do it quick but clubs across multiple sports and around the country are planning as if they will be able to proceed with restrictions after tonight’s midnight lockdown comes into effect.

Whether that proves to be optimistic remains in the balance.

We will update when we hear more, but will not be speculating on the rumours.

 

 

GAA PAUSES UNDERAGE COMPETITIONS

The GAA has issued a statement clarifying that the Eirgrid U20 and Electric Ireland Minor Championships will pause after tonight’s matches.

 

Following clarification from the Department of Sport around the staging of inter-county fixtures, the GAA can confirm that as of midnight this evening, all minor and U20 inter-county competitions are paused until further notice.

Accordingly, Saturday’s scheduled EirGrid GAA U20 football final meeting of Dublin and Galway will not take place.

This evening’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U20 hurling fixtures will proceed.

Additionally, the GAA’s CCCC has been informed that Longford will not be fulfilling their Allianz Football League fixture with Cork this weekend.

 

 

 

Basketball Ireland Express Disappointment at Communication

In the wake of the unfair halting last Thursday of our National League programme, which was due to commence last weekend, Basketball Ireland has sought explanation and assurances from authorities, in order that it can plan the launch of its season. Mixed messages and lack of firm commitments has led us to postpone the beginning of the season in order that our clubs can plan effectively.

The Men’s National Competitions Committee (MNCC) has declared its intention to start the season on Saturday 9th January and run a shortened season to March/April. THE MNCC plan to commence with National Cup competitions, with the aim of maintaining our traditional Cup Final weekend in late January if at all possible. The Women’s National League Committee (WNLC) are meeting on Thursday and have indicated they’re also likely to confirm a start date of January 9th.

Basketball Ireland will look at the amended season structure in the coming weeks, including relegation and promotion options, along with taking on board the views of our clubs and members.

This is a decision made reluctantly but in the interest of our players and clubs. Basketball Ireland will continue to support the national effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the leading indoor team sport in Ireland we hope that, in turn, authorities will support us.

Basketball Ireland Chief Executive and Chair of the MNCC, Bernard O’Byrne, said: “As an organisation that has gone out of its way to comply with all guidelines and even to add further restrictions internally, I have to admit to being disappointed at the lack of information and consultation of the decision to halt our National Leagues. Our 51 National League teams across the country had spent a lot of money, time and effort in preparing for the season and all our protocols had been approved by the Sport Expert Group.

We understand the pressure decision-makers are under, but communication is a basic necessity in these times and we feel very let down. The MNCC are taking this re-focussing initiative, which the WNLC have indicated they’re likely to follow too. We know this will not please everybody in the sport, but we feel that this is the best of several not-ideal options left to us. We ask everybody for their co-operation.”

 

Athletics Ireland Updates

Athletics Ireland has been updating on their website throughout with up to date guidance from the Government website.

This morning they clarified that “Overnight the government have updated the Level 5 Covid guidance to allow parents/guardians an exception to travel greater than 5km to take school-aged children to permitted training as provided for in the sporting and exercise section of the guidance.

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Swim Ireland has written to its members detailing disappointment at the closure of pools but stressing areas that are being pursued to ensure their return:

Whilst it is terribly disappointing news that pools in ROI are closed during this period, we wanted to assure you that we have been relentless in our efforts to represent our sport, our Clubs and the sector since the beginning of this pandemic and particularly over the past few weeks. In collaboration with Ireland Active, we have been working on your behalf to represent our sport and all involved, seek appropriate funding supports, make the case for pools to remain open, emphasise the work and commitment of our community to implement everything required of them in relation to public health measures and of course all the benefits of our sport for those involved.

We have written directly to the Taoiseach on more than one occasion, met with the Minister of State for Gaeltacht and Sport Jack Chambers individually and as part of the Covid 19 Sport Monitoring Group, were part of a representative group with the Federation of Irish Sport who presented to the Oireachtas Committee and have had numerous engagements with Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport.

We also pledge that we will continue to make representation on behalf of members and facilities and if there is a loosening of restrictions in the coming weeks, please be assured that we will be pushing for facilities to re-open at the earliest possible time.

Some key points from the information received last night, with detailed notes at the end of this document:

Level 5

Swimming Pools are closed
Performance Swimming/Diving – A definition of who these athletes are and how this works is currently being sought from Sport Ireland and will be very much focused on the Tokyo 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Club Swimming/Water Polo/Diving – Non-contact training can take place for school-aged children, outdoors in pods of 15 and within 5k of participants’ homes
We reiterate that we know this is a difficult time for the aquatic community and we will work to support and guide you through it.

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