Sport Goes Quiet to Counter CoronaVirus

It was inevitable and now that the country is on partial lockdown there is a degree of certainty that we will get through this by being sensible and responsible.

Since this morning what Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a range of measures including a restriction on outdoor gatherings of 500 and indoor ones of 100 until March 29th, there has been a steady stream of detailed confirmations coming in from multiple different sports.

They are measured, they recognise that this is something which we have to do together as a community and we agree that this is the 80 per cent for whom Coronavius will be a mild inconvenience digging in to help the 20 per cent for whom it is likely to be all too serious.

How we abide by the restrictions and advice as individuals and organisations will be a good measure of where we are as a society.

Sport for Business will continue to produce our Daily Digest and use the pause in a sporting activity to explore other areas and opportunities for our members to come together virtually in the coming weeks and then in person once more once the storm has passed.

Here is a selection of the reactions that have been coming in.:

Gaelic Games

In light of this morning’s Government announcement, the GAA, An Cumann Camógaíochta and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have decided to suspend all activity at club, county and educational levels until March 29 (inclusive) from midnight.

This is to include all games, training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades.

We will continue to liaise with Government officials and review the situation between now and the end of the month, assessing the impact of these measures on our competitions.

In the meantime, the Association is encouraging all members to continue to follow the guidelines which have been provided by the Health Authorities.

Football

The Football Association of Ireland announces the cessation of all football under its jurisdiction until March 29 inclusive, and with immediate effect following directives from Government, the Department of Health and UEFA.

The FAI made this decision after a meeting in Dublin today with Government, the Department of Health and stakeholders from other national sporting bodies.

The decision has been taken in light of the growing threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and in the best interests of our players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and staff. This decision will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

The FAI again met with representatives from the National League Executive Committee and the Professional Footballer’s Association of Ireland today, and continues to work with both bodies to help our clubs and players through this difficult time.

The FAI remains in communication with the Department of Health and UEFA on COVID-19 and will continue to follow all government guidelines.

Athletics

Athletics Ireland continues to closely monitor the Coronavirus outbreak and the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team and the HSE. The health and safety of the Athletics community is our priority and we are determined to be calm, calculated and proactive regarding precautions to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Athletics Ireland is guided by this expert HSE advice and will physically close our office from tomorrow morning but all staff will be operating our business from their homes. We have all prepared to operate telephones and emails remotely to minimise disruption to our business.

Athletics Ireland is therefore instructing all affiliates to suspend all athletic competitions and events with immediate effect. We understand that this decision will result in inconvenience and disappointment to many athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters. However, we are sure that all will understand that the decision is taken in the best interests, not just of the athletics community, but of the Country.

Club training is down to the discretion of the individual club, but the recommendation from Athletics Ireland is that club training sessions be cancelled at this time.

The situation is changing rapidly and we will continue to monitor developments and update our website and communication on a daily basis.

Rugby

The Irish Rugby Football Union, together with Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster Rugby, have announced the suspension of all Domestic Rugby activity from 6pm this evening (March 12) until March 29 (inclusive), in response to the latest Government advice on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Future Domestic Rugby activity will be reviewed in line with Government advice.

Training and Playing:

All Rugby activities across Clubs and Schools, from minis to adult rugby, must now cease.

Clubhouse Operations:

While Rugby Clubs may wish to continue to operate facilities such as bars and function rooms, they must observe Government restrictions in relation to the number of people that may attend indoor (no more than 100 people) and outdoor (no more than 500 people) events.

Impact on fixtures of note:

We will work with clubs and schools to rearrange fixtures, such as the Schools Cup finals.

Professional Game:

Updates, when available, in relation to the professional game will come from tournament organisers.

Guinness PRO14 Rugby

The current Guinness PRO14 season has been suspended in response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.

The PRO14 is an international league. Cross border travel is inevitable and that brings with it unique challenges. With governments in Italy and Ireland already putting in place clear directives and restrictions around public activities and travel, the decision to suspend the competition is appropriate. It is in the best interests of everyone that games are not played at this time. The suspension has been directed by the board of Celtic Rugby DAC and will be remain under constant review.

David Jordan, Tournament Director PRO14 Rugby, said: “We have made this decision with everyone’s welfare foremost in our minds. With an evolving situation in the five countries that take part in Guinness PRO14 it is important to make a clear decision that is in keeping with the advice of the various governments involved.”

Resumption of the 2019/20 season will now become a matter of constant review. To this point PRO14 Rugby has ensured that it has the latest information and guidance made available by the local and national authorities via our participating unions in the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.

This will remain the case for the duration of the suspension. This is an unprecedented action for the tournament and as such no end date to the suspension can be provided at this time.

In keeping with our practice during the outbreak, PRO14 Rugby will provide updates on the suspension when more information is available.

Horse Racing

The Board of Horse Racing Ireland today announced that horse racing will take place behind closed doors starting at Dundalk tomorrow up until March 29th.

It follows Government advice issued this morning to contain the spread of Covid-19, including an instruction to limit external gatherings to less than 500 people.

After consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and with industry stakeholders, Horse Racing Ireland has imposed a number of restrictions on race meetings between today and March 29th to ensure that less than 500 people are on-site at each race meeting.
These measures will take immediate effect, with the situation being kept under review.

The restrictions are:
Race meetings will be closed to the public with recommended social distancing measures implemented on track
Access will be restricted to essential service providers and industry participants
There will be no catering services, on-course bookmakers or Tote services provided
One groom per runner declared will be admitted to the racecourse
One owner per runner will be admitted
Only trainers of horses running at the meeting will be admitted
All participants will be asked to vacate the racecourse after their horses have run
Racing will continue to be made available to broadcasters as at present
Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said:

“It is important that horse racing acts responsibly and plays its part in the efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19. That is why we are announcing, with immediate effect, that horse racing fixtures in Ireland will continue between now and March 29th but will be run behind closed doors with very restrictive access. Race meetings will not be open to the public, in line with measures taken by other international racing jurisdictions, such as France, Hong Kong, Japan and Dubai.

“Public health is the number one priority and these restrictions will continue to be kept under constant review as we liaise with our colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Health.

“The restrictions which we are announcing today will limit social interaction but will allow a vital rural industry to continue to operate, protecting livelihoods and jobs.”

The offices of Horse Racing Ireland will remain open during this time and working from home arrangements will be facilitated wherever possible.

Swimming

Over the past number of days, we have been planning our position in relation to the Coronavirus and this planning has now escalated in light of recent communication.

As the health and welfare of our members is of paramount importance, Swim Ireland is informing all clubs that they will need to cancel with immediate effect and until further notice all galas, competitions, meetings and any social or fundraising activities.

At present the advice doesn’t impact on training, however we would advise all clubs to carefully consider if this is necessary and in line with trying to reduce social interaction. We would urge all clubs to engage with your facility and to understand their position regarding continued operations and opening hours. Members should follow the advice that has been provided by the appropriate agencies regarding the best way to minimise the risks to infection as well as what you should do if you feel unwell and are developing symptoms.

We would advise all clubs to cancel or postpone all planned international trips that are due to take place in March and April and we will circulate more information as this becomes available. If clubs have queries or concerns in this regard in particular travel insurance, please contact Swim Ireland at admin@swimireland.ie.

Swim Ireland will continue to operate, with staff available as normal through phone and email, however, all external travel and visits will be cancelled, such as meetings, club visits and club workshops. See here for Swim Ireland contacts.

In relation to education training and courses, Swim Ireland will postpone all face to face courses in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as of today and up until the 29th March 2020. All learners booked onto courses will automatically be transferred to another suitable course of their choice that has availability. Additional face to face courses will be scheduled as information is made available and operators and facilities provide updates on access to pools and schools. Swim Ireland will continue to review the situation, in line with the advice received.

The Irish Open is planned to take place from the 1st – 5th April, and we are currently considering all options for this event. A detailed update will be provided to all clubs on Monday 16th March, once we have had an opportunity to speak with all key stakeholders and plan accordingly.

We continue to monitor the situation very carefully and will issue further advice to our clubs and members as this become available. Please continue to monitor the Swim Ireland website for further updates.

Greyhound Racing

Following Government announcement this morning regarding COVID 19, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) wishes to advise that from 6pm today (Thursday 12th March), a ‘racing behind closed doors’ policy will be put into effect.

No public admissions other than ‘one person, one dog’ admissions will be permitted.

Rowing

We recommend that clubs should take a decision regarding training on a case by case basis and put a plan in place relevant to each club’s needs.

The following should be considered:

Gyms are the perfect area’s for breeding germs and we recommend that training should be focused on cross-training such as outdoor cycling or running at present.
Rowing on the water should continue subject to weather and local conditions.
All rowing equipment should be cleaned down with antibacterial spray and disposable towels before and after each group trains.
All crews should be advised to come to clubs in training gear and return home in their gear. Changing rooms and toilets should be off-limits as much as possible
Clubs may want to restrict groups they may feel are at a higher risk of contracting the virus
Cloth towels should be removed from toilets/changing rooms; use paper towels
Use soap and water and wash hands well following HSE guidelines as outlined in our previous recommendations
We will keep all clubs up-to-date on further developments over the next number of weeks.

We will work with clubs regarding upcoming events and recommendations from our public health departments.

Horse Sport Ireland

In respect of “mass gatherings”, Horse Sport Ireland is recommending that all competitions, training and other events that exceed the Government stated limits should be postponed during this period. Horse Sport Ireland strongly endorse the position that any events that do proceed should be held behind closed doors. This advice will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis between now and the end of this month.

Please be aware that while Horse Sport Ireland remains fully operational, our staff will be working remotely where possible during this period and we are requesting that visits by the public to the Horse Sport Ireland offices should be avoided.

Horse Sport Ireland are in constant contact with key partners such as Sport Ireland and the FEI to monitor the situation both in Ireland and globally in relation to the current Coronavirus outbreak. Furthermore, Horse Sport Ireland are following recommendations and guidance issued by the Health Service Executive, the W.H.O and our Government officials. We urge all stakeholders to follow Government advices and information, which are regularly updated on Gov.ie and the Horse Sport Ireland website.

For Irish athletes currently abroad, please contact the Organising Committee in the Member State where you intend competing to check if the event will proceed and also to check official government websites within that Member State for up to date guidance. Athletes are highly recommended to review their travel plans and final destinations if travelling across the continent as the situation in each member state is evolving rapidly. Horse Sport Ireland will assist Athletes to withdraw from events and/or redirect to other events where available.