We hope that everyone is keeping safe and well and looking forward to the return to our beloved Gaelic games in the coming days and weeks.
This document has been approved by the club’s Executive which has the responsibility of ensuring that all guidance, directives & obligations set out by the Government, HSE & GAA in relation to the safe return to training and playing are met.
This document has been approved by the club’s Executive which has the responsibility of ensuring that all guidance, directives & obligations set out by the Government, HSE & GAA in relation to the safe return to training and playing are met.
We are aware of the fact that COVID-19 has affected many families throughout the club and in our community so please rest assured that we take our responsibility as a club very seriously indeed when it comes to implementing our COVID-19 Management Plan.
The objectives of this document are to: –
1. E-learning module
All members – especially adult players, parents/guardians of underage players and team management personnel – returning to games MUST complete the Covid-19 Club Education e-Learning module for Gaelic Games.
It takes just 20 mins to complete and must be done before returning to training/games. You should retain a copy of your certificate of completion – you will need to send a copy to your team manager before the first training session.
NB: Parents/guardians who complete the module on behalf of their child/children should include the names of each child on the certificate.
2. Register an account on the GAA’s COVID Return to Play system
In addition, one of the key control measures that has been put in place as part of a Safe Return to Gaelic Games is a Health Questionnaire.Adult players, parents/guardians of underage players and team personnel will be required to complete the online Health Questionnaire once prior to their return to GAA Activities.
Using the same system, Adult players, parents/guardians of underage players and team personnel will be required to declare, before each training session/game, that their health status has not changed.
Click to access the system ->> GAA’s COVID Return to Play system
A user guide for the online system is HERE
One of the key requirements that the club must have in place before return to train/play is the appointment of a COVID Supervisor for each team. To support this group we have also appointed a club COVID Officer – the officer will link in with the supervisor group and the Executive on all COVID matters. The group of supervisors will be responsible for ensuring that protocols are adhered to for each session.
Please contact your team manager if you need to speak with the team COVID Supervisor.
We ask everyone involved to support the team COVID Supervisor in carrying out their role – they will play an extremely critical part in maintaining a safe training / playing environment for everyone involved.
We ask all of our players and their management teams to reflect on their return to training & playing – this will not just be a matter of ‘picking it up from where we left off‘ almost 4 months ago. Our return comes with a serious health warning – please incorporate some basic hygiene factors into your return and help to minimise the risks associated with spreading COVID-19.
Use sanitiser on arrival and departure from training.
Mentors – wipe down goalposts before the session if your using goals.
Clean down all equipment used after the session.
Use a sanitising spray to keep balls clean – remember Na Fianna relies on public parks and we need to be even more diligent – dog fowling in itself can lead to illness.
Keep sanitisers near to the training area for players to use as required.
As a Na Fianna player your child must adhere to strict return to play guidelines to prevent transmission of Covid 19. Safe Return to play is the personal responsibility of players/parents.
A certified eLearning module developed by the GAA can be viewed online on https://courses.gaa.ie/Covid19ClubEd/#/ and must be completed by anyone participating in training sessions/games. For younger players (Under 18 years), the responsibility will be on a parent or guardian to undertake the E-module course and inform/educate their child accordingly. A certificate will be issued on completion of the course, and you will be asked to print a copy or take a screen grab to show to your team manager/COVID Supervisor before the first day of training. Your child will NOT be allowed to train unless this course is completed.
An online Health Screening questionnaire will also need to be completed by a parent/guardian for a juvenile player. This will need to be completed just ONCE prior to their return to training at https://returntoplay.gaa.ie. The questionnaire will ask you to confirm if your child has a temperature and identify any other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, general weakness, shortness of breath and change in taste or smell. Your child will NOT be allowed to train unless this questionnaire is completed. If your child has symptoms or a temperature above 37.5? they should not attend training.
Using the same online system Adult players, parents/guardians of underage players and team personnel will be required to declare, before each training session/game, that their health status has not changed. This is only a matter of reconfirming the original information and takes about 30 seconds to complete. If you have any concerns or queries related to play or COVID- 19 symptoms you can contact your coach.
There is clearly a personal responsibility to act with care and respect for fellow GAA members in all of this and we seek that commitment from you. Naturally, there is no compulsion on anyone to attend events and it is entirely at your own discretion to participate.
On arrival at the training location players must arrive ready to train as dressing rooms will not be available. Parents must accompany their child to the entrance of the pitch, you must go directly to the team’s Covid Supervisor (who will be wearing a yellow fluorescent bib) – they will check the GAA online system to view Health Check/Declaration has been submitted for each player – parents should wait to get confirmation (if they are not staying). Parents can stay but are reminded to adhere to the 2m social distancing rule. We will require punctual pick-up of your child at the end of the training session to allow time to clear the grounds before the next age group arrives for training.
Player Hygiene. Each player should be mindful of the following;
Hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol based gel before and after leaving the training grounds.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth while training as contaminated hands can transfer the virus to these areas on your face and enter your body making you sick.
Practise respiratory hygiene at all times to protect the people around you from all viruses;
Maintain social distancing guidelines, as advised by your coach, and keep this distance between yourself and others, especially when anyone is coughing or sneezing.
