COVID-19 FOOTBALL RULES
It is great to be back open but it is important to be aware that COVID-19 is still amongst us. Therefore we need all players to continue being very careful when playing football here so we can limit the transmission of the virus.
Although contact football is now permitted again, any of us could have the virus and any of us could catch or pass on the virus at any given moment.
The current UK vaccine roll out is incredibly promising, however the latest lockdowns and spikes around Europe coupled with emerging new variants highlight how the virus is not going away any time soon. Therefore please continue to follow government guidance on social distancing before and after your game as well as during any breaks in your game.
Our COVID-19 Football Rules have been established from the FA’s latest Covid-19 guidance on re-starting outdoor competitive grassroots football. We encourage all players who will use our facilities over the coming months to read the full guidance and resources on the FA's link below:
FA guidance for outdoor grassroots football return on 29 March 2021 (thefa.com)
MAIN RULES
⚽️ Firstly and most importantly, everyone should self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before playing football. If you are showing symptoms or living in a household with possible or actual COVID-19 infection, you must not participate or attend. Let your organiser know if this applies to you so he can find a replacement player.
What are the main COVID-19 Symptoms?
- A high temperature (above 37.8 degrees)
- A new continuous cough
- A loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste
As well as the above symptoms, The FA also recommends that all players should also self screen for the following symptoms prior to arrival for training:
- Shortness of breath
- A sore throat
- Feeling generally unwell
- Persistent tiredness
- Been in close contact with/living with a suspected or confimed case of COVID-19 in the previous two weeks
- If you or anyone in your household/bubble are self-isolating whilst waiting for a test or test results for COVID-19
If you have any of the above symptoms then please stay away and DO NOT play football to protect your teammates because they are all potential indicators of COVID-19 infection.
⚽️ The safety of our customers and staff is our upmost priority. Please remember that studies have shown that people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background (BAME) are at a greater risk from COVID-19. We want all players to feel comfortable playing and you are under no pressure or obligation to play. Do what's right for you.
⚽️ For those who are happy to play, please kindly read about the changes and new rules we have implemented below as recommended by the government and FA guidelines:
CHANGES AT CENTENARY SIXES
⚽️ 4 hand sanitiser stations are positioned outside each of our 4 pitch gates, which we ask all players to use before, during and after your game. Keeping your hands clean is crucial and antibacterial gel kills the virus. Please push with your palm to use.
⚽️ There is now a one way system into the pitches to stop groups mixing. We ask all players to enter the pitches from the pavement side gates only and then to exit the pitches from the grass side gates only. After exiting please do NOT walk back over to the pavement side or sit on the benches outside the pitches. Please ask all your players to leave Centenary Park via another route please.
⚽️ 2 metre social distancing tape is outside both pitches, which we ask ALL players to adhere to. Please note the recommended government advice is still 2 metres not 1 metre plus. Please social distance while warming up, during breaks in play and after you finish.
⚽️ We recommend bringing your own ball. However we will still provide two balls per pitch if required. Balls will be sanitised by us before each game with anti-bacterial wipes.
⚽️ Goalposts will also be sanitised by us before each game with antibacterial wipes. We have created a 10 minute gap in-between most groups so that our staff can do this so please kindly wait outside before your game starts while we complete this.
⚽️ All pitch gates and handles will also be cleaned throughout the day by us with antibacterial wipes.
⚽️ We will no longer provide bibs. The FA guidelines advise that the sharing of all kit and equipment should be avoided.
⚽️ Our Changing Rooms will be shut permanently so please change at home and arrive ready to play.
⚽️ Our toilets will remain locked at all times but can be opened on request. We highly recommend all players go to the toilet at home before you leave. Please don’t go outside our pitches.
⚽️ The gates to our old tennis courts will remain locked at all times so if you are playing on Pitch 2 and kick all footballs over into these courts, please pop over to our office to inform us and a member of staff will quickly throw them back over for you. Do not climb over the fence to retrieve the balls yourself.
⚽️ For competitive training, a maximum of 30 players (including coaches) are allowed on the pitch at any one time. For adult competitive matches the maximum players we allow on the pitch is 14.
⚽️ We ask groups playing on Pitch 1 to park cars outside the middle park gates on Culver Grove. And groups playing on Pitch 2 to park cars outside the last park gates (towards Kenton) on Culver Grove. This will help prevent groups playing at similar times mixing.
⚽️ If you are unsure about any of the rules please read the signs outside the pitches or speak to a member of staff. Remember our new office is located next to the pitches.
⚽️ Please now take a look at our new rules. Please pay special attention to the NO SPITTING or NOSE BLOWING rule. It is not only disgusting but it risks transmitting COVID-19 on our pitch surfaces. If you need to spit or blow your nose either swallow it, do so in a tissue or open the gates and go outside the pitches on the grass as far away from all entrances and exits..
NEW RULES AT CENTENARY SIXES
BEFORE YOU PLAY
⚽️ Do not play if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
⚽️ Please follow the Government and FA advice for travelling safely to and from venues. Try to avoid public transport.
⚽️ Meet up times should be adjusted to avoid congregating outside the pitches too early. No smoking outside our pitches too please.
⚽️ Social distance 2 metres outside the pitch and while warming up on the pitch.
⚽️ Use the hand sanitiser as you enter the pitch via the pavement gates.
⚽️ NO handshakes, NO hi-fives and NO hugs with other players before your game. Basically no unnecessary touching.
⚽️ Bring your own drinks and hand sanitisers in named containers.
⚽️ Do not share kit or equipment like bibs or gloves.
WHILE YOU PLAY
⚽️ No Spitting on the pitches.
⚽️ No Blowing your nose on the pitches.
⚽️ No Chewing Gum.
⚽️ No eating food including sunflower seeds.
⚽️ SHOUTING is to be avoided when playing especially when facing players due to the risk of airborne transmission.
⚽️ Do not touch the rebound boards or crossbars due to the risk of surface transmission.
⚽️ Do not tackle against the rebound boards. Instead give the opposition player space to get out.
⚽️ We recommend taking hygiene breaks during your game at least once. Use the hand sanitiser stations to clean your hands especially if you’ve been in goal and saving shots. Feel free to also ask us to clean the balls/goalposts more often if required.
⚽️ Try not to head the ball.
⚽️ Try not to man mark too closely.
⚽️ Social distance 2 metres when there are breaks in play.
⚽️ Sneeze, cough or blow your nose into your upper sleeve or a tissue.
⚽️ No Goal celebrations with other players.
⚽️ Ball handling should be kept to a minimum.
⚽️ Do not let non-players touch the ball if it gets kicked over. Go get it yourself.
AFTER YOU PLAY
⚽️ Please take all your belongings and empty bottles and rubbish with you and leave promptly via the grass side gate so a member of staff can sanitise the balls and goalposts before the next group starts.
⚽️ Use the hand sanitiser as you exit the pitch to clean your hands.
⚽️ Social distance 2 metres when leaving our pitches.
⚽️ Personal equipment should be wiped down with disinfectant and players should bring their kit home and wash it themselves.
⚽️ No smoking outside our pitches and no congregating in groups of 7 or more in the park as per the current Tier 2 Rule of Six government guidelines.
⚽️ NHS TEST AND TRACE
To help with the NHS Test and Trace scheme for COVID-19, it is a requirement by law for your group to provide us with the first names, surnames and mobile numbers of everyone who is playing.
Therefore as the organiser, please kindly message us these details before your booking starts.
As per government regulations we will delete these details from our system after 21 days.
Centenary Sixes also displays our NHS QR Code outside our pitches so players can scan the code on their phones and check-in on the NHS Test and Trace App.
SPECTATORS
No spectators are allowed at grassroots sport as part of step one of the Government’s roadmap. This means that at this stage, no spectators are allowed at grassroots football.
PARENTS/CARERS
Where clubs and facilities can accommodate this safely, one parent/carer per youth player is permitted to be present at football activities although they must observe the relevant Government Covid-19 guidance. Parents/carers are not allowed on the pitches - Coaches and players only.
⚽️ We kindly ask that organisers pass on all of the COVID-19 Changes and Rules to your group before your booking so that everyone can abide by them when you play football here.
Please note that repeated breaches of our rules in particular spitting, blowing your nose, chewing gum, shouting, tackling against the boards and not observing social distancing could result in players and/or groups being banned. We make no apologies for being strict during this pandemic.
As you have read, we have taken significant measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 here but ultimately you return to play football at your own risk.
We appreciate that this is a lot to take in as we get used to a new normal here at Centenary Sixes, however we kindly ask you to follow these guidelines to protect your own health and those around you. Therefore your co-operation and patience is greatly appreciated at this time.
If you have any further questions then please get in touch otherwise we look forward to seeing you for your next game.
Yours in Football
Darragh
Centenary Sixes Founder
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