Covid-19

England Hockey return to play guidance 

The Club is following England Hockey Return to Play Guidance (last updated March 2021).  We all have a responsibility to keep our children and ourselves safe and therefore it is essential that you remain up to date . Please check this page regularly and before your child partakes in club activities. Please help us by following the guidance.

Full details from England Hockey Return to Play guidance are available on England Hockey's website.

We recommend that you read the full England Hockey guidance to see the steps we are taking to keep hockey safe and to understand some of the changes you might be seeing during training and match play.

Covid Officer 

The Club's Covid Officer is Emma Massingham. Please address all queries to her.

England Hockey Return to Play Consent Form

This form is mandatory and must be completed before your child can train or play.  It is also required if you coach, officiate or volunteer at the Club.

Once completed, our Covid Officer will receive a list of people that are eligible to step back on the pitch.

This is only required to be filled in once and must be completed at least 48 hours prior to your first hockey session. You do not need to do anything with the email confirmation, just keep it.

Your child will not be permitted to train or play without completing this consent form and obtaining confirmation from England Hockey.

The form is accessible on the England Hockey website.

Minimum Guidance

We detail below the minimum that we expect parents and guardians to read, understand and comply with.  Please help us by discussing, as appropriate, with your child.

Before Attending any Training Session or Match

Self-assess for Covid-19 symptoms​ - this must be done before attending the club or taking part in any activity at the Club or away matches/ festivals. Please use the NHS guidance on checking if your child has Covid 19 symptoms before each session.

Do not bring your child if they display symptoms, have been asked to isolate by PHE, are unwell or you are unsure.

Report any Covid-19 symptoms - if your child, or any member of your household, find themselves with any Covid symptoms follow NHS guidance on self- isolation.  Contact the Covid Officer if symptoms occur 2 days before and 7 days after attendance.

Your child must bring their own named equipment – sticks, gumshields, facemasks (if required), goalkeeping equipment (if appropriate). There must be no sharing of equipment.

Your child must:

  • have a full, named water bottle on arrival. There must be no sharing of water bottles
  • only bring what is needed. An area will be set aside for kit. Dug outs will be out of bounds
  • arrive ready to play.  There will be no access to changing facilities. Use of toilet facilities should be avoided
  • not chew gum
  • be accompanied by one adult

On Arriving at and Training Session or Match

Your child must:

  • arrive promptly on time, not too early.
  • travel in your normal bubble/household group. Avoid using public transport. Please follow Government guidance where this is not possible and where car sharing takes place.
  • wash hands before and after activity and regularly use hand sanitiser (we’ll make sure there’s some available during the session, but it may be useful if your child has their own small bottle for matches).
  • register their attendance at all training and matches at all venues. The Club is required to keep records of all attendees under NHS Track and Trace and provide them to England Hockey within 24 hours of attendance.  Please ensure that your child is registered and any unaccompanied child knows that they MUST register.
  • wait, until instructed, before allowing your child to enter the pitch, observing social distancing. Observe any ‘one way’ system. Please do not congregate around the entrance and observe social distancing whilst waiting.

During Training and Matches​

  • There will be a ​maximum of  30 individuals, per discrete group,​ including coaches and helpers.
  • Coaches can move between groups.
  • Multiple groups can run according to the capacity of the pitch but with no cross-overs.
  • Equipment will be cleaned and stored after each session in line with Government guidelines.
  • Face masks will not be used in training. If face masks are required in match situations, we highly recommend that children have their own. The Club will not provide face masks.
  • Wherever possible, between play and drills, social distancing will be observed.
  • Children will be encouraged to undertake social distance celebrating e.g. stick tapping. No handshaking, high fives.
  • Children will be encouraged to use hand sanitisers when appropriate during matches e.g. half time.
  • Social distancing will be observed, where possible, by substitutes, side line officials, coaches and managers.

Leaving the pitch

Pick up your child promptly at end of session, observing social distancing.

Spectators

  • Spectators and parents must not enter the pitch unless invited to do so.
  • Spectators must maintain discrete groups of 6, in line with Government guidance and observing social distancing.
  • Refrain from shouting.

Spectators at matches

  • Only one spectator per family.
  • Please self-assess for Covid symptoms before attending.
  • Register on arrival - your details will be kept for 21 days to comply with our Track and Trace obligations.
  • Spectators must maintain discrete groups of 6, in line with Government guidance and observing social distancing.
  • Refrain from shouting.