Training & Competition Update - 9th June
**Update as of 10/6/20 - This morning, the NSW Sports Minster Geoff Lee announced that senior commuity sport can also return from July 1st. Our advice below now also applies to Over 18 competitions. July 18th is still the proposed start date for all competitions, however if Associations/Venues have completed all the necessary requirements, the may consider starting anytime from July 1st.**
Hockey NSW wishes to advise our community on some minor changes to training field configurations, and also provide clarification on competition start dates.
When initial return to training protocols were announced last month, sessions were limited to 10 people per half field. Hockey NSW has now revised our advice and will allow 10 people per quarter field from Saturday June 13th.
Hockey NSW has made this decision in light of the high-quality and comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plans that have been submitted by Associations, Venues and Clubs over the past week. We feel confident that our community will remain safe and healthy with these plans in place, and that they will be able to manage effectively with a wider scope.
It is hoped that this decision will further assist Associations and Clubs with the logistics of organising team training sessions and getting more people back out on to the field in preparation for competitions.
However, we would like to remind everyone that other health and hygiene protocols (i.e. attendance register, social distancing) still remain in place and need to be adhered to when at any hockey venue.
On June 3rd, the NSW Government announced that junior community sport can recommence from July 1st. After this announcement was made, we received several enquiries from our community seeking clarification on competition start dates.
Hockey NSW wishes to advise that our initial proposed competition starting date of July 18th is still in place for junior (Under 18) competitions. However, if a venue has completed all the necessary requirements listed below, they may consider starting their competitons at an earlier date.
At this stage, whilst preparation to commence senior hockey on the same date remains our aim, approval from the NSW Government and NSW Department of Health is still required before this can go ahead. Hockey NSW is continuing to meet with relevant stakeholders on a weekly basis and we hope to bring you an update on this shortly.
Before any competitions or training can commence, there are a number of requirements that must be met by Clubs and Associations:
- A COVID19 Safety Plan must be completed, submitted, and implemented by all relevant Associations, Venues and Identified Clubs. This plan must be approved by Hockey NSW;
- All Clubs must complete and submit a Club Checklist to their Association and Hockey NSW;
- Local council approval must be provided where applicable; and
- Appropriate venue signage must be displayed.
We would like to thank the many volunteers who have spent countless hours working to ensure that they have met the requirements above. Over 50% of the required COVID-19 Safety Plans have already been submitted and approved, while Hockey NSW supplied signage is starting to appear around venues.
If you have any questions about the advice above, please use the link below to submit your enquiry. As Hockey NSW have scaled back their operations, some responses may be slightly delayed. However, we will endeavour to reply to you as soon as practicable.
Enquiries: https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/surveys/1387/
NEW FIELD CONFIGURATION
