PITCH IN AND BE A GOOD SPORT
QUEENSLAND’S peak sporting body is calling on parents to support clubs “running on the smell of an oily rag” as codes return across the state and try to operate under COVID-safe plans.
Among the new guidelines, handshakes, hive fives, huddles, tackling and celebrations are banned.
QUEENSLAND’S peak sporting body is calling on parents to support clubs “running on the smell of an oily rag” as codes try to operate under COVID-safe plans.
“It’s absolutely critical that we get kids back into sport this year because many clubs are already on a knife’s edge,” said Alison Lyons, chairwoman of the QSports field team sport group.
“We’ve already seen a drop in youths and teenagers in sport before coronavirus and for people to think that kids’ sport doesn’t matter and that we’ll give it a miss this year is absolutely devastating.
“We’re very concerned about the survival of some sports clubs, most are already running on the smell on an oily rag, and whether they’ll even return next year unless parents throw their support around them.”
Ms Lyons, who is also Hockey Queensland chief executive, worked with QSports colleagues to create a 40-page COVID-safe plan to guide Gold Coast clubs in getting kids back into sport during stage two restrictions.
“Clubs can have multiple groups of 20 on fields, depending on the size of the pitches or fields, but no groups can mingle and there needs to be buffer zones of five metres between each zone. There must also be different exit and entry points and staggered training times.”
Despite kids being allowed to play together freely at school, clubs cannot welcome them back until they tick off a four-page COVID-safe plan checklist of 65 requirements.
Handshakes, hive fives, huddles, tackling and celebrations are banned. Clubs must reduce sharing of balls and equipment, and set up cleaning protocols or restrict the use of shared balls.
Clubs must also provide ample handwashing and sanitising stations, shut or limit the use of changing sheds, clean high-touch surfaces hourly and remove seating or space it to 1.5m. They must also mark up railings and grounds to encourage social distancing, install physical barriers and maintain an attendance record of everyone taking part for 56 days.
Surfers Paradise Australian Football Club junior president Nick Phelan said training would resume on Monday with three lots of 20 allowed on the oval at staggered times. “It’s going to be a lot like herding cats but it’s good to get kids back outside and playing footy,” he said.
“Finances are a big issue. We live from year to year. But AFL have put down a season and we’ll do our best to meet obligations for our families.”
Helensvale Netball Club coach Ann de Losh said she was happy netball could resume with 20 players on a court, with every second court empty. But she was still daunted by restrictions.
“It’ll just be a drills, fitness and a lot of lobs,” she said.