Football ready to return under new FA guidance
Football: The grassroots game will resume next week following updated guidelines
From Monday, March 29, as part of the next stage of Government’s roadmap out of national lockdown, outdoor sports facilities can open, and organised outdoor sports can take place.
On Wednesday, the FA published its updated guidance, based on the latest Government advice, which applies to all outdoor youth and adult football and Futsal, including all formats off the game.
The guidance is for all players, coaches, club officials, club welfare officers, match officials, league officials, firstaiders, volunteers, parents/carers, and spectators.
W Travel
The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on Monday, as per Government guidance, but many restrictions will still remain in place. As organised sport resumes, all players may travel to games but should avoid travel at the busiest times and routes. Participants are also required to minimise unnecessary journeys where possible, and follow Government’s guidance on safer travel.
W Changing rooms
Changing amenities can not be used and must remain shut.
Toilets, however, will be allowed to open 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after training and/or matches. All Government guidance on hygiene and social distancing measures must be adhered to.
W Spectators
As part of step one of Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, spectators are prohibited from attending grassroots football. One parent or guardian per child partaking in youth sport is allowed, however, where clubs and facilities can safely accomodate this.
W Indoor football
Indoor sport is not currently allowed and is not planned to return earlier than May 17, as part of step three of Government’s roadmap. Disability football is allowed to take place indoors.
W Further financial support
With the assistance of Sport England, the FA will be offering funding to County FAs in order to provided discounted 2021-22 season affiliation.
This will be available across the whole of affiliated football, and help get everyone back involved with the game, including those from under-represented areas of the sport such as women and girls, lower socioeconomic groups. minority groups, and those with a disability.
Additionally, the 'Return to Footbal Fund', made possible with Sport England funding from the National Lottery, will provide £2.1million to support people in low participation groups to start playing again.
It will also fund initiatives aimed at bringing new players into the game and cover the cost of adapting to COVID-19 rules.
Finally, alongside the FA's partners at the Football Foundation, two other new funds have been announced to provide further support to clubs over the longer term,
The £14million 'Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund' is providing six-year tapered grants to improve the quality of pitches, while the 'Small Grants Fund' is available to help clubs purchase essential equipment and portable floodlights.
For more information about the funds and how to apply, please visit: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/game-on,
W Maidenhead United Juniors are also gearing up to return on Monday, according to secretary Neil Maskell.
“We have 35 teams and 450 playing members. All were given the option of returning next season or resuming on or after March 29,”he said.
“The vast majority have elected to return to training the week commencing March 29, and some of our affiliated leagues will recommence fixtures the following weekend.
“The willingness to return would seem to be testament to the rigorous COVID-secure measures our committee of volunteers have put in place over the last 12 months with all aspects of footballing activities risk assessed to ensure all of our members and volunteers are kept safe, including the procurement of PPE.”