Outdoor training backon
Sports clubs and groups across Perth and Kinross will be able to return to outdoor training this week following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
From yesterday (March 15), all non-contact outdoor group sports and organised outdoor exercise returned for all ages.
Those aged 12-years-old and over have their meetings restricted to a maximum of 15 people, with only under-12s permitted to engage in full contact outdoor training.
Following the governments announcement, governing sports bodies and sportscotland have also issued specific guidelines allowing many to return to outdoor training for the first time in months.
The Scottish FA released its own guidelines on grassroots football, including the need for “appropriately risk assessed venues” for training as the wait continues for the restart of lower leagues matches.
Jeanfield Swifts manager
Ross Gunnion said his team cannot wait to get back together for training under physical distancing rules.
“We’ve been managing to stay in regular contact via Zoom and apps such as Strava to monitor the players and keep them ticking over,”he said.
“Whilst we’ve been keeping in contact regularly, nothing replaces the atmosphere of training together in person and all the players and staff are looking forward to getting back to it.
“It’s not been ideal but the players have been doing well.
“When one-to-one coaching became available we’ve been lucky to have Logan McConachie on board who’s been working with individual players for a little while now so they’re all showing up well.
“The benefit of the players looking after themselves means we’ll be working very quickly on getting players up to match speed technically and tactically as opposed to working too much on general fitness.
“That will be key to hitting the ground running and picking up our good form from earlier in the season.”
Scottish Hockey’s guidance stated that players and coaches should still avoid any unnecessary travel and that each age group should treat it as “separate bubbles”.
Perthshire Hockey Club president Gordon Loudon has previously stressed that health and safety of players and coaches is“absolutely paramount”and that plans have already been put in place for a phased return to training this week.
The club’s team captains have been keeping in touch with players in the mean time, with online Zoom keep fit sessions taking place.
Gordon said:“We are happy to be able to get back on a hockey pitch.
“We are starting this week with under 18 boys and girls and hopefully adults all socially distanced. Juniors will hopefully resume soon when under 14’s are allowed to have contact.”
Scottish Athletics followed suit and updated its COVID framework and guidance to allow athletes to return to group training and running.
Perth Strathtay Harriers president Jim Hunter said the club was“delighted” with the news and added:“Our committee is working hard behind the scenes to secure a safe phased return.”