DRILLS AND SKILLS AS JUNIORS RETURN
Players get back in action
Delighted players with Crieff Juniors FC made the long- awaited return to training last week.
Regular meetings, which would normally see scores of talented youngsters across various age groups hone their skills each week, were put on hold in March as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
But guidance permitting practice sessions to get under way once more was issued by the Scottish Football Association ( SFA), Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA) and Scottish Government earlier this month.
Restrictions remain in place, such as a limit on the number of players and coaches permitted to attend a given session and no matches being allowed between different clubs.
In a letter issued to players’ families prior to training resuming last week, CJFC chair John Duncan said: “We are delighted to announce that we can return to football ... it may look and feel different from previously and we would ask you to explain this to the players and work with us over any questions or concerns you may have.
“The club has finally had guidance from the SFA, SYFA and the Scottish Government that training for grassroots football clubs can resume following the lockdown for the Covid- 19 pandemic.
“Normally, the club would not train over the summer holidays. However, given many of the children and young people have not been able to participate in football since March, the coaches are willing to conduct training over the summer then onwards as normal.
“However, we must also be mindful that the Scottish Government may well impose additional restrictions on social contact if levels of coronavirus increase and training may need to be ceased again in future.
“Nevertheless, the executive committee and all the coaches really want to get back to training so it has considered how we can best get children back to the sport they love.”
Players’ fees are set to resume on August 1 having been suspended during the period organised training was not taking place.
John continued: “Early on in the pandemic, the executive committee made the decision to advise that parents/carers could suspend all subs for the period of lockdown due to the ongoing issues around employment and income for some families.
“The committee would firstly like to say thank you to those who have continued to pay their subs throughout the lockdown, despite the absence of training and games.
“For that the club is very grateful and is part of the reason
the committee made the decision to invest in an app to encourage children to train and so the coaches could continue to monitor progress and set challenges.”
He went on to explain: “The committee recognises that there may be some families experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
“Whilst we do not have indefinite funds, the club does not want any child to miss out on playing football after such an extended period of time at home.
“If you find paying the subs challenging please contact [CJFC] by email or phone to discuss your circumstances as the club may be able to assist for an agreed time period.”
John concluded: “I want to express my thanks to all the club officials for their support – notably the hard work of everyone in getting us back to playing football, especially Indiya, Alan, Bob and Stuart.”
Club secretary Alan Butler added: “We also want to extend our thanks to Live Active Leisure for awarding the club a Start Back grant of £204 to spend on items like hand gels, wipes and sanitiser for each of the age groups.
“It was a welcome donation so we want to say thank you from everyone at the club.”
Extensive guidance in relation to the new coaching rules is available on the website www. crieffjuniorsfc.co.uk
Coaches will also contact those concerned in relation to the location of training sessions as coronavirus pandemic restrictions ease and venues reopen.