IMPORTANT UPDATES COVID-19 AND FOOTBALL AT WCFC.
RETURN TO FOOTBALL - August 31st
To all Coaches, parents and garegivers.
Hope you've all been well and are looking forward to getting back out onto the field. We are still awaiting confirmation about a restart of training and further information on what the remainder of our season will look like. But if we go to Level 2 on Monday morning ( announcement is this afternoon ) we will be able to train this upcoming week.
We will however be restricted to groups of 10 with no mixing of players in other groups. The group of 10 also includes the coach so you will have to stay with your designated group. As coaches you will have to predetermine your pods so that when the players turn up they do not congregate together. ( This will really only effect the bigger teams and squads that have more than 10 players..)
None of this should be new to any one and the procedures here are the same as the previous level 2’s ‘return to football plan’. I have attached the document below for you to read. Simply put pods need to stay together, turn up as a pod, train as a pod and leave as a pod without having any contact with another pod or group.
Everyone that enters the park needs to sign in using the new QR codes for the GOVERNMENT TRACING APP.
All parents need to reman in their cars.
All players need to sanitise their hands as they enter and leave the fields.
All players need to stay within their pods at all times.
All players need to limit any handling of equipment -ie no throw ins.
All players should not touch their face.
And if you’re feeling unwell, please DO NOT come to training.
The Rangers teams will be training this week and there are a couple changes to the field layout we are used to so accommodate their pods. This will only be for the duration of level 2. We all need to work together on this to make it work and to stay safe.
Mondays - 10s 11s &12s boys using the majority of the big pitch 5pm - 630pm - WCFC 12s & 9s can share the small field.
Tuesdays - 13s & 14s using half the big pitch. - WCFC 15s boys can use the remaining area. Marks 13 girls and WCFC 10s can share the small pitch.
Wednesdays - 10s 11s & 12s boys using Massey Domain 5pm - 630pm. WCFC 10s can remain on the large field.
Thursdays - 13s &14s using half the big pitch. - WCFC 11s boys can use the remaining area..
Fridays -
NRF has suggested that the bulk of the next week or two’s training consist of small sided games that reflect the intensity and movement of actual games. This is to limit the amount of possible injuries as we return to play. There is a link to this info on the website as well as info on staying safe with covid.
RETURN TO FOOTBALL - MAY 25th
First game of the year June 20th.
After much work, the club has recieved confirmation on its Covid 19 Back to Football plan and is expecting to be back training for all teams from May 25th. For everyone looking at playing football this year please register below as soon as you can. Footballs back!
For everyone that has registered your coaches have been briefed and will be in touch very shortly about begining training. There are a few new rules to follow on contact tracing for everyone to practice. These can be found in a newsletter that has been sent out to all memebers or in the latest news story "Back to Football Plan'
18 May 2020.
Return to football Plan.
Waitakere City FC, Return to Football
Covid 19 Alert Level 2 Plan
General
This plan addresses how Waitakere City FC will manage a return to football during Alert Level 2, and the policies and processes we all need to follow to minimize the risk of community transmission of Covid 19. It recognizes that our activities will be attended by both members and visitors to the Clubs
The Plan is based on the following key messages:
- Contact tracing is important for all people attending football, with a record keep of everyone attending our various activities, their name, address, phone number and email address.
- Activities are limited to 10 people per pod, until further direction given by the NZF. If required, fields areas can be separated to ensure limits are maintained. For matches, this number excludes players and officials
- All non-players should maintain a 2m physical separation to others. There is an understanding that physical distancing cannot be maintained by players on the field.
- All members should wash or sanitize their hands before starting and at the end of their activity.
- Members must not share water bottles or food.
- Anyone showing any signs of illness should remove themselves from the activity and return home.
Waitakere City FC, Return to Football
Covid 19 Alert Level 2 Plan
General
This plan addresses how Waitakere City FC will manage a return to football during Alert Level 2, and the policies and processes we all need to follow to minimize the risk of community transmission of Covid 19. It recognizes that our activities will be attended by both members and visitors to the Clubs
The Plan is based on the following key messages:
- Contact tracing is important for all people attending football, with a record keep of everyone attending our various activities, their name, address, phone number and email address.
- Activities are limited to 10 people per pod, until further direction given by the NZF. If required, fields areas can be separated to ensure limits are maintained. For matches, this number excludes players and officials
- All non-players should maintain a 2m physical separation to others. There is an understanding that physical distancing cannot be maintained by players on the field.
- All members should wash or sanitize their hands before starting and at the end of their activity.
- Members must not share water bottles or food.
- Anyone showing any signs of illness should remove themselves from the activity and return home.
COVID-19 Update
New Zealand Football have confirmed that at Alert Level-2 football can begin to return in a measured and calculated capacity. Subject to the Guidelines produced by Sport NZ and New Zealand Football, the Auckland & Northern Football Federations confirm that Clubs may resume organised training once the following have been confirmed:
- Council have opened the grounds for training; and
- The Club has provided a declaration to the Auckland & Northern Football Federations that they have all the necessary public health measures in place and these have been clearly communicated to all participants, including but not limited to Contact Tracing and the sanitisation of equipment.
Declaration form will be finalised and available for clubs from May 14.
Please note NZ Football is still in the process of finalising Contact Tracing and Return to Play guidelines and these will be available shortly.
For New Zealand Football's guidelines, click here
Article added: Wednesday 13 May 2020
NZF Media
9 April 2020
For immediate release
Community football postponement extended until at least Queen’s Birthday weekend
New Zealand Football and the seven Federations have announced that the community football postponement has been extended until at least Queen’s Birthday Weekend (Saturday 30 May 2020), due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the country still in Alert Level 4, the extended postponement gives the football community new guidance on when NZF aims to resume play, providing it’s safe to do so.
- Community football, including junior, youth, senior and social competitions – start postponed until at least 30 May
- Community futsal including junior, youth, senior and social competitions – start postponed until at least 30 May
- National Futsal Tournaments scheduled in June and July have been cancelled – including the Youth Futsal Championships. All other national tournaments remain under review
- In person workshops and courses, including coaching and refereeing – all postponed until at least 30 May (in some cases, an online alternative will be made available so please check with your course provider)
All football clubs are still taking registrations for the 2020 season.
All team training should be suspended until 16 May, or two weeks prior to the start of the season.
NZF is delighted with the football community’s responsible attitude under lockdown, and is sharing resources to help players stay fit, work on their skills and keep entertained at www.nzfootball.co.nz and on social media.
UPDATE 23/03/2020
Alert level of New Zealand Raised to LEVEL 4.
(Ministry of Health Covid-19 website Click here)
As of Tuesday 22nd we are currently at Level 3, but will move to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 at 11.59 pm on Wednesday 25 March. This means New Zealanders not working in essential services must stay at home and stop all interactions with others outside of your household.
We know that this is a big ask. Eradicating the disease is vital to protect people’s health and ensure our health system can cope and look after New Zealanders who become sick.
You may go for a walk or exercise and enjoy nature, but keep a 2 metre distance from people at all times. You can take your children outside.
Food will always be available – production will continue, distribution will continue, supermarkets will continue. You will always have access to food.
Medicines will always be available.
Healthcare for those that need it will be available.
Your usual financial support, like benefits, will continue as normal.
Remember, whatever you do must be solitary. We're asking that you only spend time with those who you are in self-isolation with, and keep your distance from all others at all times.
We need your support to protect New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19. Enforcement measures may be used to ensure everyone acts together, now.
...................
If you decide to have a run up at the club please follow all the rules set out above and stay safe. Please keep vigilant on washing our hands and please remember not to spit on the fields while exercising.
WCFC exec.
UPDATE 18/03/2020
All community football postponed until 2 May
Out of concern for our community’s health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the community football season has been postponed until 2 May.
This difficult decision has been reached by NZ Football in agreement with the seven Federations, to help prevent community spread of COVID-19.
Measures being taken include:
- Community football, including junior, youth, senior, social and regional competitions – all play postponed until 2 May
- Community futsal including junior, youth, senior and social competitions - all play postponed until May 2nd. o The 2020 Secondary Schools Futsal Championships set for late March has been cancelled. Tertiary Futsal championships are postponed until a date to be confirmed, and all other competitions are being reviewed.
- Workshops and courses- including coaching and refereeing courses postponed until after 2 May
- Meetings – all federation meetings postponed until further notice
- All training should be suspended from (TODAY 18th March) until 18 April, or two weeks prior to the start of the season. Coaches will be updated prior and teams contacted
All training should be suspended until 18 April, or two weeks prior to the start of the season. Recommendations around safe practice will be continue to be updated, aligning with Ministry of Health guidelines.
NZ Football updates will be posted at www.nzfootball.co.nz/covid19
UPDATE 12/03/2020
To all members and their family.
You will all be aware of the evolving situation regarding Covid 19 and recent MoH guidelines regarding international arrivals to New Zealand. The virus issue is continuing to be a world-wide emergency with Governments scrambling to catch up and deal with it.
It is becoming clear that the threat and the impact is far greater than we had originally been made aware - Contracted rates are increasing exponentially.
This will undoubtedly have far reaching effects on all aspects of our lives until the issue is brought under control.
With the football season fast approaching, we have received advice from NZ Football regarding Covid 19 and we understand that further government announcements could be imminent. NRF/NZF will provide an update in the next 48 hours based on all information currently available regarding our operations - including the delivery of all competitions.
In the meantime we remind everyone to follow the MoH Guidelines, Players should refrain from shaking hands pre/post training & matches and should not share drinks bottles.
We anticipate providing a further update by Thursday 19th March 2020.
Some guidelines are here:
Hygiene for football players;
If you’re sick or or have come in contact with someone who is sick, please don’t come to football.
Limit physical contact like shaking hands. Greet teammates and opponents with ankle and elbow bumps, or an East Coast wave instead.
Irrespective of COVID-19, water bottles shouldn’t be shared. All players should have their own.
Don’t share drinks, towels, lip balm or sunscreen, bring your own.
Attached you will find the general MoH guidelines and below are the relevant links from NZF and the MoH.
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/ABOUT-US/Covid19
https://www.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
If you are feeling unwell please phone Healthline on 0800 611 116
If you have any further queries with regards this please do no not hesitate to contact your relevant club official
Be safe,
WCFC Excutive.
Waitakere City Association Footb