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Clarification on permitted outdoor football activity in Jersey

JFA publishes a reminder of Level Two guidance and outlines anticipated timelines and guidelines for the restart of physical contact in football.

The below email has today (20th July 2020) been sent by the Jersey FA to secretaries of all affiliated clubs in Jersey.

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You may have seen over the weekend the hugely welcome announcement from the FA signalling the phased return of grassroots football in England.

This is another step in the right direction and means we can optimistically look ahead to the 2020-21 season.

We are, however, keen to highlight that here in Jersey we remain in Level Two and therefore the current Level Two guidelines for outdoor grassroots football remain in place. The guidelines can be read and downloaded via our website.

We understand that a move to Level One in the island is potentially imminent, with ministers meeting this week. The latest DRAFT guidance circulated by Jersey Sport confirms that when we reach Level One, physical contact in outdoor football activity will be able to resume albeit with a series of measures and caveats. This will then allow for us to follow a similar path to England with regards to a phased return to football. We currently envisage the below time-table:

Date

Guidelines

Changes to allowed football activity in Jersey

Very soon

Government of Jersey moves island to Level One

Contact can resume in training sessions in Jersey

Aug

FA recommends friendlies can begin

Friendly matches can begin in Jersey

Sep

FA recommends competitive action can begin

JFA Combination League matches can begin in Jersey

All football activity needs to comply with Government of Jersey guidelines, and clubs will need to update their risk assessments to include areas such as changing room use and how physical distancing will be observed, for example. Physical contact will be allowed during matches and training, but for all other activity such as warm ups/cool downs, team talks etc the Government of Jersey guidelines on physical distancing should still be observed.

To aid clubs in their preparation for the restart of football, we have attached the key latest guidance documents from the FA at Wembley, which we will follow in Jersey once we reach Level One with the following minor adjustments to reflect the differences between the UK Government and Government of Jersey;

  • Replace all mentions of “NHS Test and Trace/system protocols” with “Government of Jersey Contact Tracing protocols/system”
  • The FA guidelines limit training groups to 30 participants. In Jersey, this figure is already at 40 and is likely to be increased further under Level One.
  • The FA guidelines permit spectator groups of up to six people per group. In Jersey, the maximum number of people allowed to gather will be communicated as part of the Level One announcement.
  • In the UK 2m social distancing is required, whereas in Jersey it is 1m.
  • There is separate guidance for indoor sport in Jersey.
  • There is separate guidance for changing room and shower use in Jersey.

We are circulating the attached documents now to allow clubs time to prepare risk assessments, put up signage and to make any relevant changes to clubhouses, for example. The documents include guidance on areas such as pre-match handshakes, treatment of injuries and cleaning of footballs/equipment.

FA: Detailed Covid-19 Guidance on Re-starting Competitive Grassroots Football in England

FA: SUMMARY OF COVID-19 GUIDANCE ON RE-STARTING COMPETITIVE GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND

If there are any conflicts between the guidance from the FA and the guidance from the Government of Jersey, it is the GoJ guidelines which should be followed.

In summary, we are optimistic that we could be days away from contact in training, a week-and-a-half away from friendlies and just over a month away from JFA Combination League matches. However, clubs will need to play their part by following the guidance and drawing up the risk assessments.

If you have any questions please do get in touch and we’ll be happy to advise.

Thank you,

Tim Pryor, Jersey FA Marketing, Communications & Events Manager

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