Scottish Charity: SC048329


Dear All,

I hope all is well with yourself, family and friends in what has been a challenging time in many ways for us all since the 2nd lockdown started in late December.

It is hard to believe that has been just over 3 months since we were all last together at GHS in what was our last training session before the Christmas break.

On Thursday, 18th March, the club received the fantastic news from Culture NL that we are able to resume training at GHS as of Monday 22nd March at 18.45 using only the outdoor Track and Field facilities in-line with the Guidelines as set out by Scottish Athletics 🙂


So what does “In-line with Scottish Athletics Guidelines” Mean?
The good thing is that the current Scottish Athletics guidelines allows the Club to start back they way we finished prior to the Christmas Holidays, with the following being a reminder of what the Club will continue to follow:

Age 11 and under (Level 4)
Children aged 11 and under can take part in outdoor organised athletics training, group exercise and competition (internal only) within their usual club or facility environment.

An outdoor sporting ‘field of play bubble’ for children aged 11 and under can consist of up to 30 people, including coaches and officials, at any one time.

Children are not required to physically distance. Coaches and officials should maintain physical distancing.

Where there are multiple bubbles operating at the same venue risk assessments must be completed to ensure there can be no mixing of participants before, during or after the activity.

Coaching ratios are 1:8 and coaches are included in the group size.

Age 12+ (Level 4)
Those aged 12+ and over can take part in organised athletics training, group exercise and competition within their usual club or facility environment.

Group sizes of up to 15 people, including coaches and officials, are permitted at any one time.

Physical distancing should always be maintained.

Where there are multiple bubbles operating at the same venue risk assessments must be completed to ensure there can be no mixing of participants before, during or after the activity.

For aged 12-17 years coaching ratios are 1:10 and up to 2 adult coaches are allowed per group.

For adults (18+) coaching ratios are 1:12 and coaches are included in the group size.

Travel
Children aged 17 years or under may travel into or out of a Level 4 area for organised athletics activity if that is where their club or activity normally takes place.

Adults (18+) should only travel locally (within their local authority area) to take part in organised sport or physical activity.

For informal exercise, people of all ages should only travel up to 5 miles from their local authority boundary.

Coaches can travel across local authority boundaries to coach/lead. However, please remember to minimise travel where possible.

For further additional details, please refer to the Scottish Athletics Guidelines.


A BIG Ask of you All 🙂
On behalf of the Club’s Board of Trustees and Club Coaches, can I please ask all Parents/ Guardians and Athletes to:

– Please take the time to read the Starting Back Safely – Club Handout that outlines what we need to follow to allow us to start back to GHS safely as it is important that we all follow the guidelines set out by both our Club and Scottish Athletics;

– For those in the Multi Event Groups, can all the Athletes please stick to the Sessions that you have been allocated to, as it is so important that our Club keeps to our Coach: Athlete ratios


THANK YOU!
As we start back on Monday, I would like to take the time to say a BIG thanks to our Club Covid-19 Coordinators, Club Coaches and Club Officials who have shown great commitment all on a voluntary basis in keeping our Club and our Athletes going and involved through creative sessions and virtual events over the past 3 months and last but not least Francis Smith, our Scottish Athletics National Club Manager, keeping us informed when key changes happened – THANK YOU 🙂

Looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the Club 🙂