Netball Scotland’s Response to the Latest Government Announcement
30th July 2020
We welcome today’s news that we are maintaining Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown. In today’s statement (Thursday 30th July 2020) the First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon set out key dates that have a profound impact on our Return to Netball, these are:
- From the 3rd August Sports Coaches can meet with more than 4 households in a single day
The First Minister also presented some further indicative re-opening dates:
- From the 24th August organised outdoor contact sport may be able to resume for all ages
- From the 14th of September some indoor sports courts may be able to reopen as long as physical distancing and hygiene measures remain in place
As the opportunity for a gradual return to sport eases ever closer, we continue to work together with many indoor sports, sportscotland and the Scottish Government. We are also working with facilities and wider sporting bodies in Scotland to advocate for the support that the sector and netball needs.
IT’S TIME TO GET #NETBALLREADY
Guidance documents setting out a Return to Netball in Scotland are near completion, following a final review by sportscotland and partners. This guidance will set out a Return to Netball in a careful and considered way. Our return will be gradual, phased and varied between ages, in line with the latest government guidance and advice at the time. Any commencement of activity will be based on meeting required criteria of health, safety, hygiene, and wellbeing measures.
There are at least four key steps that all Clubs and netball organisers will be required to complete before they re-commence netball activities:
1) Appoint a Covid Officer
2) Create a Club Management Plan
3) Ensure all members are Affiliated for the new season
4) Club volunteers to attend #NetballReady Forums (dates coming soon)
Whilst the vast majority of netball activity will remain suspended for now, over the coming weeks we will look to introduce outdoor activity for our U12s and 12-17s. However, until the release of our #NetballReady guidance and until Clubs can ensure all Return to Netball steps are met, we ask that netball activity for U12s and 12-17s does not commence.
Once those steps are in place, we’re confident that you will be #NetballReady! We will support and guide you through implementing all the necessary steps and provide you with all the tools, resources, templates and guidance you will need to meet the mandatory requirements and get your club #NetballReady. Our aim is to ensure every club and team are fully prepared before any netball training activity begins.
WHAT DOES THIS RETURN LOOK LIKE?
Upon release of our Return to Netball guidance we anticipate:
- Outdoor modified netball activity will be able to resume for U12s and 12-17s, with limited numbers and minimal equipment sharing as long as return requirements are met.
- For members 18+ we ask that you continue to practice netball fitness activity outdoors only for now, practicing a physical distance of 2 meters, diligently adhering to hygiene measures and ensuring there is no equipment sharing. This will be reviewed in line with the next government update on the 20th of August.
- Please note that all indoor activity remains suspended
We know you all want to get back to netball, and get back to “normal” but with the world in the grips of a pandemic that is yet to be fully understood, our game will not look the same for a while longer. We understand it can be frustrating, especially seeing other sports appear to return at an accelerated rate. However, netball is not rugby, or football, or even basketball. Our sport must be judged on the nature of the game. We are higher risk than many other team sports and subsequently the return for our sport differs from outdoor contact sports.
We will do all we can to bring our sport back but if we do too much to early, we risk the health and wellbeing of our members and this may compromise our ability to do more.
Stay Safe. Protect Others. Save Lives
