Return to Training
Last week saw the long awaited return to training beginning with our senior football and camogie teams on Thursday evening, followed by our minor footballers on Sunday morning.
All teams are adhering to GAA and public health guidelines and social distancing arrangements are in place. The Club is providing a weekly timetable with each team allocated a designated pitch to train on. All teams are asked to adhere to the timetable and train only at their designated time and location.
Covid Supervisors have been appointed and will be in attendance at training sessions. This is is being co-ordinated by Matt Walshe who has kindly agreed to take on the role of Co-Ordinator. Hand sanitisers and PPE equipment have been provided, and will be available to all teams.
Our thanks to Justin Looby and Haven Pharmacy for sponsoring the supply of sanitising equipment. Our thanks also to Padraig O’Dowd who supplied the Covid signage.
Juvenile teams – return to training
This week will see the return of many of our juvenile teams to action. Team mentors will be in touch with parents on times and arrangements.
In preparation for return to play for underage players, there are a number of important items that parents must ensure are in place before their children can return to training.
1. Covid e-learning module (https://courses.gaa.ie/Covid19ClubEd/#/).
A parent of each underage child must complete this eLearning module should explain its content to their child and must provide a screenshot or printout of the completion certificate to the Covid Supervisor for the relevant team before their child can be allowed to train.
2. Health questionnaire (See Userguide here: https://learning.gaa.ie/sites/default/files/Gaelic%20Games_Health%20Questionnaire_User%20Guide_22.06.2020.pdf)
A parent of each underage player participating in Gaelic Games must complete a Health Questionnaire, answering some basic health related questions, on behalf of their child, prior to the first occasion that they return to their club.
3. Parents must also re-confirm that their Health Status hasn’t changed on the day of each subsequent training session or other participation. Again this element is absolutely mandatory and the Covid Supervisor for each team will need to verify that each child's health status has been submitted and re-confirmed ahead of each training session.
4. Club membership
Club Membership for each child must be up to date before the child can be allowed to return to play. Without this registration in place there is no insurance cover in player for the child's participation. Please ensure that your child has been registered with the club for 2020.
5. Personal Gear
Please make sure that the child brings all their own gear and equipment to training. Note that every child participating in football must bring a gum shield and for all codes of training each child must bring their own water bottle – there will be no shared water bottles made available by mentors.
It is essential that everyone in the club works together to ensure compliance with these guidelines.
Academy and Summer camps
Our Academy for younger players will return in September to coincide with the re-opening of schools. This will be confirmed when arrangements are finalised.
Unfortunately, the Club is not in a position to run summer camps this year. We know this is disappointing but the safety requirements in relation to Covid and social distancing are such that we would find it difficult, if not impossible, to cater for the numbers involved, particularly if the weather is inclement and children have to be brought indoors. There is the added though welcome complication that the refurbishment works in the clubhouse could commence in or around then.
As it must be, safety is our priority. However, we look forward to running these camps again and will do as soon as circumstances permit.
Gerry McDonagh,
Secretary.
29 June, 2020.
