Prepared for: Didcot Town Youth – All Teams
Project Location: Didcot Town Football Club
Prepared by: Tony Crutchley – Elected Welfare Officer

Quality Management
Version Date Updates Author
1 07.06.20 First Version The Committee
2 08.06.20 Second Version The Committee
3 10.06.20 Third Version The Committee
4 28.06.20 Fourth Version – Without Committee member The Committee
5 21.07.20 Fifth Version – Increased group sizes The Committee
6 09.08.20 Sixth Version – Friendly games/Tournaments The Committee
7 07.09.20 Seventh Version – League and Cup Fixtures The Committee
8 11.09.20 Eighth Version – Updated government guidance The Committee
9 03.12.20 Ninth Version – inclusion of Tier Systems The Committee

SECTIONS
1. DIDCOT TOWN YOUTH GETTING BACK TO FOOTBALL INTRODUCTION
2. DIDCOT TOWN YOUTH MANAGERS GUIDANCE
3. PITCH LAYOUT
4. PARENTS GUIDANCE
5. PLAYER GUIDANCE (ALL PLAYERS)
6. DISPLAY POSTERS
7. MANAGERS AND PLAYERS RISK ASSESSMENT
Overview of Findings and any other recommendations

1. DIDCOT TOWN YOUTH GETTING BACK TO FOOTBALL INTRODUCTION

1.1 This document has been written to define and clearly set out the safe and effective delivery of training, friendly, League and Cup games for Didcot town Youth Teams.

1.2 The Getting Back to Football plan is devised to provide information on all aspects of training and games and the location in line with the Government and FA guidelines.

1.3 Next steps overview;

Those Involved:

- Didcot Town FC – Training Location
- Didcot Town Youth Committee - Overall management of the youth teams
- Didcot Town Youth Team Managers – Training delivery, Friendly games, small sided tournaments, League & Cup Fixtures.

The Getting Back to Football plan will be actioned by the Committee to ensure that all Government guidelines are met, the training and games can operate safely. Team managers are responsible for guideline implementation during training sessions and competitive fixtures.

1.4 Supporting appendices included:
Appendix A - FA and Government Guidance July 2020
Government Guidance Dec 2020
Appendix B - Safety Posters
Appendix C - Covid-19 Committee Risk Assessment

2. DIDCOT TOWN YOUTH MANAGERS GUIDANCE

Getting back to football follows the guidelines set out by government and the FA. We will be following these guidelines to ensure the safety of players, managers and parents. This means restrictions on what we would class as our normal training routine, Friendly games as well as League and Cup Fixtures will be in place.

As a club it is important that all teams and age groups follow the guidance and processes we have put in place which are listed below.

Tier Systems – The tier systems shown in the below summary apply to grassroots football and Must be followed to ensure the safety of all players, coaches and spectators. DTYFC will monitor the movement of Oxfordshire through the tier systems and update all members, as well as update the Risk Assessment if and when required.

Oxfordshire Status = Tier 2 as of 02/12/2020

Training Location – Training Pitch - Didcot Town Football Club, Bowmont Water Didcot, OX11 7GA.

Training can commence on Council property at Edmonds Park, Park Road, Didcot, OX11 8QE from Saturday 5th December 2020.

Teams are permitted to train at other facilities away from DTFC or Edmonds Park but MUST adhere to measures highlighted within this guidance.

League & Cup Fixtures – Edmonds Park, Park Road, Didcot, OX11 8QE or Training Pitch - Didcot Town Football Club, Bowmont Water Didcot, OX11 7GA.

We would strongly recommend a phased return to competitive football activity as follows:

Player Numbers – Competitive training can begin, with the overall group size (inclusive of coaches) being limited to 30 people.

Social Distancing - Everybody must ensure a social distance of 2 metres when not participating in full contact games, e.g. warming up/cooling down or spectating.

Participation – The Manager/Coach taking the session can be involved within the group, ensuring the maximum level as stated above is not exceeded.

Safeguarding – At least 1 Youth football club manager and 1 other with DBS, will be present at all sessions to safeguard all activities when training. Teams U9 that exceed 20 children.

Session Contents- Group skills such as dribbling or passing and or/Individual fitness activities, plus contact practice matches.

Training spectators at DTFC training pitch – No spectators are allowed in the training pitch area, all parents must wait in the car park until the end of the session, ideally situated in or by their own cars. Parents are also not permitted to gather at the DTFC training pitch fence as this causes congestion and does not allow for the correct measures to be adhered to. Managers are requested to monitor this and ask parents to move on should this occur.

Those training at venues away from DTFC are expected to follow the same guidance and ask parents to refrain from being present.

Friendly games/League & Cup fixtures – Spectators are allowed into the training area to view games at DTFC. All spectators must stay in the designated area ONLY and adhere to social distancing as recommended, including separation of away and home fans. Managers are responsible for visiting teams and MUST agree all terms before commencement.

Friendly games/League & Cup fixtures @ Edmonds Park – Spectators Must social distance in line with government recommendations. E.g. staying in their own cars, or in separate social distancing ‘gatherings’ of up to six people.
All spectators should be given guidance on where to locate at each pitch side. Below is a visual required for each team manager to discuss with home supporters and away managers, reinforcement of the rules is the responsibility of each team manager.

Respect Barriers – The use of ‘Respect barriers’ will now only be used as markings on the floor (cones) at a 2mtr distance from the pitch touchlines. Physical barriers will not be used to prevent unnecessary handling. Managers must monitor any encroachment towards pitch side.

Equipment – Must be sterilised between sessions, and regular hand sanitisation is recommended. Where there are breaks in the game, or training, if throw-ins or handling has occurred the ball should be disinfected.

Hand Hygiene – All persons entering the pitches will be required to sanitise their hands when joining the manager/coach on entry and exit.

Toilets – Facilities will be provided during training in the main club building. Edmonds Park will have portable loos available. Users are advised to follow hand washing advice or use hand sanitizer before and after use.

PPE – Individual preference, or at Manager/Coach guidance. However Face Coverings MUST be removed during training and games.

Test & Trace – All managers must ensure that the track and trace QR code is displayed during all training session and Match fixtures. Managers and coaches must scan the QR code for training and ensure they have a full list of attendees to each session. During Match days, QR codes need to be displayed on each pitch side and Managers/coaches and all spectators must check in. Anyone without a smart phone will need to provide the home team manager with contact details for track and trace purposes.

Modifications in matches (and training where applicable);
• Pre-match handshake should not happen.
• Team talk huddles should not take place. Team talks can take place, as long as social distancing is observed and held outdoors where possible.
• Coaches, other team staff and substitutes are allowed, but must also always observe social distancing on touchlines/dug-outs. Social-distancing must also be observed during interactions when a substitution is being made.
• Match preparation meetings by officials should be held by video call.
• Set plays – free kicks: referees and coaches should encourage players to get on with the game and not unnecessarily prolong set play set-up, such as defensive walls.
• Set plays – corners should also be taken promptly to limit prolonged close marking and goal posts should be wiped down before matches, after matches and at half time.
• Goal celebrations should be avoided.
• Interactions with referees and match assistants should only happen with players observing social distancing.

Away Games – DTYFC Managers/Coaches must ensure the venue you are visiting has a valid Risk Assessment in place and is adhered too, to ensure safe practices are achieved. Managers/Coaches must be able to provide a point of contact for Track & Trace purposes.

3.PITCH LAYOUT

Each group will be allocated a pitch section for their training session, all players and managers must always use the marked entry points and ensure social distancing.
All sessions will be adequately spaced to ensure larger gaps between groups.
Players will be allocated training areas that will be designated by cones that always ensure social distancing. It is the manager’s responsibility to set up and remove the training areas.
It is the responsibility of the Manager/Coach to collect and return players via designated entry and exit points.
All Friendly games, League & Cup Fixtures must use at least x2 quarters (qtr 1&2 or 3&4 ONLY) to ensure social distancing measures are available and adhered too.

4. PARENTS GUIDANCE

Training spectating – In order to keep in line with social distancing, parents are requested not to spectate at any venue being used. Parents must leave their child with the coach until the session has finished.
No spectators are allowed in the training pitch area, all parents must wait in the car park until the end of the session, ideally situated in or by their own cars. Parents are not permitted to gather at the DTFC training pitch fence as this causes congestion and does not allow for the correct measures to be adhered to.

Friendly games, League & Cup fixtures – Parents must stay within the designated spectator area within the training pitch. Managers will advise all spectators of the guidelines.

Social distancing – Parents must take responsibility for social distancing when in the car park and/or within the designated viewing area for friendly games, League & cup fixtures. Groups in separate social distancing ‘gatherings’ of up to a maximum of six people.

Contact – Parents must always be contactable while the player is playing/training.

End of session – Players will make their way back to the car park, please drive carefully when entering this area or leaving.

Test & Trace – All spectators of friendly games or Matches must scan the DTYFC Track and trace QR code. These are located on the entry poster board at DTFC training pitch and on the pitch sides at Edmonds. Please see a DTYFC Managers/coach if you are unable to locate this. Equally if you are unable to scan the QR code for any reason, you will need to provide the home team manager with contact details for track and trace purposes.

5. PLAYER GUIDANCE (ALL PLAYERS)

Arrival - Players are not permitted to arrive until 5 minutes prior to their session and must wait either in their cars or at a safe distance until their coach calls them in. Please remember to queue according to the 2 metre guidance.

Boots – Must be worn at all times.

Kit – Any kit however DTYFC training kit is preferred.

Drinks – Players must bring their own drinks and ensure they take home all bottles (No Bins Available).

Hand Hygiene – All persons entering the training pitch area will be required to sanitise their hands when joining their manager/coach and on leaving.

Toilets - Facilities will be provided during training in the main club building. Edmonds Park will have portable loos available. Users are advised to follow hand washing advice or use hand sanitizer before and after use.