Update Ahead of return to train

Sunday 11th April 2021

Return To train in ‘Six Counties’ from 12th April 2021

The NI Executive at their meeting on 1 April 2021 confirmed that structured outdoor training for sports

organisations, in groups of up to 15 people (including coaches), can resume in the ’Six Counties’ on Monday 12

April 2021. 

This is a cautious first step on the pathway out of lockdown and the following on-pitch group

numbers apply.

Adults (18+) – one group size limit 15 on the pitch.

Age 13-18 – maximum two groups of 15 on the pitch (no mixing of groups)

Age 12 and below – maximum three groups of 15 (no mixing of groups)

Contact training should be kept to a minimum and the playing of matches is not permitted.

It is essential that both Executive and GAA protocols are observed at all times in particular clubs should ensure

that they:

1. Refresh risk assessments/action plans. No Need to reinvent the wheel- message is to Refresh.

2. Promote HANDS-FACE-SPACE messaging via signs. Many of our Clubs have this in place already.

3. Keep records for contract tracing. Do what you were doing in 2020.

4. Build training plans building up from Pod cohorts (15) to full squads over time. Hopefully we will soon be back to unrestricted numbers, let us just be Patient and Sensible.

5. Modify training practices to build from limited contact to close contact over time. Patience is needed.

6. Enforce rules on no spectators (including parents) dropping children off should be present during

training.  Again, implement what you were doing in 2020, it worked well.

7. Keeping all indoor facilities (except toilet/medical) closed at all times. There is no need for Dressing Rooms to be open, we are just happy to have people back out on our Pitches.

8. Ensure that each person attending training has completed the GAA online health questionnaire prior to

attending – this must be done for every session.                     You did this well in 2020 , just repeat the process.

9. Re Covid Supervisors - The system will work in exactly the same format as before.  It is live now as I understand.

10. Re the eLearning Course and Re-Training -----if the individual has been trained in the past 12 months (which applies to everyone) then there will be no training need. 

For more detailed guidance on the GAA’s Covid-19 roles and responsibilities see the link below.

Covid-19 Roles & Responsibilities | GAA DOES: https://learning.gaa.ie/covid19roles

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An updated version of the GAA Return to Train/Play guidance is being finalised by the GAA’s COVID Advisory

Group and this will be issued to clubs in the near future.

• For All Your Anxious Team Managers it is important to say that based on information to date it is unlikely that there will be any return to competitive Club Action at Juvenile Level until Late May at earliest and at Adult Level until Late May/Early June-- So No Panic.

• The deadline for club membership subscription has been extended to 31st May 2021.
   
• CCC have extended the Deadline for Internal (within Down) Club Transfers to 30th of April 2021.
   
• A reminder that any player seeking to play Football or Hurling for a Club other than his Home Club requires an Annual Sanction Form to be completed, failure to comply will deem your player ineligible and not covered under the Player Injury Scheme. Sanction Forms are available on the Down GAA website. This applies to players of all Ages.