Valley Sport COVID-19 Update Vol. 5

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 Valley Sport Wants To Hear From You 

We want to hear about the impact COVID-19 has had on your club. By sharing your story, you will help inform our club support work moving forward. You will also assist us to advise and advocate to various levels of government about the impacts of COVID19 on the experiences of rural and regional clubs, leagues and associations.   

If you would like to share your club’s story regarding the impacts of COVID-19 please call 5831 8456 or email [email protected]

COVID-19 Information for Goulburn Valley Community SportUnderstanding the government guidance – what does it mean for sport in the Goulburn Valley?  It is important to know what is and isn’t allowed. The government has updated and eased some of the restrictions put in place to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Some community sport and recreation activities can now resume in line with the following rules:  From 11:59pm on 31 May 2020, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has approved all community sport and recreation activities can resume according to the following rules: 

• Groups of up to 20 people are permitted outdoors, plus a coach/instructor or the minimum number of support staff reasonably required to run the activity. 

• Parents or other people are required to keep a reasonable distance from groups in an outdoor setting or will be included in the group of 20.  

• No indoor activity – indoor physical recreation facilities must remain closed. 

• Maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres wherever reasonably possible.  

• All activity and training must be non-contact, and no competitions are to take place. Contact sports must be modified so that you can maintain 1.5m distance. 

• Outdoor communal gyms, playgrounds or skateparks are open. People cannot gather in groups of more than 20.  

• Outdoor and indoor swimming pools can operate with a maximum of 20 people and a limit of three people per lane of each pool.  

• No use of communal showers or change rooms, however toilets can open. 

• Saunas and spas remain closed. 

• Club houses may reopen to operate a restaurant, canteen or cafe with a maximum of 20 people in a single indoor space and subject to the four per square metre rule within these facilities and must adhere to the restrictions on restaurants and cafes. The facility operator must main on site whenever open to ensure group numbers do not exceed capacity. 

• If the activity is run by an operator of a physical recreation facility predominantly used for indoor physical recreation (such as a gym, health club or fitness centre), a personal training facility (indoors or outdoors) or an arena or stadium, then the operator must keep a record of attendees. No shared equipment that touches the head or face or cannot be effectively cleaned i.e. soft materials or clothing. 

• No shared equipment that touches the head or face or cannot be effectively cleaned i.e. soft materials or clothing. 

• Hand hygiene, frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection, use of own equipment where possible and minimise sharing of equipment. 

 From 11:59pm on 21 June, restrictions on sport and exercise may be further eased to include: 

• Indoor sports centres and venues can be opened with up to 20 people allowed per separate enclosed space, subject to the four square metre rule, with up to 10 people per group or activity. 

• Indoor physical recreation (e.g. gyms, health clubs, class fitness studios) can be opened with up to 20 people allowed per separate enclosed space, subject to the four square metre rule, with up to 10 people per group or activity.  

• Sport and exercise activities are only allowed if you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and they are not competitive. 

Understanding the easing of restrictions will assist community sport and active recreation, associations and clubs to plan and gradually roll out a return to activity. For more information see our Return to Play information below.  

We are continuing to constantly monitor the current situation to get a bigger picture about the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on community sport. This information is being collated and regularly updated to ensure the Goulburn Valley sporting community can easily access the information they need. To view the most recent COVID-19 information click here: https://valleysport.net.au/covid-19-information-for-goulbu…/ 

Return to PlayAs restrictions continue to ease and clubs can return to activity it is important to understand current restrictions before planning for a return to training or play. For an update on current restrictions read COVID-19 Information for Goulburn Valley Community Sport above.We have compiled a list of helpful tips and resources to assist clubs with navigating return to play guidelines.This information is being regularly updated to ensure the Goulburn Valley sport and recreation community can easily access the information they need. To view click here: https://valleysport.net.au/return-to-play/

We are always here to help. If you need assistance with return to play planning, please contact our Valley Sport team at [email protected] or contact (03) 5831 8456. 

Keeping Active - Bike Riding

Bike riding is a great way to exercise and socialise with friends and family at the same time. A gentle reminder to make sure your bike helmet is road-ready so you can enjoy your ride safely. Also, ensure you keep up social distancing requirements as it is a form of exercise permitted under the COVID-19 government guidelines.    

Benefits to your health and fitness from bike riding:  

• Low impact – less likely to have an injury or strain  

• Increased cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility   

• Cycling can be a low intensity form of exercise or built up to a demanding and high intensity workout  

• A fun way to get fit outdoors  

• Time-efficient and as a mode of transport, cycling replaces sedentary time spent driving motor vehilces with healthy exercise   

• Decreases stress levels  

Check out this great Bike & Helmet Safety Checklist for children to learn about the important skills of inspecting your bike and fitting your helmet correctly before riding.

Volunteer Engagement - Club Maintenance

We have heard from clubs and viewed on Facebook volunteers getting involved and doing some worthy maintenance jobs and/or upgrades to club facilities. It is so great to see members utilising their time while competition is postponed holding working bees, painting club rooms, mowing lawns, repairing facilities, cleaning up and clearing out unwanted items.We encourage all to please ensure social distancing rules are applied and that you discuss with the facility owner for permission to access the property and approve maintenance or upgrade works prior to beginning your projects.Tip: A great way to get club members engaged and informed is to share before and after pics of your maintenance and upgrades work!

Funding Now Available:If you have any questions or would like assistance applying for any of the grants below, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.Community Sport Sector Short-Term Survival PackageThe Sport and Recreation Victoria Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package is now open for applications and will close on the 15th of June 2020. The Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package includes $40 million for community sport organisations in four categories with clubs able to apply for grants of $1,000 and associations or leagues able to apply for $15,000.For more information and to find out if your club is eligible visit: https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/community-sport-sector-coronavirus-covid-19-short-term-survival-package

Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus ProgramThrough the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, community sporting clubs and organisations will work with local councils and alpine resort boards, as they fast-track infrastructure projects that can start in the coming weeks and months.Each local council or alpine resort board can submit up to three applications, worth a combined total of no more than $10 million. Each application must be worth a minimum of $1 million in funding. Grant closes: 19th of June 2020 See link for more information: https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/community-sports-infrastructure-stimulus-program

Change Our Game Scholarship ProgramProvides funding to assist women to access professional learning and development opportunities to enhance skills in sport and recreation leadership and management. Applications close on the 18th June 2020. Click here for more information: http://changeourgame.vic.gov.au/the-initiative/change-our-game-grants 

Don't forget while our office is no longer open to the public, we are still working from afar and able to be contacted Monday to Friday, any time during our normal business hours, 9am – 5pm. We encourage you to contact us via email, phone on 5831 8456 or get in touch to arrange a video call. Stay safe and active.  The Valley Sport Team.  

Follow the Valley Sport Facebook page to keep up to date with resources and tips that will be useful for you and your club during this unprecedented period. We encourage you to share our posts with your members. Click here: facebook.com/ValleySport.GVSA

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You are receiving this e-newsletter to keep up to date with information from the sport and recreation industry regarding COVID - 19.