Valley Sport COVID - 19 Update Vol. 6

Valley Sport COVID-19 Update Vol. 6

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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.

From 11:59pm on 21 June, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has approved community sport and physical recreation activities can resume under the latest restricted activity directions: For physical recreational facilities:

• Outdoor and indoor sports venues and physical recreational facilities (for example, gyms, health clubs, class-based fitness studios, dance studios and personal training facilities) can open.

• For physical recreation, multiple separate zones may be created within a larger indoor space. To be considered a zone, the area must be for the exclusive use of a group and be no less than 200 square metres. For example, a large indoor court could be separated into two zones for different groups at each end. Signage must be displayed at the entry to each indoor zone or indoor space outlining the maximum number of people allowed at a single time.

• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can have a maximum of 20 patrons per pool. There is no limit on the number of people in each lane. The four-square metre rule applies to the non-water parts of the facility.

• Playcentres, including trampolining, can now open for up to 20 people per space or zone.

• Communal facilities, such as clubrooms and change rooms, can now open for indoor and outdoor sport venues applying the four-square metre rule to each enclosed space. Signage must be displayed at the entry to each indoor space outlining the maximum number of people allowed at a single time.

• Spas and saunas remain closed.

• Sporting clubs that operate a restaurant, café or canteen within its facility may reopen with take-away and limited dine-in arrangements, provided it strictly adheres to the restrictions on hospitality venues including up to 20 patrons per enclosed space and in groups of up to 10, subject to the four-square metre rule.

For physical recreation activities:

• For outdoor physical recreation, no more than 20 people per group for all age groups.

• For indoor physical recreation, adults will be able to practise indoors with up to 20 people per zone, as long as the four-square metre rule is met. Individual group classes must have no more than 10 participants,

• For indoor physical recreation, if all participants are under 18 years of age, they can practice indoors with up to 20 per zone and 20 per group, as long as the four square metre rule is met.

For organised community sport activities:

• Organised non-contact training and competition are allowed for all age groups where participants can stay 1.5 metres apart.

• For people aged 18 years and under, full-contact community sport training and competition may resume.

• For organised community sport, both indoors and outdoors, the minimum number participants required to conduct the sport should participate in the activity. The rules of the sport governing body (e.g. the State Sporting Association) determine the number that can participate (ie. the number who would normally be involved in a match or training, including players on the field/court and allowed substitutes). This applies even if it exceeds the density quotient or group limit on the venue.

• For example, 20 players for a game of basketball or 26 players for a game of water polo. Please note, that as these activities are considered contact-sport, only those aged 18 or under can participate.

• If indoors, spectators should not attend – just those necessary for the competition or training and to support the participants (e.g. supervising parents).

• Spectators for outdoor training and competitions must abide by gathering restrictions – spectators should be in groups of no more than 10 and spread out around the ground or venue. The group of 10 does not include those necessary for the activity to occur, such as the umpire or trainer and a parent or carer supporting a person with a disability to participate.

• From mid-July – subject to the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and the continued management of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), adults can resume full-contact training from 13 July and full-contact competition from 20 July.

Understanding the 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 clubs plan a return to activity it is important to understand current restrictions and how these will impact on training and 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 - This Girl CanWhile gyms transition to opening up, kids return to school and sport competition is still on hold we have provided some easy alternatives to keep active at home. During this time we understand you may have had a shift in motivation, a change in routine or have felt overwhelmed by the variety of resources provided to you on your social media platforms. This Girl Can provides exercises that are suitable for all different interests, ages, fitness abilities and time constraints. Check out the Get Active at Home webpage or listen to the This Girl Can podcasts featuring inspiring women talking about how they stay active in their own way.Get Active at Homehttps://thisgirlcan.com.au/active-at-home/This Girl Can Podcasthttps://thisgirlcan.com.au/news/tag/podcast/

Sport and Recreation Reboot

Over the past couple of months we have had conversations with a number of clubs across the region in relation to how they have been impacted by COVID-19. As result of these discussions over the coming months we will be announcing a number of new initiatives to help local sport and recreation clubs get back on their feet, adapt to the new normal and provide a safe environment for their local community to participate in.Stay tuned for more details about these initiatives and to find out how your club can get involved. If you don't already, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and encourage members of your club and committee to do the same to ensure you all get the latest information as it is announced.

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Access All Abilities - Needs Analysis and Mapping Project

Regional Sport Victoria in partnership with all nine Regional Sporting Assemblies are currently working on an Access All Abilities Needs Analysis and Mapping Project.

The project aims to provide a statewide approach to collecting participation data to highlight the needs and trends of people with a disability. This data will then be used to inform the development of future participation opportunities and initiatives for people with a disability.

Valley Sport needs your help! If you are a person with a disability who is not currently engaged in any type of sport or a parent/guardian/caregiver of a person with a disability who is not currently engaged in any type of sport, please complete this short online survey to have your voice heard!

Survey for individuals with a disability: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZBZTVRG 

Survey for Parents/Guardians/caregivers of an individual with a disability: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZFXQFQ3 

If you need any assistance filling out the surveys, Valley Sport can talk you through the questions over the phone. Just email [email protected] and we can book in a time to go through the survey together.

Funding Now Available:Community Safety Infrastructure Grants The Community Crime Prevention Community Safety Infrastructure Grants support improved public infrastructure to strengthen community safety, security and confidence in public places and support local economic activity.Grants of between $25,000 and $500,000 (GST excl) are available per application.Applications are now open and close at 4.00pm on Friday 17 July 2020. For more information, please click here: https://www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/communityinfrastructuregrants 

The Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) Safer Canteen Grants This grants program supports community football clubs to be more energy safe in their operations and increase awareness of energy safety issues at the community level.

The ESV Safer Canteen Grants Program is made possible through a partnership with AFL Victoria and will provide grants to the value of 50% of your total project cost for the purchase of new or replacement electrical or gas equipment. Grants of up to $1,000 are available. Submissions are now open and close at midnight 22 July 2020. For more information, please click here: https://aflvic.com.au/esv-safer-canteen-grants/ 

If you have any questions or would like assistance applying to any of the above grants, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

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

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