Thorley Manor FC: Coronavirus Update

Please find attached the latest government guidance to help deal with COVID-19.

We as a club continue to monitor this situation carefully and closely and there is currently no cause for concern at the Club. At this moment we will carry on as normal with regular training sessions continuing. An important point for parents and players to understand is that all decisions on the continuation of training and matches relating to Coronavirus will essentially be made by the FA and PHE not the Club.

Please ensure that if you or anyone in your household show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 then please do not attend any training or matches. We ask that you regularly remind your child of the simple steps outlined below to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus.If you are worried about your child’s symptoms, please call NHS on 111.

I have also attached the latest guidance from the FA. Please take the time to read it. We are not cancelling any matches but please be aware that this is something that could happen in the near future.

If you have any questions regarding anything in this email then please contact me directly on the below.

Greg Sambridge
Thorley Manor FC
07814579315

TO ALL CLUB SECRETARIES

Yesterday afternoon Boris Johnson addressed the Country on the Government’s strategy in dealing with the coronavirus and their advice to the General Public about on what measures they should take if they are concerned that they may have contracted the virus.
At the present time, the Government has stated that here is presently “no rationale to close or cancel major sporting events” and has resisted the option to close all the Schools, although this may change as the situation evolves. The FA has stated that is actively monitoring and adopting Government advice and as a matter of good practice would recommend that Leagues and Clubs adopt the same approach.
Given the recent high-profile cancellations of major sports events across the world and here in the United Kingdom the League is aware of concerns expressed by Clubs about the continued playing of our own League & League Cup Fixtures.

The safety and welfare of the children who play in this League is our priority, and also recognises the concerns of Parents / Legal Guardians over the health risks to their children. Therefore, the Management Committee is allowing any Clubs/Teams who have concerns about fulfilling their fixtures because of the coronavirus to postpone these without penalty for the following 4-week period. We will then review the situation at that time based on the advice given by the Government and The FA unless the decision is not “taken out of hands” by them before that date.
Where Clubs/Teams make this decision they MUST agree this with their Opponents and then notify their Divisional Fixtures Secretary and the Match Referee that the fixture has been postponed. It is not acceptable that Clubs/Teams should try to pressurise their Opponents to play when they do not want to, and this should be reported to the League Secretary by the Club Secretary.

Clubs/Teams will no doubt wonder what the effect of loss of fixtures will have on the completion of the League programme and the awarding of Divisional Winners and our League Cup Finals?
The situation for the Under 7 to 11 Age Groups is that these are all Development Leagues, where the playing of matches is not mandatory and results are not published or Titles awarded, this will have no effect except children will not be playing games. Whereas, the Age Groups from Under 12 to Under 18 which are “Standard” result based Leagues it may not be possible to complete the Season and award the Winners and Runners Up positions.

Our League Season runs up to the 31st May and we cannot compel Teams to play after that date. Additionally, under FA Rules you cannot play League matches in June without permission from The FA. Whilst it is probable this permission would be granted it may be difficult for Clubs to obtain pitches to play on, and it may also mean that we are unable to stage our end of Season Tournaments for the Under 8s and 9s and complete our Cup Final Rounds for the older Age Groups.

Please note that this is not a decision we have taken lightly and no doubt it will not please everyone but feel that in the current period of concern and uncertainty it is the right decision.,,The Management Committee will continue to monitor the situation and keep Clubs advised of events. At the present time nobody can predict at what stage we will be with the spread and control of the virus and what Government Advice will dictate.
Please ensure cascade this message down to all your Club Members without delay.

The following link is from the Hertfordshire FA Website http://www.hertfordshirefa.com/news/2020/mar/04/coronavirus-update
For those wanting to get the latest Government Advice please read the latest information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.

Go to NHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help

NHS 111 Online – About coronavirus (COVID-19)