Government publishes updated guidance for coaches in England  (30/6)

“You can now work with clients outdoors, providing you are meeting no more than 5 other people from outside of your household, outdoors, and you follow social distancing guidelines”

Following on from the PM’s statement on 23^rd June (here)  the government has now updated the guidance on the phased return to sport and recreation.

Importantly for our coaching community this allows for outdoor coaching only:

“If you are a personal trainer/coach you can now work with clients outdoors, providing you are meeting no more than 5 other people from outside of your household, outdoors, and you follow social distancing guidelines.

You can meet with different clients in a single day as long as it is in gatherings of no more than 6 and you are maintaining social distancing.

You should also enforce strong hygiene measures. This might be cleaning any equipment rigorously in line with wider guidance on hygiene, for example by using antiviral spray and washing hands thoroughly before and after use.”

“Under social distancing guidelines parents can take their children to a coaching or training session, as long as the gathering does not exceed 6 people from different households. Any sports coaches or trainers undertaking 1-1 sessions should ensure they are complying with relevant National Governing Body Safeguarding Policies and Procedures and conduct a thorough risk assessment before engaging in any sessions. This should include particular consideration for under 18s and vulnerable adults”.

For more information on the fencing specific activities that are permitted (in England) please see this announcement.

Equipment Cleaning protocols and sample outdoor risk assessments can be found in our Return to Fencing resources section here.

Whilst venues will not be opening for indoor sport and fitness activities on the 4th July, we are hopeful that indoor sport can start to take place in the near future.

Our recommendation is that clubs remain in close contact with the venues that they use as it will be up to those venues to decide whether they can open for sport activity according to government legislation and guidelines.

It will be up to the clubs/coaches to decide whether the venue facilities are suitable for the activities they plan to do as part of their risk assessment process, which must be completed prior to any activity delivery.

Please note that this announcement relates to activities in England – people in  Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.