Community football clubs given green light to train in groups of 10

Photos courtesy Ben Jaffrey and Billy Jupp, Northern Daily Leader.

Community football clubs have be given the green light to return to training in groups of, up-to, 10 people.

Following the revised NSW Public Health Order which came into effect Friday 15 May, AFL NSW/ACT has endorsed a return to club sanctioned small group training at community football level in NSW from Thursday May 21, provided Clubs and participants follow the relevant government guidelines and AFL NSW/ACT’s Return to Small Group Training Protocols are implemented.

Similarly, the ACT Government has approved Australian Rules Football training in groups of, up-to, 10 people from May 15, under the provision that ACT Government guidelines and AFL NSW/ACT’s Return to Small Group Training Protocols are implemented.

The safety and wellbeing of our participants is our number one priority. Returning to small group training in a safe, hygienic and well managed manner is paramount for the AFL.

The AFL Return to Play Framework (Framework) has been informed by the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities and the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Post COVID-19 Environment. The framework has been developed in consultation with health professionals and leaders in the football industry.

Local councils are an extremely important stakeholder and must be consulted as part of your return to training preparations. The Office of Local Government FAQs provide guidance for NSW councils and information regarding local sporting grounds NSW.

We have prepared a dedicated Return to Play page on the AFL NSW/ACT website which contains all the relevant and most up-to-date documentation in relation to returning to small group training, to ensure all Clubs return to training in a safe and well managed environment.

Key information on this page includes:

• Return to Small Group Protocols
• Return to Small Group Training FAQs
• Return to Small Group Training Checklist
• Education Modules
• Resources and Templates to assist clubs

This page will be updated with information and resources as restrictions ease.