This weekend the FA issued updated guidance for the return of competitive grassroots football, meaning the club now has the opportunity to prepare our restart plans ahead of the new season.

The latest guidelines state that football activity can take place with necessary modifications in place to mitigate the transmission risk of COVID-19. The FA strongly recommend a phased return to competitive football activity as follows:

• Until 31 July – When ready, you can begin competitive training, with the overall group size (inclusive of coaches) being limited to 30 people;
• From August – Competitive matches to begin, for example pre-season fixtures, festivals and small sided football competitions;
• From September – Grassroots leagues, men’s National League System, Women’s Football Pyramid tiers 3 to 6, and FA Competitions can commence.

The latest guidance does note that a return to competitive football should only happen once clubs and facility providers have completed the necessary risk assessments and comprehensive plans are in place.

We are obligated to identify a Covid-19 Officer within the club, who will be responsible for developing a Covid-19 plan and risk assessment prior to the restart of competitive activity. We are pleased to confirm that Club Welfare Officer, Clare Farmer, has taken on this role.

As you can imagine, the full guidance issued is very detailed and the club are currently working through to fully digest this and ensure a safe return to competitive football for all of our members.

We will continue to follow the previous guidance, working in small, social-distanced groups until we are satisfied that all risk assessments and procedures are in place to comply with the latest re-starting competitive football guidance.

Our intention is to have this ready and return to competitive action as soon as possible, but we must ensure that this is only done once it is safe and everything is fully in place.

All Heads of Age and coaches will be updated once we are able to resume competitive football and will be briefed on any changes or updated procedures that need to be observed.