An update to the statement made by the League Chairperson, Mark Pearson

Hello everybody,

I trust that you, and your families, are well and hopefully taking advantage of the sunny weather that we have had recently.

As Chairperson of the MNYL I would like to inform you that we are continuing to work towards a time when we can restart.

Some of you may have seen the e-mail from NCFA clarifying what the new government guidance means to local football and in our case Youth football.

Please ensure that your team’s coaches/managers/helpers/parents etc. are aware of what they can and cannot do at this time.
No teams may play any sort of game whether it be a friendly, or practise game within the Club, until further notice from the FA.

To hopefully prevent anyone mis-understanding what has been said I have copied the guidance into this message so that everyone can read it.

Consistent with Government advice, published on Monday 1 June, the following outdoor football activity is currently permitted:
• playing football individually e.g. practice of individual skills or fitness activities;
• playing football with your family or other people living in your household;
• football training or fitness activities in groups of no more than six, keeping two metres apart at all times. Sharing of equipment should be kept to a minimum and strong hand hygiene practices should be in place before and after. Physical contact with anyone outside of your household is not permitted, therefore, playing of any games (small-sided or full) is also not permitted at this time. Avoid meeting in groups of six in busy or overcrowded areas, if it is so busy that it is not possible to maintain social distancing at all times.
• Football coaches can now undertake small group sessions up to six people (including the coach) but are reminded to follow The FA safeguarding policy when coaching/working with children. This must include risk assessing the activities, gaining consent from parents/carers and ensuring you are in sight of another adult e.g. parent/carer or another coach and that the ratio of coach to different age-groups of children is appropriate – see download 5.5 . For clarity, the additional parent/carer or coach is not included as part of the group of six but must remain in sight of the activity.
• It is permissible for coaches to organise a training session that has two or more groups of six (including the coach) involved as long as the groups of six are kept separate, everyone is socially distancing, and strict hygiene measures are in place with any equipment.
• Football coaches working with people with impairments must ensure they can adequately cater for any additional needs whilst still avoiding physical contact and maintaining social distancing. Individuals should follow Government guidance relevant to their own impairment or health condition.
Please be reminded, if an individual is symptomatic, living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, the guidance is that you should remain at home.
The FA continues to work closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Sport England in order to provide good practice guidance for those responsible for delivering different aspects of grassroots football and we will share further information as soon as possible.

Please be aware that no players are covered under the insurance scheme, except for training/coaching sessions, as the directive is no games may be played at this time.

Also, may I ask that everyone please accept that in these strange times some people will be more concerned than others about returning to our ‘normal’ way of life.
We need to try to include everyone when we restart and not just the majority.
There will probably be ‘exceptions’ but I would like 100% of those wanting to participate playing the game we love from the start.

Stay safe everyone

Best Regards

-Mark Pearson
Chairperson
Mid Norfolk Youth League
Tel: 07856 003554