Policy
Our main priority is the safety of all involved in Berkshire Hockey and we do so by following the latest Government Guidance for the public on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreations in England updated 17 July 2020, Sport England Guidelines and England Hockey guidance on returning to play as safely as possible updated 7 August 2020. England Hockey has a 5 step roadmap to Return to Play http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/news.asp?itemid=49274&itemTitle=Updated%3A+Guidance+and+planning+for+hockey+training+and+games§ion=22.
Step 4 is "Local Match Play" – this means intra-club and local matches can happen, but restrictions stop leagues/main competitions resuming. Step 4 also allows for contact training in groups of up to 30 including coaches. England Hockey will notify us when Step 5 "Full Competitive Match Play" can resume and Berkshire Hockey will update this guidance when this level is reached. There is more information on England Hockey's website on their dedicated Covid-19 page at http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/covid19 .
Before returning to play
Register or update your EH Player Pathway profile and information (https://www.playerpathway.englandhockey.co.uk/members/sign_in). This system will be used to provide Track and Trace information, so it is important the correct contact and other information is available.
The Berkshire Hockey Association needs full buy in and participation from everyone who wants to be involved and the EH Player Participation Agreement has to be completed before any player will be allowed to commence training with BHA. I would be grateful if you could complete at your earliest convenience.
What you need to do before each session
Please be aware that until further notice, anyone wishing to participate in a training session is required to register their attendance through the Player Pathway system, have completed the EH Player Participation Agreement (see link above) and complete a Covid-19 Symptom tracker app (PROactive) by 6pm the day before the session is due to be held. http://app.proactivereporting.com/covid19/form/9hG7cBiEXmxtCRPD
Perform a self-assessment for Symptoms of covid-19:
- A high temperature – (above 37.8C)
- A new, continuous cough – (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- Been in close contact with / living with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the previous 2 weeks
Updated 10/09/2020 to align with the latest NHS advice (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/)
What you need to bring
Each player has to bring his/her own hand sanitiser. Sharing of equipment is prohibited and you are responsible to bring your own gum shield, shin pads, glove(s), face masks, goal keeping equipment and clearly identified personal water bottle.
We recommend that you wipe down all equipment and, if possible, disinfect.
Journey to and from training venues
Please follow the Government guidelines on travel when making journeys to and from the venue. Parents/guardians should be limited to one non-participant and maintain 2 metre social distancing.
No car-pooling. Whilst social distancing measures are in place, the formation of carpools are not allowed, unless travelling with an existing household member.
Do not arrive more than 10 minutes before the start of your session. If you are early, please remain in your car until your session is ready to start. If you have been given a set sign in time, please keep to this.
Venues and facilities
Different venues will have different rules which you must observe when on site.
There are no changing facilities available at any of the venues. Players must arrive in appropriate training gear
Avoid congregating near the pitch entrance and allow at least 2 metres (2 stick lengths) between yourself and others.
Follow the pedestrian flow as indicated by signage at the clubhouse and near the pitch.
Register your attendance with your team manager at the entrance to and before entering the pitch.
At the end of the session you must leave the venue premises as soon as possible.
If you experience any Covid-19 symptoms or test positive for Covid-19, you should contact NHS track and trace. If you are currently self-isolating, living in a household with a possible Covid-19 infection or if you are classified as vulnerable on health grounds, please stay at home, but you must inform Berkshire Hockey association’s Covid-19 Officer Nick Ekendahl immediately at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
If guidance is not adhered to, Coaches and Team Managers/supervisors have the authority to ask you to leave the premises for the safety of others and themselves.
Berkshire Hockey Association will continue to monitor government guidance and will update these guidelines should that be required.
Covid Officer
Berkshire Hockey Association
Nick Ekendahl
10/09/2020
