Wales Netball
November 16, 2020
Over the weekend, Welsh Government guidelines regarding community sport were once again changed. This has meant that Welsh Netball has had to update its Return to Play guidance. Please read below for information regarding these changes…
Please note, there will be no changes to what Welsh Netball has already stated people can do (i.e. socially distanced fitness activity and Modified Netball.) The only changes are the size of the groups that can do it and the impact of the workforce on the group size.
Workforce:
In all sessions (unless they are also participating as a player in that session) the Coach/Umpires/COVID Officer/Other volunteers are excluded from the group numbers and do not need to be counted as part of the total group size.
This is the Welsh Netball guidance that has been interpreted from the Welsh Government guidance. If a coach/umpire/other volunteer is also participating as a player in the session then they are included in the total group number.
Group Sizes:
Different group sizes for different ages mean that we now have three different Return to Play roadmaps.
1. Aged 10 and under
2. Aged 11-17 years old
3. Aged 18 and over
There will be no changes to what we have stated people can do (socially distanced fitness activity and Modified Rules). The only changes are the size of the groups that can do it.
10 and Under: This roadmap will remain unchanged. People aged 10 and Under can take part in Modified Netball indoors with the group size exceeding no more than 30 players (Coaches, Umpires and other Volunteer Roles do not need to be counted in this number).
11-17 years old: This age group can take part in socially distanced netball fitness activity indoors (Stage 3B) and Modified Netball outdoors ( Stage 4A) in groups of no more than 30 players (Coaches, Umpires and other Volunteer Roles do not need to be counted in this number).
We realise this is more restrictive than the current Welsh Government guidance but we have taken the decision to cap these groups at 30 for the safety of all involved. We will revise this as and when more scientific evidence is provided. Please note that the Welsh Government updated guidance refers to group sizes for under 18s. It does not allow under 18s to breach social distancing indoors – therefore the modified game can only take place outdoors for this age group as planned.
18s and over: This age group can take part in socially distanced netball fitness activity indoors (Stage 3B) in groups of no more than 15 players and Modified Netball outdoors (Stage 4A) in groups of no more than 30 players (Coaches, Umpires and other Volunteer Roles do not need to be counted in either of these group numbers).
Please note, a mixed indoor fitness session (Including under 18 aged players and Over 18 aged players) can still only have a maximum of 15 players in it.
All clubs organising sessions are advised to ensure that the facility you are using has booked in appropriate time to clean the facility before and after your use.
Supporting roadmap graphics and FAQs will be released in the next 72 hours. Thank you for your patience as we get these documents ready and for your understanding in what is a complex and ever-changing situation.
