COVID-19 – Summer 2020: Updated 26/8/2020

SAC COVID Plan, 26/8/2020

Access to the track, 26/8/2020

From the 1st September Active Nation will be returning to the the sports centre and they will be taking bookings for track use and therefore we no longer have exclusive use. Please be considerate to others using the track. It will initially be opened to group bookings only and not to the public. This way it can maintain it status of COVID Secure. All athletes using the facilities should read and agree with the SAC-COVID-AGREEMENT posted above.

The agreement with AN is that we will only permit access to coach led groups and each coach must follow the clubs risk assessment plus produce their own and a parent/athlete declaration to demonstrate how they will use the track space while complying with COVID-19 guidance from EA and the government.

IT IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL

We need to limit the number of training groups using the space.
The track will only be used by SAC coach led sessions.
It will not be open to individual athletes.
Coaches must have their own risk assessment approved by the SAC COVID-19 coordinator before access is granted.
These sessions will be booked in advance and peak time use will be limited.
Access to high jump and pole vault beds is through the coaches.
We will be responsible for track equipment hygiene and visual checks.
We will not have any facilities open to us and will be required to bring and use our own cleaning material and hand sanitiser.
We will be responsible for challenging anyone not a member of an organised training group, individuals have not been given access.
We will follow a stricter track etiquette

England Athletics - 19/6/2020

England Athletics have added three new guidance documents – one for Affiliated Clubs, one on Road Running and one on Health & Safety considerations for club activity. These are in addition to, and aligned to, our guidance documents previously released for Athletes & Runners, Coaches & Leaders and Athletics Venues. They have also released an infographic to share the planned route to return to full training and competition (which is of course dependent on government advice).

https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-step-2/

Below is a link to the EA statement on Cornoavirus.

https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/

NATIONAL ATHLETICS LEAGUE - 16/6/2020

The NAL have abandoned the idea of hosting any league fixtures and are proposing to use the dates in August and September to host regional fixtures. SAC have been put into group 3, an 8 team fixture with proposed matches in Yate, Cardiff and Bournemouth. They have provided various cutoff dates for the decision on these matches to go ahead. They have not provided any information on what events will take place at these fixtures or how they will be managed to ensure the safety of athlete, officials and other personnel.

The NAL have asked each club to complete a survey by Monday 22nd June, to ask if they would like to compete this year and which matches they would be interested in.

It is highly likely that we will respond to say that given the lack of information on what these matches will look like, how the safety of all involved can be maintained and the lack of SAC training facilities, at this moment SAC do not wish to compete in any of the fixtures. If however more information is made available that is acceptable to our athletes and supporting volunteers we would consider competing.

There is a webinar hosted by England Athletics on Wednesday 17th June to describe what competitions could look like, https://www.englandathletics.org/about-us/athletics-at-home/club-support-webinars/

Should you wish to discuss please message or email me on : Tracey Jones

We have not had any information from Active Nation regarding opening the centre, if and when we get the information it will be posted here.

SEAA - 6/5/2020

With restrictions by the UK Government on movement in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 still in place, and with the following guidance received from UK Athletics.“The suspension of athletics competition within the UK has now been extended until at least 30 June.

The decision has been made collectively in light of the ongoing UK Government restrictions and the need to give athletes, coaches, clubs, event organisers and officials clarity, advance notice and time to plan”. SEAA Competition Limited is working with England Athletics to reschedule individual championships if possible.

As a result, we will be postponing the U20/Senior Championships that are scheduled to be held at the end of June. The U13/15 and U17 Championships are under review and further information will be posted in due course. The All Age Group Combined Events Championships scheduled for July and the U15/17 Inter Counties Championships scheduled for September have been cancelled. SEAA Competition are still working on providing a full Indoor, Cross Country and Road Running season if circumstances permit.

Southampton Athletic Club - 28/3/2020
SAC have suspended all new membership payment until we are in a position to know what we can offer our athletes.

SAC Awards Evening - 15/4/2020
This has been cancelled.

Wessex League - 15/4/2020
This league has been cancelled for 2020. The league structure and fixture schedule will be carried forward to 2021

UK Youth Development League (UKYDL) - 31/3/2020
UKYDL has now cancelled all matches for 2020 season.
https://www.ukydl.org.uk/

England Athletics - 31/3/2020
England Athletics have launched an Athletics @home programme with webinars and apps to help keep us active, it can be accessed from the EA website or by clicking Here.

Southern Athletics League (SAL) - 3/6/2020
All fixtures have been cancelled.
https://www.southernathletics.org.uk/

Hampshire Athletics Vets League - 24/3/2020
The league and regional finals have been cancelled for 2020

Hampshire Athletics - 20/3/2020
Hampshire Athletics has cancelled the Multi-Event/Quadkids and the Track & Field Championship meetings, both scheduled for May 2020. We will endeavour to reschedule all of these events. All announcement will be posted on their website.

Hampshire Schools Athletic Assosciation (HSAA)
Due to the coronavirus outbreak HSAA are cancelling all Track and Field competition for 2020. ESAA website. The ESAA Track and Field Cup and Track and Field Championships have been cancelled. There may also, possibly, be a Combined Events and Race Walking Championships in September. If either or both of these situations arise we will consider offering places to athletes.
https://www.hampshireathletics.org.uk/

Active Nation - 20/3/2020
All Activation Nation venues including the track at the outdoor sports centre are closed until further notice. Public access to the grass space remains open.

Wide Lane Sports Ground closed to the public immediately.  They plan to re-open after the 20th of April but this will be subject to further review in the coming weeks.