Category: COVID-19
Scottish Athletics Covid-19 Guidance – “Beyond Level 0” 9 August 2021
Scottish Athletics has now issued its “COVID-19 BEYOND LEVEL 0” Guidance. You can access the details via the following link.
Covid-19 Update from Scottish Athletics 14 May 2021
After the announcement from the Scottish Government on Tuesday 11 May Scottish Athletics confirms that from Monday 17 May:
- Mainland Scotland and islands not moving to Level 1 will move to Level 2.
- Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, all islands in Highland (except Skye) and the following islands within Argyll and Bute will move to Level 1– Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree and Ulva.
- Moray is likely to remain at Level 3 for a further period due to the number of COVID-19 cases – Scottish Government will confirm this by the end of the week.
Please find attached a link to the Scottish Athletics Framework – Scottish Athletics Covid-19 Level Framework The key changes are highlighted below:
Level 2
- All age groups are now maximum group size of 30 (please remember to follow the coaching ratios)
- Physical Distancing is suspended for the duration of the activity (athletes 12+ should continue to physically distance before and after the activity)
- Athletics competition can take place for all event groups following the maximum bubble size of 50 and no more than 500 participants per day (follow the scottishathletics events guidance)
Level 1
- All age groups are now maximum group size of 30 (remember to follow the coaching ratios)
- Physical Distancing is suspended for the duration of the activity (athletes 12+ should continue to physically distance before and after the activity)
- Athletics competition can take place for all event groups following the maximum bubble size of 100 and no more than 1000 participants per day (follow the scottishathletics events guidance)
ALL FORMAL MOTHERWELL AC CLUB ACTIVITY IS SUPSPENDED FROM 5 JANAURY TO 31 JANUARY 2021
Scottish Athletics has advised us that all formal club activity should be suspended 00:01 on 5 January 2021 to midnight on 31 January 2021. The club committee has agreed that all club activity should be suspended until further notice, and will update members when new information becomes available.
The statement and a link to the Scottish Athletics Covid-19 page follows.
Scottish Athletics Latest Lockdown Measures
We are sure most of you are aware already there have been some further changes announced today (Monday 4 January) in the fight against Covid-19.
The changes announced by the First Minister take us to a similar return to the position we were in March.
Our current Framework FOR MAINLAND SCOTLAND is therefore put on hold till 31 January 2021 at the earliest.
Here’s what this means for members and clubs/groups within Mainland Scotland:
*Although those aged 11 and under are largely unaffected within an exercise context, we STRONGLY recommend that ALL formal Club and Group activity is suspended from 00:01 on 5 January 2021 to midnight on the 31 January 2021.
Covid-19: New update and Guidance for athletics 4 November 2020
Scottish Athletics has now issued the updated Covid-19 Guidance and Framework for Athletics. The links are attached. A summary of the updates to the guidance issued last week is also set out below.
Updated Level Framework for Athletics 4 November 2020
Covid-19 New Update and Guidance 4 November 2020
Summary of Updates:
- Training Groups
- Age 11 and under – outdoor – coaches are included in the total group size of 30.
- Level 4 – outdoor – training group sizes should be reduced as follows:
- Age 11 and under – maximum group size of 15 (not including coach)
- Age 12-17 – maximum group size of 8 (not including coach)
- Age 18+ – maximum group size of 8 (not including coach)
- Age 18+ – indoor – in Level 3 no group activity is permitted. You can participate following Scottish Government household guidance (2 households, maximum 6 people)
- Physical Distancing
- Level 3 – outdoor
- Where athletes aged 18+ may be in close contact for an extended period of time (e.g. longer than 15 minutes) we strongly recommend enforcing physical distancing.
- Level 3 – outdoor
- Travel
- Coaches can continue to travel to coach (both paid & voluntary) across local authority boundaries in all levels.
- Participants under 18 years of age can travel to and from Level 0-3 areas (not Level 4) to take part in athletics activity.
- Participants aged 18 years of age or over should, where possible, minimise unnecessary travel between areas. You can travel into a Level 3 area for athletics activity if it is within 5 miles from your local authority boundary.
- For participants 18+ in a Level 3 area travel is permitted within and around 5 miles from your local authority boundary for athletics activity.
- In Level 4 travel is only permitted within your own local authority area.
- You should avoid any unnecessary travel to a Level 4 area.
Covid-19: New update and Guidance for athletics 30 October 2020
Scottish Athletics have received the latest agreed guidance for sport between Scottish government and Sports Scotland.
Links to the Covid-19: New update and Guidance for athletics, and the Covid-19 Framework for athletics are set out below.
The Scottish Athletics Development Team will be hosting two sessions next week to provide an update to the Strategic Framework as well as an opportunity for a Q and A session. The sessions will take place on Monday 2 November and Tuesday 3 November. Motherwell AC will be represented at these sessions and any additional updates from these sessions will be issued on Wednesday 4 November.
Scottish Athletics Updated Covid-19 Guidance for Areas under Local Measures – 8 October 2020
Attached is the link to the updated guidance for athletics from Scottish Athletics issued on 8 October 2020. It incorporates the changes for areas with local measures.
Scottish Athletics Covid-19 Guidance 8 October 2020
The main change affecting adults in the 5 areas including Lanarkshire is:
*Adults (18 years of age or older) can take part in organised outdoor athletics and running training, competition or events if all relevant guidance is followed.
However, adults must maintain physical distancing at all times.
*Continue to follow existing guidance on training groups and sizes.
Covid-19 NO CHANGE TO SPORTS BUBBLES
Scottish Government advice – 23 September 2020
Rule of Six: Our sport has its own specific guidelines, agreed with sportscotland, which allow us to continue to run in bubbles of up to 15 when running, in accordance with the guidelines below.
The announcement of the ‘rule of six’ changes which came into place on 14 September do not mean any changes to the guidelines below.
Please continue to follow the existing phase 3 guidance (see link below). Regarding local restrictions: We are now going to apply a standard approach across Scotland so groups and leaders in areas with local restrictions may now follow the general advice applying to the rest of the country.
Membership and COVID-19
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we are not currently accepting any new members however, if you would like to be added to the member waiting list please contact membership@motherwellac.com
Track & Field 18+ Update
On 28 August, Scottish Athletics distributed their update to guidelines regarding training. A letter detailing these updates in more detail will be forwarded to the contacts for Track & Field athletes.
For our T&F athletes, the most pertinent updates concern some changes to physical distancing requirements, and the ability to resume training for those aged 18+, although this is subject to athletes being invited to sessions by their coach.
Any adjustments to current training arrangements are a matter for coaches to communicate to their athletes.
Senior Endurance Return to Training on Tuesday 1 September at Strathclyde Park
Senior Endurance Return to Training on 1 September 2020 at Strathclyde Park
We will be returning to training on Tuesday 1 September 2020 at Strathclyde Park with a 6.30 PM sharp start, so please be there in plenty of time. Please note – Only club members or new starts who have contacted us in advance with track and trace information will be allowed to attend the session.
Coaches will have a supply of hand sanitizing gel if required, although it would be preferable if athletes brought their own.
Toilet facilities are currently unavailable; however, we are in regular contact with the Water Sports Centre and will update you if the situation changes.
A. Here is an outline of the Scottish Athletics Guidance:
- We will be allowed a maximum of 30 athletes at a session.
- Maximum group size (bubble) of 15
- You will not be required to physically distance when the session is taking place within the bubble.
- Normal physical distancing guidelines apply out with the session.
- Athletes must stay within their designated bubble for the duration of the session.
- There is now no requirement for 2m/5m gap within the bubble.
- Physical distancing as per Scottish Government Guidance must be maintained when the session is complete.
B. Good hygiene advice before, during and after training today
- Refrain from handshakes and high fives, hugs etc. i.e. no physical contact.
- Do not share food, towels, and drinks.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes and dispose of any used tissue safely or take it home with you.
- Hand sanitize regularly.
- Avoid spitting unless into a tissue which you should take home and dispose of.
- Avoid touching your face.
C. Here is what will happen when you arrive at Strathclyde Park
- Please drive past the Boathouse to Car Park 4 (we may use Car Park 3 if maintenance is underway) .
- You will be met by a coach(s) and our registration secretary who will tick off your name from the list of members for track and trace, and ask you the health screening questions (see D below).
- You will be directed to one of two locations in the car park where the bubbles will be formed.
- When both bubbles are formed you will be met by a coach who will introduce the session.
- The warm up and cool down is part of the session and must be completed within the bubble.
- The bubbles will start their sessions at different times to ensure that no more than 15 Motherwell AC athletes are in the same proximity at any time.
- Please stay within your bubble of 15 for the duration of the session.
- When the session is finished, please return to physical distancing as per Scottish Government Guidance.
D. Please do not attend training if any of the following apply to you
- Have you been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
- Have you been overseas, or in any area of the UK highlighted as high risk, or exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
- Have you had COVID-19 symptoms (self-isolate for 7 days) or are you feeling unwell?
- Have you been told to self-isolate as part of the contact tracing measures in place?
E. Our Approach to Returning to Training
- Our return to training will be in line with Scottish Athletics guidance. Due to potential disparity in athletes’ level of fitness, we will treat our return to training as the start of a training year. This means our initial training period will be primarily around building an endurance base. Training sessions over this period will mostly include longer slower runs, where we will gradually increase the distance and intensity of our sessions. Any athletes who feel that their training is more advanced may wish to extend these sessions, but this would be considered separate from the club and not part of the club session.
- Please also remember that during club training sessions athletes should never be left to run on their own.
- The August and September Training Schedules are on the club website.
- Please be patient for the first few sessions while we work through any teething problems with the system.
- Here is a link to the August and September Training Schedules
August and September Training Schedules
We look forward to seeing you soon.
The Senior Endurance Coaches
Return to Group Training for Senior Endurance and 18+ T&F
Scottish Athletics has published its updated Covid-19 Phase 3 Guidance for a return to group training for 18+ athletes. There will be a series of Zoom conferences and Q&A sessions for clubs on Monday and Tuesday 24 & 25 August for detailed review of the guidance. The outcome of the sessions is likely to be issued on Wednesday 26 August. Our coaches will meet shortly after we receive the output from Scottish Athletics to finalise plans for a return to training. We had originally thought we would have returned this week but that is not possible, however, we hope to be in a position to advise you about our plans by the weekend.
Scottish Athletics Updated Covid-19 Phase 3 Guidance 21 August 2020
Scottish Athletics Phase 3 Covid-19 Guidance is now available and a link is attached for your information. Scottish Athletics has organised a series of Zoom conferences for Monday and Tuesday 24 & 25 August to review the guidance and provide clubs with the opportunity for Q&As in advance of implementing the recommendations. Further updates will follow.
MOTHERWELL AC IS PLANNING TO RESUME SENIOR ENDURANCE GROUP TRAINING ON TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2020
MOTHERWELL AC IS PLANNING TO RESUME SENIOR ENDURANCE GROUP TRAINING ON TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2020
Scottish Government Phase 3 Covid-19 announcement on 30 July allows organised outdoor contact sport to resume for adults from Monday 24 August, following Sports Governing Body guidance. Scottish Athletics believe this will enable adults (athletes, coaches, officials) to train, officiate and compete as per normal on the field of play and will confirm the exact detail when it has the information.
Senior Endurance coaches have met and are planning to restart group training on Tuesday 25 August. Advice on Covid-19 protocols, venues, and training schedules will be provided in advance of our return.
Please Note – this may be subject to change, dependent upon ongoing announcements from Scottish Government and Scottish Athletics.
Scottish Athletics Updated Covid-19 Guidance 31 July
The update guidance from Scottish Athletics is now available (link attached). Senior Endurance coaches are currently reviewing the updated guidance and a communication regarding the return to organised group training will be issued early next week.
RETURN TO TRAINING
Senior Endurance and Track & Field Over 17s
After careful consideration of Scottish Government Phase 3 Guidance and Scottish Athletics’ advice, the coaches have concluded, unfortunately, that it is not possible to return to organised group training, on any meaningful scale, before the next government review on 30 July.
The following guidance and advice highlight why it is impractical to return:
- At this stage organised outdoor sport for adults is not permitted.
- One coach is permitted to meet with a maximum of 4 other households, including their athletes, in any single day.
- Groups are not permitted to meet in the same location at the same time as this is considered to be organised training.
The Senior Endurance coaches will meet again on 1 August to review the updated guidance, and continue their planning for a return to training. In the meantime, they will continue with development of the popular virtual challenges and asking athletes for ideas on how to improve participation & stay connected while restrictions remain in place.
Under 18 Track & Field
Organised outdoor sport specific activity can now be undertaken by young people (U18) with no physical distancing required “on the field of play”. Consequently, limited numbers of U18 athletes across the various groups will restart training on a trial basis, initially on Saturdays, commencing on Saturday 1st August.
Coaches will contact their own groups to confirm which athletes will take part in the first training session and every effort will be made to accommodate athletes who wish to train. Every household will receive further information and guidance by email. These arrangements, and guidance for 18+ athletes, will be reviewed following the next Government review on 30 July.
Covid-19 Status as of 12 July 2020
Scottish Athletics Phase 3 Covid-19 Guidance is attached for your information.
Scottish Athletics Covid-19 Phase 3 Guidance
There will be a series of Zoom Conferences between Scottish Athletics and member clubs on Monday and Tuesday 13 & 14 July to review the guidance and give clubs the opportunity of Q&As. Motherwell AC will have three representatives at the conferences.
Our committee and coaches will be having a Zoom Conference on Friday 17 July to consider the guidance. There will be further discussions the following week (commencing 20 July) to decide the club’s approach to resumption of training.
COVID-19 STATUS AT 4 JULY 2020
COVID-19 STAUS AT 4 JULY 2020
You will be aware that Motherwell AC training sessions are suspended until further notice. However, we hope you are remaining fit, healthy and taking the opportunity to participate in the various virtual events and the suggested training sessions on offer to keep you ticking over while the Covid-19 restrictions are in place. A link to the Scottish Athletics Covid-19 page with all of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 guidance is attached.
Scottish Athletics Covid-19 Guidance
However, there is a formal Scottish Government Phase 3 Review of the exit plan on Thursday 9 July, and there will be subsequent advice issued by Scottish Athletics following their consultation with clubs week commencing 12 July. The committee will communicate how the changes are likely to affect our ability to return to training as soon as it can.
The committee and the coaches are working in the background to prepare for some form of phased return to training. Lesley Ross has kindly offered to be our Covid-19 Coordinator, and Joe Hoolaghan has offered to provide the link for any Senior Endurance specific tasks. In the meantime we are all working on areas such as:
Covid-19 Risk Assessments
Covid-19 Attendance Registers
Updating the Welfare and Childcare Policy to incorporate Covid-19 requirements
Acquiring Covid-19 First Aid Kit items, plus cleaning and sanitizing materials
Liaising with facility operators
STAY SAFE AND TAKE CARE!
Covid-19 and Scottish Athletics Phase 2 Guidance. Update: 20 June 2020
Scottish Athletics have updated their guidance for clubs, coaches, athletes and facilities in Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Exit Plan. This, and further details (including the route map guides) can be found here.
Motherwell AC training activities remain suspended until further notice. The committee and coaches are working hard behind the scenes to comply with the rules and guidance and we plan to provide further updates within the next few weeks.
Take care everyone!