We're getting closer to the start of the 2020 football season.

Subject to the range of public health measures outlined HERE, play, active recreation and sport can resume under Level 2. Obviously, there are restrictions around what's currently possible. We have sent some detailed information through to each club's contact people, so they will be able to fill you in on our plans as they stand now.  

NZ Football will release their Return to Match Guidelines next week following the Government's review of gathering sizes on Monday 25th May. Hopefully the countdown clock to the start of the season can then well and truly start ticking.

In the meantime, here's some information you should be aware of before you head to your first training session.

CONTACT TRACING

For training to resume, a contact tracing register must be in place for everyone involved in, or attending, any session. A contact tracing register includes, but is not limited to, recording the name, address, phone number, and email address of everyone attending, as well as the date and time of the session, and who dropped them off/picked them up.

• To support contact tracing, all players, coaches, support staff and referees must be registered via their MyComet account before attending training. 
• NZ Football recommends the use of the iDMe as an online contact tracing register and that everyone, including players, coaches, managers, referees, support staff and spectators check in to every football activity via iDMe.

COMET – for contact tracing

• All players, coaches, referees, and team staff MUST BE registered with their club. This is done via your MyComet account. Your club is then responsible for adding you to the catalogue for your team.
• Your MyComet information must include full name, address, phone and email contact information.
• Before each training session a team list will be printed off and taken to the session by coaches/managers.
• At each training session the name of all attendees will be highlighted on the printout as well as the training group they were assigned to. 
• Details of people dropping off or collecting attendees will also be collected.
• This information will be kept securely by your club for no less than 4 weeks from the date of the session, after which time it will be destroyed.

iDMe – for contact tracing

• iDMe is a contact tracing site that will help ensure all of football in New Zealand will meet contact tracing requirements so our players, coaches and referees can get back on the field in 2020.  
• iDMe is a touch-free sign-in and contact register that will ensure contact tracing can be completed easily without a large burden upon Federations, clubs, and members.

TRAINING GROUPS

• Until reviewed and updated by the Government, all training groups will be restricted to a maximum of 10 participants. This includes coaches/managers.
• All groups will be separated at all times by a distance of no less than 2 metres.  
• Spectators at training will be discouraged, however any in attendance will not mix with the training group and are subject the Government and Ministry of Health guidelines.

TRAINING SESSIONS

• Physical distancing will be enforced during drinks breaks, changeover of activities and during team meetings / discussions.
• There will be no handshakes or similar contact.
• There will be no sharing of water bottles.
• There will be no spitting including on goalie gloves.

CLEANING & HYGIENE 

• All equipment will be washed and disinfected after training.
• Participants will be provided with access to hand sanitiser or advised to bring their own.
• Where possible, one person will be responsible for set up and collection of any equipment. 

Again, if you have any questions please speak to your club's administration people in the first instance. They should have all the latest information they need to help answer your questions.

Karyn Walters
Chief Executive, WaiBOP Football