All GEHC members (players, team staff, spectators) must adhere to the following set of guidelines for all upcoming training sessions and matches:

 

Any member with flu-like symptoms should self-exclude from playing, training and spectating at the first sign of the symptoms and seek medical advice.

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Sharing of equipment is not permitted:

• Including but not limited to Hockey sticks, shin pads, masks, mouthguards, etc

• Wipe down all shared equipment with sanitiser at the end of each training session

• Bibs must not be used (players to bring their own alternate tops)

 

Social distancing rules apply to all training sessions on and off the pitch

• Training drills must be designed with social distancing measures in place

• There must be a minimum distance of 1.5m between participants at all times

 

Personal Hygiene

• Replace handshaking at the start and conclusion of games with (for example) simply tapping sticks on the ground, fist pump or a thumbs up.

• Use labelled water bottles. These must be strictly single person use. Avoid use of communal water bottles or fountains.

• Take care with food handling at games; until further notice shared food items are not allowed.

• Take care to store your mouthguard appropriately when not in use and don’t rinse it in public

• Continue to cover nose and mouth with tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.

• Keep your distance from anyone that is coughing or sneezing (min 2m).

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when entering the pitch and during training sessions if applicable.

• All players and officials should wash their hands with soap and water and dry with paper towel prior to and after games.

• Gloves should be worn when attending to players with injuries – especially against blood exposure but also to prevent contact with mouth-guards.

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Training ground rules:

• If you are doing exercise or a physical activity where you are not out of breath or puffing, then you must wear a face mask. For example, if you are stretching before your training session.

• It is recommended to wear a face mask as soon as you complete your training session and step off the hockey pitch.

• It is recommended that coaching and support staff wear face masks (unless physically participating in the training session).

• Hockey pitch can be divided into maximum of three zones which can host 15 participants + coach/support staff per zone. Groups of 15 should not mix with each other and should remain constant, with participants and coaches not allowed to swap between groups. It is advised to establish a “zone” for your group to train within, ensure the zone is clearly marked, which will allow other groups to avoid any unnecessary contact. Ideally, please leave a 5m space between the zones. It is important to review all protocols relating to social distancing and movement of people in and out of the facility to avoid unnecessary risk of congregation during all periods before, during and after training.

• Please reduce the number of people attending hockey activities to those who are essential to its conduct. If medical staff are attending hockey activities, please ensure they are following all hygiene and other applicable directions, such as cleaning of equipment.

• Spectators are not allowed.

• Stagger training start times (where more than one group is using a pitch, as above, and/or where a facility has more than one pitch), and schedule a gap between the end time for one group and the start time of the subsequent group, to avoid congestion. Consider conducting 45-minute training sessions under the current restrictions.

• No high fives, handshakes, spitting or contact.

• Coaches or Committee members to reiterate social distancing rules at the start of each session and while off the pitch and consider the following:

  • Training drills should be designed with social distancing measures in place – remain 1.5m apart at all times.

  • Space available for the group and marked out, and separation to the second group on the pitch.

  • Avoid game based/competitive drills as they could increase the chances of contact and consider modifying your drills in other ways to further reduce the chances of contact, i.e. create zones for players within your available training space.

  • No standing around close to other participants during or in between drills’ (e.g. when waiting at a cone)

  • Use additional cones to guide players and keep them at 1.5m apart.

  • Consider the position of drink/break stations and entry/exit points to the pitch.

  • Accidental/unintentional contact may occur however must be avoided wherever possible.

 

• Once the session concludes, participants should put their face masks on and leave the facility immediately.

 

Entrance and exit from venues:

• GEHC will keep records of every person who attends the venue/facility or participates in training or games

• GEHC will ensure that catering to multiple groups does not create an unnecessary risk of people congregating (e.g. at entrances or exits, near toilets or in carparks or other nearby areas).

• All players waiting for their session or game must not congregate and should remain in their cars until they can enter the facility.

 

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Face masks

• If you are doing exercise or a physical activity where you are out of breath or puffing, such as hockey training/matches or running, you do not need to wear a face mask. You must carry a face mask with you and wear it before and after you exercise.

• If you are doing exercise or a physical activity where you are not out of breath or puffing, then you must wear a face mask. You must wear a face mask while walking, unless you have a lawful reason not to.

• It is important that you keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others while exercising, even when wearing a face mask.
   

Outbreak and Reporting

• If a member of GEHC tests positive for COVID-19, this should immediately be reported to a Club Committee member who will report it to the relevant authority who will advise of actions to be taken.

• Once the authorities have been contacted, GEHC Secretary or President will contact HV to report the case at admin@hockeyvictoria.org.au