MAY COWPE FIELDS ARE OPEN
Dear Parents/Carers and Players,
  • The NSW Government has taken some proactive steps this week and will not hesitate to shut down any aspect of the Community (including Community Sport) if they believe people are not taking social distancing seriously, to make sure we do not follow Victoria back into lockdown.
  • The BDSFA competitions satisfy the NSW Government guidelines released this week around minimising travel and cross-regional/zone travel because Football NSW has more than 8 regions (e.g. Associations like the BDSFA), this is provided we stick to our defined Association boundary, noting we are allowed to play across different Council boundaries (includes Phoenix League with GDSFA)
We need to take our responsibility around social distancing MORE seriously and take special note of the following five points:
  1. If you are feeling sick or have any symptoms of illness you are not to attend games or training
  2. Players and officials who have visited Victoria are not permitted to play, train or attend matches for 14 days after leaving Victoria, and should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19
  3. Players, officials and spectators who have attended any of the reported case locations listed on the NSW Health website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates) are not permitted to play, train or attend matches for 14 days, and should be encouraged to get tested for COVID-19
  4. Take all reasonable steps to limit people attending junior games to one parent per player
  5. Take all reasonable steps to ensure that there are no spectators at senior games. This is of particular concern to the NSW Government with our senior competitions. Our ability for all players to be able to play football this season could be jeapordised by the number of spectators (including players from within your club not playing) who turn up to watch and support your Premier League, All Age, Masters and Youth teams

Unfortunately, if we want to keep playing, the focus needs to be on playing the game – not watching!

With respect to spectators, a condition of entry to the ground is that you need to scan the unique ground QR Code which records your attendance. The QR Code will be displayed at each ground on a corflute poster (see example below). Please ensure you undertake this essential and simple process for every match you attend.

There are no other changes to how we play and conduct the matches, but please remember the following:
  • Wash and/or sanitise hands before and after attending all training and games.
  • Players are to arrive dressed and ready to train or play
  • Take all reasonable steps to not use change rooms  
  • Players, Officials and Parents/Carers must not socialise or assemble in groups before, during or after training and games
  • Players must comply with the 1.5m social distancing rule (except for players on the field playing the game), this means no huddles before each half and no photos prior to or after the game
  • Officials and Spectators must comply with the 1.5m social distancing rule at all times (unless from the same household)
  • Do not shake hands, high five or hug other Players, Officials, Team Officials, Parents or Carers
  • Have your name clearly written on your drink bottle and do not share it
  • Elderly persons should not attend, they may be at high or increased risk of illness
  • Once training and games are finished depart the venue as soon as possible
  • All Participants, Officials, Parents, Carers and Spectators must cover their coughs and sneezes
  • Do not attend if you have flu like symptoms or are feeling unwell 
  • Get tested for COVID-19 if you develop flu like symptoms
 
The BDSFA Board Members thank you for your understanding and support.
 
#weareblacktown #wearefootball #weare24strong #weareone
Responding to Covid-19 cases and suspected cases in football  (Guidance only - for clubs and associations)
 
Football NSW is not in a position to provide medical advice, the following is for guidance only as the advice of health authorities can vary depending on individual circumstances.
 
For immediate advice:
Individuals call the National Coronavirus Health line on 1800 020 080
Clubs call Service NSW Covid-19 Helpline on 13 77 88
 
Refer to Health Direct Coronavirus website and NSW Health Coronavirus Self Isolation Guidelines & Information
 
For someone feeling unwell
 
If a club is advised that a player may have come into close contact with a case of Covid-19 or attended a Covid-19 hotspot
  • The player must self isolate immediately
  • The player must call the National Coronavirus Health line on 1800 020 080
  • The player must get tested for Covid-19
  • The player must follow the advice of health authorities
 
If a club is advised that a player is being tested for Covid-19
  • The team does not need to self isolate
  • Team members do not need to get tested unless symptomatic
  • Team members must monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days
  • If a player feels unwell or becomes symptomatic, they must self isolate immediately and get tested
 
If a player tests positive and/or a club is advised of a confirmed case of Covid-19
  • Immediately follow the advice of health authorities
  • Notify Football NSW
  • Consult with Service NSW Covid-19 Helpline on 13 77 88 (available 24 hours, 7 days)   
  • The person with Covid-19 will be advised by health authorities to immediately self isolate
  • NSW Health will undertake contact tracing to determine who has been in close contact or casual contact with the positive case. 
  • The advice given by NSW Health to the club and individuals may vary depending on the results of the contact tracing. 
  • Persons who have tested positive should only return to sport following NSW Health advice or with a medical clearance. 
Refer: NSW Health self isolation guidelines
  • Follow the advice of health authorities in relation to other team members and team officials
 
Close Contact is someone who:
  • has had more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact over the course of a week (in any setting) with a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19 (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • has shared a closed space with a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19 for more than 2 hours (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • Refer to the Close Contact Factsheet
 
Casual Contact is someone who has been in the same general area as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 while infectious. You are a casual contact if:
  • you have had less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact over the course of a week (in any setting) with a confirmed or probable case (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • you have shared a closed space with a confirmed or probable case for less than 2 hours (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • Refer to the Casual Contact Factsheet
 
Further Information
 
  • National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 (24 hour helpline)
  • Service NSW Covid-19 Helpline on 13 77 88
  • National Health Direct Coronavirus website
  • NSW Health Coronavirus website
  • Coronavirus Symptom Checker
  • Coronavirus Testing
  • To speak to a Registered Nurse at NSW Healthline call 1800 022 222.
  • Further information is also available at www.health.nsw.gov.au and www.health.gov.au.      Responding to Covid-19 cases and suspected cases in football  (Guidance only - for clubs and associations)
     
    Football NSW is not in a position to provide medical advice, the following is for guidance only as the advice of health authorities can vary depending on individual circumstances.
     
    For immediate advice:
    Individuals call the National Coronavirus Health line on 1800 020 080
    Clubs call Service NSW Covid-19 Helpline on 13 77 88
     
    Refer to Health Direct Coronavirus website and NSW Health Coronavirus Self Isolation Guidelines & Information
     
    For someone feeling unwell
  • Self isolate
  • Refer to the Coronavirus Health Direct Symptom Checker
  • Get tested at a COVID-19 Testing clinic
  • Call the National Coronavirus Health line on 1800 020 080 (24 hour helpline)
  • Call your Doctor or Visit the Emergency Department
  •  
    If a club is advised that a player may have come into close contact with a case of Covid-19 or attended a Covid-19 hotspot
  • The player must self isolate immediately
  • The player must call the National Coronavirus Health line on 1800 020 080
  • The player must get tested for Covid-19
  • The player must follow the advice of health authorities
  •  
    If a club is advised that a player is being tested for Covid-19
  • The team does not need to self isolate
  • Team members do not need to get tested unless symptomatic
  • Team members must monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days
  • If a player feels unwell or becomes symptomatic, they must self isolate immediately and get tested
  •  
    If a player tests positive and/or a club is advised of a confirmed case of Covid-19
  • Immediately follow the advice of health authorities
  • Notify Football NSW
  • Consult with Service NSW Covid-19 Helpline on 13 77 88 (available 24 hours, 7 days)   
  • The person with Covid-19 will be advised by health authorities to immediately self isolate
  • NSW Health will undertake contact tracing to determine who has been in close contact or casual contact with the positive case. 
  • The advice given by NSW Health to the club and individuals may vary depending on the results of the contact tracing. 
  • Persons who have tested positive should only return to sport following NSW Health advice or with a medical clearance. 
  • Refer: NSW Health self isolation guidelines
  • Follow the advice of health authorities in relation to other team members and team officials
  •  
    Close Contact is someone who:
  • has had more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact over the course of a week (in any setting) with a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19 (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • has shared a closed space with a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19 for more than 2 hours (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • Refer to the Close Contact Factsheet
  •  
    Casual Contact is someone who has been in the same general area as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 while infectious. You are a casual contact if:
  • you have had less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact over the course of a week (in any setting) with a confirmed or probable case (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • you have shared a closed space with a confirmed or probable case for less than 2 hours (including in the 48 hours before their symptoms appeared)
  • Refer to the Casual Contact Factsheet
  •  
    Further Information
     
  • National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 (24 hour helpline)
  • Service NSW Covid-19 Helpline on 13 77 88
  • National Health Direct Coronavirus website
  • NSW Health Coronavirus website
  • Coronavirus Symptom Checker
  • Coronavirus Testing
  • To speak to a Registered Nurse at NSW Healthline call 1800 022 222.
  • Further information is also available at www.health.nsw.gov.au and www.health.gov.au.      
The priority of Football NSW the BDSFA and the Workers FC Committee, has been to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the community and to undertake its social responsibility to do everything it can to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
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FNSW has now developed  guidelines to provide for the limited return of football training. Training for groups greater than 10 people and playing matches is still not permitted under public health guidelines and is not sanctioned by Football NSW.
​
Workers FC strongly encourage all players, parents, caregivers, coaches and managers to read the guidelines. please clink on the below link:
https://footballnsw.com.au/covid-19-resources-files/
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It is extremely important that everyone follow the Return to Training guidelines which are provided at the end of this email. In addition to these guidelines, there are strict rules that we all must follow when returning to training. These rules are in place for your safety and the safety of your families as well as the families of your fellow players. Anyone not adhering to these rules will not be permitted to train.

Below you will find the Training Timetable stating training field allocation it is also important that you understand the following:
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  1. Read the FNSW and BDSFA guidelines,  parents/guardians are expected to explain these to your children to ensure they understand why training is different to what they are used to.
  2. Read the poster which is provided at the end of this email that summarises the information for players, parents and volunteers. A return to training video has also ben posted on our Facebook page.
  3. Players are only permitted to arrive no earlier than 5 minutes prior to the start of a training session - players arriving earlier than 5 minutes will not be allowed to stay at the ground.
  4. Every player must have their own water bottle that has their name on it “no water bottle = no training”
  5. For players under 16, a parent/guardian must escort their child to their designated sign in station and then wait in their car or behind the fence following social distance requirements.
  6. Only collect your child 5 minutes prior to the end of training. Parents/Carers are expected to wait in their car and or behind the fence and not leave the vicinity in the event that training may end earlier than expected.
  7. Players under 16 will NOT be permitted to train unless signed in by a parent/guardian
  8. Players must arrive dressed for training with boots on and shin pads on.
  9. Players, Parents/guardians must maintain 1.5 meters social distancing when signing in and/or collecting their child.
  10. In addition, If anyone is feeling sick they should not attend the ground for any reason and we strongly encourage you all to download the COVIDSAFE app ​

thanks to our 2020 sponsors 
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be sure to support the businesses that support your club