ECFA – COVID-19 update @11/12/2020

The football journey through the 20/21 season continues following UK Government?s announcement that organised sports could return on Wednesday 2nd December 2020 following the conclusion of the second national lockdown in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

To assist in this process, we have continued to update all stakeholders via the dedicated Coronavirus Update page on our website and the promotion of The FAQs responses to Frequently Asked Questions, which were published and shared on the 1st and 4th December respectively, as well as the main news story on the Return of Grassroots Football.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport [DCMS] issued updated guidelines on the return to recreational team sport which permits the return of ?non-elite? football in England from Wednesday 2nd December, and includes all fixtures and training for:
* Steps 3-6 of the National League System [NLS];
* Tiers 3-6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP];
* Regional NLS Feeder Leagues;
* Barclays FA WSL Academy League;
* FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs;
* Outdoor youth and adult grassroots football.

Organised outdoor football activity is permitted at these levels across all three tiers from Wednesday 2nd December but it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to strictly follow both the UK Government’s latest guidance on Covid-19 and respective bespoke guidance documents from The FA:
Football Activity Guidance for Restarting Outdoor Football
Football Activity Guidance Executive Summary
Football Activity Guidance for Providers of Football Activities
Women?s Football Pyramid Club Guidance for Return to Outdoor Football
National League System Club Guidance for Return to Football

Many fixtures took place across the weekend of the 5th/6th December giving grassroots football the opportunity to participate immediately, and Essex FA would again like to place on record the efforts of all the volunteers throughout grassroots football in our county in preparation for a return to the game.

It is however vital that all stakeholders in the game continue to strictly adhere to the FA guidance. It is fully recognised the benefit football activity provides for physical and mental wellbeing. However, if the guidance is not adhered to, public health could be undermined which in turn will undermine the case for safe sport to take place. To reinforce this, The FA have agreed a process for reporting any incidents of non-compliance. These should be reported to Essex FA, who will log these, and then work with the required organisation to help ensure adherence to the guidelines.

This is the latest step on the football journey through the 2020/21 season. Across all stakeholders in the game there has been an overwhelming drive and determination to bring the game of football back to a position where it can serve local communities. It is now vital this work is not undermined and we strongly advise adherence to the FA guidance.

All Essex FA staff remain fully contactable and available for support. If you wish to discuss any of the above in more detail, or require support in specific areas, then please contact the Essex FA Development, Coach Education, Refereeing, Safeguarding or Governance Teams via E-Mail or telephone.

From all at Essex FA, thank you to all of our members for the ongoing support and commitment to grassroots football in Essex.

Stay safe.

Best regards,

Brendan Walshe
Chief Executive
Essex County Football Association
The County Office |Springfield Lyons Approach|
Chelmsford | Essex | CM2 5LB
T: 01245 465271
W: www.essexfa.com

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