Covid-19 Return To Football Update

The LCFC Executive Committee met this week to discuss the ‘Return to Football’ guidelines released by the FAI on the 8 th of June. The protocols, as set out by the HSE and FAI are strict and challenging. The health and safety of everyone at Leicester Celtic is our first priority and we are working to make sure we have everything in place when we return to football to ensure that we protect ourselves and our families.

We have appointed a Covid-19 ‘Return to Football’ Group to oversee the resumption of training and football. We appointed Owen Norton as the clubs Covid-19 Compliance Officer, also part of this group are Gareth Fahey, Aziz Kabadya, Declan Ellison and Gerry Whelan.
We understand that some coaches do not wish to resume training immediately and are happy to return to football later in July / August. Others wish to start back as soon as possible. The Group’s aim is to give every team the opportunity to return to training and football in a safe manner, as soon as possible.

OUR CHALLENGES - The current HSE and FAI guidelines states that non contact training can resume with groups of 15 (eg, 13 players 2 coaches) in a space requirement of 75 x 50 metres. Currently, we do not have the use of Loreto Park, the Council are not permitting organised football activity on public pitches, this may change in the coming weeks. So, it means that for the moment, we have to plan for the use solely of our astro pitch and back
pitch, which will very much limit us to the number of training sessions we can have at anyone time. Risk assessments of our training facilities must be completed and signed off. Strict entry and exit arrangements must be in place. Every session must be monitored and a record of all attendees at each session must be made and kept by the club. Sanitisation arrangements and social distancing arrangements must be in place. Parents will not be allowed to attend the training sessions or enter the club premises, including the car park. We have to ensure that all of our coaches, players and parents are educated on all these measures. Coaches will have
added responsibilities to ensure that, entry / exit, social distancing, attendance records etc, protocols are always followed. The club will have  Covid-19 officers at all training sessions to assist coaches with this.

Before we commence training, we will be meeting with coaches who wish to return, to go through the protocols and guidelines. Coaches, players and parents must understand and follow the ‘Return to Football’ protocols and guidelines. The protocols are mandatory and challenging. We will need full compliance from all coaches, players and parents. It will put pressure on us all. But if we work together, follow the guidelines and protocols we will be able to get our players back playing football safely and hopefully quickly.
YOUR SUPPORT - We will need coaches help to ensue smooth running of the resumption of football. If you are free to come down on an evening that you are not training your own squad and help out the management and monitoring of the protocols, please let us know. Many hands make light work.

As mentioned above, our aim is to get our players back to football as quickly as possible. We are here to support and help you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact a committee member.

Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding during very difficult times. We will continue to work away in the background and will give you all an update on progress before the end of June.

​Regards,
Leicester Celtic Executive Committee.