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IHNSW Update 20 October – End of Season Functions

For the information of all clubs and members – please see below updated IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines:

IHNSW RETURN TO SPORT GUIDELINES V8.2 – 20 October 2020

The latest update to our guidelines includes information regarding End of Season functions.

End of season awards functions for clubs and associations are permitted to take place, in line with the relevant COVID-19 Safety Plan at the venue at which it is being hosted. 

Large functions:
Corporate functions and events held on a premises that are a function centre will be permitted to have up to 300 attendees, up to venue capacity restrictions. Clubs and associations should discuss their plans with venue operators to determine requirements such as capacity limits and event formats. Functions must be seated – not standing/mingling/dancing.

Team Barbeques and Social Gatherings: From 23 October, outdoor gathering numbers have been increased to 30 pax (from 20). End of season team gatherings such as barbeques are permitted to take place, but must adhere to a maximum gathering size of 30 people in public places and at a household. Physical distancing should be adhered to for non-household groups.

Teams may wish to consider booking a table at a venue (restaurant group bookings have also been increased to 30pax) or hiring a facility that can accommodate larger gathering sizes such as community halls, however should note that they will still be required to comply with the relevant Public Health Order and COVID-19 Safety Plan requirements for that venue.

Clubs are encouraged to appoint a COVID marshal to monitor  their end of season function and ensure compliance and safety of members.

The latest NSW Health and Office of Sport information is located here: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Further information and resources can be found under the COVID-19 Information heading on the IHNSW.com.au website – top right corner

IHNSW Update 25 September – Spectator Restrictions

For the information of all clubs and members – please see below updated IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines:

IHNSW RETURN TO SPORT GUIDELINES V7 – updated 24 September

Following NSW Health’s and Office of Sport’s 24 September update for Community Sport activities, IHNSW now understands that the restrictions on spectators attending community sport (formerly 1 per junior, and none per senior) have been lifted from Saturday 26 September.

The latest NSW Health and Office of Sport information is located here: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19#Update%20as%20at%2019%20August

Whilst this is great news, there is still a limit on numbers of spectators that can attend games. All community sport activities (indoor and outdoor) are capped at a maximum of 500pax, and in the case of indoor venues, the capacity limit is 4 square metres per person available space.

Clubs, participants and spectators MUST adhere to the rink conditions of entry, and follow all instructions from staff and club appointed COVID marshals. This may include being asked to wait outside as the venue is currently at capacity and no further spectators will be allowed entry until space becomes available.

We ask all participants to continue to minimise the number of spectators they bring to activities, to allow everyone the opportunity to have friends/family in attendance within the venue capacity restrictions.

Once inside the venue, all spectators and participants must continue to comply with the IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines and the rinks specific conditions of entry, including:

– 1.5m physical distancing at all times when not on the ice for people/groups not from the same household

– Participants should drive directly to the venue, compete, and then return to their homes following the activity – avoiding any social gatherings before or after the activity. There should be no car pooling or shared transport arrangements for participants not from the same household.

– all normal hygiene protocols are in place and being enforced

-All participants and visitors adhering to rink conditions of entry, sign in processes, contact tracing recording methods, temperature checks

There is no tolerance for abuse of rink staff or COVID marshals and anyone found to have done so will be called to an IHNSW tribunal to face possible suspension from future activities.

Further information and resources can be found under the COVID-19 Information heading on the IHNSW.com.au website – top right corner

IHNSW Resources and latest information

Please see the latest IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines, including the most up to date information and implementation of recommendations received by NSW Health in August.

IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines v6

Participants must adhere to all IHNSW Return to Sport Guidelines, the IHNSW COVID Safety Plan, the rink conditions of entry and any club COVID Safety processes. Participants should expect to see club COVID Marshals at activities, reminding everyone to adhere to the guidelines provided, including:
-Minimising of spectator numbers to one person per junior and no spectators for seniors
-Social distancing at all times when not on the ice
-All participants and visitors adhering to rink conditions of entry, sign in processes, contact tracing recording methods, temperature checks
-Participants to arrive, play, and depart quickly after activities

Games can proceed with inter-regional players and teams.

Participants should drive directly to the venue, compete, and then return to their homes following the activity – avoiding any social gatherings before or after the activity. There should be no car pooling or shared transport arrangements for participants not from the same household.

IHNSW and all clubs have met, discussed and agree to work hard to implement best practises across the board for the safety of our members, and to ensure the season can continue.

Further information and resources can be found under the COVID-19 Information heading on the IHNSW.com.au website – top right corner