LVSL Return to Training Update & Directive
LATROBE VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE INC.
Incorporation Number A0094311V
PO Box 3471
Morwell Mail Centre
Morwell Victoria 3841
To the Latrobe Valley Soccer Community and Clubs,
The LVSL Board of Management convened on Friday the 15th of May to review and discuss the “Return to Training” guidelines that were released by Football Victoria and developed under the direction of Sports and Recreation Victoria. The purpose of our meeting was to review these guidelines and the practicalities on implementing the raft of measures at community club level.
The LVSL Board has always held the view that the welfare and safety of our players, coaches, referees, volunteers and spectators is our most important outcome – this viewpoint has not changed. With the release of the current guidelines regarding a “Return to Training” and ultimately a “Return to Competitions” we need to also consider the financial welfare of our member clubs, players and volunteers. It needs to be noted that clubs must ensure that they can guarantee that all aspects of the “Return to Training” guidelines are compiled to 100% before resuming any activity.
Our member clubs who all have one nominated member on the LVSL Board have reviewed the “Return to Training” guidelines and determined that they need to further review the proposed guidelines and if it is practical and viable to implement these at community club level. It needs to be remembered that we are a community level sport, we ask a lot of our volunteers, coaches, committees and players as it is – these guidelines go above and beyond what would normally be expected in a regular season.
One of the major areas of concern that is being echoed across the wider community level sporting landscape is that of public liability. For those clubs in the Latrobe City Council (LCC) catchment area it has been indicated that clubs may use LCC facilities, but at the member clubs and LVSL’s own risk. Member Clubs will need to be fully responsible for the implementation and ongoing control of all aspects of COVID – 19 return to sport guidelines. It needs to be noted that if clubs have their own public liability insurance this may be invalidated at present in respect to any potential COVID – 19 related matters. The LVSL board has and will continue to consult with Football Victoria and other appropriate bodies to seek further clarity around potential liability issues.
At the stage it is the directive of the LVSL Board of management that the following will occur regarding returning to training activities:
“The LVSL advises that no sanctioned club training (senior, junior or rep squads) is to be undertaken by any of our member clubs”
“The above direction will be reviewed on the 1st of June 2020”
We hope that you appreciate these are unprecedented times and the LVSL Board will continue to look at alternative fixture options in the event of a recommencement date, however this will not be finalised until such time that the Board is comfortable that all clubs can safely return to training.
Allan Roberts
LVSL President
On behalf of the LVSL Board of Management.
