Dear WMFC members,

First of all, we hope that you and your families are safe and sound during this extraordinary period. While sports is not a top priority in the grand scheme of things, it will offer a welcome relief from the isolation we have all been experiencing. With this in mind, we have an update for you all.

As you may know, Capital Football have developed “Return to Football” guidelines for clubs in a staged approach. The first stage (Level B) is about recommencing training (core skills and fitness only – NO match play or training games).

We urge you to read the Capital Football Return to Football Guidelines in preparation for a return to football. This will assist us in making our return to football as smooth and safe as possible.

Capital Football requires that each club develops their own plan in accordance with the above mentioned guidelines. We are currently undertaking this work including scheduling training times to be allocated to both Junior and Senior teams. Our plan must be approved by Capital Football before trianing can commence.

The plan will include the following Return to Football restrictions which must be followed:

Pre-training requirements:

• Groups of 10 only to train (including the coach)
• Teams of more than 10 players will be split into 2 groups and typically train on different days of the week
• A coach can only be involved with one group per day (as a coach or player)
• Where a team has two coaches available we will schedule the two groups from that team to train on the same night if possible
• Do not participate or attend training if unwell, especially if you have flu-like symptoms
• Players and coach to turn up no earlier than 15 minutes prior to training
• Avoid car pooling
• Maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres at all times
• Practice good hygiene: players will be required to wash hands or use hand sanitiser before and after training
• Players are welcome to bring and use their own ball
• Players should let their coach and manager know if they won’t be at training
• WMFC encourages coaches, parents and players to download the COVIDSafe app

Training requirements:

• Warm ups to be done within the training session or at home 
• There will be no physical contact or tackling during training
• Games are not permitted
• Parents and guardians staying at the ground should remain in the car during the session
• There is to be no sharing of drink bottles, towels, or bibs
• No handshakes or high fives
• There will be no team meetings or gatherings
• Players, parents and coaches are to leave the training area immediately after the training has finished

Next steps

• WMFC Junior and Senior Chairs will be in contact with coaches this week to ask for their preference for training days and times
• The initial allocation of training spots will be made by the club and reviewed by the WMFC Executive Committee
• Arrangements for equipment allocation and pick up will be advised
• NOTE: All Junior team lists will be sent out this week

The WMFC plan

• Once the “WMFC - Return to Football Plan” is finalised, all coaches, managers, players and parents will be notified
  
• In order for us to move a step closer to the return of football as we know it, it is vital for everyone in the WMFC community to follow these guidelines

Concerns/Issues

• This is a challenging time and some people will be feeling cautious about a return to training. Players and members of our community have to make the best decision for themselves and their family, in terms of whether they can participate in training, and those decisions will be respected
• Please contact a member of the WMFC Executive Committee if you have any concerns or questions

Volunteers welcome!

• Additionally, we are always looking for more volunteers!
• If you are able to assist with your team, or with the club in any capacity, please let us know - we would love to hear from you ☺☺

We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this time and know that we can work together as a community to return to football.

Many thanks,
WMFC Executive Committee