England Lacrosse would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to attend either, or in some cases both, of England Lacrosse’s COVID-19 webinars on the evening of Thursday 3 December.
We enjoyed the opportunity to discuss with you the present situation and answer your questions.
For anyone who was unable to join either webinar, a recording was made of each one.
Government guidelines have placed a fresh emphasis on the following areas: social interaction, sanctions for non-compliance, and spectators.
Please read our Return to Play Help Page for more information on these areas.
As is set out in the Government guidance, we would like to highlight the following statements:
Social interaction can only take place in line with legal gathering limits and other relevant restrictions when not playing. Observing the rules during play but then disregarding them after (e.g., by socialising in breach of the wider restrictions) is unlawful, irresponsible and jeopardises both public health and the case for safe sport to continue.
You are advised not to travel into or out of tier 3 areas, including for sport, unless this is necessary to enable individual exercise (or exercise for people from the same household or support bubble). Where this is necessary (for example to access a green space for a run or cycle), you should only travel a short distance and stay as local as possible. Travel is also permitted where it is necessary to enable sport for disabled people, sport for educational purposes, or supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, to take place, but should still be minimised and kept to short distances only.
In tier 2 areas: you should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make, where possible.
Sporting activities are permitted despite wider restrictions because of the benefits of sport and physical activity for people’s physical and mental wellbeing. If people act irresponsibly when participating in sport (including off the pitch, and when socialising before and after activity) they jeopardise public health and undermine the case for safe sport to take place.
National governing bodies should ensure that clubs/leagues/providers are running their activities safely, and should take action to address any issues, including putting in place additional measures or suspending players/teams/leagues/clubs which do not adhere to guidance. If there are serious or consistent concerns with a particular sport which the NGB cannot or does not address, the NGB’s approval may be revoked so that the sport cannot take place.
We all have a responsibility to ensure Phase 4 Return to Play guidelines are adhered to, in addition to the points highlighted above.
We have created a COVID-19 Guideline Breach document to assist the game.