Thanks to those that have completed the feedback sharing your thoughts and feelings about returning to play, we have been in regular contact with England Hockey about the different stages of play and following recent guidance from EH and DCMS we are now fully aware that we can progress to stage 5 within the local lockdown restrictions.

The committee have been developing a Return to Play plan that is hopefully easy to understand and provides a consistent approach to the decisions we make related to training and matches as the rates fluctuate.

Our key considerations are that the leagues are due to start at the beginning of October, and we want to make sure that all our teams are prepared as much as possible. Organised sport is also allowed under the current regulations, and we have taken measures to mitigate risk as much as possible and put the right policies in place to ensure we are running safe sessions.

RETURN TO PLAY PLANS

We have put the following Return to Play plans in place, but it is important to note that all players can opt in or out of training and matches based on their personal circumstances.

It is also vitally important that each player completes a self-assessment before attending any sessions and not attend if you are feeling unwell.

SENIORS

Plan A

Training = Small bubbles with no contact
Matches = No matches

Plan B

Training = Team based training. Clearly defined sections of the pitch with no cross over – separate bag area, routes etc
Matches = Yes, team based

Plan C

Training = Section group training or multiple group training with some minimal cross over (with total numbers 30
Matches = Yes, team based

Plan D

Training = Full training with no restrictions (within EH guidance, ie: max 30 in groups)
Matches = Yes, team based

JUNIORS

Plan A

Training = Small bubbles with no contact
Matches = No matches

Plan B

Training = 2x groups of 30 training separately in 2 areas of the pitch
Matches = No matches

Plan C

Training = 4 groups (maximum 20 per group) on a quarter of a pitch – suggest divided by age and experience (ie: Under 10’s, Under 13’s, Beavers, Badgers) with no cross over – separate bag area, routes etc
Matches = Yes, team based

Plan D

Training = Full training with no restrictions (within EH guidance, ie: max 30 in groups)
Matches = Yes, team based

We also want to remind all our members to continue to follow the Government guidelines and rules away from the pitch to ensure we can keep playing on the pitch.

As we continue to plan for a normal start to the season and this change to our sessions, we need all players to complete these next steps ASAP

Complete the England Hockey Participant Agreement. You only have to do it once but this needs to be done before taking part in any hockey activity moving forward. CLICK HERE to complete the England Hockey Participant Agreement.
Register as a playing member on Pitchero (www.boltonhockeyclub.co.uk), deadline for registering for the upcoming preseason training and matches is 27th August
Set your availability for upcoming training and matches
Familiarize yourself with the guidance from England Hockey, please see the guidance attached as well as this helpful video
Read the Club Covid Policy

Further details can be found on the England Hockey COVID-19 Club Support page.

To support all our club members as we begin to transition into stage 4 (and beyond) we have also appointed a Club COVID Officer, Fiona Clarke.

It is vitally important that if you are feeling unwell or showing any symptoms that you let Fiona know ASAP on welfare@boltonhockeyclub.co.uk or you can message her via the pitchero app.

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