LAVic COVID-19 Competition & Training Protocols

UPDATED PROTOCOLS 26TH NOVEMBER 2020

Background

The Victorian State Government has imposed restrictions to minimise the spread of COVID-19. LAVic has developed a set of protocols to assist Affiliated Centres commence competition and training activities, in alignment with advice from Sport & Recreation Victoria, Vicsport, and the Department of Health & Human Services. Affiliated Centres must receive written permission from LAVic to conduct insured sanctioned competition and training activities. Please refer all related queries to LAVic’s ‘COVID Safe Co-ordinator’ in writing to office@lavic.com.au

Definitions

Parent/guardian: person responsible for supervising children at a sanctioned competition/training activity, whose presence is required for the safe conduct of sanctioned Little Athletics activities.
Spectators: person who are relatives (ie. grandparents), friends, coaches (competition only), members of the general public etc., whose presence is not essential for a sanctioned competition/training activity.
Organising Bodies: entities co-ordinating track & field competitions on behalf of a group of Centres.
Attendees: all in attendance at sanctioned competition/training.
Competition: refers to track & field competition, from 1st September 2020 to 31 March, 2021.
Training: refers to track & field events.
Venue manager: the body responsible for the management of the venue (ie. Local Government Organisation, committee of management, collective sporting body, school or similar).
Stakeholder: entities mutually interacting with a Centre in any given season (ie. athletes, families, volunteers, committee members, venue managers, entities sharing facilities, sponsors, etc.).

COVID Safe Official

  • Affiliated Centres must appoint a minimum of one COVID Safe Official (CSO).
  • The CSO is responsible for the Centre’s implementation and compliance of COVID protocols.
  • The tasks and responsibilities assigned to the CSO role are documented in the CSO Duty Statement.
  • All CSOs must complete the online Australian Government COVID-19 Infection Control Training course.

Communication

The Centre must communicate the competition and training protocols to all members, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, Committee members, families, sponsors, venue managers and other Centre stakeholders.

Attendance Records and Managed Access

  • Prior to the commencement of sanctioned Centre training and competition activities or a competition event involving multiple Centres, all attendees will have their attendance recorded.
  • Attendees names will be registered by the CSO (or delegated representative) at a designated area.
  • The attendee name register will be kept for a period of at least 28 days.
  • Attendees are encouraged to “Get in, Compete/Train, Get Out” and minimise social interaction prior to, and after competition or training.
  • The maximum number of patrons attending a sanctioned Little Athletics activity must not exceed 500 at any one time, exclusive of those necessary to conduct the sport (see detailed explanation under ‘Attendance records and managed access’).

Venue

  • Access to change rooms and toilets is permitted. Access to clubrooms is restricted.
  • Operation of canteens is permitted in accordance with the ‘Accommodation & Food Sector Guidelines’.
  • The CSO, Centre administrators and venue managers will manage the use of the facilities.
  • Posters and signage promoting COVID-19 Safe Practices must be displayed.

Competition

  • Competition events (both track and field) must not exceed 50 athletes (officials exempt).
  • Track events: physical distancing of 1.5m is not required whilst competing. At start line, multiple heats may be lined up with 1.5m of spacing between each line of athletes. Physical distancing applies on completion.
  • Field events: physical distancing of 1.5m applies while waiting for attempts.

Training

  • Training group sizes must not exceed 50 athletes (coaches exempt).
  • Athletes should be advised to supply their own equipment where practicable so that the sharing of equipment is avoided. If athletes do not supply their own equipment, they are required to only use the equipment allocated to them and should collect their own equipment.
  • Only the coach (or other designated individual) will be allowed to use the rakes, brooms, and tape measures for any activities.
  • Athletes are not share gym mats used for strength training.

Equipment

  • Athletes are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, towels and other personal items to avoid sharing.
  • Athletes clothing items, such as tops, hoodies, etc, are to be separated when not worn to avoid contact with other athletes’ items. Uniform items must not to be shared.
  • Only designated persons can use equipment or collect it from the shed and return it.
  • All equipment must be disinfected by being cleaned with disinfectant wipes before and after use (except if an athlete supplies their own equipment).
  • Athletes will be required to sanitise their hands after using any equipment (including their own) and after each high, long or triple jump.
  • All forms of high jump are permissible, if all equipment is thoroughly cleaned after the session.

Physical Distancing

  • All attendees are required to strictly maintain physical distancing of at least 1.5m at all times.
  • For requirements pertaining to athletes on the field of play, refer to ‘Competition’ heading.
  • Groups must be reasonably spaced apart.
  • No handshakes, high fives, huddles and celebrations.

Hygiene

  • Face masks must be carried at all times by all patrons 12 years of age and older, and
    worn if physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
  • Face masks must be worn inside at all times by all patrons 12 years of age and older.
  • Participants must use hand sanitiser prior to commencement and completion of any
    sanctioned activity.
  • Participants must use hand sanitiser prior to commencement and completion of any sanctioned activity.
  • Participants must thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilets.
  • Athletes are required to sanitise their hands after sneezing/coughing.
  • Hand sanitiser will be provided for use at athlete sign in, toilets, each event site and at the canteen. Disinfectant wipes will be available at each event site where equipment is used.

Cleaning

  • Centres will conduct regular and thorough cleaning to disinfect all common areas and high touch surfaces.
  • The toilets must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after each training session.

Personal Infection Control & Management.

  • CSOs must advise those attending sanctioned competition and training to go home if they have:
    – Any cold or flu symptoms;
    – Been in direct contact with a known case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days;
    – A high risk from a health perspective (eg. elderly and those with pre-existing medical heath conditions).
  • Attendees must inform the CSO if they are feeling unwell, can only return once medically certified.
  • Attendees must disclose to the CSO if they are being tested for COVID-19, and can only return once cleared by the health authorities, along with a medical certificate confirming their health. The CSO will register details.
  • Athletes, coaches, officials, Centre administrators, volunteers and parents/carers at sanctioned competition and training activities are advised to:
    – Regularly and thoroughly wash hands;
    – Carry and use hand sanitiser;
    – Cover a sneeze or cough with an elbow or a tissue rather than hands;
    – Immediately dispose of used tissues in the bin;
    – Avoid close contact with people who are unwell;
    – Limit the touching of eyes, nose or mouth;
    – Not spit or clear nasal/respiratory secretions;
    – Avoid contact with other participants.
  • Suspected COVID-19 infections at the Centre must be reported to the COVID-19 Hotline. Phone: 1800 675398

Compliance

  • Affiliated Centres and all attendees must comply with these protocols at all times.
  • Centres are required to have and produce upon request by an authorised officer (from Victoria Police, WorkSafe, DHHS or Local Government), an up to date COVID Safe Plan.
  • CSOs must report incidences of blatant/flagrant non-compliance to Centre Committees and LAVic.
  • Breaches of these protocols may be punishable by law.