Galway Hockey Club

Information for Coaches/Managers

Hockey Ireland advises all clubs to return to hockey gradually to ensure that procedures put in place by each club are fully operational. Playing numbers should only be increased once the club is satisfied that its Covid-19 personnel and systems are capable of managing additional numbers.

Sport Ireland have developed an online course which all club members should complete. The course is available on the Sport Ireland website and by clicking here.

The following information can be found in the Hockey Ireland - Return to Play Guidelines (7th July 2020). Available here.

General Information:

  • Contact training and games is allowed. Contact and close proximity activity is permitted but social distancing outside the field of play is still essential.
  • Restrictions on group sizes have been removed subject to government guidelines of no more than 200 people in the club facility.
  • Ensure that your designated COVID Team Supervisor is present at every session.
  • If the club becomes aware of a person becoming ill after a visit to the club, the club should inform the person to contact their GP. If contact tracing is required, the HSE will contact the club.
  • Only club members should have access to the pitch.
  • All members entering or leaving the pitch should be instructed to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser.
  • All members should be advised of the correct cough/sneeze etiquette (into the elbow). Players should not spit or clear their nose openly at any time.

Facilities:

  • Additional hand sanitiser/washing stations should be installed around club/school facilities with clear signage as to their location. A station installed at the entrance to the field of play is highly recommended. Club members should also be advised to bring their own hand sanitiser (including coaches/managers etc.)
  • Rubbish bins should be removed from the pitch and items should be taken home by the person that brought them.

Pitch Access:

  • Maximum of 200 people inside the club's facility (e.g. Dangan hockey pitch). Hockey Ireland advises that increasing numbers on the playing field should be done gradually to ensure that Covid-19 systems put in place by the club are effective.
  • Contact training and games is allowed. Contact and close proximity activity is permitted but social distancing outside the field of play is still essential.
  • Pitch slots should be booked to aid record keeping of those accessing the pitch at any time.
  • Club members should avoid mingling outside the pitch gate waiting for other groups to leave the facility. Players should remain in the car park observing physical distancing guidelines until the pitch is free.

Equipment:

  • Players should not touch any coaching equipment (hockey balls, cones, throw down lines etc.) under any circumstances. Only the coach should have access to this equipment. The coach should disinfect their hands after handling equipment.
  • Players should not touch any first-aid equipment (first-aid bag etc.) under any circumstances. Only the manager/designated first aid officer should have access to this equipment, and may distribute to players as needed. The individual should disinfect their hands after handling equipment.
  • Players should only touch their own equipment and should minimise the amount of equipment they bring to the field. Essential personal equipment (e.g. water bottle, hand sanitizer) should be kept separate from other players in a designated area away from dug outs.
  • Players should not remove playing equipment (such as shin guards) and throw it on the side of the pitch.
  • Bibs should not be used; players should bring designated shirt colours in advance if required.
  • All coaching equipment should be disinfected before and after use.
  • Goalkeepers should only train if they have their own designated (not shared) goalkeeping equipment and equipment should be disinfected after each session.
  • Field equipment (such as goals, nets, corner flags) should not be touched during the session. If this is unavoidable able, clubs must disinfect any equipment where there has been contact).

During the session / on-field guidelines:

  • If the session is being coached, the coach should plan the session to comply with physical distancing guidelines and minimise all associated risks. This should include minimising the amount of equipment used and avoiding exercises that involve close contact such as marking or tackling where possible.
  • Equipment should be managed as per guidelines above.
  • Training of penalty corners is permitted, however penalty corner equipment (e.g. masks) should not be shared.
  • Good hand hygiene should be practiced before and after each session by all using the field of play.

Please direct any questions to your COVID Team Supervisor who will contact the club's COVID-19 Officer on your behalf if necessary.