Clane RFC Return to Play Safety Plan Version 7.0

Clane RFC
Return to Play Safety Plan
       Version 7.0

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Contents
1.0     Requirements for all Club Officers / Committees / Members ................................................. 3
2.0     Version 7.0 – Effective 25th April 2021 .................................................................................... 5
  2.1      General: ............................................................................................................................. 5
  2.2      Return-to-Rugby Guidelines for Clane RFC:......................................................................... 5
  2.3      Health Self-Declaration: ..................................................................................................... 5
3.0     Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 6
  3.1      COVID-19 Club Safety Officer: ............................................................................................ 6
  3.2      Coaches: ............................................................................................................................ 6
  3.3      Parents / Guardians – Before you leave the house: ............................................................ 7
  3.4      Parents / Guardians – Arriving at Clane RFC: ...................................................................... 7
  3.5      Parents / Guardians – Presence at Training: ....................................................................... 8
  3.6      Players: .............................................................................................................................. 8

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1.0           REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CLUB OFFICERS / COMMITTEES / MEMBERS

This document is the updated Clane RFC COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan which outlines how our
club will make a successful and safe return to Rugby in line with the IRFU and Government road
maps.

It has been a difficult period for all our members, and indeed the wider society, and sport has had to
take a hiatus in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard members from the risk of
infection. With the reduction in restrictions, the time is now right for the graduated return to rugby
in our club facilities.

The updated COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan allows Clane RFC to:

         enable our playing members from age 18 and blow to return to non-contact rugby training
         demonstrate compliance with Government and Health Authority guidance
         outline specific arrangements to managing against COVID-19 in the club
         delineate key roles and responsibility with respect to managing against COVID-19

Clane RFC has reviewed and updated this safety plan and associated risk assessment to mitigate
against perceived risks and ensures the adherence by our members to current guidelines.

It is important to note that rugby clubs have a choice about when they want to return to rugby.
Clane RFC strongly believes that adequate plans and resources are in place for a safe return to rugby,
as outlined in this safety plan.

This document is a live document and builds on the information in the previous versions of this
document. It has been updated in line with best practice and should be read in that context.

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Clane RFC COVID 19 Policy Statement
Clane RFC is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our workers, players,
members, visitors, and customers. To ensure that, we have developed the following COVID-19
Response Plan. All coaches, players, club-members, and volunteers are responsible for the
implementation of this plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus. We will:

       continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with all
        club members;
       display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and for correct handwashing
        techniques;
       provide an adequate number of trained compliance representative(s);
       inform all coaches, players, club-members, and volunteers of essential hygiene and
        respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirements;
       keep a log of training partners and pods to help with contact tracing;
       have all coaches, assistants, and team compliance officers attend an induction / awareness
        briefing;
       provide instructions to follow if coaches, players, club-members, or volunteers develop signs
        and symptoms of COVID-19 while at the club.

All managers, coaches, players, and workers will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is
encouraged on any concerns, issues, or suggestions. This can be done through your teams
compliance representative(s)

Signed: _________________________________ Date: _____________________________

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2.0             HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN VERSION 7.0 – EFFECTIVE 25TH APRIL 2021

2.1       GENERAL:

All existing Occupational Health and Safety provisions shall continue to apply to all activities within
the club during the phased return to rugby. The COVID-19 Health and Safety plan and safety risk
assessment has been updated to address the current return-to-play protocols. All updated
documents will be shared with club members.

2.2       RETURN-TO-RUGBY GUIDELINES FOR CLANE RFC:

During this period when the Government allows sporting activity to recommence there are a
number of points all club personnel should be aware of to ensure our club is following best practise
for a staged Return to Rugby activity.

From Monday 26th April:

          Outdoor sports facilities can reopen
          Club houses and other indoor facilities remain closed
          Essential toilet facilities will be open
          Underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 can recommence

To ensure adequate social distancing, the training in distinct groups of 15 (inclusive of players and
coaches) will be spread out as follows:

          Age Groups 13 – 18 years           Two groups of 15 can be on a pitch at the same time
          Age 12 years and under             Three groups of 15 can be on a pitch at the same time

2.3       HEALTH SELF-DECLARATION:

Personal Health declarations must be completed before all sessions by players and coaches. Before
Returning to Rugby each player or players parent/guardian must complete the Pre-Playing Health
declaration on the ClubForce app. This includes checking the temperature of the player before
proceeding to training. The ClubForce app is used to keep accurate records of training attendances.

Each team coach / Covid rep will be checking that they have received a confirmation of attendance
and a completed health questionnaire and will then mark your child’s attendance - this gives us a
contact tracing list should we need it. We really need you to ensure that you complete these two
steps prior to arrival for training as we cannot allow any children on the pitch without a completed
Health Questionnaire and a confirmation of attendance.

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If a player answers Yes to any questions, they are prohibited from attending the club and are advised
to seek medical advice before returning to Rugby. All declarations are private and confidential
documents and will be treated in the highest regards.

3.0            ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clane RFC have adopted the IRFU “Return to Rugby Guidelines” as the basis for the safe, managed,
and graduated return to all the club’s activities. This safety plan has been prepared by Clane RFC as
required by the DBEI Return to Work Safety Protocol and Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and IRFU
to inform all members, visitors and all others who may use our facilities. We have carried out a risk
assessment on all the clubs’ activities to ensure the safety of all our members, staff, visitors, and all
who use our club’s facilities. The best way to protect all these persons is by limiting our numbers in
the club, practicing Social Distancing, reinforcing respiratory etiquette, limiting the use of, and
cleaning, equipment and prohibiting visitors and spectators. We also have arrangements in place for
dealing with any cases of COVID 19 that arise within the Club.

3.1       COVID-19 CLUB SAFETY OFFICER:

Clane RFC has:

          Appointed a COVID-19 Club Safety Officer who can be contacted at clanerugby@gmail.com
          Appointed a COVID-19 Compliance officer(s) for each team
          Maintained an updated COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan
          Carried out a Risk Assessment to develop the club Covid-19 Safety Plan
          Ensured adequate controls and procedures are in place at all times

3.2       COACHES:

Coaches have a responsibility to ensure that training activities and club operations do not cause
unnecessary risks to players and the wider community.

Coaches are reminded to consider the extended period of inactivity for all young people when
designing their training sessions. The focus should be on fun and enjoyment at all times with the
main focus being on the re-training and reconditioning players on their rugby skills and multi
directional movement is key

          Non-Contact rugby of Touch and Tag can be played in pods of 15 – this number includes the
           coach(s)

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    No pads, bags or shields are permitted.
          Training is on an opt-in basis for all participants.
          Strict adherence to 2 metre physical distancing before, during, and after training.
          Ensure avoidance of team huddles.

Coaches must also ensure sure all players are registered on ClubForce so as a record of all players
attending training sessions is available.

3.3       PARENTS / GUARDIANS – BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE:

          Check your child’s temperature – if it is over 37.5 then please remain at home
          Ask your child to wash their hands
          Ensure your child arrives togged out and ready to go – dressing rooms will not be available
           although there will be access to toilets
          Ensure your child has all the equipment they need – mouthguard, etc
          Ensure your child has their own water bottle with their name clearly marked on it
          Travel only with your own children / family unit to training
          Do not bring your child to training if they or anyone in your household is unwell or showing
           symptoms consistent with Covid-19 or anyone is waiting on a Covid test or the results of a
           Covid test

Please make sure your child knows that they must:

          Not shake hands, give high fives, or hug their teammates
          Wash hands and use hand sanitiser prior to and post going to the toilet
          Not share water bottles

3.4       PARENTS / GUARDIANS – ARRIVING AT CLANE RFC:

          Drop your child at the pitch/or drop off area the coach has advised.
          Please note we are trying to keep some spaces clear close to the clubhouse to allow kids to
           easily apply hand sanitiser as they go onto the pitch so, please leave these spaces free
          For pick up, parents should park and wait for their children or park and walk up to collect
           their children.
          Please do not wait for children in the drop off zone.
          Your child should look for the team coach/COVID compliance officer at start of training
          The team coach/COVID compliance officer will direct your child to sanitise their hands
           before and after training.

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3.5       PARENTS / GUARDIANS – PRESENCE AT TRAINING:

Parents and Guardians are requested to support, and adhere to, the above requirements, and they
are also responsible for ensuring children under their care to act in accordance with the above.
Although not mandatory Clane RFC are recommending that all non-playing members wear a face
mask / protection at all times while present in the club grounds / on the side lines.

3.6       PLAYERS:

Players of the club have a responsibility to act in a safe and respectable manner while at the
grounds. All Players are requested to:

          Player should sanitise their hands as they enter and leave the pitch
          Players must leave immediately after training and return home with members from their
           own house only
          Players should wash their hands when they arrive home
          Players should ensure they take all their equipment home with them and that it is cleaned
           prior to next training session

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