On June 1st, England Athletics published new guidance for a return to limited group activity and the use of training facilities. Here we outline how Belgrave plans to implement these measures for a safe return to club training.

The club has named Matt Threadgold as Belgrave’s Covid-19 coordinator. Matt already acts as club secretary and welfare officer so is well placed to oversee the club’s Covid plan and lengthy risk assessment processes required before any new group training takes place. Matt can be contacted by email at secretary@belgraveharriers.co.uk

As part of our policy, all Belgrave coaches taking sessions will send weekly training plans for review by Tony Ganio, our club coaching secretary. Tony can be contacted by email at tonyganio@gmail.com

Back on tracks

We have also been in discussion with management of athletics facilities in Wandsworth, and it seems likely that the tracks at Battersea and Tooting could re-open in limited capacity either this week or next. Hourly sessions will have to be booked by coaches and sessions will likely be limited to four athletes, one pair in lanes 1 and 3, with another pair following 2m behind. A coach could take two groups of four in the hour session but only if there is a ten-minute break, so no overlap.

The rules in summary

• Online coaching will continue as much as possible

• The maximum number of participants in a session, including the coach, is limited to six. All must keep 2m apart from eachother unless they are from the same household.

• Coaches must have up to date licenses and qualifications

• Coaches must complete risk assesments and submit them along with training plans to Matt Threadgold and Tony Ganio

• Stay away from group training if self-isolating or exhibiting any coronavirus symptoms

• Follow specific rules set by training venues