Return To Hockey Update

Published Sat 09 Oct 2021

October 20th Update

The NSW Government has released the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Amendment Order (No 3) 2021. This amendment relates to outdoor community sport and recreation activities.

Update

The amendment outlines the following changes to the maximum gathering size for outdoor community sport gatherings:

Clause 2.12 (1) (b1) enables a COVID-19 safe outdoor public gathering for a community sporting activity to be the lesser of 1,000 persons or 1 person per 2 square metres.
All people attending the gathering must be:
- Fully vaccinated; or
- under 16 years of age; or
- have been issued with a medical contraindication certificate compliant with the Order
The activity organiser must have a 'community sport' COVID-19 Safety Plan. Please note the Office understands this is a new category of plan which will be uploaded in the NSW Government COVID-19 Safety Plan webpage.

Summary

So in summary, community sport can proceed (for those eligible) now with 1,000 people OR 1 person per 2 square meters, whichever is less and associations/clubs/venue operators who run a venue must complete a new COVID Safety Plan, which will be a Community Sport specific one. This new COVID Safety Plan must be sent to Hockey NSW's COVID Safety Manager.

Reminder

All people attending the gathering must be:

Fully vaccinated; or
under 16 years of age; or
have been issued with a medical contraindication certificate compliant with the Order

October 18th Update

A new Public Health Order has been released and amended over the weekend which comes into effect as of today (Monday 18th October 2021), given NSW has hit the 80% double vaccination rate. Below is an update relating to the restrictions for community sport:

Changes to gathering numbers

The following restrictions will apply for fully vaccinated people aged 16 years and over, children under the age of 16, and people who have been issued with a medical contraindication certificate compliant with the Order. Unvaccinated children aged 15 and under may participate in outdoor public gatherings for sport and exercise BUT DO count towards the maximum number of people that may gather. A child (15 years and under) is not required to be accompanied by an adult member of the household.

Outdoor public gatherings

Under Clause 2.12 of the Order:

The maximum number of people for a COVID-19 safe outdoor public gathering is 200 people. A COVID-19 Safety Plan for Outdoor Events is required for gatherings of this type.
Any other outdoor gathering is permitted to have up to 50 people. A COVID-19 Safety Plan is not required for this type of gathering. (Hockey NSW recommends you still have a COVID Safety Plan even for outdoor gatherings less than 50 people)

Clause 2.13 of the Order, which previously referenced outdoor sport and exercise gatherings, has been removed. This means the same rules apply to sport and exercise gatherings as what is in Clause 2.12.

Should an organisation wish to apply to NSW Health to receive an exemption enabling their organisation to host a gathering in excess of the above numbers, this can be accessed through the NSW Health website.

Masks must be worn in all indoor areas of a venue (i.e. clubhouse, changerooms etc). Click here for more information on mask restrictions.

Indoor recreation facilities

Under Clause 2.9 of the Order:

The maximum capacity at an indoor recreation facility is 1 person per 4 square metres.
There is no limit on gathering sizes within an indoor recreation facility except for gym and dance classes (20 people with masks worn).
Masks must still be worn when not participating in exercise.

With the above information, this means that Community Sport can commence but must adhere to the above restrictions.

Hockey NSW encourages all venues, clubs and Associations to please continue to review and update your COVID Safety Plans accordingly.

Vaccination Obligations

In relation to vaccination obligations for organisations to support and guide businesses in becoming COVID Safe and operational at 70% double vaccination, the NSW Government has resources available for organisations to download, including:

Proof of vaccination requirements
Guidance on vaccination compliance and obligations for businesses
Details on what to do if your business becomes an exposure site
Information on vaccination of your staff and customers.

Regarding vaccination compliance and obligations:

Businesses and organisations are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent unvaccinated people entering your premises. For example, having prominent signs stating requirements, Service NSW QR codes, staff checking vaccination status upon entry and only accepting valid forms of evidence of vaccination, or medical exemption.
Authorised officers will monitor businesses re-opening, particularly those that have vaccination requirements, for example hospitality, retail, gyms, and personal services (e.g. hair, beauty).
Penalties may apply for individuals and businesses/organisations who don’t comply. On the spot fines of $1,000 may apply to individuals for not complying, or for using fraudulent evidence of vaccination or check-in. On the spot fines of $5,000 may apply to businesses for not complying with the Public Health Order vaccination requirements. Further penalties may apply for significant breaches.

You can also find resources for organisations to assist with reopening by clicking here.

Integration of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate into the Service NSW app

The NSW Government has introduced the integration of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate into the Service NSW app. The Department of Customer Service has produced a communications toolkit to assist organisations in communicating proof of vaccination requirements to organisations when checking in, and how to add the COVID-19 vaccination certificate into the Service NSW app. Click here for more information.

Useful Links

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions

https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-information

As always, Hockey NSW will look to update the community if there are any changes or updates going forward.

If you have any questions or issues please feel free to reach out to our COVID Safety Manager via hockey@hockeynsw.com.au.

October 11th Update

In accordance with the announcement by the NSW Government and the NSW Government Public Health Orders, Hockey NSW is now able to advise the conditions under which gatherings for sport or exercise – including training activities – can occur from Monday October 11, 2021.

Outdoor recreation facilities

An outdoor public gathering for sport or exercise – including training activities – may occur provided that:
- People aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption (Medical Certificate required).
- There are no more than 30 people involved including participants, coaches and officials, and parents or spectators.
There is no requirement for people aged under 16 to be vaccinated.
The NSW Office of Sport has advised that all Clubs and Associations are expected to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for all gatherings of the above nature from Monday, October 11.

Indoor recreation facilities

A group class or other group activity may occur in an indoor recreation facility provided that:
- People aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption (Medical Certificate required).
- The operator of the activity has a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- The operator of the activity ensures that no more than 20 people are in attendance and there are no more than 1 person per 4 square metres of space.
- The operator of the activity takes reasonable steps to ensure that all participants check-in via the Service NSW App and that no unvaccinated adults (aged 16 years and over) are on the premises.
There is no requirement for people aged under 16 to be vaccinated.

General restrictions affecting sport and exercise

Currently no organised community sport competitions or programs are permitted until the state hits the 80% double dose vaccination milestone, for hockey this includes but not limited to any summer hockey competitions or Indoor competitions.
Regardless of previous settings, restrictions will become uniform across all of NSW from October 11, 2021.
People from Greater Sydney are not able to travel to areas considered “Regional” and vice versa until the state hits the 80% double dose vaccination milestone.
It is the responsibility of those participating in any gathering to comply with the vaccination or medical exemption requirements and obey the Public Health Orders at all times.

These guidelines cover the period October 11, 2021 through until the state hits the 80% double dose vaccination milestone, where a new set of Public Health Orders will be released by the NSW Government and further guidelines will be released by Hockey NSW.

Return to Playing

A return to full community sport can occur for those fully vaccinated from when the state hits the 80% double dose vaccination milestone. The NSW Government has previously indicated community sport could restart from as early as Monday October 25. Hockey NSW will continue discussions with the NSW Government, with the view to community sport being able to start once the state reaches the 80% double dose vaccination milestone. We will keep our community updated.

COD & AAP Arrangements

With some COD and AAP training commencing in the coming weeks, with no more than 20 people per gathering (e.g 19 athletes & 1 coach – up to 3 gatherings per field), it will be required as per the Public Health Order for people aged 16 or older to be double vaccinated to attend your training venue. In relation to under 16 year old’s and vaccinations, the NSW Government states ‘people under the age of 16 who are not fully vaccinated are allowed unaccompanied in their workplaces and all outdoor settings’.

Hockey NSW will have an ‘athlete and coach only’ rule in place in each training/program venue until the 1st December when different restrictions come in place. This is to ease the workload of our coaches and the venues volunteers having to check each person over the age of 16 and their vaccination status. We encourage parents/guardians/spectators to either remain in their cars or drop off/pick up at the designated times.

Vaccination Obligations

Proof of vaccination requirements
Guidance on vaccination compliance and obligations for businesses
Details on what to do if your business becomes an exposure site
Information on vaccination of your staff and customers.

Regarding vaccination compliance and obligations:

Businesses and organisations are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent unvaccinated people entering your premises. For example, having prominent signs stating requirements, Service NSW QR codes, staff checking vaccination status upon entry and only accepting valid forms of evidence of vaccination, or medical exemption.
Authorised officers will monitor businesses re-opening, particularly those that have vaccination requirements, for example hospitality, retail, gyms, and personal services (e.g. hair, beauty).
Penalties may apply for individuals and businesses/organisations who don’t comply. On the spot fines of $1,000 may apply to individuals for not complying, or for using fraudulent evidence of vaccination or check-in. On the spot fines of $5,000 may apply to businesses for not complying with the Public Health Order vaccination requirements. Further penalties may apply for significant breaches.

You can also find resources for organisations to assist with reopening by clicking here.

What must a venue have in place?

Each venue who will be opening and allowing participants to gather MUST have:

Their COVID Safety Plan updated and implemented
Their QR Code in place
A strategy in place to check Vaccination status of people entering your venue to ensure you are complying with the Public Health Order.

If you have any questions or issues please feel free to reach out to our COVID Safety Manager via hockey@hockeynsw.com.au.

Centre of Development

With the release of the Roadmap and vaccination level forecasts, Hockey NSW anticipates that our Centre of Development program will run as normal this year, beginning on the anticipated start date of November 1^st. The registration deadline has also been extended until October 31^st and we would like to remind members of our comprehensive refund policy should COVID affect the program this summer.

Registrations are open and some training locations are filling fast, so ensure you don’t miss out by securing your spot now. Click here for more information or to register.