SOCCER has returned to the region, but only training at this stage, with plenty of hoops to jump through for coaching staff and players.
South Australian Limestone Coast Football Association teams were given the green light on training last week by Football SA and as of Monday were able to hold sessions limited to level B restrictions.
However, there is quite the list of rules to adhere to, as society slowly attempts to rediscover some normality amid the COVID-19 situation.
Of the Mount Gambier based clubs, three out of four have returned to training, albeit in a foreign format.
“Some of the clubs have gone back training this week and are all conforming with the new rules,” LCFA president Eric Nieto told The Border Watch Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the return to pitches, the level of satisfaction is mixed, as the new training guidelines hinder the ability to conduct sessions.
“The coaches are probably not overly happy with the whole situation,” Nieto said.
“You cannot do contact drills and can only do passing and crossing and minimal headers, so there is not much you can actually do.
“We’ll just see how it all pans out.”
As such Apollo is yet to return to the track and has decided to hold a club board discussion to ensure all coaches and staff are on the same page before a return to training.
A Grade coach Jamie Stephenson said he believes players will not hit the park until May 22, as the club waits for any further updates on restrictions.
Meanwhile, Gambier Centrals has adopted a staggered approach, with the seniors to hit the training track tonight for the first time since state COVID-19 restrictions were enforced.
The Lions’ Under 12’s kicked off proceedings on Tuesday night, while Under 17’s and the women trained Wednesday and Under 14’s last night.
Both Blue Lake and International have also resumed training, with sessions held this week.
However, it seems at this stage – while teams are grateful things are moving in the right direction – the restrictions in place have simply provided more hurdles for coaches.
Football SA released at the start of the week “return to training requirements” which must be adhered to by all clubs in the state.
On the top of the list the 1.5 metre social distancing rule must be maintained, which eliminates the ability for drills which involve person-to-person contact, while training must only be held in groups of 10 plus a coach, with the pitch split into thirds to allow three such groups per venue.
Other requirements state players must not arrive more than 15 minutes before training and should wait in their car until five minutes before sessions start, while only one parent/caregiver may attend for junior players – with encouragement to wait in their car during training.
Players must come to training prepared to start, as changerooms and indoor facilities will not be open, aside from toilets, which are required to provide soap and hand sanitiser while social distancing measures are maintained.
Hand sanitiser must also be available at the venue for use in drink breaks, while players must have their own labelled drink bottles, with a strict no sharing policy.
Canteens are permitted to open, but can only supply takeaway.
Upon the completion of training, players must leave immediately, with no social interaction to follow, while disbandment is required to be in a staged approach to avoid gatherings.
If all of those requirements are met, soccer training is permitted.
While it is far from the ideal scenario, it is a big step forward and the LCFA will be keeping a close eye on further updates which may allow a larger range of activities.
