We will update this page with further guidance
11 May 2021
Form Herts FA:
The Government has confirmed that on Monday 17th May we will enter Step Three of the roadmap out of the national lockdown.
The FA have published updated guidance to reflect the changes to national restrictions. The key changes to note are in relation to spectators, indoor hospitality and indoor football and futsal.
It’s extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers, and facility providers continue to strictly follow both The FA’s guidance and the UK Government’s latest guidance on COVID-19.
FA COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR THE RETURN TO FOOTBALL
COVID-19 remains a highly infectious and dangerous disease. Every participant must play their part in helping to stop the spread of the virus. This is crucial both for the safety of everyone involved in the game and to ensure we can continue to play.
Please note that this guidance is based on the information published by the Government to date. As we move through each new step of the Government’s roadmap, The FA will continue to update their guidance accordingly.
17 March 2021
Ahead of our return to football from 29th March, we wanted to remind everyone of the covid-19 processes and procedures that the Club has in place to protect our players, coaches, parents and the wider community. We are still waiting for an update from the FA on whether they would like us to do anything different to what we did before – if we need to adapt our processes then we will and we will inform you before football restarts.
Please review all of the info below and each of the documents/forms attached and ensure that you are using them with your teams where applicable. If you have any questions, please let me know.
KnebFC Track & Trace – this process should be used for all home fixtures (friendly and competitive) at Knebworth and Woolmer Green. It is our responsibility as a Club to ask our supporters, the referee and our opponents to use Track & Trace so that we know who is present if we need to trace them in the event of a covid-19 incident.
The QR code is included in the Match Day Confirmation form (supplied to all teams) and we will have QR codes displayed at Knebworth and Woolmer Green venues.
Track & Trace data is deleted by the Club after 21 days. There is no need to use the Track & Trace form for training if you keep a record of attendance through Spond/WhatsApp/email etc.
Self Assessment Health Questionnaire
Every parent should be reviewing the Health Questionnaire (attached) ahead of training and fixtures – by agreeing to attend training sessions and fixtures, parents are agreeing that they have read the questionnaire, understand it and that their player is free of covid-19 symptoms (to the best of their knowledge). Please ensure you send out the questionnaire on a weekly basis and remind parents to review it.
This applies to all our teams, whether training only or training and fixtures.
PPE
All teams were supplied with hand santiser, gloves (for medical aid) and disinfectant at the start of the season. Please do let us know if you need more.
Club Risk Assessment
The Club covid-19 risk assessment has been sent to all coaches and co-ordinators to see what measures we need to have in place to be able to return to playing football safely. Please review the attached Risk Assessment and let us know if you have any concerns or questions. Contact us if you need a copy: secretary@knebworthfc.co.uk
Contact – covid-19 and welfare:
We have a dedicated covid-19 officer who can be contacted on all matters related to covid. If you are in doubt about anything covid-related, please ask Phil Parker: 07876 743843 or phil.parker@knebworthfc.co.uk
Clare Biddle and Richard Thom are our Club Welfare Officers – please talk to Clare or Richard if you have any concerns about safeguarding and/or the welfare of any of our players, co-ordinators and coaches: secretary@knebworthfc.co.uk or richard.thom@knebworthfc.co.uk
The last 12 months have affected many people in many different ways. As we return to football and physically bring our community back together, please ensure you are checking in with each other and with your players.
Updated 5 January 2021
Following the Government’s announcement on Monday 4 January 2021, all grassroots football is suspended with immediate effect; this includes our training sessions and matches.
Full statement from Herts FA here: https://www.hertfordshirefa.com/news/2020/mar/04/coronavirus-update
Updated 31 December 2020
Dear Club Members
We hope you had a good Christmas despite the restrictions and we wish you a happy and healthy 2021.
The Club Committee met today to discuss the return to football in January in light of the Government’s Tiers and the announcement yesterday on some schools returning next week and some being delayed. The committee have decided that whilst we wait for FA and League updates, and while we clarify with our training venues what their position is, all training next week (4th – 6th Jan incl.) is cancelled.
We will meet again on Tuesday and we hope by then to have more info from the Leagues, our training venues and clarity from the FA. We will discuss January training and fixtures with a view to planning when we can safely return to football. We have committed to reviewing the situation on a weekly basis.
We are aware that we have played less football this season than we normally would have by now and we know that some parents have questions about refunding fees. We anticipate that the season will be longer than it normally is therefore giving players the opportunity to play a full season’s worth of football. We are committed to reviewing fees at the end of the season once we know how many months of football have been played in total.
We know that youth football can take place in Tier 4 however there are a lot of regulations and rules that the Club must follow. The safety of our players, coaches, parents and all their families is the most important thing for us to consider and we will return to football as soon as we safely can.
In the meantime, we wish you a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Updated 17/12/2020: Christmas and New Year
Dear member/player/parent,
Firstly I hope that you and your family are well at this challenging time.
After a lengthy discussion with the Club’s committee, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend all Club activities this coming weekend (19 and 20 December 2020).
Our priority is, always has and always will be, for the health and safety of our football family. With the festive season upon us, we wish to protect the opportunity for you to spend time with your loved ones.
Forthcoming weekends:
19 and 20 December: all Club activities cancelled
26 and 27 December: no Club activities planned
2 and 3 January: we plan to return to Club activities; some teams have scheduled fixtures and others are welcome to train – this is based on there being no escalation of Coronavirus restrictions.
Very best wishes,
Stuart
Stuart Biddle
Chairman
Knebworth Football Club
Updated Wednesday 4 November 2020
We hope that everyone is well during these uncertain times.
The Government and FA have announced the suspension of grassroots football from tomorrow, 5th November, until Wednesday 2nd December (at the earliest).
The FA statement is here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/nov/03/non-elite-football-statement-031120
In light of this, all Knebworth FC fixtures and training sessions will temporarily stop after today. Matches are already being rescheduled for the first weekend in December and we will continue to work alongside our training venues to ensure we can get back to training as soon as we are permitted to. We remain hopeful that our players will return to football in December.
The Club has agreed that although football is suspended from tomorrow, we will not currently be refunding fees for November or changing the direct debit payments for the final fees instalment in December. We don’t know what the financial impact of this lockdown will be on the Club, and we don’t know what other challenges we may face between now and June 2021. We will hold a financial review at the end of the season once we have the full picture and we will update all members then.
We can offer a payment holiday for the final instalment(s) for parents who need it – please get in touch with your Coach, Nicki Boyle (youth.treasurer@knebworthfc.co.uk) or Abi Rawling (youth.membership@knebworthfc.co.uk) to discuss this if you need to.
We hope to see all our Knebworth FC players back at the Rec and Woolmer Green in December.
Updated 20 October 2020
Knebworth FC Track & Trace
If you are visiting Knebworth FC for a fixture at either Knebworth Rec or Woolmer Green, please scan our Track & Trace QR code and make sure we have your details. We will have copies of the QR code and the NHS Covid App at both venues.
www.track-trace.knebworthfc.co.uk
Pre-attendance official symptom check
All players, officials, volunteers and spectators must undergo a self assessment for any COVID-19 symptoms. No-one should leave home to participate in sport if they, or someone they live with, has symptoms of COVID -19 currently recognised as any of the following:
* A high temperature
* A new, continuous cough
* A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste
Should an individual have demonstrated any such symptoms, they must follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation
Spectators
Supporters, parents, and other spectators to remain socially distanced whilst attending events. Spectator groups must be restricted to discrete 6 person gathering limits and spread out, in line with wider government guidance. Discrete groups can be larger than 6 where people are from the same household or support bubble.
Arrangements should also be put in place to support test and trace efforts by collecting information from spectators which is detailed enough to allow NHS Test and Trace to contact them if necessary.
Club Covid Officer – Phil Parker: phil.parker@knebworthfc.co.uk
Updated 2 October 2020
We are really pleased that all of our Youth, Seniors and Veterans teams have safely returned to football this September and the players are all enjoying the season so far. We are hopeful for a successful season.
In line with FA and Government guidelines, we have a number of measures in place to protect our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters as they take part in fixtures and training.
Everyone who visits us for a home fixture, either as an opposition player, match official, spectator, home player or supporter, will be asked to complete our Knebworth FC online Track & Trace form so that we can keep a record of who has been present at our matches. The form can be accessed via QR code or web link.
The Knebworth FC Track & Trace can be used for any fixture at either Knebworth Recreation Ground or Woolmer Green Playing Fields.
Please find the link here: http://www.track-trace.knebworthfc.co.uk/
We will also have the NHS Covid-19 App QR code available to scan on match days.
The Club has a robust risk assessment in place for its players, coaches and supporters which is updated regularly and is available to view on request. Please contact our Covid Officer, Phil Parker, at phil.parker@knebworthfc.co.uk if you have any questions or concerns regarding Knebworth FC and our return to football during the current pandemic.
For the latest FA guidance please click here: https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/covid-19
Updated 26 March 2020
The Football Association has now stated that all Grassroots Football is now finished for the 2019/20 season.
“Furthermore, we can now confirm that we have decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019-20 season. This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season. Our County Football Associations (CFAs) will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions.”
Full statement: http://www.thefa.com/news/2020/mar/26/national-league-system-womens-football-pyramid-grassroots-covid-19-update-260320
Updated 16 March 2020
Dear all,
The Football Association has announced it is “advising all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future”. In accordance with this Knebworth FC is postponing all activities until further notice.
If you would like to borrow a football to practice with during this time then please get in touch with your coach to arrange this. A link is attached for some training ideas to keep you going – https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCvjByp5Kn0XTVLjQDAmAMtQ
We will be in touch as soon as we know we are able to restart. If there are any questions please speak to your coach or reply to this email.
Stay safe and well.
Knebworth FC
Updated 13 March 2020
You may have seen the announcement from the premier league, EFL, Womens Super League and Womens Championship that they have suspended matches until early April, including academy matches, and England’s next two matches have also been cancelled.
Our understanding is that the professional game has been suspended primarily due to concerns about crowds gathering, but also with some clubs self-isolating entire squads and coaching staff. The crowd concern does not apply at youth soccer.
In general schools remain open. We imagine that youth soccer could follow schools – if schools are shut then youth soccer may be suspended. We also imagine that Herts FA and the leagues are considering their position.
Parents should remain in contact with their coaches through the usual WhatsApp etc channels. Knebworth FC will follow guidance from the leagues and Herts FA.
Parents should please respect the government’s guidance to self-isolate in relevant circumstances and inform coaches if doing so. If you wish to make your child unavailable due to concerns over the Covid-19 virus then please also let your coach know.
During this time, there is clearly potential for football fixtures to be affected if players, coaches and parents become unavailable. Some clubs are advising parents and players to stay away if they feel at all unwell. This clearly is an unprecedented situation and requires a flexible approach from all parties.
We will, of course, continue to actively monitor the situation and make a decision about the fixtures scheduled for 21 March early next week.
As the news is dominated by the Coronavirus and the impact on sports fixtures, the league is sending out this notification.
1. The League will continue as normal as will implement the following guidelines for the safety of the players and spectators.
2. Please make sure that ALL members of the team, players and coaching staff follow the Government Guidelines on hand washing.
3. NO RESPECT HANDSHAKES at matches with immediate effect. Teams can adopt other forms of respect if they feel the need.
4. NO USE OF TEAM WATER BOTTLES, please encourage players to bring their own drinks in labelled bottles, please make sure that they are kept with you through the match and taken home after, do not leave at the pitch side for others to clear.
5. ASK PLAYERS TO NOT SHARE FOOD SNACK, simple things like sharing crisps or sweets can also cause contamination so we recommend this does not happen.
6. Please read the HERTFORSHIRE FA CORONAVIRUS link below as
http://www.hertfordshirefa.com/news/2020/mar/04/coronavirus-update
7. The high profile Football leagues have postponed fixtures due to the number of spectators and environment that they generate. Please remember that we are very small scale to them and therefore if we follow the guidelines the players should be able to continue the game they love.
8. IF you have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 then please let your Club know and also advise your fixtures secretary. If you cannot fulfill a fixture as this has taken more than one player out, the league will postpone that match and deal with it as a committee.
9.The League will not be extended and this may have an effect on the divisional winners and runners up should fixtures not be completed. This will be for the committee to look at should the matter arise.
10. The League will be monitoring the fixtures and situation on a week to week basis.
Please do not email the League secretary with fixture queries, please just email your fixtures secretary and they will respond as soon as they can.
Royston Crow League guidance (13 March 2020):
Yesterday afternoon Boris Johnson addressed the Country on the Government’s strategy in dealing with the coronavirus and their advice to the General Public about on what measures they should take if they are concerned that they may have contracted the virus.
At the present time, the Government has stated that here is presently “no rationale to close or cancel major sporting events” and has resisted the option to close all the Schools, although this may change as the situation evolves. The FA has stated that is actively monitoring and adopting Government advice and as a matter of good practice would recommend that Leagues and Clubs adopt the same approach.
Given the recent high-profile cancellations of major sports events across the world and here in the United Kingdom the League is aware of concerns expressed by Clubs about the continued playing of our own League & League Cup Fixtures.
The safety and welfare of the children who play in this League is our priority, and also recognises the concerns of Parents / Legal Guardians over the health risks to their children. Therefore, the Management Committee is allowing any Clubs/Teams who have concerns about fulfilling their fixtures because of the coronavirus to postpone these without penalty for the following 4-week period. We will then review the situation at that time based on the advice given by the Government and The FA unless the decision is not “taken out of hands” by them before that date.
Where Clubs/Teams make this decision they MUST agree this with their Opponents and then notify their Divisional Fixtures Secretary and the Match Referee that the fixture has been postponed. It is not acceptable that Clubs/Teams should try to pressurise their Opponents to play when they do not want to, and this should be reported to the League Secretary by the Club Secretary.
Clubs/Teams will no doubt wonder what the effect of loss of fixtures will have on the completion of the League programme and the awarding of Divisional Winners and our League Cup Finals?
The situation for the Under 7 to 11 Age Groups is that these are all Development Leagues, where the playing of matches is not mandatory and results are not published or Titles awarded, this will have no effect except children will not be playing games. Whereas, the Age Groups from Under 12 to Under 18 which are “Standard” result based Leagues it may not be possible to complete the Season and award the Winners and Runners Up positions.
Our League Season runs up to the 31st May and we cannot compel Teams to play after that date. Additionally, under FA Rules you cannot play League matches in June without permission from The FA. Whilst it is probable this permission would be granted it may be difficult for Clubs to obtain pitches to play on, and it may also mean that we are unable to stage our end of Season Tournaments for the Under 8s and 9s and complete our Cup Final Rounds for the older Age Groups.
Please note that this is not a decision we have taken lightly and no doubt it will not please everyone but feel that in the current period of concern and uncertainty it is the right decision.,,The Management Committee will continue to monitor the situation and keep Clubs advised of events. At the present time nobody can predict at what stage we will be with the spread and control of the virus and what Government Advice will dictate.
Please ensure cascade this message down to all your Club Members without delay.
The following link is from the Hertfordshire FA Website http://www.hertfordshirefa.com/news/2020/mar/04/coronavirus-update
For those wanting to get the latest Government Advice please read the latest information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.
Go to NHSUK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to check if you need medical help.
Herts Senior County League guidance (13 March 2020):
As a league we have a duty of care to our Clubs, players and officials, and we have taken guidance from our local FA and can confirm all games can still be played as scheduled this weekend 14th March 2020.
The decision made by the FA to suspend Premier and Football league games is mainly to control the crowds that will be following these teams.
Any clubs that do have players who are self-isolating and feel this will seriously affect their team selection can call myself or Norman Appleby for guidance and as ever we will be accommodating as possible.
As always all of our committee and club representatives are available if you have any further questions and we appreciate your support at this delicate time.
Knebworth FC 