Hello Rovers Families,
I hope everybody has been keeping well over the past couple of weeks and the kids have been exercising, staying fit and ensuring they haven’t lost their touch with the football!!!
On Wednesday, we received the much anticipated news, that the Victorian Government was easing the current COVID-19 restrictions from 11.59pm Thursday 10 June.
As a result, the SMJFL and Bayside City Council have now advised that all clubs can return to training.
In addition, the Bayside City Council has also approved for the Hampton Rovers Juniors to use our grounds (Boss James Reserve and Castlefield Reserve) over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday only) for training. This must be training only, no practice matches. For those teams that would like to get a training session in over the weekend, your Team Manager will advise the training schedule.
At training sessions, it is essential that we follow the COVIDSafe training rules. These are:
- Contact training is permitted, but practice matches are not.
- Training can only happen outdoors.
- Use the ‘Get in and Get out’ approach to training. All players should be dressed and ready to train when they arrive.
- Check-in via the QR Code at either Boss James or Castlefield when dropping your player off (or if your player has a mobile device). After dropping off, you are encouraged to return to your vehicle. Unfortunately, spectators are discouraged at training.
- Masks are required for outside and inside for participants aged over 12. When engaged in strenuous physical exercise, the mask can be removed.
Over the past two weeks we have had several meetings with the SMJFL on a return to playing weekend football. At this stage, they have earmarked a return to playing matches on Sunday 20 June, subject to no further directions from the Victorian Government and the Department of Health. The SMJFL have also worked hard with the clubs to ensure all age groups will be able to continue to play the maximum number of games this season. Final confirmation of the return date and revised fixtures will be released shortly.
In terms of restrictions, the five reasons to leave home no longer applies in metropolitan Melbourne, however a 25km travel restriction is in place (with exemptions for work, education, care and caregiving, or getting vaccinated). We also need to wear a mask both indoors and outdoors. Please stay local this weekend and support our local businesses – especially all of our loyal sponsors.
I hope you all enjoy your long weekend.
Go Rovers!
Rohan Bardwell
President
Hampton Rovers Juniors
Passion – Teamwork – Fun – Respect
