Grassroots sports given green light to slowly return on the Northern Beaches

As community sporting teams return to training this week across the Northern Beaches, Council will like to remind everyone about the importance of following safety guidelines in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have been outlined by the NSW Office of Sport, various sporting governing bodies as well as the State Government.

Rugby, soccer, AFL, baseball and hockey are returning to training at a number of Council fields and reserves, with rugby league and netball expected to follow suit following a review on 1 June.

Important guidelines from the NSW Office of Sport and sporting governing bodies include:

Exercise in groups not exceeding 10 people (including coaches)Arrive at training only five minutes before sessions beginParents or guardians are to remain off the playing field and away from the training areaOwn water bottles and hand sanitiser are essentialMaintain social distancing of 1.5mContact (tackling, scrums) of any kind is not permittedTraining only, competition matches or 'friendlies' are bannedOnce training is completed, please collect your personal items and leave the field for the next team to start

Council appreciates everyone closely following these team protocols as well as their patience as each sport slowly works towards a return to the playing field in 2020.