Updated guidance: Outdoor hockey will still go to Step 5 as planned
Posted by Glayne Price on 23 September 2020
EH are seeking clarification on a few issues but unfortunately the expectation is that indoor hockey is unlikely to be possible this winter unless things significantly change. There are a few other outstanding questions particularly linked to spectators and we intend to update our guidance later in the week for clubs and organisations.
The new rules last night made it perfectly clear that organised outdoor sport is considered to be a safe activity. This endorses the assessment of the medical evidence that team sports, including England Hockey, have had agreed by Public Health England and DCMS. The key point is that organised activity is being supported therefore the expectation is on all involved in providing hockey ensuring that the guidance is followed – particularly the need to social distance outside of play. In some other sports activity has been stopped where this evidence of the guidance not being followed and we do not want that to have to happen in hockey.
England Hockey CEO Nick Pink said ‘As leagues start we recognise that this is likely to be a season like no other with the range of challenges clubs face from access to facilities, managing player availability, ensuring the guidance is followed as well as having significant restrictions on the social side of the game. Club officers will need support from volunteers and helpers and people will be required to follow the expectations and guidance set out. We still have the opportunity to step on the pitch and play the game though and we hope is something that people will cherish in these difficult times.’
