- peaksport
Ready, steady, GO! Lets bring Sports back to our PE lessons!
The PEAK Team have been constantly working hard to ensure your children, staff and the PEAK team are safe & well prepared to ensure we can develop high quality physical education safely in this new world which is still effective and develops children's skills as this is a time when they need physical activity the most.
As most schools have returned after nearly a 6 month break and guidance continues to change on the Guidance for full opening: schools we wanted to help schools understand where they stand with the delivery of team sports. It has been stated that the transmission of COVID-19 is reduces when outdoors and therefore it is currently important to spend time outdoors whenever possible, so we have decided to focus on the outdoor sports of Football, Hockey and Netball as potential options for the return to school. Our team have also worked on a socially distanced dance and yoga scheme of work!
"The COVID–19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone and the repercussions are as yet unknown, but early research clearly illustrates there is significant impact on C&YP’s emotional and physical well being. Unless they feel safe, secure, happy and confident any cognitive development and learning could be hampered and/or compromised. When C&YP ‘want to do’ something as opposed to ‘have to do’ something there is a significant difference in progress and attainment; therefore it is imperative that by working together we deliver the best PESSPA outcomes for all which includes supporting and developing a high quality sustainable workforce".
Sue Wilkinson MBE, afPE's CEO
We must use schools as a vehicle for change in children's health and well-being over the coming months. Lockdown will have affected children in different ways but we know that the majority of children will have played very little, if any at all, competitive sports over the last 6 months. Schools provide a regulated and safe space for the reintroduction of these sports; providing children with the opportunities to develop their mental and physical well-being. To allow this document to be easily understood, certain parts of the guidance has been taken out which are not relevant to schools. We have put together this article to help schools understand what they can safely deliver.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, said:
"During these challenging times, it has become clearer to me than ever the importance of keeping active and how it benefits not just our physical health but also our ability to pay attention, our mood and our mental health too. Every family will have had a different experience of the pandemic, and I know that many children will have missed time spent outdoors with their friends – that’s why it’s so important that ahead of a full return to school in September, schools get the certainty they need to prepare their PE and sports activities for next year."
We have collated current guidance which if follow the advice published on each sports' National Governing Body (NGB) then your school can safely deliver these sports. "Sports whose national governing bodies have developed guidance under the principles of the government’s guidance on team sport and been approved by the government are permitted. Schools must only provide team sports on the list available at return to recreational team sport framework." - Gov.uk Guidance is available for all of the below NGB's. We will focus on Football, Netball and Hockey as these sports are typical outdoor sports played in primary school.
Baseball/Softball UK
Basketball England
British Baseball Federation
British Canoeing
British Dodgeball
British Dragon Boat Racing Association
British Equestrian
British Octopush
British Roller Sports
British Rowing
England and Wales Cricket Board
England Hockey
England Lacrosse
England Netball
English Curling Association
Football Association
Gaelic Sports
Goalball UK
Hurlingham Polo Association
Ice Hockey UK
Rugby Football League
Rugby Football Union
Rounders England
Royal Yachting Association
UK Floorball Federation
UK Ultimate
Volleyball England
4ft spacing for the start of play – GS and GK are required to start inside their respective goal circles, GA, GD, WA and WD on the transverse line and the centres in the centre third. The modification requires all players to position themselves a minimum of 4ft away from their opposing players and teammates at the start of play. This will be managed by umpires at the start of play.
4ft marking – the defending distance has been increased from 3ft to 4ft. Particular attention must be paid in the circle when defending. This will be blown as distance.
Removal of toss ups – No toss ups are permitted.
Removal of idle interactions – Players not engaged in play or who are stood still are required to be positioned 4ft away from another player.
Football
The FA
Competitive training can take place for all participants, in an outdoor setting provided this takes place in groups of no more than 30 (including coaches).
Competitive match play is permitted, with social distancing in place before and after the session, and in any breaks in play.
The sharing of kit and equipment should be avoided.
When the ball goes out of play, it should not be retrieved by non-participants and should be retrieved using the feet rather than the hands where possible.
Participants must not spit and should avoid shouting or raising their voices when facing each other, as detailed in The FA Covid-19 Code of Behaviour.
Youth football coaches are encouraged to limit persistent close proximity of participants during match play and training.
Observing rigorous hygiene standards, injuries can be treated.
Spectator groups should be limited to six people per group and spread out in line with wider Government guidance.
Small-sided football should include more regular hygiene breaks in activity and players discouraged from touching or tackling against boards.
Hockey - England Hockey http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/page.asp?section=2633§ionTitle=Covid%2D19+Club+Support This Guidance is aimed towards external hockey clubs but is relevant towards hockey within a school setting.
During play respect your opposition and umpires.
Take Penalty Corners and free hits around the D promptly.
Touch the ball with your stick/GK equipment and not your hands.
Use your own protective equipment or disinfect before use (e.g. facemasks).
Socially distance when play stops.
Avoid shouting excessively or spitting.
No handshakes with other players or close contact during goal celebrations.
Avoid running training exercises that involve overly repetitive close contact between players.
Do not share drinks/refreshments during breaks in play.
Avoid regular removal of your gum shield.
Get in touch with us today to find Out More About How PEAK Can Help You To Reintroduce Sport In Your School and Reap the benefits of our high quality Physical education!