Carmarthenshire County Councilâs Actif Communities team are supporting sports clubs to re-start activities following months of suspension due to Covid-19.
Welsh Government has eased restrictions to allow groups of up to 30 people to take part in organised non-contact sport outdoors.
Local sport clubs are being encouraged to work with the National Governing Body for their sport to plan and prepare for resuming group activity sessions and to ensure the risks of Covid-19 are understood and carefully managed.
There are guidelines around contact, the use of shared equipment, PPE and cleaning.
The Actif Communities team have provided a central point of contact for all sport providers and have supported clubs with information and guidance as they begin to reintroduce outdoor activities. The Actif Communities team can be contacted at actifcommunities@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you prepare for your visit, and advice for facility providers:
Which council owned facilities are open?
Carmarthenshire County Council owned facilities are beginning to re-open in line with the guidelines, however users should be aware of new measures that have been put in place to ensure they are used safely. We continue to ask people to Respect, Protect, Enjoy.
County council owned facilities currently open are:
- Pembrey Country Park – closed road circuit cycling track and bike hire
- Millennium Coastal Park – North Dock (open water)
County council owned facilities currently still closed are:
- Carmarthen Leisure Centre including the athletics track, astroturf pitch and tennis courts
- Llanelli Leisure Centre including the astroturf pitch
- Pembrey Country Park – ski centre, pitch & putt and adventure golf
- Parc Howard â bowling greens, tennis courts, paddling pool
The following County council owned facilities will open on Monday 10th August:
- Amman Valley Leisure Centre – astroturf pitch
- St Clearâs Leisure Centre – multi-use games area
- Llandovery Swimming Pool
- Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre
The 3G artificial pitch at Ysgol Penrhos, Llanelli will also re-open soon, we will update our website as soon as we have a date. Please check this list before your visit as it could be subject to change.
Don’t forget, we are also offering FREE on-demand workouts that you can do anytime in the comfort of your own home.
Can I now meet up with a group of friends to play sport outdoors?
Up to 30 people can gather for organised sport. The Welsh Government has issued advice on the return of organised outdoor activity, however it is up to each sportâs National Governing Body (NGB) to issue guidance to organisations on how activities can be carried out safely and responsibly in line with the latest government regulations.
Please visit your NGBâs website or contact your NGB for more information.
Welsh Ministers review Covid-19 regulations every 21 days. The latest advice can be found on the Welsh Government website.
Yes, however this will remain under review and could change. Welsh Ministers review Covid-19 regulations every 21 days. The latest advice can be found on the Welsh Government website.
Each National Governing Body (NGB) for sport will issue their own guidelines about returning to sport. Please visit their website or contact your NGB for more information.
Check the latest Welsh Government advice for organised outdoor activity.
The Welsh Government has issued advice on the return of organised outdoor activity, however it is up to each National Governing Body (NGB) to ensure that this can be carried out, and take place safely and responsibly.
In the planning for the safe return to sport each NGB will provide regulations that clubs and organisations will have to follow to mitigate the risk of increasing the spread of Coronavirus. These will include regulations around social distancing, sharing of equipment and Test, Trace, Protect.
In line with these regulations NGBâs will issue their own guidelines and advice on what activities are safe to do whether playing a match is feasible.
For some outdoor, non or low contact sports, the return to competition will be sooner than those indoors and high contact.
Please visit your NGBâs website or contact your NGB for more information.
Sharing of equipment should be avoided where possible, particularly equipment used around the head and face e.g. helmets.
Each National Governing Body (NGB) for sport will issue their own guidelines around the sharing of equipment. Please visit their website or contact your NGB for more information.
Where equipment is shared, equipment must be cleaned to the appropriate standard before use according to guidance by another person.
Participants should take their kit home to wash it themselves, rather than have one person handling a large quantity of soiled materials.
Where kit absolutely has to be shared or kept together (e.g. last-minute stand-in players, shortage of kit, or an essential club function), each person handling it must wash or sanitise their hands immediately after.
Check the Welsh Governmentâs latest guidance on cleaning.
Social and physical distancing measures have been put in place by Welsh Government to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of Covid-19.
Each National Governing Body (NGB) for sport will issue their own guidelines and advice on Social Distancing in sport. Please visit their website or contact your NGB for more information.
Visit the Welsh Government website for information on Social Distancing Regulations for everyone in Wales.
National Governing Bodies (NGB), clubs and activity organisers must comply with the Welsh Governmentâs Test, Trace, Protect strategy. They must be aware of their organisationâs requirements to comply with that strategy, as well as the implications of retaining and making available peopleâs personal information.
Activity organisers should support Test, Trace, Protect by collecting information on participants at both training and matches. Each sport/NGB will determine in their action plan or guidance the process their sport will go through to enable Test, Trace, Protect efforts to happen, by clearly explaining the way in which all information on participants will be collected at both training and matches.
Outdoor sports facilities are managed by a range of organisations, including sports clubs, the county council, town and community councils, and private operators. County council owned facilities are listed above, but please check directly with other organisations as to whether their facilities are open.
You should still consider national guidance, for example travel restrictions and shielding advice. You should also consider new measures that might be in place â for example, toilets, changing areas or other facilities may still be closed.
Other measures may also be in place â the facility provider may limit the number of people who use each facility for example. Itâs best to check as you plan your visit.
Any activity at the facility must comply with Welsh Government regulations and guidelines, which currently restrict contact and team sports. This advice can be found on the Welsh Government website.
Activity will also be affected, for example, by how many people/households can come together, and the social distancing required.
Whilst the facility will need to ensure compliance, users must also take personal responsibility.
You must consider all the guidance carefully before opening. This includes sport specific guidance from the relevant National Governing Body. A thorough risk assessment should be completed, and activity should be adapted to ensure compliance with regulations, e.g. social distancing, number of households/participants, travel restrictions, etc.
Restrictions remain in place regarding indoor facilities, and you must check and adhere to relevant Welsh Government guidance. You may not be able to open your clubhouses, catering, toilets, changing/locker rooms, retail and indoor activity areas unless advised by Welsh Government and any required measures are in place.
Where can I get further advice and support?
- Refer to Welsh Government guidance on the phased return of sport, recreation and leisure.
- Get advice from Sport Wales and Welsh Sports Association â both are national organisations supporting the sport sector and Welsh Government. Significant resources re available on their websites, including grant support you may be eligible for.
- Our Actif Sport and Leisure community sport staff can provide advice and support and signpost you to services where relevant. Visit our Actif Sport and Leisure website.
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