Footy is back this Sunday August 1st.

Tuesday 27th Jul, 2021

Message from our President

Great news - training and footy are back - but with some important protocols to ensure everyone's safety.

What this means for our club:

 Training resumes from tomorrow night
Games resume this Sunday
Presidents will meet tonight to finalise fixtures for the remainder of the season
No family night dinners in clubrooms for the next fortnight
Our Christmas in August function has been cancelled - instead, we will plan for a family-
    inclusive end of season 'Movie Night' on the oval instead.

Please see the latest update from the SMJFL
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Following the latest announcement from the Victorian Premier this morning the SMJFL Season will resume on Sunday 1 August with Round 11 under the following restrictions: 

• One parent or guardian may attend to supervise their child; 
• Limited to a minimum number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity (i.e. players, coaches). Parents must remain in their vehicle; 
• Spectators not allowed (excludes people necessary for events such as teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, umpires, carers, parents and guardians); 
• No travel limits; 
• Masks will remain compulsory for all match day officials and any participants aged 12 and over outside of play; 
• Use of indoor facilities is not recommended, excluding use of toilets, urgent first aid assistance and retrieving necessary equipment; 
• Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies for indoor settings; 
• Canteens can operate as per Government directions, no congregations in the area; 
• Use the ‘Get in and Get out’ approach to games. Be dressed and ready to play upon arrival; and 
• The Victorian Government QR Service or Victorian Government Application programming Interface linked digital system must continue to be used by all clubs at all games. 

From 11:59pm 27 July, club training (contact and non-contact) may resume under the following restrictions: 

• One parent or guardian may attend to supervise their child; 
• Limited to minimum number of people required to participate in and facilitate the activity (i.e. players, coaches). Parents must remain in their vehicle; 
• Spectators not allowed (excludes people necessary for events such as teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, umpires, carers, parents and guardians); 
• Use of indoor facilities is not recommended, excluding use of toilets, urgent first aid assistance and retrieving necessary equipment; 
• Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies for indoor settings; 
• No travel limits; 
• Masks will remain compulsory for all match day officials and any participants aged 12 and over outside of play; 
• Use the ‘Get in and Get out’ approach to training. Be dressed and ready to train upon arrival; 
• The Victorian Government QR Service or Victorian Government Application programming Interface linked digital system must continue to be used by all clubs at all training sessions. 

These restrictions will be in place for the next 14 days and reviewed by the Victorian Government. The league will continue to update clubs as changes to restrictions are announced. 

AFL Victoria has informed community leagues that updated Return to Play Protocols will become available tomorrow. The league will continue to update clubs as this information comes to hand. 

The league will meet with Presidents tonight at 7:30pm for 30 minutes to review the plan for the remaining rounds. 

General protocol 

We ask that clubs remind their members/families of the following COVID-Safe protocols in efforts to keep the SMJFL community safe. 

• Follow all directions from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and communicate any updates to your club; 
• Visitors to your home are NOT currently permitted; 
• If you are feeling unwell, you MUST stay home and get tested; 
• If you have been to a known exposure site you MUST stay home, self-isolate and get tested. DO NOT go to training or your club; o If you are knowingly exposed to the virus and are tested to be negative, you MUST still stay at home and self-isolate. DO NOT go to training or your club; 
• If you have been instructed to isolate or quarantine, you must do so for the full 14-day period and must remain at home until given clearance by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services; 
•  If you’re a member of a household that has been instructed to isolate or quarantine, no member is allowed to train or play until the household is cleared by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services; and 
• ‘Get in, train/play, get out’ – DO NOT gather in groups before or after games and training and maintain 1.5m social distancing. 

Exposure sites 

We ask that clubs continue to remind their members to review exposure sites, their exposure windows, exposure tiers and indicated necessary action in efforts to keep the community safe. 

With exposure sites present in our catchment area, this reiterates the importance to take caution and adhere to COVID-Safe protocols. 

If you have been knowingly exposed to the virus or have been to the known exposure sites, continue to follow public health advice and COVID-Safe hygiene practices. 

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Please make sure you follow the guidelines above, stay home if you are unwell, get vaccinated if you are eligible and let's get back to footy!
                 

Darren Williams
President