TO HELP PROVIDE SOME CLARIFICATION AROUND COVID-19’S IMPACT ON GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL, NORTH RIDING FA HAS PRODUCED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION AND ANSWER SHEET.

Can we still charge club subscriptions whilst all football is postponed?

This is a club decision. We would advise that you consult with players, parents and guardians on reaching a decision. Clubs who own / lease facilities will still have bills to pay and this should be explained. However, clubs should be mindful of people who are currently out of work as result of COVID-19 or have had their working hours reduced and may struggle to make payments. 

Could you offer payment holidays for those in need? 

Can you allow subscriptions to be paid in installments? 

Would people be prepared to pay an advance on their subs to help the club out in the short-term if they are able to? 

Is there any funding for clubs during this time?

Sport England are making up to £20 million of funding available in a Community Emergency Fund to help the sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. To find out more and submit an application, please CLICK HERE 

Furthermore, the Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses including:

• a statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs   
• a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England
• small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
• grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
• a new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
• the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Can teams still train?

The FA has strongly advised that all football is postponed. This includes matches, friendlies and training.

Is our insurance still valid if we choose to train?

North Riding FA had mandated that all clubs should not train until The FA lifts the postponement of all grassroots football. We have consulted with our insurance provider Sportsguard and any clubs who use the County FA scheme for Personal Accident and Public Liability insurance must adhere to this instruction. Clubs and teams who ignore this instruction will not be insured and will not be able to make any claims against their policies. 

Those clubs who do not have Sportsguard insurance in place will need to check with their insurance provider.

Is my league going to finish? What about cup finals?

On Thursday 26 March, The FA decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019/20 season. This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season. County Football Associations will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions. Where appropriate, the above decisions will be put to The FA Council for ratification.

You can read this statement in full HERE

Can I attend / affiliate summer tournaments?

All football is currently postponed. As a result of this North Riding FA will not be sanctioning any tournaments until the suspension is lifted by The FA. 

What happens with my Club's Annual Health Check?

Window

- 30th April > All eligible clubs to submit their health check within WGS
- 31st May > All CFAs to award submitted annual health checks

Process

- All clubs to complete action plan at stage 3 and submit
- All CFAs to award clubs as long as comfortable with their action plan notes
- Notes to carry over into next seasons affiliation / annual health check
- DBS validation plug in to be turned off until next season for clubs completing their annual health check

I am a registered referee – can I still referee for small-sided football providers?

All FA registered referees should only be officiating in FA-affiliated leagues, competitions and tournaments. Refereeing in unaffiliated football could result in disciplinary action being taken by the County FA. The FA is strongly advising that no football is played for the foreseeable future and therefore FA registered referees are asked not to officiate in any environment at this time.

Can I still have my FA DBS verified?

The FA is implementing temporary changes to DBS checks in football for the period that football is suspended due to coronavirus, up to and including the start of the 2020-2021 season. These changes are outlined below and will apply to all roles in football.

http://www.northridingfa.com/news/2020/apr/02/temporary-changes-to-dbs-checks-in-football

When will Coach Education courses resume? 

All courses are postponed for the foreseeable future. When the current Government advice changes and we receive confirmation from FA Learning that courses can resume we will make an announcement.