A80 Training Sessions Cancelled – Covid 19

All

I have been consulting our club committee following yesterdays government statement regarding steps we as individuals need to make immediately.

The club will stop all training sessions with immediate effect but will keep the decision under continuous review.

I have also been checking with England Athletics our governing sports body and they have come out with the following statement today 17/3/20:

The UK government has advised that everyone in the UK should now avoid “non-essential” travel and contact with others to fight coronavirus.  Whilst it has not issued any ban on public gatherings of any size either indoors or outdoors at this stage, the advice is to avoid non-essential contact with others, including going to sporting events, pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues.

As a result, England Athletics advises that all face-to-face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events should be suspended until at least the end of April.

The decision has been taken in the interests of athletes, runners, officials, coaches, volunteers, supporters and the wider athletics and running communities. This decision is also in alignment with actions taken by the home country athletics federations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and is similar to action taken by other sports.
Where possible, athletes and runners at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.
England Athletics will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to our sport in the coming weeks. We appreciate that the current situation will undoubtedly place our member clubs in a difficult situation and we are working with UKA and the other Home Country Athletics Federations on the best way to help alleviate the situation and will update you as plans evolve.

Social distancing and advice

Social distancing measures (as defined by Public Health England as spending more than 15 minutes and within a 2-metre distance talking to someone) are now advised not only if we test positive or have symptoms, but in day to day life.  As well as current travel advice, the current UK government is advising anyone with a “new, continuous” cough or high temperature and those they live with need to self-isolate for 14 days.

Arena 80 will follow government advice at all times and review our next steps with this in mind, our sports bodies can be rather slow at times reacting.

Our welfare officer (Brigitte Groves) said that losing our sessions also has a social issue for those people who use them for mindfulness and wellbeing. Running as we all know is a great stress reliever. So with this in mind please don’t stop communicating and keep on running within safe guidelines. Brigitte has said she would support individuals with any concerns.

Withdean presently is open so even though we have cancelled track hire on a Monday you can still use it, but we would recommend you err on the side of caution. Please check directly with Withdean as information is changing quickly.

A couple of our coaches have ideas of how to assist you but this is down to them and outside of the club.

Keep in contact and stay healthy.

Regards

Bob Page for Committee