The pitch is calling! Regional Victoria and Metropolitan Melbourne can return to play, outdoors and indoors, after reaching Stage C in Victoria’s Roadmap.
In line with the Victorian Government’s latest update, Football Victoria (FV) has released new Return To Play Conditions (RTP).
For clarity, the Victorian Government’s conditions state that those participating in or facilitating community sport (e.g. players, coaches, volunteers) do not need to be fully vaccinated to access the facility.
If facilities, including club rooms, are used exclusively for community sport (defined by Victorian Government as organised competitive sports with membership), patrons participating or facilitating community sport (e.g. players, coaches, volunteers) do not need to be vaccinated across the facility.
However, to access the facility for purposes other than community sport where all attendees are required to be fully vaccinated – such as a gym or hospitality – attendees must be fully vaccinated, be under 16 or have a valid medical exemption.
The key points from this update are outlined in the table below.
|
Outdoor football |
Futsal/Indoor football |
|
|
Matches/competition and training |
Permitted |
Permitted |
|
COVID Check-In Marshals |
Required |
Required |
|
Spectators |
Minimum number of people to deliver training and match days. Spectators are permitted in line with public gathering limits. Groups of 30 are permitted and must be socially distanced. 1 parent/guardian per child (Under 18) to maintain the minimum number of personnel required. |
Minimum number of people to deliver training and match days. Spectators are permitted in line with public gathering limits. Groups of 30 are permitted and must be socially distanced. 1 parent/guardian per child (Under 18) to maintain the minimum number of personnel required. |
|
Masks |
Recommended outdoors if you cannot maintain physical distancing. |
Required indoors when not participating in football activity |
|
Changerooms |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Toilets |
Open |
Open |
|
Canteens |
Canteens may reopen with take-away and limited dine-in arrangements, provided it strictly adheres to the restrictions on hospitality venues, including vaccination requirements for seated service. |
Canteens may reopen with take-away and limited dine-in arrangements, provided it strictly adheres to the restrictions on hospitality venues, including vaccination requirements for seated service. |
Full detail related to these key points is available in the RTP documents.
Download the latest Return To Play Conditions
Clubs are requested to review the RTP in detail and liaise with their Council (or other land owner) in relation to venue and facility access. Clubs who have teams that are administered by a Regional Association, should liaise directly with their member Association.
Compliance with FV’s RTP Conditions is mandatory.
Our COVID-19 FAQs may assist with answers to common queries. For any other enquiries, please contact clubsupport@footballvictoria.com.au.
We’d like to sincerely thank our football community for their feedback to our new RTP document formats. The feedback is greatly appreciated and we have made changes within these documents from your suggestions.
We know many Clubs and providers have plans well underway to return to our beautiful game in spring and summer. We’re looking forward to seeing pitches across Victoria full of players living and loving football again.