Covid-19 Return to Sport Update 23/08/2021
Since the last update GAA Handball have attended numerous meetings of the indoor sports group to discuss a path forward for indoor sports.
On Tuesday 27th July a submission was made by the Federation of Irish Sport on behalf of the indoor sports group to the government’s Return to Sport Expert Group. The submission concentrated on three key areas:
- Clarity on the definition of an elite athlete
- An immediate return to indoor sport for Juveniles.
- A return to indoor sport for fully vaccinated individuals in line with the relaxation of restrictions for indoor dining/drinking.
This submission was discussed at the Expert groups meeting on Thursday 29th July and they issued a reply to the indoor sports group. Following receipt of the reply there was a further meeting of the indoor sports to discuss the contents of the expert groups response. There was unanimous frustration, anger and disappointment expressed at the response received and the lack of a clear plan for the resumption of indoor sport.
GAA Handball then attended a further Zoom meeting with representatives from Sport Ireland, the Federation of Irish Sport and the Indoor Sports group to discuss the frustrations around the non-return of indoor sports and to try and find a resolution to the current restrictions.
John Treacy (CEO), Paul McDermott (Director, High Performance) and Una May (Director of Participation and Ethics) from Sport Ireland all addressed the group and sympathised with the frustrations of indoor sports. It was reiterated that the public health authorities have been clear that, in relation to the transmission of COVID-19, there is much higher risk associated with activities that take place indoors and that following the emergence of the Delta variant the planned easing of indoor sport restrictions had to be paused.
Indoor sports were advised to prepare for an Autumn return to sport and that the full return of indoor sport will likely not take place until school’s have returned, and the vaccine rollout has progressed further. A further meeting with Sport Ireland representatives is planned for the 30th of August and we have been advised that at this meeting there will be a timeframe in place with regards to the full return of indoor sports.
The damage that the delay in returning to indoor sport activity is currently causing and will potentially cause going forward for NGB's was clearly outlined to Sport Ireland and they assured the meeting that they are working on obtaining support funding for indoor sports that have been impacted hardest by Covid restrictions.
Since this meeting Basketball Ireland have released a statement advising that their Senior Super League and Division One leagues will be returning in October. There has been some misunderstanding in relation to this and what it means for other indoor sports and we have received clarification that only the elite Basketball divisions are permitted to return and not all club activity.
GAA Handball will continue to work with the indoor group and the relevant bodies to achieve a full return for all members in as short a timeframe as possible. The indoor group will continue to meet on a weekly basis and we will continue to keep you updated with any developments in the meantime. We look forward to welcoming the roadmap for the full return of indoor sports on the 30th August.
In the meantime the current applicable restrictions are available HERE