Coronavirus and coaching in the UK

How can coaches return to work safely in the current climate? Although guidance and restrictions are liable to change, UK Coaching’s recent statement provides some helpful advice and resources for coaches aiming to restart their activities.

There are links to advice pages from Sport England and the sports councils or authorities of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland to ensure that, wherever you are in the UK, you have the latest and most relevant guidance to hand.

Here is a summary of their key points for coaches to follow:

• The activity takes place in a wide-open space, outdoors or in a private garden.

• The activity is between one coach and up to five participants.

• The coach and their participants remain two metres (six feet) away from each other (and others in the vicinity) at all times.

• There is no physical contact between the coach and their participants

• Good hand hygiene is observed

• The coach should ensure that participants avoid sharing the same equipment. Additionally, kit and equipment should be washed and sanitised regularly.

• Coaches and participants should avoid touching their faces.

• Coaches, who have participants under the age of 18 or who are deemed to be a vulnerable adult, should seek consent from a parent/guardian or other responsible adult, as well as arrange appropriate drop-off and pick-up strategies, and ensure their participants have clearly defined equipment and kit to avoid contamination with others.

• Coaches whose participants have been shielding should read the latest updated guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

You can view UK Coaching's statement and resources here: https://www.ukcoaching.org/about/news/uk-coaching-news/coronavirus