Thursday 31st December 2020

As you may be aware, from Thursday 31 December Wiltshire was moved to Tier 3 (Very High alert), while Swindon was moved to Tier 4 (Stay at Home) status. These changes have a significant impact on Royal Wootton Bassett Town's ability to deliver football activities for its members, particularly those who live in Tier 4 areas.

Within both Tiers 3 and 4, as per FA guidance, youth football activities for under 18s can continue. However, those who live in a Tier 4 area CANNOT travel in or out of Tier 4 to do so.

This leaves the club with a group of youth playing members and coaches in each team who cannot attend training at the moment.

As a result, the club has made the following changes for its youth teams.

For those living in Tier 3:

Training

Where possible, training times for teams will continue as normal. However, coaches and playing members in Tier 3 areas are requested to inform Head of Youth Section Mari Green if they are unable to attend.

It is possible that for the time being training sessions for Blue and Yellow teams at some age groups will be merged and that these teams will train together.

Please note, NO spectators are allowed at training. Coaches will keep a register of those playing members in attendance for track and trace purposes.

The clubhouse at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground will be open for takeaways only.

Matches

As the North Wilts Youth Football League have postponed matches on January 10 and 17, in-house friendly matches are in the process of being arranged for Sunday January 10.

All games will go ahead subject to confirmation of numbers who will take part. Kick off times, pitch allocations and other relevant details will be confirmed by age group coaches in due course.

Please note, while spectators will be allowed at these matches, ALL attended must register use track and trace to register their attendance.

The clubhouse at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground will be open for takeaways only.

Community Football

Saturday morning Community Football and SSE Wildcats' Girls Football session are postponed until further notice.

For those living in Tier 4:

While it is not possible for members living in Tier 4 to attend training or matches at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground as this would involve travelling into a Tier 3 area, the club is looking into ways to make it possible for some form of football activity to continue.

To that end, coaches living in Tier 4 areas have been contacted to arrange organised football in a park within Tier 4. This is allowed within the bounds of FA and Government guidance.

Coaches have therefore been invited to contact their Tier 4 players in order to arrange this activity.

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The club understands and appreciates that these arrangements are not ideal. However, members are reminded that it is not a Football Club decision to stop those living in a Tier 4 area travelling to Tier 3. This is a government rule – and one which MUST be adhered to for public health reasons.

The club aims to be in further communication with members regarding any potential updates.

If there is anything you are unsure about, please contact Covid-19 Officer Paul Gerrish or Head of Youth Section Mari Green by email.

Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 15:24.