The British Gymnastics Return to Coach Contact Framework has been reviewed and approved by the Department for Communities and Sport Northern Ireland’s Expert Panel.
Following the completion of Phase 1 (minimum of 2 weeks) and Phase 2 (minimum of 2 weeks) by the club, coaches/instructors can now resume coach contact for all pre-planned activity, if following the control measures included within the action plan and adhering to the appropriate protocols for each phase.
- 23/07/2021 - When can I move onto phase 3?
23/07/2021 - What is Phase 3?
Following the completion of Phase 1 (minimum of 2 weeks) and Phase 2 (minimum of 2 weeks) by the club, coaches/instructors can now resume coach contact for all pre-planned activity.23/07/2021 - If I am only spotting a skill and not providing manual support, should I still wear a face mask?
There are no restrictions on the coach contact time and multiple groups throughout the day and session can be supported. Where necessary a group of gymnasts are now able to have more than one identified coach provide coach contact activities.
Coaches/instructors should control and keep to a minimum the number of gymnasts that require manual support to reduce the number of contacts any one coach has.
The following must be adhered to in order to reduce the risk of transmission:
All gymnasts and coaches/instructors must complete a self screening before each session and not leave the house if displaying symptoms
Maintain social distancing for noncoach contact activities
Coaches must wear a mask/face covering during coach contact (unless exempt) and;
Use hand sanitiser between every gymnast
Return to Coach Contact is completely optional and anyone wishing to engage must opt-in.Yes – even if you are spotting you will still need to wear a face mask/covering. Coach contact involves moving within 2m of a gymnast. There is still the risk that you will need to support the gymnast and therefore, you must protect both yourself and the gymnast from the risk of transmission of coronavirus.23/07/2021 - Can I provide manual support to gymnasts over the age of 18?Yes, manual support activities with adults over the age of 18 are permitted.23/07/2021 - What is the maximum number of gymnasts I can provide manual support to?In Phase 3, there are no limits on group sizes and multiple groups may be supported throughout the day/session. However, coaches/instructors should control and keep to a minimum the number of gymnasts that require manual support to reduce the number of contacts any one coach has and help limit the spread of the virus.23/07/2021 - Does this now mean that social distancing is not required in sessions?
To ensure that a safe and effective coaching/instructing situation is maintained, British Gymnastics recommends reasonable ratio of participants to coach/instructor here.The approval of the British Gymnastics Return to Coach Contact Framework does not allow for social distancing to be fully removed from the gymnastics environment. The controls in place are specific to the planned manual support activity. Where these activities are not being performed, social distancing must be adhered to (for example, during warm-ups, conditioning, and individual skill work).23/07/2021 - Are 2 coaches/instructors support together permitted (double supporting)?
Coaches/instructors should maintain social distancing for noncoach contact activities.Yes - additional assistance from another coach/instructor (double supporting) is permitted at this stage of the phased return where it is necessary. Coaches/instructors must take this into consideration when planning the skills they are incorporating in sessions.23/07/2021 - Can a coach/instructor provide manual support across multiple groups?Yes, in Phase 3, there are no limits on group sizes and multiple groups may be supported throughout the day and within the same session. However, coaches/instructors should control and keep to a minimum the number of gymnasts that require manual support to reduce the number of contacts any one coach has and help limit the spread of the virus.23/07/2021 - Is there a limit on the amount of time I can provide manual support?In Phase 3, there is no limit to the amount of time coaches/instructors can deliver coach contact activities including manual support. All coach contact must be pre-planned and coaches/instructors should still aim to keep manual support to a minimum.23/07/2021 - I coach/instruct in gymnastics in multiple gymnastics spaces, can I provide manual support in all sessions?Yes, there are no restrictions on the number of venues that coaches contact is permitted. Any coach/instructor who is working in multiple venues will need to risk assess further with their club/ gymnastics provider for their own safety as well as the gymnasts due to the increased risk of transmission.
Coaches/instructors should control and keep to a minimum the number of gymnasts that require manual support to reduce the number of contacts any one coach has.