Club Statement - COVID and Tier 4
Firstly, happy new year to all the Panthers family! Here's hoping things get back to normal very soon.
Members of the committee have been involved in further conversations on the Tier 4 restrictions, and communications from Cheltenham Youth Football League.
In summary the message is that youth football will continue as pre-arranged. The league have made some fixture changes to avoid Tier 3 teams playing in Tier 4 areas (and vice-versa), but otherwise, games and training sessions will remain as per schedule.
However, if a player or family are not comfortable in taking part in training or games at the current time, that is completely understood and respected.
Please have the confidence to speak to the coach of your child's team if that is the case.
No team will be penalised for breaking a league fixture if games need to be postponed.
No child will be left out of future games/sessions if they do not attend any in the short term.
Coaches - If you do not have enough players to fulfil a fixture then please speak to Ben or I, who will converse with the league.
Further FA and Government guidelines suggest that "non-essential" parents are classed as spectators, and that spectators are not allowed to attend games/training. I have challenged this with the league as it seems unrealistic, especially for our younger age groups.
The league have stated that in their view, a parent is necessary for the welfare and shared responsibility at games and training. The view is that parents fall under the allowed remit of "necessary spectators".
That said, we would ask that parental attendance at games/training is minimised as much as possible, and that guidelines on social distancing are adhered to at all times.
We are still awaiting updates from some of the training facilities on those being open. With adult football being suspended, they are weighing up the costs of opening just for youth. Coaches will keep their relevant teams informed.
Please speak out if you have any concerns. Stay safe.
Thanks
Russ - CPFC Chairman
Ben - CPFC Secretary
