The federal government has welcomed the launch of a toolkit aimed at ensuring community sporting clubs and associations have a clear path to competition as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
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Wannon Mp Dan Tehan said the suite of practical resources, provided by Sport Australia, focused on giving grassroots organisations a road map for the safe return to sport at all levels.
He joined with federal Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck to say the Return to Sport Toolkit was a comprehensive checklist for sports clubs and community organisations across the south-west.
However, each state will be responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level.
The state governments will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.
Mr Tehan said the information in the kit would complement the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities, endorsed by the National Cabinet on May 1.
"The Sport Australia toolkit provides the resources and guidance local clubs across Wannon need to ensure a streamlined process," he said.
"The safe return of competition relies on a responsible rollout where everybody follows advice and takes precautions."
The Return to Sport Toolkit guides clubs and associations at every level to document their own COVID-19 Safety Plan and appoint a COVID Safety Coordinator to implement and oversee it.
As part of the Toolkit, checklists provide practical and progressive steps such as relevant government and national sporting organisation approvals, facility management, training behaviours, hygiene protocols and appropriate communication with members.
The National Principles along with the Australian Institute of Sport's framework will be used to guide the staged return of activity as efforts to stop the spread of the virus continue.
Mr Colbeck said sporting clubs and organisations would play an enormous part in getting south-west sport back on track as the recovery from the impact of COVID-19 continued.
"We have a big challenge ahead of us - but together the National Principles, the AIS framework and Sport Australia's toolkit offer tangible advice to ensure community sporting groups are prepared to control and deal with the virus in this new era," he said.
Sport Australia's Return to Sport Toolkit can be found here.
The AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment can be found here.
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