ENGLAND HANDBALL RETURN TO PLAY – GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

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1. Introduction

Everyone in the handball community is excited at the prospect of finally returning to playing and competing, but we must do everything within our control to make sure we do so safely. England Handball and British Handball are committed to a safe and responsible return to play. Our priority is the health and safety of everyone within the sport. This document sets out the actions and measures required to mitigate associated risks where possible.

This document should be read in conjunction with the UK Government’s latest Covid-19 Guidance and is based on the Government’s framework for a return to recreational team sport.

Like other sports, the guiding principles outlined in this document are intended to set out sufficient information for the handball community to undertake its duty of care in a reasonable, proportionate and confident way and has been developed with existing levels of knowledge and will signpost to existing information created by relevant authorities. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the responses of the UK Government remains fluid. Data and recommendations will change, so these principles will be updated to reflect this at appropriate points in time.

Guidelines for the following will be found in this document:

• Handball Specific Guidance

• Vulnerable Participants

• Covid-19 Officer Role

• Track and Trace

• Adherence to Measures

We are asking all clubs and all individuals associated with handball to take responsibility for reducing the risk of Covid-19.

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2. Handball Specific Guidance

Handball is a team sport, a contact sport, and is played indoors. This comes with risk, but there are a number of steps we can take to mitigate this risk and ensure a safe return to play. Within a match-setting it is not feasible to remove physical contact and face-to-face interactions between players, particularly in the tackle. A tackle in handball is estimated to last between 1.5 -2 seconds resulting in unavoidable contact. Although significantly less than a number of other sports the risk of transmission via physical contact remains low as long as participants follow the guidelines highlighted within this document, and those of the UK government.

Specific guidance is outlined in the table below:

All participants and other attendees should follow best practice for travel, including minimising use of public transport. Participants should walk or cycle if possible. People from a household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle. Travelling outside of the above is not recommended, but if there is no alternative please consider the following:- Share transport with the same people each time.- Avoid maximum capacity within the car.- Open the windows when possible.- Face away from each other.- Make sure that the driver and passenger(s) wear face coverings.- If you’re sharing a car, make sure you sanitise/wash your hands before getting in the car and then once

out of the car.

Clubs, and particularly the Club COVID Officer (see section 4), must be fully aware of the leisure centres guidance. They must ensure participants follow the appropriate procedures adopted by the leisure provider regarding the use of indoor facilities.

Participants and staff should arrive at the venue ready to train or play – avoid using changing rooms at the venue.

If a club is unsure of the guidance provided by their leisure centre, they should contact the England Handball COVID officer for clarification.

No spectators should be present at the venue.

All non-playing staff are required to wear face masks. Players not on the court should also wear face masks.

The total number of people involved in a match should be restricted to 44, this includes players, coaches, table officials and referees. (22 per team).

Players using team benches should follow social distancing guidelines.

Travel and at the venue:

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3. Vulnerable Participants

There appears to be evidence that members of BAME communities are affected more by Covid-19 than other communities.

Other vulnerable groups include people with underlying medical issues such as:

• Cardiovascular problems

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Chronic kidney or liver disease

• Compromised immunity diseases

• Obesity (BMI 40+)

Players and non-playing staff should be made aware of heightened risk in these groups, and to their family/friends. This will allow them to make decisions on whether they want to be involved in competitive handball.

Medically High Risk Groups as defined by the NHS are discouraged from putting themselves at risk in line with Government guidelines. We do not recommend participants who self-identify as high risk to participate in handball following the end of shielding and advise participants to consider if an underlying health issue may caution against their participation.

A minimum of three sanitised balls will be made available for each match. If a ball hits a player in the face it should be sanitised immediately.

A hygiene break will be enforced at half time to allow for hand sanitisation, and bench and match-ball cleaning.

Resin can be used. However, teams must provide a number of tubs, minimising communal use as much as possible. Ratios should not exceed one tub per five players.

All non-playing staff are required to wear face masks. Players not on the court or participating in the game should also wear face masks. Match officials, medics and coaches should also observe the governing body guidance. This includes:1. Remaining socially distanced from players where possible during play (For example, players and

coaches following social distancing guidelines during time outs).2. Teams and referees having no contact with each other when entering (For example no high fives or fist

bumps).3. Referees maintaining a two-metre space between them and the players when leading them onto the

court.

Players and coaches should follow social distancing guidelines during time outs.

First aiders should be equipped with the appropriate PPE. After contact with an injured participant, the person who has administered first aid should clean their hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitiser at the earliest opportunity.

Any photographers at the venue should be socially distanced and follow governing body guidance.

Matches and training:

Our intention is for full-contact training to begin on the 17th September 2020, ahead of league competitions from the 17th October.

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6. Adherence to Measures

Covid-19 is a highly infectious and dangerous disease. A return to handball is only achievable if those involved create and maintain a controlled environment that minimises the threat of infection. Risk in sport cannot be completely eradicated but, with caution and care, these risks can be reduced.

Each player will need to decide when to return to playing handball, based on their own circumstances and the arrangements that have been put in place for a safe return.

All those returning to play handball must adopt the following code of behaviour:

- Be aware of your own personal health. If you show any of the Covid-19 symptoms you must stay at home, inform NHS Test and Trace and seek medical advice.

- Be responsible. Read the guidance provided by England Handball, your league, club or team so that you are aware of the changes to the game and what is expected of you.

- Practise good hygiene. Wash/sanitise your hands regularly and before, during and after a game.- Where possible maintain social distancing. This won’t always be possible during match play but please note the

mitigations that have been put in place. Before, and after a game you should maintain social distancing.- Support NHS Test and Trace. You’re likely to be asked to provide your details so that in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak

those potentially infected can be traced. This is to everyone’s benefit so please cooperate.- Do not spit and avoid shouting or raising your voice if face to face with other participants.- After the game be aware that other users may be waiting to use the facilities. Changing rooms and showers are likely to

be closed and any socialising must follow the Government’s guidance on social distancing.

4. Covid-19 Officer Role

Every club should appoint a dedicated ‘Covid-19 Officer’ who takes responsibility for implementing the Return to Play Handball guidance.

Responsibilities of the Covid-19 Officer should include:- Being the designated contact for the Club to receive updates of this guidance and support from England Handball.- Undertake necessary Covid-19 training.- Ensuring compliance of the Return to Play Handball guidance within their club.- Ensure that all coaches, assistant coaches and welfare officer are informed of the appropriate procedures in relation to

Covid-19. Clubs can follow the guidance outlined in this Document.- Be fully aware of the leisure centres guidance, ensuring participants follow the appropriate procedures adopted by the

leisure provider regarding the use of indoor facilities such as toilets.- Developing a written COVID-19 plan and risk assessment and a health and safety plan prior to restarting contact training.

Click here to access the England Handball example Risk Assessment form.- Documenting that all participants have received appropriate education in personal safety and risk mitigation measures.- Oversee the participant registration process (see participant registration section).- Ensuring appropriate equipment is in First Aid kits: face mask, face shield, disposable gloves, disposable apron.

5. Track and Trace

Coaches should collect written information on participants at all indoor and outdoor training sessions to support track-and-trace efforts. This includes names and telephone numbers of all in attendance at the session. The information must be detailed enough to allow NHS Test-and-Trace to contact all participants if a player or coach becomes ill with COVID-19. These records must be kept by the club until further notice.All participants - including players, coaches, officials, volunteers - should self-assess for symptoms of COVID-19. If an individual is symptomatic and/or living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection they should remain at home and follow UK Government guidance. In addition, any participants who have been asked to isolate by NHS Test-and-Trace because they are a contact of a known COVID-19 case, must not exercise outside their home or garden and must not exercise with others.Participants should follow UK Government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

Further information

England Handball

All up to date guidance

UK Government

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance on the Phased Return of Sport and Recreation

Club Matters social distancing general guidance

Club Matters toolkit to help sports clubs prepare for reopening

Return to Play legal guidance

Return to Play hub

Sport England

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Summary/Conclusion

We know that within a handball match, there are high levels of contact for all players and staff. These risks can be reduced during training and games by utilising the specific guidance within this document, but we must all take personal responsibility to follow these guidelines and those of the UK Government if we are to maintain a safe return to the sport we love.

We will continue to follow the advice of the UK Government and will monitor the situation closely, updating our own guidelines where appropriate to reflect any changes in national policy. Please note, however, any changes to the virus response on a local or regional level instigated at Local Authority level or by your local leisure provider should supersede the England Handball national guidance and it is your responsibility to ensure you follow the relevant guidelines.

Please do not hesitate to contact our team at England Handball if you have any queries on the guidance within this document or need advice on implementing the actions outlined within your own club or community setting. We look forward to a safe and healthy return to our sport in the coming months.