An update regarding COVID-19

On the evening of 18 March 2020, the executives of the Modbury Sporting Club and the executives of the Modbury Senior Football, Modbury Junior Football and Modbury Cricket entities met to discuss the best way forward for us all at this difficult time.

The cancellation of this year’s cricket season and postponement of the football season creates a lot of questions, and we share in the disappointment and concern that many of you may be feeling.

Rest assured that all of the necessary questions are being asked and we are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members, whilst also ensuring the survival of our beloved club, in what will be a challenging time for all community clubs and small businesses around the world.

For now, we ask for your patience and understanding as we make our way through a lot of unknowns. This is new territory for us all and there is a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds.

We realise that many of you will have questions about this, including what this means for you. I hope that the below will address some of these. As always, please feel free to contact any of us if you have a question, concern or would just like to discuss any of the below.

What we know about our sporting competitions……

• The cricket season has been cancelled and no finals will be played in 2020. This is particularly disappointing for Modbury as we were looking forward to an exciting finals series after a successful season. We look forward to seeing all teams back stronger than ever next Summer.

• The Adelaide Footy League (senior football including u18’s) have postponed the start of the football season to June 13.

• The SANFL have postponed the start of the SANFL Juniors and NAB AFL Auskick seasons until May 31

Q. What does this all mean for club?

The executive committee of the Modbury Sporting Club have decided, based on the current Government Guidelines and the needs of our members, our doors will remain open for the time being for groups of less than 100.

We will monitor things closely and adjust our trading hours as necessary throughout the coming months to ensure that our members and staff are safe and supported to the best of our abilities and that we are complying with all recommendations of the Federal, State and local governments. This means that things may change rapidly from day to day and hour to hour and we ask that you remain vigilant and show patience in regard to any disruptions.

We are reviewing our hygiene routines and increasing/adapting procedures in line with best practice.

We encourage each of you to consider your own level of risk and the risk to those around you when deciding whether to patronise our club. Whilst we encourage you to support us where possible, our first priority is the health of our community therefore it may be best for some of you to stay at home at this time and we trust in your ability to decide that for yourselves.

Whilst our doors will be open, we ask that

1. If you have flu-like symptoms (even if they are mild) – please avoid coming to the Club or participating in team sport until you are feeling better

2. If you have flu-like symptoms and you, or someone you have been in contact with, has recently returned from overseas (especially Europe or Asia) please self-isolate immediately and seek medical attention

3. If, within the last 14 days, you have returned from overseas please self-isolate. Avoid coming to the Club or participating in team sport during this period.

4. Wash hands thoroughly with soap – especially before eating / handling any food, food utensils or working in food preparation areas, after going the toilet, before and after gym or trainer sessions

5. Avoid shaking hands

6. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your arm, not your hands or onto a surface

7. Wipe down – counter tops, fridge and cupboard handles, trainers benches, tables – regularly and certainly between uses with antiseptic

8. Avoid sharing – water bottles, food, drinks, towels, razors, clothes and all personal items

9. Social distancing – keep a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible and minimise physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions

10. Consider going cashless as money is a potential source of contamination that we can not easily control

Q. Will there still be training?

At this stage, in line with the recommendations of the various leagues, and with the wellbeing of our members and the broader community in mind, there will be no club sanctioned training or games scheduled as this would see us breach the social distancing recommendations of the Government given the physical and up close nature of the game of football.

Q. What can we do at home to stay physically and mentally fit?

Individual training and fitness is something that we would always encourage but you are the best judge of what is safe for you and/or your child. At this stage Gyms remain open and outdoor fitness would be minimally risky from a COVID-19 perspective. However, no training regimes will be provided by us at this time.

NOTE: Club insurance will cover patron’s on site for public liability purposes as it does currently. Player individual insurance, as in training/match day won’t apply during this time.

Q. Am I still required to pay my club membership and registration fees?

We understand that in these financially uncertain times and with the postponement of the season you may not feel comfortable or be in a position to pay these at this time.

We ask that those that are able, pay their club membership ($65 for individuals and $85 for families) as per normal and await further clarity around the commencement and length of seasons before paying your remaining registration fees.

Payment of your club membership fee is a good way to support your club at this challenging time. There are also benefits to you including:

• Members prices in the club members lounge – remember our doors will remain open as long as this is allowed, viable and manageable from a health perspective

• Sponsorship deals – Our valued sponsors still need your support at this challenging time

Q. What if I have already paid my fees?

We will let you know what adjustments need to be made as soon we have more information and certainty around the length and format of the modified season.

Q.Is there anything I can do to support the club at this challenging time?

Absolutely!

• As mentioned above, if you are in a position to do so, you can still pay your club membership of $65 for individuals and $85 for families.

• Our doors are still open. Please pop in if it is safe for you to do so.

• Whilst the AFL season is still on, pop in and watch the game here with a mate (again, where it is safe for you to do so)

• Support the mugs club by coming up for a meal on Wednesday nights.

• Support your club by continuing to support our valued sponsors.

• Above all, take care of yourself and your family in preparation for the season once it is able to commence.

Yours sincerely

Sporting Club
President​​ – Greg Byles​​ – 0419 828 013
Vice President​​ – Caroline Underwood​ – 0437 115 466
Treasurer​​ – Julie Wells​​ – 0417 841 965
Secretary​​ – Naomi Wood – ​​0430 912 940

Senior Football Chairman
Dave Gray​0405311978

Junior Football Chairman
Paul Lemmer​0417845730

Cricket Chairman
Steve Parry​0417879496

Mugs Club Chairman
Chris Edwards​