Author: Richard Wright

New Zealand Football and the seven Federations have announced that the community football postponement has been extended until at least Queen’s Birthday Weekend (Saturday 30 May 2020), due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

All team training should be suspended until 16 May, or two weeks prior to the start of the season. 

With the country still in Alert Level 4, the extended postponement gives the football community new guidance on when NZF aims to resume play, providing it’s safe to do so. 

•    Community football, including junior, youth, senior and social competitions – start postponed until at least 30 May

•    Community futsal including junior, youth, senior and social competitions – start postponed until at least 30 May

•    National Futsal Tournaments scheduled in June and July have been cancelled – including the Youth Futsal Championships. All other national tournaments remain under review

•    In-person workshops and courses, including coaching and refereeing – all postponed until at least 30 May (in some cases, an online alternative will be made available so please check with your course provider) 

All football clubs are still taking registrations for the 2020 season. 

NZF is delighted with the football community’s responsible attitude under lockdown, and is sharing resources to help players stay fit, work on their skills and keep entertained on our website and social media. 

ALL COMMUNITY FOOTBALL POSTPONED

UNTIL 2ND MAY

Out of concern for our community’s health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the community football season has been postponed until 2 May. All training should be suspended until 18 April, or two weeks prior to the start of the season.

This difficult decision has been reached by NZ Football in agreement with the seven Federations, to help prevent community spread of COVID-19.

Measures being taken include:
1, Community football, including junior, youth, senior, social and regional competitions – all play postponed until 2 May
11, Community futsal including junior, youth, senior and social competitions – all play postponed until 2 May
111, The 2020 Secondary Schools Futsal Championships set for late March has been cancelled. Tertiary Futsal championships are postponed until a date to be confirmed, and all other competitions are being reviewed
1111, Workshops and courses- including coaching and refereeing courses postponed until after 2 May

Recommendations around safe practice will be continually updated, aligning with Ministry of Health guidelines.

NZ Football updates will be posted at www.nzfootball.co.nz/covid19

The following statement was released by New Zealand Football on Monday 16th.

Our community’s health comes first in football decisions

Participants, players, coaches, officials, volunteers and their families’ health is the main priority for all football decisions during the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation.

It’s vital the football community adheres to measures regarding travel and self-isolation put in place by the New Zealand Government and doesn’t contribute to any further spread of COVD-19. Please help ensure your club and organisation’s members do the same.

We are monitoring this fast-developing situation closely and will keep you updated. We encourage everyone to follow official advice around handwashing and other hygiene measures.

We have published information on hygiene for footballers on nzfootball.co.nz/covid19, which will be updated as the situation changes.

Community football
We expect advice from the NZ Government on mass gatherings this week and will update you immediately on the impact. Until then, community-level football should proceed, based on current government advice.

Football tournament organisers should ensure their cancellation policies and contingency plans are in place and clearly communicated to participants prior to the event. Individual organisations, clubs and players can elect not to participate in any activity at their personal discretion

Advice for clubs and organisations
If anyone associated with your club or organisation is feeling unwell, they should immediately self-isolate, refrain from all football activities straight away and seek medical advice by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116

Consider whether tournaments or events that may attract large crowds can be delayed or cancelled. Place signs around your club reminding your members about the risks posed by COVID-19 and encouraging basic hygiene.

Place hand sanitizers around changing and club rooms, and encourage people to use them. Ensure player facilities are maintained and cleaned to a high standard with appropriate cleaning agents, and consider cleaning them more regularly.

Work with other clubs that share facilities, if appropriate, to ensure a consistent approach

Where to get information
We will continue to take advice from the NZ Government and Ministry of Health. NZ Government information hub, including health and travel advice. Current advice for public events and mass gatherings, from the Ministry of Health