I hope that this email finds you all fit and well, I just wanted to get in touch with our Clubs and Instructors to give you an update on where we are as a Federation with regards to COVID-19 and training/returning to training. In the interest of our Federation and its students, we are always following Government Guidelines with regards to the latest advice for Community Sports which is what Karate comes under. As always the health and safety of our students is of paramount importance and therefore we will only authorise return to training in the Dojo when it is absolutely safe to do so.
Training Outside in Groups of 6 People (1:5 Ratio):
- Firstly, I would check with your insurance provider to make sure that you are covered for Outdoor Instruction. If you are not then you should not be teaching.
- Several Insurance providers will not cover this activity, and the ones that will are very cautious over uneven ground, weather conditions, third party interference etc. and therefore any potential claim is likely to be met with resistance due to "loop holes".
- A thorough detailed and documented Risk Assessment must be carried out for every participating Student (regardless of Age, Grade, Capabilities etc)
- Secondly, there are so many variables with regards to training outside, which is why SKIF-GB don't recommend it and STRONGLY ADVISE YOU NOT to carry out this practice. In theory it sounds like a great opportunity to gather in small groups (no more than 6 people), however the potential risk to health, safety and injury make this not a viable proposition for our sport.
Covid Safe Martial Arts Instructor Certification
In preparation for our return to the Dojo, whenever that maybe, we would recommend that ALL instructors complete the above course online, free of charge to help us prepare to be as safe as possible for our return. This will reassure both students and parents that we are taking every precaution necessary to enable us to get back in the Dojo at the earliest opportunity. Please be aware that this is not a UK Certification, it is an Australian provider and so some of the practices maybe slightly different to what the requirement is in the UK and so will need your interpretation i.e.1.5m Social Distancing in Australia whereas in the UK its a minimum of 2m. It is however the most applicable course available at the current time. If any other courses subsequently become available that are UK standard, we will forward details in due course.
https://www.openlearning.com/courses/covid-safe-martial-arts-school/HomePage/
Thank you for your continued cooperation and if you have any questions then do not hesitate to contact me. Please ensure that all instructors in your club that teach are made aware of the above. We wish you and your families all the good health - Stay safe and take care of each other.
Oss
i: skifgb
t: officialskief
fb: SKIGreatBritain