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COVID Update 30th September

30 Sep 2020

Dear Victorian polo members, 

 

With the season due to commence and the restrictions that have been placed upon all Victorians due to COVID, the Victorian Polo Association has been proactive in providing the necessary measures that will need to be put in place to enable Polo to commence upon the reduction in restrictions placed upon the sport from the Victorian Government. 

 

We have appointed Geoff Sinclair as the Victorian Polo Association COVID Officer and each club has appointed a COVID Officer responsible for their individual club activities. This group met yesterday and a number of initiatives have/will be put in place over the next few weeks, in regard to responsibilities and conduct rules that members of the VPA must abide by and protocols of running an event or chukkas affiliated with the VPA.

 

It is imperative that all clubs and players embrace the initiatives to ensure the future of polo in Victoria. 

 

On a positive note, those players who reside in regional Victoria are able to partake in training/practice provided that appropriate protocols are put in place and social distancing guidelines (1.5 m non-contact practice) are adhered to. The Yaloak Polo Club has indicated that they are prepared to run practice chukkas commencing next week on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for members wishing to play. All players intending to play must pre-register with Yaloak at least 48hrs before so that they can adhere to the guidelines set down by the VPA and must have paid their membership including insurance online. Can anybody interested in partaking in practice chukkas at Yaloak please contact Greg or Janice to obtain further details. 

 

Current summary until 19^th October:

 

• Melbourne Metro residents may not practice or travel to regional Victoria to practice.
• Regional Victoria can practice and travel within regional Vic to practice with non contact and 1.5 m distancing and a complete covid plan and registration in place at every session.

 

VPA covid representatives will be recommending to the VPA committee that clubs that do not follow the VPA covid guidelines will be suspended from the VPA for 1 month and that individual players that do not follow the VPA and Government guidelines will be fined $1000 at the discretion of the Covid committee. Gill McLachlan pointed out how effective this had been with AFL to ensure they could continue to play. As we expect covid to be the ‘new normal’ well into 2021 its imperative we all follow the rules.

 

As the next round of restrictions are due to be reviewed on 19 October, changes to restrictions affecting Polo are expected at this time and the VPA will make every effort to facilitate a fast return to our sport working within government guidelines. 

 

If you have any queries please contact Geoff Sinclair or Peter Evans 

 

 

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