St Clair United playing it safe
Ambitious Nepean Football Association side St Clair United understand the importance of keeping their participants safe, happy and secure in the recently rebooted Community Football season.
The journey in getting to kick-off wasn’t easy as all teams and the sport felt the pain during the football lockdown that took shape in March earlier this year.
Hardworking St Clair United SC Competition Secretary Nicola Bennet stated to Football NSW the tough measures the club has gone to in ensuring COVID safe practices were implemented just in time for the new season.
“St Clair United have faced a few challenges in our return to football this year.
“On top of COVID restrictions and the adjustments we have had to make, we are also facing the challenges of the logistics in preparing for our upcoming demolition and rebuild of our clubhouse.
“Like many other Clubs around us, we have had to make the necessary adjustments and enforce restrictions and processes to meet the Football NSW guidelines and our Members have been fantastic!
“Sanitizing stations, attendance records, changed training spaces and length of allocated training time along with a move in training and competition venue have faced our members in the past few months.
“Our planned works meant that we have also had to collaborate with another local club to enable us to have an adopted home ground for the shortened season. Together with our host club, we have coordinated our COVID plans and responses so that all members, parents and carers of both clubs can participate in a safe environment.”
The club has been fortunate that 23 of its committee members have worked hard in getting the season back up and running for the benefit of the local community.
“We’ve got some amazing people assisting as volunteers at the club and they’ve worked ever so hard in getting the season back up and running under these tough circumstances.
“Volunteers are what makes our club function. Without these volunteers our members would not be able to take the pitch.
“From Committee members to the Coaches and Managers, our collective aim each week and every season is to see the kids out playing the sport that we all love.
“The smiles, laughter and enthusiasm that we see make the numerous hours that we put in each week all worthwhile.
“COVID has just added another layer into what we all love doing, and they have all adapted tremendously. Initially the idea of non-contact training was a little daunting, but all managed to follow accordingly.”
The pandemic has played a role in slowing down registrations at the club but Bennet hopes that this will change for the 2021 season.
