There may be further guidance relevant to educational settings.

The return to sport protocols put in place by sports governing bodies should be strictly adhered to including hygiene measures, social distancing and other mitigations.

Any behaviour which may encourage the risk of transmission around sports activities, such as car sharing, congregation of people on the side-lines and sporting celebrations, should be avoided. 

Sports governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure full compliance with the protocols and are expected to put arrangements in place to deal with non-compliant clubs, participants and coaches.  

Please see Sport Northern Ireland Return to Sport Guidance sportni.net/return-to-sport/ and NI Direct government services. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-and-guidance-what-they-mean-you#toc-13

There may be further guidance relevant to educational settings.

The return to sport protocols put in place by sports governing bodies should be strictly adhered to including hygiene measures, social distancing and other mitigations.

Any behaviour which may encourage the risk of transmission around sports activities, such as car sharing, congregation of people on the side-lines and sporting celebrations, should be avoided. 

Sports governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure full compliance with the protocols and are expected to put arrangements in place to deal with non-compliant clubs, participants and coaches.  

Please see Sport Northern Ireland Return to Sport Guidance sportni.net/return-to-sport/ and NI Direct government services. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-and-guidance-what-they-mean-you#toc-13

Frequently Asked Questions

The Republic of Ireland Government has updated the guidance for sports clubs, there is no change for outdoor sports with some changes made to indoor sporting activities.

Any club or group that is not in a position to apply these measures or enforce them should not hold training sessions.

Any local club or group found to be in breach of these measures will result in the club being excluded from the exemption to be allowed training indoors.

Please see the Sport Ireland Return to Sport Guidance Note November 2021 Here, also Statement on COVID-19 public health measures – 3 December 2021 Here.

• The scheme is competitive with other NGBs based on the quality of the submissions from their constituent clubs which is why we are asking for the backup documents.
• The scheme is solely to cover lost income and increased expenses as a result of the pandemic.
• Supporting materials will be important to qualify the need for funding.
• The questions on Club Governance and Covid precautions will be important in determining what amounts will be awarded to us for distribution to Clubs

To complete the form please click here. The closing date for applications is Tuesday, October 19th. For any questions, please contact clubsupport@rowingireland.ie.

Restrictions update for Republic of Ireland Clubs, “Reframing the challenge road map”

With the announcement by the Irish government of the lifting of restrictions, the Covid-19 working group have assembled a question-and-answer type format to answer questions regarding changes. The government has laid out a three-stage plan with Dates of the 6th & 20th of September and the 22nd of October. With these questions and answers, we will cover the first two dates of the government program and we will address the final stage in early October.

The initial stages of the government plan introduce two different policies for certain events depending on if people are all vaccinated or if there is a mixed session of vaccinated and non-vaccinated.

Wearing of masks in outdoor areas where a mixture of vaccinated and non-vaccinated person is taking place and where social distancing cannot be maintained should continue.

Wearing of masks in indoor areas for people not involved in exercise should continue.

Self-Isolation/Restricted Movements

Continuing requirement for:

• Those with symptoms to immediately self-isolate and seek a test
• Those with a positive test result to self-isolate for 10 days
• Close contacts of a confirmed case to restrict movements unless fully vaccinated

A number of Rowing Ireland licenced events have taken place such as flatwater, coastal, and offshore events, where Rowing Ireland COVID protocols were in put in place and adhered to. With the support of the event organisers, participating clubs, and volunteers, there have been no reported outbreaks related to these events.

With the easing of restrictions, both in the South and the North, the working group are being asked, ‘can the wearing of masks on land be relaxed?’ It was decided that, with the current rise in case numbers both the North and South, it is not the right time to relax this guidance just yet. 

The working group meets every Monday evening to review the current trend in the pandemic and to reflect on and interpret government, health authorities, Sport Ireland, and Sport Northern Ireland protocols. The group then communicates guidance to all clubs. This guidance is reviewed by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland to ensure we are continually doing the right thing.

We would ask clubs to continue to operate within the guidance to help keep us all safe. With larger events on the horizon, now is not the time to let our guard down. A small number of clubs and individuals are not complying with the “Masks on while on Land” guidance and this is placing us all at unnecessary risk. 

The government’s guidance states that you do not have to wear a mask outdoor when you are not in a crowded area and can maintain social distancing. The working group is of the opinion that it is not possible to always maintain social distancing while loading, rigging, carrying, launching, and docking crew boats. For this reason, we are asking all clubs and their members to continue with the practice of wearing masks to keep us all safe.

Normality will hopefully return soon, but we are not there yet. We have worked hard together to stay safe; let us continue to do this for a little longer.

We thank everyone that has been involved including parents, family, and friends that have not been able to attend events so we can maintain strict attendance numbers.

We are back doing what we love – Rowing, enjoying our sport, and competing. If we work together, we can look forward to a brighter future.

Yours in Rowing 

On behalf of the Rowing Ireland, COVID-19 Working Group.

The latest regulations do not change social distancing. Clubs can currently offer outdoor training subject to restrictions, limited indoor training, and limited events.

The restrictions on school activity during certain times may vary and school clubs should check Department of Education and school guidance. The guidance in this update refers to sporting activity.

Currently, from 31 May:

• Activity for Elite athletes can continue as before. 
• The return to sport protocols put in place by sports governing bodies should be strictly adhered to including hygiene measures, social distancing and other mitigations.
• Any behaviour which may encourage the risk of transmission around sports activities, such as car sharing, should be avoided. 
• Clubs are expected to nominate a COVID Leader and to consider what sanctions can be imposed on any breaches of guidance.
• In guidance we need to wear a face covering where 2 metre social distance cannot be maintained, or 1m where not face to face in boats.
• indoor group exercise and training is allowed (numbers informed by venue) and the full return of outdoor sport (with no overall limit at outdoor sporting events from 5 July). A risk assessment is necessary for gatherings over 30 people outside, or over 15 inside.
• Limited use of indoor facilities associated with outdoor sport and events, is also allowed. (e.g. Briefing, and use of changing rooms).
• The organiser must also take all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus.
• A person responsible for organising a gathering must, if requested to do so by a relevant person, provide a copy of the risk assessment and an account of the reasonable measures taken
• Schools are permitted to join in events
• No limit on travel within NI to train or go to an event
• follow guidance for travel within the Common Travel Area.  Details are at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travelling-within-common-travel-area
• contact details must be taken and retained
• competitive indoor sport is allowed (subject to risk assessment and appropriate mitigations). 
• We cannot police all this effectively alone, and need clubs to take responsibility. We hope that clubs will see this as realistic and manageable.

Is multi-household crew rowing allowed?

This is allowed now, as rowers are generally not face to face, and can remain a fixed distance apart in the boat. Just one protocol is now in place: In stern coxed boats if stroke and cox are from different households the cox is advised to wear a face covering and/or visor, when afloat. 

All clubs who intend to host events or take part in scheduled events should attend.

It is fantastic to see the return of events in rowing, and Rowing Ireland wants to support the safe and efficient management of these events by supplying Club COVID Officers with information and training on the roles and responsibilities involved.

This is free of charge, and the duration of the webinar will be approximately one hour, depending on questions posed by the attendees. there is no limit to the number of members that can attend, and we would encourage as many as possible to attend.

You can register to attend this webinar using this link 

Further queries can be sent to Pat Kiely, Rowing Ireland’s Club Support Officer at clubsupport@rowingireland.ie.

The latest regulations do not change social distancing. Clubs can currently offer outdoor training subject to restrictions, limited indoor training, and limited outdoor events.

The restrictions on school activity during certain times may vary and school clubs should check Department of Education and School guidance. The guidance in this update refers to sporting activity.

Currently, from 24 May

• Activity for elite athletes can continue as before. 
• The return to sport protocols put in place by sports governing bodies should be strictly adhered to including hygiene measures, social distancing and other mitigations.
• Any behaviour which may encourage the risk of transmission around sports activities, such as car sharing, should be avoided. 
• Clubs are expected to nominate a COVID leader and to consider what sanctions can be imposed on any breaches of guidance.
• Face coverings must be worn when 2 metre social distance cannot be maintained, or 1m when not face-to-face in boats.
• These protocols must be enforced by each club, which must take responsibility. It is hoped that clubs will see this as realistic and manageable.
• Indoor group exercise and training is allowed (numbers informed by venue) and the full return of outdoor sport (with an overall limit of 500 spectators, and 500 participants, at outdoor sporting events). A risk assessment is necessary for gatherings over 30 people outside, or over 15 inside.
• Limited use of indoor facilities associated with outdoor sport and events, is also allowed. (e.g. Briefing, and use of changing rooms).
• The organiser must also take all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus.
• A person responsible for organising a gathering must, if requested to do so by a relevant person, provide a copy of the risk assessment and an account of the reasonable measures taken.
• Schools are permitted to join in events.
• No limit on travel within NI to train or go to an event.
• contact details must be taken and retained.

From 31^st May:

An indicative date of 31 May has been set for the return of competitive indoor sport (subject to risk assessment and appropriate mitigations). 

When will multi-household crew rowing be allowed?

This is currently allowed, as rowers are generally not face to face, and can remain a fixed distance apart in the boat. Two protocols are necessary:

• Crew activity must be controlled so that the full crew moves together to maintain separation (so no part crew exercises where some are moving and some are not).
• In stern coxed boats if stroke and cox are from different households the cox must wear a face covering and a visor when afloat. 

The Sport Ireland Covid-19: Return to Sport e-Learning Course has been updated to reflect the most up to date Government guidelines.

The course aims to provide a supportive resource to assist sport to return on a phased basis while managing the ongoing risks associated with the COVID-19 virus. At all times, the health of those participating in and facilitating sport and physical activity is the priority.

Complete the Return to Sport e-Learning Course

For more information please visit, www.sportireland.ie