Here To Help When You Return To Sport

The health of the nation is always the number one priority. COVID-19 has impacted all areas of our lives. It’s no surprise that sport at all levels, from elite to grassroots, and participation in recreational sporting activities was cancelled, suspended or postponed during the lockdown.

Restrictions are gradually being eased with communities now able to participate in sport and recreational activities more freely. Professional football has returned, and many elite sports are now back training and working towards competition.

In this blog, we explore some of the latest guidance on the return of sport and physical activity and how sport can be delivered safely. We’ve collated the guidance to help sports clubs and sports injury professionals understand what you need to do as sport returns.

Guidance for the Sports Sector

Below is a list of guidance from Government and different sports organisations on how social distancing and high standards of hygiene and infection control should be maintained.

• UK Government
  • Guidance for people who work in grassroots sport and gym/ leisure facilities.

• Sport England
  • Guidance on return to play
  • Flexibility for funded organisations.
  • Funding support for sports organisations.
  • Advice on how to keep active with the new Join The Movement.

• CIMSPA
  • ReOpen: Sport and physical activity sector facility reopening guidance.

• UK Active
  • Operational guidance for the reopening of gyms and leisure centres.
  • Guidance on the safe delivery of children’s activities.

• BJSM blog
  • Pitch side emergency care & personal protective equipment: a framework for elite sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Sports Ground Safety Authority
  • Guidance for sports grounds on sports without spectators.

• Sports Injury Fix
  • Advice for sports therapists on how to improve your online presence and deliver online assessments.

• The British Association of Sport Rehabilitators (BASRAT)
  • A policy around guidance for face to face appointments and making the case for sports therapy and rehabilitation to decision-makers.

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport have also developed guidance on the safe return of sport. Below is a selection of guidance from different sports:

• Athletics (including running) – England Athletics
• Boxing – England Boxing
• Cricket – ECB
• Cycling – British Cycling
• Football – The FA
• Netball – England Netball
• Rugby League – RFL
• Rugby Union – RFU

Top Tips for Keeping Active and Staying Well

COVID-19 has disrupted our usual routines, but healthy body healthy mind has arguably never been a more important phrase as we all deal with new ways of working and family life. Fortunately, help is at hand for people who want to keep active. There’s lots of fantastic information and opportunities available online – here’s some useful links to help you find the right way to keep active:

• Sport England ‘Join the Movement’
• GreaterSport ways to keep moving
• Sports Injury Fix advice on what to do if your race is cancelled and the importance of maintaining regular exercise
• Mind information about coronavirus and support for your wellbeing

Sterosport – How Can We Help YOu?

As sport returns one thing is clear and it is that the sports sector is resilient, innovative, and integral to the fabric of our communities. Sports organisations have immediately turned to helping their communities and will continue to do so.

The sector will continue to act responsibly and to put health and wellbeing first with support available to ensure organisations can manage in the short term.

Whilst sport might not yet be entirely back to normal, there is still plenty of ways to keep active and to stay connected with your sporting pals, friends, and families.

Why not use the opportunity to take stock of supplies and to be prepared for when sport returns? Steroplast products are trusted and used widely in both sport and healthcare. Visit www.sterosport.co.uk for the latest information about our exceptional quality medical products for sports injuries and for offers on PPE, hygiene and infection control products click here.

For an informal discussion about your sports medical requirements contact Andrew Watson on andrew@sterosport.co.uk / 0800 978 8301.

Please enter your details into the form below along with any questions or comments and a member of our team will be happy to provide you with more information: