To our Volleyball Community,
We hope to start Volleyball on the 3rd June 2020!. Wow, what a journey these past eight weeks have been! Monday 11th May much-anticipated announcement from the Government has proven that New Zealanders can do anything - we have collectively and successfully contained Covid-19. We started Level 2 on Thursday 14th May, and with that we opened our office. Monday 25th May 2020 we anticipate mass gatherings will be increased to 100. We are taking online entries now for Social Volleyball, see information below and on our website.
Your ability to have some fun and participate in Volleyball safely is incredibly important to us, and we want to make sure that we do our bit to keep NZ free from COVID-19. You will notice some changes to the way we do things, and we want to let you know ahead of time. Most of these, we have been working towards before Covid-19 and relate to online entries, payments and our Volleyball app. The most obvious change is that we need to do contact tracing upon entry, our staff will be wearing face masks, and all referees will be wearing face shields for your protection and theirs, for as long as this is the favoured advice. 
We will be taking no chances with any staff or volunteer member who feels unwell. We will have a low threshold for any member that has any symptoms of illness and will ask that they stay home. We ask that you do the same. If you feel unwell, or if you are at-risk or have any COVID-19 symptoms such as a cough, high fever, or shortness of breath, please stay home and get tested.
We ask for your understanding and patience as we implement these COVID-19 Level 2-1 safety precautions. We realize that coming to the ILT Stadium Southland is supposed to be an opportunity to play sport and have fun with your mates, and we will try our best to make the experience as positive and seamless for you as we can. Ultimately though, we want to keep you safe during these unprecedented times, so we need to follow these safety protocols.
Policy and Guideline Documents Please find a list of all our policies and guideline documents. We do ask that you read then carefully and understand your role as a participant. Here is some information on what to expect
Please note that any teams that enter during level 2 are agreeing to abide by the following rules and regulations. - Competition Date:
- We will start with social Volleyball in a six-week block with start on the 3rd of June 2020
- Our learnings will guide us on how to run our six-week secondary schools block in late-term three
- Technology (Website and App):
- We will use technology to make this as smooth as possible- download Sporty App and add Volleyball
- Team Entries/ Payment:
- The Social team captain or manager will need to enter their team (player's details and team information) via the Volleyball Southland app or our website https://www.sporty.co.nz/VolleyballSouthland/Competition-Info/Invercargill-Social-Adult
- The entry form will require the team manager/captain to know each player's First and Last Name, DOB and Cell Phone number.
- For the safety of all concerned, there will be no option under level 2 down to alert level 1 for teams to referee games.
- Volleyball Southland will have paid referees at each game, and that will be the only available playing option during convid-19 alert levels.
- We would hope to resume back to our full offerings post-Covid-19
- Schools will be via this link http://www.volleysouth.org.nz/competition-info/registration-process-schools and pay on invoice.
- Contact Tracing:
- To ensure we keep data of those who have been at Volleyball, we will have a contact tracing QR code for you to scan using your smartphone.
- If you do not have a smartphone, we will manually sign you in.
- Game Day:
- Changing Rooms:
- Will be closed, and Players should come to the games fully dressed for playing.
- Bring own hand sanitizers and towels.
- Teams should not bring their volleyballs.
- A ball for each side of the court will be waiting for each group.
- These will be wiped with disinfectant wipes and dried before using for the next game.
- Instruct players to gently kick the ball to the side if it belongs to another court.
- Avoid alcohol wipes on balls.
- As you all are probably used to lining up now the same will apply to enter Volleyball.
- All team players will need to line up on designated spot markers as a team
- We will scan you in then progress past our security guard and go straight to your side of the court.
- In conjunction with Stadium staff, there will be signs - Social distancing, hygiene and tournament protocol signs inside and outside of ILT Stadium Southland.
- Referees:
- Will be wearing face shields so they can still blow the whistle and all other staff will be wearing face masks.
- It is the team's choice if they wish to wear any PPE, it is personal choice and participants must provide their own if they want to do so.
- For social leagues, referees should stay in their designated courts throughout the evening as much as possible.
- The referee will also score using a scoresheet or scoreboard. Do not share scoreboards.
- Teams should warm-up in one area or their designated side of the court. Avoid jogging around the venue.
- Refrain from shaking of hands between teams during the net protocol.
- Remain on the same side throughout the game and avoid changing sides between sets.
- The time between matches - 15 minutes between games to give time for teams to exit and new teams to enter.
- Use different doors to enter and exit the venue if possible. There should be only a single entry and single exit used where possible (one-way flow)
- First Aid:
- Remind teams that they should manage injuries within the team where possible and players from other teams should not gather around the injured person. A first-aider or medic will assist if required. Ensure there is someone in the group who knows first-aid.
- Travel:
- Should be done safely to reduce the possibility of transmission and spread of the virus. Stay local and within the region as much as possible.
- Additional information:
- Sport NZ - Requirements which we will be following strictly. and update after each announcement. https://sportnz.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Play-Active-Recreation-Sport-Alert-Level-Two.pdf
Volleyball NZ Youth Advisory Congratulations Lucy Machen 
Intrdoucing two of our amazing volunteer board members. 
We trust this clarifies as much as possible where we stand at present in these challenging times. We do need to use our common sense and not lose sight of our #1 priority - safeguarding our members' health (including yours!), and getting everyone back enjoying the game they love. We genuinely look forward to seeing you all back at Volleyball soon and hearing your enjoyment across the courts. Yours sincerely, Volleyball Southland |
