IMAC COVID-19: LEVEL 3 UPDATE
IMAC COVID-19: LEVEL 3 UPDATE
Following communications received from Sport Ireland and the Government Sport Expert Group as it relates to Martial Arts training within Level 3 of the Covid-19 restrictions, we can now confirm the following...
Level 3 Training is – Individual, physically distanced, non-contact activity, completed in a pre-defined area, within a controlled environment and without the sharing of personal sport equipment.
Martial Arts clubs that are affiliated to IMAC and its Advisory Boards that have the capacity adhere to IMAC’s strict Level 3 Protocols and the Indoor Sports Framework can now open for Individual Training embracing the new ‘Pod of 1’concept.
The Indoor Sport Framework was signed off by government this week and distributed to National Governing Bodies yesterday evening. The Indoor Sport Framework is the result of close work between Sport Ireland and the Sport Expert Group with on-going consultation with indoor sport National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).
The Indoor Sport Framework offers Sport Ireland recognised NGBs (with approved Return to Sport protocols in place) the green light to facilitate Individual Training within the Level 3 restrictions.
Furthermore, the Framework states that only current NGB (IMAC) accredited Coaches are approved to operate during Level 3 in line with the NGB (IMAC) return to the sport training plan.
The Indoor Sport Framework recognises that Martial Artists can train individually in a socially distanced manner. IMAC affiliate Martial Arts clubs can now operation in Level 3 must proceed in-line with the new Individual Training within the 'Pod of One’concept - as outlined in the Indoor Sports Framework
Today, affiliated member clubs of the Irish Martial Arts Commission have been issued new Level 3 protocols details the protocols applying to individual training under the new 'Pods of One’ guidelines. Martial Arts clubs operating under the IMAC Level 3 protocols may only do so with the explicit approval of an IMAC-recognised NGB or advisory board.
The 'Pod of One' concept is defined as ‘Individual, physically distanced, non-contact activity, completed in a pre-defined area, within a controlled environment and without the sharing of personal sport equipment'
The ‘Pod of One’ concept is designed to be operated in conjunction with the Government approved IMAC Return to training protocols.
To be absolutely clear – this is not a licence to return to traditional Martial Arts classes. We are under no illusion that it will be very challenging for many of our clubs to adhere to all of the requirements under these new guidelines but IMAC is also clear – if you are not sure you can do adhere to all of the Protocols – then do not open. There is too much at stake.
The IMAC Advisory Boards of each of the Martial Arts within IMAC are currently in the process of circulating a form of ‘Compliance and Consent’ to member clubs to register to re-open. We ask member clubs not to commence Individual Training under the new guidelines until they have received, completed and returned this form to the Advisory Board to which they are affiliated.
IMAC instructors can contact their advisory board representives for more information.
For general enquiries, contact IMAC President Brendan Dowling, tel: 0872940735