VETRUNNERY f ISSN 1449-8006 Vol. 42 Issue 1 — July 2020 Patron: Dick Telford Website: www.actmastersathletics.org.au Facebook: ACT Masters Athletics Club The monthly magazine of the ACT Masters Athletics Club Inc. Email: [email protected] See pp. 7, 14 & 15 for proposed dates of competition From COVID-19 to Competition - A return to play –1st July Reporter: Suzie Gaynor Play your part in return to play The ACT Masters Athletics Club welcomes the As we resume activities at ACT Masters Athletics, Federal Government’s guidance to provide a path- way for a safe return to sport. In accordance with it’s important to remember that it is up to each of us both federal and territory guidelines, ACT Masters to take the following steps: Athletics provides the following set of actions to sup- Keep your distance: stay 1.5 metres away port the safe return to full club activities from other people, no hugging or hand shaking. The safety and well-being of our members and fellow participants is our priority as we step back Wash your hands: practice good hygiene, into competition. The points below outline how ath- cough/sneeze into your arm and avoid touching letics activities can resume in a COVID-safe way, things. Sanitise equipment between touches/ being mindful of our significant numbers in vulnera- throws. ble categories. Many COVID-safe requirements for hygiene and social distancing are likely to stay with Stay away: when you are unwell. Get tested us well into competition, possibly as a permanent if you have respiratory symptoms or a fever. arrangement for competing safely. Download the COVIDSafe App: to protect The minimum standard of practice is based on the best available evidence and advice to ensure the yourself and others, so we can find the virus quickly. (continued p.4) health and safety of those involved in athletics. The return to play should be followed in conjunction with the directives and guidelines of the Federal Govern- ment and ACT Government. Leigh Harlow, Shane Hutchison and Peter Baker on the turn into the straight in distance race at Woden last season. (photo Suzie Gaynor) Key information used to develop this information sheet for ACT Masters Athletics includes: - Roadmap to a COVIDSafe Australia - National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities - Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Envi- ronment released by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) - Information from government health departments and the relevant health authorities. At all times, community and individual sport is gov- erned by public health policy and Federal, State/Territory Government directives. Information is accurate at time of publishing on 1 June 2020. If you are unsure, please contact the main committee (see p.3 for information). (continued p.4) Page 2 — July 2020 Vetrunner Club Sponsors . “These shoes are designed for trail running. I used them to set a new age group record in the Mt Ainslie Parkrun on 7 December. I've also used them for training runs in Black Mountain. They are currently still in stock at the Runners Shop, and I can recommend them”. Clare Wall Phillip Store: 76 Dundas Court Ph: 6285 3508 KINGSTON PHYSIOTHERAPY & SPORTS INJURY CENTRE Exciting news! Introducing Dietician & Sports Nutritionist Sophie Stanwell Sophie recently joined our Physio & Massage team and is also offering discounted services to ACTMAC members. Call or go on - line for more info. 02- 6 2 6 0 8 2 4 4 www.kingstonphysio.com.au Club Supporters The ACT Masters Athletics Club is grateful for the generous support of the following local businesses: National Mailing & Marketing for printing of Vetrunner, the Annual Report and other pamphlets The Runners Shop for discounts to members for purchases and discounted gift vouchers Kingston Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre for discounts to members for purchases and discounted gift vouchers Go Troppo Fyshwick Markets for a discount on fruit for our Run-Walk Handicap events Garry Maher of Manuka Drafting Service for donating prizes for the King and Queen of the Mountain in both Thomas & Frylink Series Belconnen Soccer Club and the Ainslie Football and Social Club for providing rooms for the club meetings and other functions on request. July 2020 Vetrunner — page 3 From President Shane There is hope on the horizon with the steady lifting of restrictions ‘swipey’ cards and pre-pay by EFT or purchasing a that we will be back hosting events in July. I personally warmly greet season’s pass. the prospect of running again with people after many weeks of running And for those with a keen interest in administra- in the cold around Lake Ginninderra. tion of athletics in the ACT, you will have noticed As announced in the Bulletin, the club has a ‘Return-to-Play - COVID that One Athletics recently ran a competition inviting -Safety Plan’ that reminds us of the important steps we must do to members to ‘name the new organisation’. (Cont. p.5) return safely to competition and to protect our vulnerable members. Out of necessity, our events will look a little different as certain things we’ve become accustomed to, like cosy check-in desks and cash entry fees, long presentations and shared refreshments, are not possible. The overwhelming message from governments on sporting activities is to ‘Get in, Get Active and Get out’. Whether you are training or participating in a competition, the coach, the event organiser or the volunteer, while ever the risk of spreading COVID remains a concern, you are individually responsible for creating a safe environment to play. Club activities will be focused and streamlined, presentations minimised, and social distancing monitored. post-event socialising is limited and the club cannot provide shared refreshments. We will provide plenty of hand sanitiser and ask that you demonstrate respiratory etiquette by not coughing or sneezing over others, and if you are unwell, please, please, please, stay at home! The fresh batch of club uniforms ($40), crop tops ($55) and visors and hats ($20) will be at events, along with the dwindling supply of Polo shirts ($30). However, you will need to pre-pay by EFT, or have your debit card as we are going cashless at events. The direction to go cashless has come all the way from the top, from Governments, the Australian Institute of Sport and Athletics Australia, and from One Athletics ACT. The exchanging of cash is akin to exchanging COVID-19 – it is a point of risk for spreading germs. I appreciate that going cashless will be a bother for some, particularly those who do not have Our president has jogged everyday of the isolation ‘swipey’ cards. However, we will provide other options like pre-pay by period. (photo Suzie Gaynor) ACT MASTERS ATHLETICS “Fitness Through Fellowship” The Vetrunner is the official Newsletter of ACTMA, ISSN 1449-8006 Postal Address: GPO Box 2356, Canberra, ACT 2601. Internet: www.actmastersathletics.org.au Facebook: ACT Masters Athletics Club Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of ACTMA Patron Sub-Committees and Coodinators Special Events and Communications Dr Dick Telford AO Annual Awards, Trophies and historian: Cross Country Championships: Main Committee Bryan Thomas 6161 3635 (h) Ken Smith President: [email protected] Local Organising Committee for 2021 AMA Shane Hutchison 0419 009 403 Equipment Officer (Track and Field): Track and Field National championships: [email protected] Jayne Hardy 0421 610 053 Bryan Thomas 6161 3635 (h) [email protected] Vice President: [email protected] Member Protection Information Officers: Nikki Phelps 0497 269 935 Publicity, Marketing, Membership: Sue Bourke 0408 266 183 [email protected] Suzie Gaynor 0429 812 878 Richard Scutter 0415 738 848 Secretary: [email protected] Suzie Gaynor 0429 812 878 Records Officer: Social Events: [email protected] Jacob Grooby Rosemary Parker 0427 160 129 Robyn Saunders 0403 808 299 Treasurer: [email protected] Leigh Harlow 0421 564 135 Run/Walk Handicap sub-committee chair: Sprint Marathon Relays: [email protected] Robbie Costmeyer 0448 087 054 Jim White 02 6231 4168 Registrar: [email protected] Uniforms: Nigel England 0477 341 333 Run/Walk Handicap Rosters: Jayne Hardy and Suzie Gaynor [email protected] Deb Gordon [email protected] Main Committee Members: [email protected] Vetrunner Editor: [email protected] Throws Coordinator: Robert Kennelly Kathy Sims 0418 408 805 Jayne Hardy 0421 610 053 [email protected] Ken Smith [email protected] Webmaster: Geoff Moore and Bronwyn Calver Track & Field sub-committee chair: [email protected] Public Officer Nigel England 0477 341 333 Robbie Costmeyer 0448 087 054 Weekly Bulletin: [email protected] Val Chesterton [email protected] Page 4 — July 2020 Vetrunner From COVID-19 to Competition - A return to play (cont) Cont. from p.1 1. Asks people at a higher risk of severe illness from The requirements for return to play COVID (for example, those with chronic medical conditions or The ACT Government requires all sporting associations to compromised immune systems) to remain at home and delay have a COVID-19 Return-to-Play Plan. The ACT Masters returning to play until a vaccine is available. Athletics Club main committee has developed their return to 2. Asks members to download the Australian Government’s play plan. COVIDSafe App. • While the return-to- play plan covers all club activities, 3. Provides hand sanitiser and notices at all entrances/exits each sub-committee and event organiser must undertake a to the facility and competition Check in must be contactless. simple risk assessment before each event, and put in place This includes cash free check in and no sharing the sign-in measures to ensure a COVID-safe environment.