RESTRICTIONS ON SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND SPECTATORS AT SPORTING EVENTS
STATEMENT FROM ANTOINETTE MCKEOWN, CEO OF SPORT NI
The letter released this evening from Minister Ní Chuilín, Department for Communities, to the head of every governing body of sport, has provided further clarity on the increased regulations announced this week by the Executive. I know it will come as a further disappointment to the sector; I also know that he sector, which has provided so much leadership to communities during this time, will recognise that the decision is necessary to prevent the further spread of Coronavirus. The letter advises you that
‘in addition to not permitting a range of sporting activities it is also necessary to stop spectators from attending sporting events and align the sector with the Health Regulations restricting the number of people permitted to gather for a common purpose, that figure is 15’.
The Minister will be meeting the Lead Officers from the sports’ Governing Bodies (virtually) on Monday to discuss the current challenges and the impact the latest restrictions will have on sports Governing Bodies, their clubs and members. Invites have been issued this evening.
Further to this, Sport NI will be holding a virtual meeting with all governing bodies of sport this Thursday 22nd October 2020 at 4pm to provide further advice and clarification and update you on new information resources. Invites have been issued directly.
We welcome the Minister’s recognition of the financial hardship experienced and the impact of this further restriction. We want to assure you that Sport NI is working with our colleagues in the Department for Communities to address the urgent need for financial support for the sector and will discuss this with your further on Thursday.
We also thank you for continuing to share information with us on the continued impact of Coronavirus on your work.
For further information email: comms@sportni.net