RYANI issues guidance to clubs in Northern Ireland

In preparation for any potentialresumption of activity, the Governing Body has issued its guidance for NorthernIrish clubs to allow considerate preparations and safe planning beforerestarting any activity, once permitted under the NI Executive’s Plan. The guidance will also be available through the RYANIWebsite.  

The guidance has been created aspart of the RYA’s ongoing support for Affiliated Clubs during the Covid-19 pandemic. It includes advice on how clubs maybe able to facilitate activity while minimising the risk of transmittinginfection (including social distancing and adequate cleaning and hygiene) andhow to reduce the likelihood of a call-out to emergency services throughenhanced risk assessment, maintenance and safety. 

Mary Martin, RYANI’s DevelopmentOfficer explains: “We are pleased to be able to offer this practical guidanceto clubs to help them plan for the future.  Clubs in Northern Ireland haveclosed during this lockdown period and we know people want to ensure they arewell prepared for any potential resumption of activity. 

“We are encouraging clubs to taketheir time and use this information to carefully plan and develop their ownpolicies which will best suit their venues. Public Health must remain as theprimary concern when clubs are able to ease back into activity.  This willlikely involve creating a team who will be responsible for reviewing what’spractically possible, deciding what’s best for their club and implementingthose decisions effectively with clear communication to their membership. 

“We urge the members of clubs andthe wider boating community to be patient.  We remain with the samerestrictions in place until otherwise announced by the NI Executive.”  

RYANI recognises that without adefinitive timeline for the easing of restrictions, planning for clubs will bedifficult. This guidance is to ensure they can be as prepared as possible tofacilitate a safe return to activity with appropriate social distancingmeasures, hygiene procedures and risk management practices.  

The RYA as a whole has been workingas a collective across all four Home Nations in order to issue guidance that isspecific to any restrictions that may be specific to each devolved government. Guidance for RYA Recognised Training Centres and Instructors has also been issued toPrincipals. 

The RYANI team are also offering aseries of online Club Development Forums as an opportunity for people in clubsto come together and share their thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead.Project #SailFromHome also shares interactive webinars and club development content every Thursday. 

FurtherCovid-19 advice for clubs, classes and training centres, as well asrecreational boating in the UK and abroad, canbe found on the RYA website with further information on the RYANorthern Ireland website.