George Tsamouras Football Journey

Rudnei Sheldon

Newcastle Olympic welcome our first Brazilian player Rudnei Sheldon to the club.

Sheldon joins NOFC from Gosnells FC in Western Australia.

source: Tom Tsamouras

Northern NSW Football has released draws for its relaunched 2020 Premier Competitions. The Premier Competitions were postponed indefinitely after the suspension of all football activities in early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NSW government announced last week that senior community sport could resume from 1 July, with NNSWF Premier Competitions to now start or resume on the weekend of 11-12 July.

The 2020 National Premier Leagues NNSW competition, which was days away from starting before the suspension of football, will begin with five fixtures on 12 July.

This includes a blockbuster grand final rematch between Champions Edgeworth Eagles FC and Premiers Maitland FC at Jack McLaughlin Oval.

The Herald Women’s Premier League, which was halted after two incomplete rounds, will resume with four fixtures on 12 July including top of the table Adamstown Rosebud hosting second-placed Merewether United at Adamstown No.1 Oval.

NewFM Northern League One competition, was also stopped after two incomplete rounds, will resume on 11 July when Thornton Redbacks travel to Turner Park to face Cessnock City.

NNSWF CEO David Eland said he can’t wait for the Premier Competitions to return.

“This is great news. These competitions are the showpieces for the game in our region,”Eland said.

“We understand how tough Premier Clubs are doing it during this period and we appreciate their patience, understanding and consultation as we worked towards getting back on the park.

“It is a real positive that our Premier Competitions now have a start date and we look forward to a great season ahead.”

NNSWF released its revised competition structures for its Premier Competitions last month.

The NSW Government has advised further easing of restrictions from 1 July to remove the limit of 500 people in attendance at an outdoor facility, replaced by one person per four square metres, which means limited crowds may be permitted at games.

“If this is the case, it will relieve some further financial pressure from Premier Clubs for season 2020 – we are currently investigating systems which may be able to aid clubs allow spectators,” Eland

 2020 Premier Competition Draws

NPL NNSW

Herald WPL

NewFM NL1

source:northernnswfootball.com.au

Dear Member Clubs and Players,
This morning the State Government announced all community sport including senior teams may return from 1 July! This is no doubt fantastic news to many clubs and players.
Later this week, the State Government will release some measures in which we need to operate for this to go ahead, as soon they are released, we will review them and provide advice.
Please note the Acting Minister for Sport Dr Geoff Lee made it perfectly clear that the 10 person rule at training remains in place until the new framework/checklist is received and likely to continue until 1 July.
If you have not registered for the season, now is the time to do so, so your Clubs can advise Competition Administrators, and the season can be planned.
Please be patient with your Club and Zone Administrators as they prepare for the upcoming season, information, including local start dates will be released as soon as they are available.
This is a big win for football and a step to normality for the community. We thank Acting Sports Minister The Hon. Dr Geoff Lee for advocating on the behalf of sport during these unprecedented times.
Great work everyone on your continued commitment to the game!
David Eland
CEO
Northern NSW Football

source:https://northernnswfootball.com.au/

TRAINING LOGISTICS AND PROTOCOLS (LEVEL 1):

NPL
Training commencement
Tue 16 June 12s, 13s (4.30pm or 5.00pm) 14s, 15s, 16s (6.00pm)

Training days Location(s)
Tue (Islington Park) Thu (Islington Park)

SAP
Training commencement
Thu 11 June (LMRFF) Tue 16 June (Darling St Oval)

Training days Location(s)
Tue (Darling St Oval) Thu (LMRFF)

Training groups and organisation:

No more than 10 people (including coaches) are allowed in a designated area (approx. 30×50m).

This may require that squads are divided into manageable groups, and that sessions are done either in (a) shifts, or (b) parallel sessions.

This will be decided depending on the size of squads, the availability of space and staff.

Training will be non-contact and maintain social distancing.

Training schedule:

Training will be scheduled as normal, but may be divided into 2 × 45 min sessions to facilitate separate training groups.

For example – half the squad train at 6.00-6.45pm, and the other half at 7.007.45pm

Competition commencement:

Sat-Sun 4-5th July TRAINING PROTOCOLS NPL SAP

Attendance Sheets Attendance sheets must be completed for each team. We have circulated the standard NOFC attendance sheets which are to be maintained (indicating attendance or absence of each player) for training sessions at Islington Park and Darling St Oval.

For sessions at LMRFF, there are specific attendance sheets (which have also been circulated) and which must be completed and handed in to federation officials upon entry into the facility at each session.

Arrival at training:
Players should arrive at training no more than 5 min before start time.

They should not shake hands.

They should not congregate in groups unless social distancing is adhered to.

Player preparation:
Players are to bring their own hand sanitizer and water bottle, and these must be kept in their training bag so that they only access them.

Players are encouraged to sanitize before and after training.

Dressing sheds will be unavailable for changing/dressing, washing or showers.

Toilets will be available for players at training grounds, but players are encouraged to do this at home before they come to training to ensure maximum hygiene etc.

Parents and those bringing players to training:
Parents (or those bringing players to training) will be unable to enter the training ground and are encouraged to drop off and then return for pick up.

If families (etc) must wait for the player(s), they are encouraged to remain in their vehicles in the parking areas.

We have been encouraged to avoid congregating in groups in the ovals/facilities while waiting for players to complete training.

Training groups:
Each coach will inform his specific squad of the designated training group(s) and shift time.

While we use this process, players will be rotated so the shift time may vary from session to session (but will always be within the standard training times for each squad) – for example, an NPL-16s player may be rotated and be in the 6.00pm or the 7.00pm group from session to session, but they will always be within the NPL16s normal training time of 6.00pm-7.45pm

Equipment:
Although some equipment is allowed to be shared (agility poles, markers, kicking balls) each group will use their own equipment (ie. balls will be allocated to each group)

If a ball inadvertently rolls into another group’s training area, it is NOT to be picked by hand, but simply kicked back gently to the correct group.

While at L1 restrictions, we will avoid the use of bibs.

Departure from training:
Players are to depart the training area immediately upon completion and return to their cars/parents. That way the next group can enter the training area, equipment can be sanitised (if required), and next session can be set up on schedule.

No players/parents are to remain and congregate in groups after training.
Source: Tom Tsamouras

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) is delighted to announce that junior football for those aged 18 years and under will be able to resume from 1 July in accordance with the NSW State Government’s announcement on Tuesday.

NNSWF CEO David Eland is ecstatic to get junior players back on the pitch and said Northern NSW Football welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement.
“No doubt the announcement will create great excitement throughout the football community and the 35,000 players under the age of 18 years.
“We’re encouraged that the Government has also signalled the resumption of senior football.

“NNSWF and Football NSW will continue to impress on the Government how important Senior Football is to community clubs and are hopeful that senior football can also return to play in early July.

“NNSWF and the Member Zones are well prepared for the return of community football. The Sport’s Return to Play Guidelines have already been submitted to NSW State Government for approval.

“Our focus will be now be applied to helping clubs and local government authorities prepare for competitive football and MiniRoos including attracting further volunteers for clubs.

“This season has been challenging to say the least. The enduring support of the thousands of selfless volunteers who have hung in there and held their clubs together throughout this crisis is acknowledged and appreciated.

“I strongly encourage the parents of young players to continue to be patient as their club’s volunteers prepare for the long awaited return of Football,” said Eland.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw all football activities suspended in early March. All NNSWF Clubs were allowed to return to training from Wednesday 27 May, with the caveat they abide by the NSW Public Health Order and NNSWF Return to Training Guidelines which were recently released.

While junior football has been given the green light to return from 1 July, there continues to be no age restrictions on training for senior players and teams, who will be able to continue to train provided they abide by the NSW Public Health Order and the NNSWF Return to Training Guidelines.

source: Tom Tsamouras

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) today announced its proposed competition structures for its 2020 Premier Competitions – if the go ahead to play is provided by the NSW Government .

NNSWF has been consulting with its clubs to understand the key issues impacting them and how clubs would like the adjusted season to look, ahead of a hopeful season restart in July.

Meetings were held with the National Premier League (NPL NNSW), Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Northern League One (NL1) clubs in April to gain feedback on key challenges and solutions.

From here, through regular consultation, NNSWF developed a series of model competitions which were sent out for feedback.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said several key challenges had been considered following consultation with clubs.

“We have listened to the concerns of the clubs and taken that feedback on board, as well as the parameters we need to adhere to keep players and spectators safe,” Eland said.

“Clubs were rightly concerned surrounding the financial impact of the crisis, which has been felt across all levels of football.

“This along with access to facilities beyond the regular season and the potential for volunteer capability and burnout were all items discussed.”
Should NNSWF get the go ahead for football to resume in July from State Government, the 2020 Premier Competitions will be structured as such:
National Premier League NNSW

• Each team plays the other teams in the league once to complete nine rounds.
• The league is then split into two pools of five. The split will be a seeded draw to ensure fair representation of top, middle, and lower end teams in each pool.
• Teams will play the other four teams in their pool once to reach 13 regular season rounds.
• Premiership season to be concluded after 13 rounds.
• Continue with the finals series as outlined in the current regulations (top five played over four weeks).

NNSWF will also open a Player Points System (PPS) registration window in the week leading up to the start of the season to allow clubs to cater for those players who can no longer play, or choose not to, due to the circumstances.

Due to the shortened season, there will not be an additional registration window mid-season as per previous years.

This structure does not include the 18 years age group. Given this is a critical age for development, this age group will now feature in the youth competition match days and will see out a full home and away season followed by a two-week finals series in line with the other youth grades.

There is no material change to the NPL Youth competitions. Clubs will play out their season as it is currently structured, with alterations made only to the fixtures to push the season back.

HERALD Women’s Premier League
• As the WPL competition has eight teams, each team had been scheduled to play each other three times throughout the home and away season.
• This is now reduced to twice (once home, once away)
• The Premiership season will conclude after 14 rounds.
• Followed by a finals series as outlined in the current regulations (top four over three weeks).
• All results from rounds one and two which occurred prior to the COVID pandemic stand.
NEW FM Northern League One
• Each team plays the other teams in the league once to complete 11 rounds (ten matches plus a bye in senior fixtures).
• A further four Rounds will be fixtured to make a total of 14 matches over 15 Rounds.
• Those teams drawn against the bye in the extra four matches will have one extra midweek match fixtured to ensure all teams play an equal number of games.
• Premiership season to be concluded after 15 rounds.
• Continue with the finals series as outlined in the current regulations (top five played over four weeks).
• Youth competition will follow the same structure as above, with the exclusion of the bye.
• All results from rounds one and two will stand.
All NNSWF Premier Clubs returned to training from Wednesday 27 May, with the caveat they abide by the NSW Public Health Order and NNSWF Return to Training Guidelines which were released last week.
This includes:
• Training in maximum groups of 10 people (including the Coach and/or personnel).
• Adhering to spatial requirements (one person per 4m2) on pitches.
• Maintaining physical distancing measures of 1.5 metres.
• Maintaining good hygiene practices.

Football was suspended across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the week of NPL NNSW Round 1. Herald WPL and NEW FM NL1 senior competitions had played two rounds each.

NNSWF supports the Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app and strongly encourages all members of the football community to get behind this initiative. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App store and Google Play.

source: Tom Tsamouras

Dear Newcastle Olympic FC players and family members,

Yesterday, all clubs in Northern NSW received good news that we can begin training “in line with the recently amended NSW Government Public Health Order” from next Wednesday, 27 May, 2020.

There are still various strict conditions and guidelines that we will need to meet “in accordance with Return to Training – Level 1 Guidelines and ensuring that the council facilities the club uses are open”, before training begins.

These guidelines and conditions that all clubs will need to review and understand as quickly as practical so players can get back on the park in safe conditions include:

1. Types of activities that can occur at training.
2. How to conduct training safely
3. Liaison with the City of Newcastle on what their expectations are for usage of their Ovals.
4. Risk assessment reports for venues.
5. Inform and educate coaches, parents and players of their responsibility at training
6. Be involved with webinars

We will keep you informed of a definite training date start, as we work through the conditions above, with official training expected to begin from the week after next, starting from Monday 1st June.
Regards,
Con Gounis
Secretary

Wednesday 13May 2020

As many of you will have heard this week, the New South Wales Premier announced some social-distancing restrictions will be eased from Friday, 15 May 2020.

We appreciate this has, and will, continue to raise questions and expectations in relation to the long-awaited resumption of Football.

In response to the Premier’s announcement, the NSW Office of Sport is finalising an overarching framework which will guide the resumption of community sport throughout NSW. State Sporting Organisations have been informed that the framework will be distributed to sports when the current Public Health Order (PHO) is lifted.

NNSWF has been preparing for the lifting of the PHO and the resumption of community sport by drafting football specific guidelines which will clearly outline how clubs in the first instance, resume training. The Return to Training Guidelines need to be assessed against the Office of Sport Framework in the first instance to ensure that Football is compliant.

The anticipated lifting of the PHO in NSW and similar action in other States and territories prompted FFA to transition the authority to lift the suspension of all football activity to the Member Federations. The FFA Circular is available here.

NNSWF is committed to lifting the suspension and allowing clubs to return to training as soon as possible. Before this can occur the guidelines need to be approved by the relevant government authority and the Board of Directors needs to have every confidence that Management has taken reasonable steps to ensure that zones, clubs, coaches and players and parents are aware of the guidelines and have the capacity to comply fully. NNSWF has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of participants and the broader community. Rushing the resumption of training without adequate consideration and education may impede the resumption of competitive football in the coming months.

It is important that clubs note that all football activity remains suspended until further notice. Clubs are also reminded that some Local Government Authorities (LGA’s) and Crown Lands closed local sporting facilities in response to the pandemic. If this is the case in your area, please liaise with your Member Zone to ensure fields have been reopened in readiness for the lifting of the current suspension.

Please remain patient, we assure you we will update you as soon as we have any further information.

Source: Tom Tsamouras

As most parents would have seen with the Premier’s announcement, some restrictions, including sporting restrictions, will be lifted this Friday 15th May.

As of yet, we have not been given an indication of how this may impact community sport.

The Office of Sport will be following this up and provide an overarching framework which will guide the resumption of sport throughout NSW.

Football’s draft guidelines will be aligned to the overarching framework. When Northern NSW football pass on to the Clubs, with the guidelines set, we will pass on to all.

Until then, all football activity remains suspended and a Public Health Order is still in force.

source: Con Gounis

Northern NSW Football, its seven (7) member Zones and Clubs are continuing to work together to plan the resumption of community football, positioning the sport to commence after the Federal and State Government health authorities deem it safe.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the National Cabinet had agreed to principles in relation to sport, Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said Northern NSW Football & Football NSW are collaborating to develop a set of guidelines that will support the commencement of community football as soon as possible across the state.

“Northern NSW Football and Football NSW have already commenced working together with our Member Zones and Club delegates to develop state-wide guidelines and recommendations to assist guide clubs and participants to get back on the park.

“This is certainly a step forward for community football, we’re all looking forward to the day football may resume,” said Eland.
Northern NSW Football has continuously monitored developments and has been in constant contact with FFA and Governments to ensure that we will only return to the field when it is deemed safe to do so.

“We recognise that participants in Northern NSW Football administered competitions and those implemented by our seven (7) Member Zones are eager to know that football will be ready to recommence and that will happen once health authorities give the go ahead.

“Playing football will provide significant social and mental health benefits to our participants and we will be ready to go at the earliest possible opportunity.
Northern NSW will continue to monitor any changes made by the NSW Government in relation to the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 which is currently preventing sport from being conducted and expires at midnight on 29 June 2020.

Eland said Northern NSW Football, its Zones and Clubs had also engaged with local Councils, summer sporting organisations and other users of venues to discuss an extension of time for football to use facilities.
“Football, like other winter sports, uses multi-use venues, impacting 70,000 football players across northern NSW alone.

Many Councils have been sympathetic to the impact and we are working closely with our Zones and other sports in relation to moving the transition date from Winter to Summer sports back, to be fair for all sports.”
Whilst the exact date of return to play relies on the lifting of Government restrictions, Northern NSW, its Zones and Clubs are working on a series of scenarios and competition formats that is focused on providing as much football opportunities as possible in the time frame that the sport will have at its disposal.

Eland thanks the broader football community and its many players, families, officials, administrators, sponsors and volunteers.

“What has been particularly pleasing is how everyone has worked together and supported our actions and recommendations to address this pandemic.
“I am confident football will come out the other end of this more united.”

Northern NSW Football supports the Australian Government’s COVIDSafe app as part of their plan to slow the spread of COVID-19. The app, launched by the Federal Government, will help state and territory health officials to quickly alert people who may be at risk of having contact with the virus.

In order to help the grassroots football community, stay active and connected throughout the temporary suspension period, FFA recently launched an online Skills Hub, developed in association with each of Australia’s nine Member Federations.

To access the Skills Hub and get involved with the #PlayAtHomeChallenge, please visit http://www.playfootball.com.au/skills-hub
source: Tom Tsamouras