TO HELP PROVIDE SOME CLARIFICATION AROUND COVID-19’S IMPACT ON GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL, LINCOLNSHIRE FA HAS PRODUCED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION AND ANSWER SHEET

Is The Lincolnshire FA Still Open For Business?

Yes, whilst the office is closed following Government guidance, all staff are currently working remotely and are eager to provide as much support to clubs and leagues as possible. 

Please follow this link for staff contact details.

Can We Still Charge Club Subscriptions Whilst All Football Is Postponed?

This is a club decision. We would advise that you consult with players, parents and guardians on reaching a decision. Clubs who own / lease facilities will still have bills to pay and this should be explained. However, clubs should be mindful of people who are currently out of work as result of COVID-19 or have had their working hours reduced and may struggle to make payments. 

Could you offer payment holidays for those in need ? 

Can you allow subscriptions to be paid in instalments? 

Would people be prepared to pay an advance on their subs to help the club out in the short-term if they are able to? 

Is There Any Funding For Clubs During This Time?

As things stand there is no football specific emergency grant funding available to support clubs. We would draw your attention to the support announced by the Chancellor in response to COVID-19.

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses, including:
• a statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs   
• a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England   
• small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
• grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
• a new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans  
• the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Is My League Going To Finish? What About Cup Finals?

On Thursday 26 March, The FA decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019/20 season. This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season. We at the Lincolnshire Football Association will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions. Where appropriate, the above decisions will be put to The FA Council for ratification. In relation to County Cups a decision on the way forward will be communicated once a decision has been made. 

You can read this statement in full HERE

Can I Attend / Affiliate Summer Tournaments?

All football is currently postponed. As a result of this Lincolnshire FA will not be sanctioning any tournaments until the suspension is lifted by The FA.

What Happens With My Club's Charter Standard Annual Health Check?

The Charter Standard Annual Health Check deadline has been extended to the 30 April. County FAs have been encouraged to take into consideration the current situation, when assessing the Annual Health Check regarding any incomplete action plan points. Team Officials having a DBS in order to approve the Annual Health Check, has been removed as essential criteria for the short term. 

Should you have any further questions regarding this please email chris.funnell@lincolnshirefa.com 

Can I Still Have My FA DBS Verified?

The FA has considered the impact of Covid-19 on FA DBS checks taking into account social distancing, self-isolation, the suspension of football activities, the challenges posed by verification of documents, cost to applicants, the NHS volunteer surge and the needs of the care and health sector for additional checks. As such no new FA DBS applications (including renewals) be processed until further notice.

If A Coach’s DBS Expires During This Time Can They Continue Coaching After The Season Restarts?

All coaches must have an accepted DBS if they are working in regulated activity with young people under the age of 18. We are awaiting further advice from The FA in relation to the renewal of DBS checks for those that have expired.  

When Will Coach Education Courses Resume? 

Lincolnshire FA will continue to follow FA and Government advice with regards to the delivery of our activity over the coming weeks, including the delivery of coach and referee education courses.

Due to current advice received, all coach and referee education courses due to take place before 30th April will be postponed. Learners who have booked onto courses will be contacted to provide updates and the option to transfer to another course later in the year. Learners on courses starting after 30th April 2020 will be contacted closer to the course start date to confirm if the course will be taking place and the course arrangements.

For further information on our coach education courses, please email zoe.hopewell@lincolnshirefa.com

Can I still action/pay my discipline?

Yes. We encourage everyone to use the Whole Game System to do this.  For those that usually come into the office to deal with this, please wait until football resumes to sort.

Will I still receive late fines/suspensions if I do not deal with the discipline?

The system is set up to issue late fines and suspensions automatically so they will still come through although if any fines/suspensions occur during this time, we will rescind these fines.

Will my suspension still stand?

Yes. At the moment any ongoing suspension will continue as soon as football continues.  If there is any change to this, we will let you know as and when we know.

For further information please email discipline@lincolnshirefa.com