Important Athletics Ireland Insurance Update - July 2020
Athletics Ireland Insurers Issue Important Insurance Update
July 1st 2020
Athletics Ireland's Insurers have formally advised Cork Athletics County Board that Non-Permit Events are NOT COVERED by AAI's Insurance.
Therefore ALL such events should Cease Immediately
A small number of Cork clubs and individuals have recently organised events outside the Athletics Ireland permit system. Social media posts suggest that more, and larger scale, events are being planned.
Cork Athletics County Board has received numerous complaints, from the general public, about organised events in recent weeks - and one must consider the Marketing 'rule of thumb' = 96% of people don't complain, so we're really only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
The organisers believe that these races and, as some refer to them, time trials, are outside the Permit system because they are free of charge, or are confined club events, with 'guests'.
AAI Insurers have advised Cork Athletics that "the rules and Guidance of AAI, and therefore the Insurers, are very clear and concise. There is a clear onus on the clubs to follow the rules as set out by AAI and Dept of Sport, Sport Ireland
In the case of "any event being organised outside of the Guidance set out, the clubs or individuals promoting these do not have any cover."
If any event is open to more than that clubs own members, there is "a requirement to have an Athletics Ireland Event Permit, with the relevant Covid officer and Covid Risk Assessment in place"
In addition to the above the organisation of unapproved events by registered Athletics Ireland Clubs and individual members puts the Athletics Ireland Insurance policy at risk.
In Summary
All Athletics Ireland Clubs and Individuals are REQUIRED to comply with HSE and AAI Guidelines
ANY event operated outside these guidelines is NOT covered by Athletics Ireland Insurance
The Officers and Individuals organising events outside the guidelines assume PERSONAL Liability
Any event involving individuals who are NOT members of that club MUST have an Athletics Ireland Permit
Any Event, whether or not confined solely to a club's members, MUST have a COVID Officer AND a COVID Risk Assessment MUST have been carried out.
* * * * * *
The County Board is aware of one recent club organised event where overall numbers in excess of guidelines took place, with athletes from several clubs involved, along with significant travel. Several complaints have been received from the general public about this event.
Other clubs and individuals have organised, or are in the process, of organising more such events.
PLEASE STOP!
The Entire Country Has Endured So Much in Getting to This Stage
Please DON'T put it all at risk - You won't be thanked for it!
Editorial Comment
Tortoise or Jackrabbit - Germany or Florida - Which are You?
Huge progress has been made, with many sacrifices, and some making the ultimate sacrifice, but the Pandemic hasn't gone away - in the past week or so, we have seen the virus break out again in various parts of Europe - Leicester, Costa del Sol, Algarve, among others. Melbourne (Aus) has seen a resurgence, and the position in the U.S. doesn't bear thinking about.
This morning, an individual travelling to Spain on holidays was interviewed on RTE Radio 1 News. When asked if he was worried about the risks, he responded "I'm young, fit and healthy. I'm an athlete!" ....As if his AAI membership card would provide immunity! ...Perhaps someone should tell Donald Trump! (no idea if the man was an AAI member or not)
Last Thursday, CSO released their findings from a survey into peoples attitudes to various activities during this phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The above graphic, which appeared in last Saturday's Irish Times, gives an illustration of the public's attitude towards large scale outdoor events at this time. While it may, or may not, be fair refer to races as having "no social distance", race starts and finishes are not a million miles away from that, even with the best social distancing. So... Maybe as little as 9% are making the most noise about the return, while as much as 82% are either "Uncomfortable or very uncomfortable"
The 82% figure must be worrysome for event organisers. If only half that number were to stay away from racing for the immediate future, then there might be serious ramifications for the organisers. Imagine the last event you ran in, and consider if the numbers were down by over 40%! Sure the first race or two may attract bigger numbers, as some are probably 'rabid' for races and will travel to them. but...after that, and until the virus is eradicated, in one way or another, we are likely to see significantly smaller numbers at events. And...if organisers are seen to be cavalier or negligent... they and their sponsors may suffer longer term damage.
CSO Survey graphic
Lots of people are 'chomping at the bit' to get back, but if the CSO stats are to be believed, the clamour is coming from a minority. True, we all want to get back to 'normal'....but most want to 'release the handbrake' slowly.
This week, we saw one of the largest and most popular races around fall, when the organising club found that the risk posed by the Virus, given the participant and organising numbers, and the scale of the event posed too high a risk to the Health and Welfare of all concerned.
Another upcoming club event, with an AAI permit, has scaled back the event to smaller numbers. This is to be commended - we must walk before we sprint. The Athletics Ireland preference is to start with small scale events, before moving on. We must learn from these smaller scale events first. This is new territory for us all, and event organisers now have increased responsibilities, along with a range of new responsibilities
Other Observations
Some organisers of events outside Cork (these are not direct club organised events, and most are unregistered anyway) have posted on line that they are not going to follow AAI Guidelines because the are onerous and unnecessary. I would refer them to the advice, above, from AAI insurers. HSE and AAI guidelines ARE onerous. They are there for good and valid reasons. Any event organiser that decides not to follow the these guideline had better have their own good and valid reason ....or, in the event of an incident/claim, they may find 'their backside hanging out the window!"
One reason cited for the guidelines being "unrealistic" is the inclusion of spectators in the overall permissable event numbers, saying that this is unreasonable, as they have no control over people coming to their house gates to watch the race go by.
This is a rather frivolous point, for several reasons:
The event risk assessment will already have identified any location where spectators are likely to assemble. Control measures will then need to be put in place for these and, yes, those spectator numbers will need to be included. BUT... Pre-Covid...How many such locations were there at most races.
In the COVID-19 era, people are avoiding runners, with some openly hostile, particularly towards (even socially distancing) groups, but especially towards groups that are perceived not to be socially distancing......so you are unlikely to see crowds spectating, except, maybe, near the start and finish - and those numbers and areas MUST be in your COVID and race plans, and risk assessment.
Finally, the spectator issue was actually raised in relation to people looking on from the gates of their homes on rural roads. Such incidental spectators do not, realistically, need to be considered in the overall numbers. In practice, Pre-COVID, it would have been unusual for such spectators to be inside the current social distance criteria. Post-COVID ...unlikely to be a problem....BUT you will be considering as part of your various risk assessments.
