Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland coronavirus restrictions for sport outlined in FAQ

Sport NI has offered guidance to clubs and athletes amid the latest round of Covid-19 restrictions.

The NI Executive announced new regulations on October 14, with a widespread suspension of all sports except those which fall under the 'elite' category.

There has been some confusion over the new rules, including what falls under the 'elite' bracket of sport.

Sport NI has produced a FAQ information sheet to clarify the latest rules.

It includes the definition of an 'elite athlete', and also states that non-contact training can continue but is limited to 15 people.

It also says that no indoor sport of any kind is allowed, other than at elite level.

The full FAQ can be accessed here.

Meanwhile, NI Sport will hold a virtual meeting with all governing sport bodies this Thursday to provide further advice and clarification.

On the agenda will be the ongoing debate surrounding the attendance of spectators at elite sporting events.

Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin held a Zoom meeting with sports bodies on Monday and has called for fixtures to be held behind closed doors.

It is understood that elite sporting fixtures will continue with fans during Northern Ireland's four-week mini-lockdown.

Sport NI CEO Antoinette McKeown said: "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."

If sports have other specific queries that are not answered by the above they should submit these through  returntosport@sportni.net

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.