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• Gymnastics NSW exists to encourage, develop, promote and control the study and practice of gymnastics as an art form and sport. We promote participation as beneficial to the physical, mental and social well-being of the people of New South Wales. 

 

• Gymnastics NSW is the peak body who represents 220 clubs and a workforce of almost 4,000 coaches, officials and club administrators. Gymnastics NSW sets industry standards to ensure the safety and quality of gymnastics programs across the state.

 

• Gymnastics is the third most played sport for people under 14 years of age and the third most played sport for women and girls (AUSPLAY 2020). 

 

• Gymnastics NSW has in excess of 70,000 registered members and almost 500,000 unique participants (excluding Sporting Schools) when non registered categories of holiday clinics and birthday parties are included. 

 

• 90% of the sports participants are under 12 years of age. 

 

• 75% of participants are female. 

 

• Gymnastics clubs turn over approximately $100 million in New South Wales each year. 

 

• 2,500 people are employed within gymnastics in New South Wales each year.

 

• 90%, or rather 2,250 of the sports coaching workforce are paid employees. Of these it is estimated, based upon a survey completed by 80% of the states 2020 clubs, that 1,700 have been stood down during this crisis with many of these unable to access JobKeeper because their employer was unable to pay wages in advance of receiving the payment. 

 

• Over half of the sports gymnastics clubs are private business with the remaining half a combination of PCYC’s, Not for Profit’s, YMCA’s, RSL’s and private schools.

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The Purpose of this Plan

 

The purpose of the Return to Gymnastics Plan is to:

 

• Provide guidance to gymnastics clubs in New South Wales on requirements for clubs to support a COVID safe workplace for training and participation.

 

• Establish regulations for the recommencement of competitions, courses, programs and high performance training.

 

• Provide government with an assurance that gymnastics is a reliable partner who is working to achieve the shared objective of a COVID safe community.

In preparing this plan Gymnastics NSW has adopted best practices from:

 

• NSW Health

 

• Safe Work NSW

 

• NSW Sport and Recreation

 

• Sport Australia

 

• NSW Department of Education

 

• Gymnastics Australia including the Gymnastics Australia Chief Medical Officer

 

• Providers of gymnastics equipment

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Our Commitment

 

Gymnastics clubs will play an important role in reducing the rate of transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace and community. This plan is predicated upon key public and workplace health requirements and adopts the key recommendations of NSW Health to control the transmission of COVID 19 by promoting:

 

• Physical distancing

 

• Good hand hygiene and the cleaning and disinfectant of the environment.

 

• Stay at home if unwell or exhibiting and symptoms of the virus.

 

• Contract tracing through mandatory use of the Service NSW QR Check In. 

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Gymnastics clubs also have a responsibility to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of participants, volunteers and employees which includes their physical and mental wellbeing. We have a duty to consult with employees and their representatives on all health and safety matters including COVID 19. 

 

As demonstrated during the lockdown phase, Gymnastics NSW will maintain frequent communication with clubs, coaches and officials to reinforce COVID 19 related regulations, policies and best practices, and to provide clubs with tools and resources to promote a safe gymnastics environment.

 

The Return to Gymnastics Plan includes 9 sections:

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The Return to Gymnastics Plan includes nine sections:

 

Part A: Physical Distancing

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Part B: Hygiene and Biosecurity
 

Part C: If unwell, stay home
 

Part D: Contact Tracing
 

Part E: Workplace Health and Safety (Including Risk Review and COVID Safe Coordinator)

 

Part F: Vaccination
 

Part G: Return to Competition
 

Part H: Return to Gymnastics Participation
 

Part I: Return to Courses

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Part J: Return to Office

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Each of these sections provide:

 

• The latest government regulations

 

• Practical advice to ensure compliance with government regulations and health objectives

 

• Risk assessments 

 

• Social distancing considerations

 

• Biosecurity and hygiene information and links to best practice

 

• Signage reinforcing best practice

 

Monitoring and Review​

 

Gymnastics NSW will ensure awareness of government regulations through a centrally controlled risk register that all clubs will be required to complete. The tool will identify non-compliant conduct and enable the Gymnastics NSW team to work with these clubs to ensure best practice. 

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Gymnastics NSW will ensure awareness of government regulations through a centrally controlled risk register that all clubs will be required to complete. The tool will identify non-compliant conduct and enable the Gymnastics NSW team to work with these clubs to ensure best practice. 

 

Gymnastics NSW will regularly check official COVID 19 information from the following sources:

 

1. Australian Government Department of Health 
    

2. NSW Health 
    

3. NSW COVID-19 Website
    

4. NSW Safe Work 
    

5. Safe Work Australia 
    

6. NSW Sport and Recreation 
    

7. Australian Institute of Sport 
    

8. Sport Australia 
    

9. Gymnastics Australia 

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Promotion

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Gymnastics NSW and member clubs will adopt and display Australian and NSW government posters outlining COVID safe behaviours. 

 

This plan will be promoted through a dedicated Gymnastics NSW COVID 19 website. It will be reviewed regularly and amended as new guidelines and information is released by government. 

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