SUBJECT:

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR SCHOOLS, PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CARERS REGARDING THE LEVEL 3 MERSEYSIDE SCHOOL GAMES GIRLS’ FOOTBALL, 22ND MARCH 2017.

The organisers of the Level 3 Merseyside School Games have recently been advised that a change to the regulations concerning use of the iPitch surface at Halton Stadium, where the Level 3 Merseyside School Games Girls’ Football event will take place on the 22nd March 201, has come into effect, following a review of health and safety at the stadium.

THIS CHANGE AFFECTS ALL PLAYERS (including all girls participating in the Level 3 Merseyside School Games) AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE AT A PACE ABOVE NORMAL WALKING PACE at the event (for example team leaders/coaches/referees etc.) Anyone falling in the category above must now comply with Clause 24 of the updated iPitch regulations for Halton Stadium which states:

Correct footwear (as detailed below) must be worn at all times on the artificial surface. Any footwear other than listed below is NOT suitable and therefore should not be worn. It remains the responsibility of the hirer to ensure correct footwear is worn at all times. Failure to do so could result the forfeiture of the booking and consequent bookings without any adjustment of fees.

Acceptable Footwear

Football Boots - Studs

Football Boots – Blades

Moulded Boots

We have sought additional clarification from the stadium, which and would also add that as this is a juniors event only plastic boots (i.e. not metal studs) will be permitted for use by players.

For further clarification Astro trainers will not be permitted.

In addition affected individuals will need to wear trainers to arrive at the venue and for use throughout all areas of the stadium other than the pitch to ensure safety across all other floor surfaces (e.g. stand seating areas, internal and external stairs, internal rooms etc). Changing into pitch-suitable footwear should take place at the pitch side and on leaving the pitch individuals must change back into trainers.

Players and other individuals affected will not be allowed on the pitch without suitable footwear as detailed above, therefore to ensure full teams are able to play, Schools are advised to ensure all affected individuals are made aware of this requirement.

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We apologise for any inconvenience this announcement may cause, however we do hope that schools, parents, guardian and carers will agree that the opportunity to play at this elite-standard venue is a fantastic one for the young people and worth going the extra mile for.