As many of you are aware, the recent communication coming from both Federal and State Governments is that changes in NSW are on the horizon regarding the relaxation of some of the social distancing directives that have recently been put in place. Although this does not confirm that community sport will resume it does provide us with hope. With that in mind, there is still a long road to travel. We are still guided by not only our Federal , State and Local Governments but the Football Federation Australia (FFA), Football NSW (FNSW), and the Nepean Football Association (NFA).

Recently, the NFA sent you all an email that stepped you through a number of options regarding your registration for season 2020.  Below is an extract from that email that details these options – please ensure you read them as the 24^th May cut off date is fast approaching. There is also a link to the original email at the end of this email.

Our Club wants for nothing more but to see football being played at Summerhayes. Unfortunately, we do not have the understanding of if or when our football season will commence and if it does, what form or structure it will take.

We do however appreciate and expect that it will be different.

What could potentially change if we do resume?

The reality is we do not know exactly, all we can do is share what we anticipate and have been preparing for.

We anticipate:

• a limitation in crowd attendance to games and training;
• Increased hygiene measures;
• Social distancing measures;
• Limitation in canteen sales or no canteen at all;
• Scheduled game changes including the possibility of midweek games and home games away from Summerhayes; and
• No gathering before or after games and training.

We would like to stress that the above is not confirmed, it is not even suggested by our governing bodies, it is just the Committee surmising about what the potential could be. We wish we could be a little clearer or communicate something that gives you more certainty to assist you in making your decision. Unfortunately, we do not know until we receive firm direction and clear guidelines from our Federal, State, and Local Governments, the FFA, FNSW, and the NFA.

We do take this opportunity to also remind you that until further directed by the Club:

• The lightening of restriction does not give coaches or any member the authority to conduct or instigate training;
• The Club is still awaiting guidance from our 3 levels of Government, The Institute of Sport (AIS) and our Governing Bodies regarding the rules around training structure and attendance;
• Summerhayes Park is still currently closed by Council and by Springwood United so remains closed for all Football activity;
• We (Springwood United), will advise when football activity can resume.

Please revisit the NFA email linked below.

Thank you again for your patience understanding and cooperation. We hope you are all keeping safe and well.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact:

Peter Dempsey: chairman@springwoodunited.com.au

Damon Dreves: footballmanager@springwoodunited.com.au

Regards,
Springwood United FC Committee

The options available are as follows:
 
Option 1 – Remain registered with your club and take part in competitions offered for 2020 Winter season.  If no season is played, we will refund your club 100% of fees we have charged them for your participation.  We cannot regulate what your club will refund you of the portion of fees they have collected for your membership with them, but you are guaranteed back AT LEAST the portion paid up to us by your club.  We expect that most clubs will also clearly communicate with you their own refund policy. 
 
If the season is shortened, we will proportionately refund your club (which we expect to be passed onto you) a pro-rata refund of fees based on the percentage of lost games to a regular-season excluding championship tournament and finals matches (it has already been determined that we will not be playing finals this season).  

Option 2 – De-register Before Sunday, May 24^th, and receive a full refund. This option will be available from today until the 24^th May ONLY and you will have the opportunity to de-register and receive a refund of the amount paid to your club (less any equipment you retain, less Active Kids Voucher and less any unpaid fees owing to your club).  We are asking all clubs NOT to retain any portion of your fees (except for the above) if you choose this option. If you choose this option, you will NOT be able to re-register for the 2020 Winter competition should it start.
 
Please note that if you used an Active Kids Rebate Voucher, you are not entitled to have that amount refunded to you.  The State Government gives your club the option, should they choose to do so, to transfer it to another sport of your choice once your registration with that new sport is confirmed by the governing body.  Please note, a club is not obliged to transfer the value of the AKV to a new sport.
 
De-registration closes before 5pm on Sunday 24th May (NO Exceptions).
 
From this point onwards, your clubs will have 14 days to revise the composition of their teams, withdraw without penalty any teams which are no longer viable due to player withdrawals, and will resubmit their team numbers based on new revised numbers.  Any further de-registrations or team withdrawals after the stipulated dates (24/5/20 for De-registration & 7^th June for team withdrawals, will attract the usual de-registration and team withdrawal fees.

Terms and Conditions of De-registration

If a player (or parent of a player in the case of a minor) decides to de-register as a player in the 2020 Nepean FA winter competition between April 24, 2020 and May 24, 2020 they will receive a full refund of any registrations fees paid by the player (or parent of the player) to association by their club for the 2020 winter season.

1. NFA will credit the club member via their club any valid and verified claims for refund on or before 21^st June.
2. The player (or parent) acknowledges that once the refund is received, they have no further claim on either Nepean FA or its Member’s clubs and that they are not eligible to claim against any insurance policy provided by Nepean FA or Football NSW.
3. The refund amount to clubs will be for registrations fees paid up to Nepean FA by the club on the player’s behalf only and will not be for any other items including, but not limited to, club membership fees, match fees, equipment, academies or additional coaching.
4. Players and parents acknowledge that by de-registering they will only be refunded any amount they have personally paid. They acknowledge that by de-registering, they forfeit any voucher redeemed as part of the registration Active Kids Voucher (if claimed as part of this registration) subject to the terms and conditions of the Active Kids Voucher program.
5. To de-register and claim the refund, the player (or parent) must complete the de-registration process by logging into their player profile at www.playfootball.com.au  by 5pm on Sunday May 24, 2020. No de-registrations or refund claims will be accepted after this date and time.
6. Players who are De-registered under this provision will NOT be eligible to re-register for the 2020 Winter competition at any Nepean FA club.
7. Should the number of scheduled games for the 2020 winter season be reduced to less than 14 games, then the player will be credited with an amount equivalent to the amount of games that are not able to be scheduled. e. if only 11 games are scheduled then the player would lose 3 games worth of value so would be provided with a credit of 3/14 of the amount they paid towards their registration fee.
8. Should NFA not be able to schedule any games for the 2020 winter season, then 100% of the registration fee paid to NFA by the player would be credited to the player via their club.

We know it’s a lot to take in, but we wanted to be as fair as possible in our dealings with you and with your clubs.  Above all else, we wanted to demonstrate our intention of goodwill to all our clubs and our players, in the fervent hope that you will either stick with us this year, or return to us in 2021 for another shot at playing the beautiful game. 

View full Update #2 to Nepean FA Participants below: