As of 2 December, the country has been released from national lockdown and placed into a stricter 3-tier system first established in October.

We are pleased to confirm, after receiving government advice last night, that lacrosse can be played in all tiers as long as it is in strict adherence to Phase 4 Return to Play guidelines.

There are some restrictions to note and also an emphasis on compliance. England Lacrosse will be hosting a webinar for everyone from the lacrosse community to join on Thursday 3 December from 6pm, followed by an officiating specific webinar at 7.45pm-8.15pm to discuss these points further.

Lacrosse received approval from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for its return to play plan in August. Since then, the lacrosse community has respected both playing and social distancing rules set out in the return to play guidance. We would like to thank you for your continued support in obeying the guidance.

As is set out in the government guidance we would like to highlight the following statements.

Social interaction can only take place in line with legal gathering limits and other relevant restrictions when not playing. Observing the rules during play but then disregarding them after (e.g. by socialising in breach of the wider restrictions) is unlawful, irresponsible and jeopardises both public health and the case for safe sport to continue.
You are advised not to travel into or out of tier 3 areas, including for sport, unless this is necessary to enable individual exercise (or exercise for people from the same household or support bubble). Where this is necessary (for example to access a green space for a run or cycle), you should only travel a short distance and stay as local as possible. Travel is also permitted where it is necessary to enable sport for disabled people, sport for educational purposes, or supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, to take place, but should still be minimised and kept to short distances only.
In tier 2 areas: you should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make, where possible.

Sporting activities are permitted despite wider restrictions because of the benefits of sport and physical activity for people’s physical and mental wellbeing. If people act irresponsibly when participating in sport (including off the pitch, and when socialising before and after activity) they jeopardise public health and undermine the case for safe sport to take place.

National governing bodies should ensure that clubs / leagues / providers are running their activities safely, and should take action to address any issues, including putting in place additional measures or suspending players / teams / leagues / clubs which do not adhere to guidance. If there are serious or consistent concerns with a particular sport which the NGB cannot or does not address, the NGB’s approval may be revoked so that the sport cannot take place.

The message to us all is clear, enjoy your sport safely and within the rules.

A return to play help webpage has been set up to assist with further information or answer questions.

England Lacrosse is delighted, as we’re sure you all will be, with a return to competitive outdoor lacrosse and we hope that everyone joins the collective effort to make sure this Return to Play is a successful one.

The full supporting documents for Phase 4 can be found on the Coronavirus section of the website.

For any Return to Play related enquiries contact: covid@englandlacrosse.co.uk