Dear Parents,

As we approach the festive season, in what can only be described as unique circumstances, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Club Committee for all of the tireless help and support that they have given to me and provided to us all in maintaining both this wonderful club and facilities that we all share.

I also wish to thank all of the wonderful coaches that we have within our club, who give their time freely and have stepped up to help coach and guide all of the underage and senior players within our teams.

A special thanks you to all of the parents of our underage players, who through the challenging times that we face together, continue to get the kids in to both training sessions as well as the matches, where they kids represent our club with a smile on their face and a determination to be the best player that they can be.

I would also like to take this opportunity to implore that more parents get involved at underage level, as with your help and the guidance from our more senior coaches, we will be able to ensure that every girl and boy gets an equal opportunity to progress through the age groups and represent the senior club in the years to come.

On a separate note, as the Covid figures continue to rise and more restrictions were put in place this past week, I wish to assure you that we as a committee will endeavour to keep the club and our facilities as safe as possible for players, coaches and parents alike.

With that in mind, the committee wish to advise that there are a number of groups from the MSL (ETP underage), the FAI and Charity events that are renting our facilities during the Christmas period and there is a need for these to maintain their own social bubbles. Unfortunately this means that players will have to stay away from the club unless your team coach has organised either an official training session or challenge match, this also means that players from teams cannot be dropped off by parents to train on their own in an unofficial capacity.

All of the team coaches will liaise with Brian Kinnarney in relation to pitch availability, to ensure that we not only have the correct Covid Track and Trace protocols in place for these groups but also for our teams within the club.

I also request that if your child develops symptoms, is awaiting Covid Test results or is meant to be in isolation that you keep them at home and do not allow them to train with their team and put that group at risk.

On behalf of myself and the committee I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and look forward to seeing everyone return in early January.

Regards,

Alan Kelly

Chairman Tullamore Town FC