'NON-ELITE' FOOTBALL SUSPENDED FOLLOWING LATEST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

The RAF FA remain committed to getting all RAF Football back up and running when it is safe to do and direction from the UK Government, The FA and RAF Directorate of Sport allow us to do so. The current situation and 2020-21 season implications will be discussed at the RAF FA Board of Trustees meeting on 25 Jan 21 and we will continue to communicate via social media platforms and to our Leagues and Clubs.

The FA has issued the following statement and guidance:

We note the UK Government’s announcement on Monday 4 January with regards to the new national COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.

As a result, the impact on ‘non-elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following with immediate effect:

* Steps three to six of the National League System
* Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid
* Regional NLS feeder leagues
* Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite status)
* FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs (unless under elite status)
* All indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under-18s (except organised outdoor football for                            disabled people, which is allowed to continue)
        *      Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)

It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and we implore everyone to follow these. 

Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County Football Associations and we will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant.

We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society.


Meanwhile, The RAF Directorate of Sport has issued the following:

In light of the PM’s announcement extant and emerging Air direction and guidance and in accordance with the imposition of the new lockdowns in England and the Devolved Administrations (DA), 

RAF Sport activity (fixtures, training camps, Overseas Visits, etc.) is suspended until further notice, with any recommencement unlikely to be before mid-Feb.

This is a return to the conditions of the initial and second lockdowns of last year, with no duty or off duty RAF association or unit level sport (including virtual activity) being permitted.  Administration of associations and unit clubs may continue within direction and guidance.

Exercise may be conducted by individuals in their own time in accordance with the National Lockdown Guidance, published on 4 Jan or the equivalent in the DA.

Permission for any exception to this direction, to mitigate future safety or maintenance risk, is to be staffed via the Chair/Responsible Person to DRS for associations and HoE for unit level sport.  

This direction is in order to ensure we can maintain essential outputs, keep the Force healthy, contribute to the safety of the wider population and safeguard our reputation.