You should all be aware that NASA authorised race meetings, at least until the lifting of restrictions which is provisionally promised to England on 21 June, are being run as closed events, with only licenced members being admitted and with the number of people on site controlled by pre-entry.
This doesn’t suit everyone, but is absolutely necessary for clubs to be able to hold events within our interpretation of the law, as it stands.
We’ve unfortunately become aware of a few incidents of these conditions being breached, with individuals attempting to access events where they were not registered.
This is a very serious matter as it puts the host club at risk of penalties and jeopardises NASA’s ability to authorise events, which are dependent on compliance with our detailed and robust risk assessments.
Offenders to date have been dealt with by the clubs and leagues concerned, with penalties including bans from race venues and withdrawal of members’ licences.
Any future incidents will be subject to full NASA disciplinary procedures, with penalties up to a three year ban from holding any form of NASA licence. These penalties will extend to members considered to have aided and abetted an attempt to breach NASA’s covid guidelines.
We’re sorry to have to take these steps, but we must act to enforce what we hope will be short term restrictions. Like all of you, we look forward to the ever closer day when Autograss events will again be open and welcoming to all, but until then we must protect the sport and our members and comply with government guidelines.