The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Definition

57.—(1) An elite sportsperson is a person who is—

(a) a domestic elite sportsperson (see definition in paragraph 58),

(b) an international elite sportsperson (see definition in paragraph 59),

(c) a domestic ancillary sportsperson, (see definition in paragraph 60) or

(d) an international ancillary sportsperson (see definition in paragraph 61).

(2) Further definitions relevant to this entry are given in paragraph 62.

58.—(1) For the purposes of this entry “domestic elite sportsperson” means an individual who is a domestic elite athlete.

(2) For the purposes of this entry “elite athlete” means an individual who—

(a) derives a living from competing in a sport,

(b) plays in a professional league or competition,

(c) is a senior representative nominated by a relevant sporting body, or

(d) is on an elite development pathway for a major competition.

59.—(1) For the purposes of this entry “international elite sportsperson” means an individual who is an international elite athlete.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph “international elite athlete” means an individual who—

(a) derives a living from competing in a sport,

(b) plays in a professional league or competition,

(c) is a senior representative nominated by a relevant sporting body, or

(d) is on an elite development pathway for a major competition.

60.  For the purposes of this entry “domestic ancillary sportsperson” means an individual essential to—

(a) the running of an elite sports event, including—

(i) operational staff essential to the running of that elite sports event,

(ii) event officials and referees, or

(b) the support of a domestic elite sportsperson, including—

(i) sports team medical, logistical, technical and administration staff,

(ii) individual domestic elite sportsperson medical and technical support staff,

(iii) horse grooms and trainers,

(iv) motorsport mechanics and technical staff,

(v) the parent or carer of a domestic elite sportsperson under the age of 18.

61.  For the purposes of this entry “international ancillary sportsperson” means an individual essential to—

(a) the running of a specified competition, including—

(i) operational staff essential to the running of a specified competition,

(ii) competition officials and referees,

(iii) broadcast staff and journalists covering a specified competition, or

(b) the support of an international elite sportsperson, including—

(i) sports team medical, logistical, technical and administration staff,

(ii) individual international elite sportsperson medical and technical support staff,

(iii) horse grooms and trainers,

(iv) motorsport mechanics and technical staff,

(v) the parent or carer of an international elite sportsperson under the age of 18.

62.  For the purposes of this entry—

“elite development pathway” means a development pathway established by a recognised national governing body of a sport to prepare sportspersons—

(a)

so that they may derive a living from competing in that sport, or

(b)

to compete in a major competition in that sport,

“elite sports event” means a specified competition or other sporting event in which the participants compete—

(a)

to derive a living, or

(b)

to qualify for the right to compete in a major competition,

“major competition” means the following, where they are scheduled to be held in 2021 or 2022—

(a)

the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or Commonwealth Games,

(b)

a European, World or international championship organised by the international governing body of a sport, or national governing bodies of a sport,

(c)

an inter-county league or inter-county competition in Northern Ireland or Ireland, where that league or competition is organised by the national governing body of a sport,

“major competition qualifying event” means a specified competition or other sporting event in which the participants compete to qualify for the right to compete in a major competition.

“relevant sporting body” in relation to a sportsperson means—

(a)

the recognised national governing body of a sport which may nominate athletes to compete in a major competition, or

(b)

the regional governing body of a sport which may nominate athletes to represent a county in Northern Ireland or Ireland in an inter-county league or inter-county competition, where that league or competition is organised by the national governing body of the sport,

“senior representative” means an individual who is considered by a relevant sporting body to be a candidate to qualify to compete—

(a)

in a major competition,

(b)

on behalf of a county in Northern Ireland or Ireland, in an inter-county league or inter-county competition where that league or competition is organised by the national governing body of a sport,

“specified competition” means a competition which is specified as such by the Department, and the Department may publish details of specified competitions in such manner as appears to it to be appropriate.