National Mourning Guidance following passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) joins the United Kingdom in mourning the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8th. Following the demise of Her Majesty, there will be an official period of morning to last 10 days across the nation, for which the Royal Household has released National Mourning Guidance.
Concerning major events, entertainment, and sports, the guidance reads:
There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations. As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.
If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions. As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.
We strongly advise you to monitor the situation via various channels, including the UK Government and Welsh Government websites, communications from Sport Wales and the sports councils, ourselves and any steps taken by your counterpart British bodies or National Governing Bodies.
We are aware that some events have already been cancelled, and other organisations will currently be assessing their options with announcements to follow.
For business and public services, the guidance also states:
There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the National Mourning period. Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses. Public services will continue as usual, although there may be some changes to service availability. Further guidance on any potential considerations relating to the day of the State Funeral will be issued if needed.
Full National Mourning Guidance following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, detailing guidance for all business-related activity, can be found on the UK Government website.
The team at the WSA would like to extend their thoughts to all who are grieving at this moment.
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