In order to be able to play cricket this season, we need to ask our members to maintain full compliance with ECB and Government guidelines. We appreciate this will mean a few differences to how you would like to play and watch your cricket at the start of the season, but in order to reduce the social distancing rules, we need to make sure we comply with these initial measures.

We take our responsibilities regarding the mitigation of the Covid-19 pandemic risk very seriously and have conducted a full risk assessment, which can be found in the ‘documents’ section of the website. The vast majority of our senior and junior players and parents are returners from the summer of 2020, so are already very familiar with how cricket can operate to Covid-Secure guidelines.

We have summarised our covid risk-mitigation approach below. Please take some time before the weekend to make sure you understand these in full.

Finally, please remember that everyone will have different feelings and approaches to Covid risk, so be courteous and respectful of people’s individual preferences, so that we can all enjoy the much anticipated return to cricket!

We received great feedback on our approach to Covid last season. However, we recognise that in the context of a complex set of guidelines, we may not get everything right first time, so if you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mike Buchan or Tim Cook

Key risk mitigation policies

All members and visitors are expected to take note of and adhere to the latest government COVID-19 guidance and ECB COVID-19 guidance, regarding health, travel, social distancing and hygiene at all times.
Parents should take notice of our specific guidance for training sessions
Players should take notice of a one-page summary of the ECB guidance.
We have signage throughout the club, which serves as a constant reminder of policies
Specific guidance for coaches, for parents, and for players will be updated in line with the latest guidance;
Club officials, coaches and captains will explain policies to parents and players before training sessions and matches;
We may adjust training sessions or group sizes to ensure compliance with current guidelines;
We will ensure hands are sanitised on arrival at junior training sessions and frequently during all junior and senior activities (every 6 overs or 20 minutes)
We request that members bring their own hand sanitiser, but will also endeavour to supply ample quantities of 70% alcohol hand sanitiser for training and matches
We ask all players to have their own cricket equipment and to avoid the sharing of equipment
If equipment does need to be shared, coaches will sanitise it before re-use
We insist on players and parents staying apart at least 2m apart at all times (other than members of the same household)
All indoor areas are closed except for toilets (one in, one out)
Take home everything that you brought with you

Track and Trace
By law we are required to collect contact information of everyone who visits the club during training or matches. We will do this as follows:

Players must sign up to training sessions through Pitchero. Attendance at matches will be recorded through selection again on Pitchero.
Parents and other spectators MUST sign in using the QR code displayed on the patio area, using the NHS track and trace app.

Practice nets

Strictly no practice on the squares outside of official training sessions
Artificial practice nets are open for use by members. Nets must be booked in advance using the net booking system
When using nets outside of organised sessions, please follow government rules - this means "Rule of 6" or "two households" policy until 17th May at earliest. In order to maintain social distancing, the middle lane must be used for bowling machine or throw-downs only on a 1-2-1 basis.
Follow ECB guidance

Spectators

Current ECB guidelines state that “Spectators are not currently permitted at Step 2. This does not apply to carers for people with disabilities, adults needed to supervise under-18s in a safeguarding role or patrons attending the venue for hospitality. Where it is necessary for them to be present, supervising adults should not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble”.

Hospitality (ie the bar) at the club will be open, and therefore available to use, in compliance with the rules set out below.

Guidance is clear that ensuring good Safeguarding should take precedence over anything else, and therefore at age groups up to U11, parents/guardians are encouraged to stay for practice and matches. At age groups u13, u15 and u17, attendance is at parents discretion. However, you must consider what your child will do in the event of wet weather.

Unfortunately, until the guidelines change, we encourage you to keep the number of family members coming to the club to a minimum.

Wet Weather
Until regulations change there is Strictly no entry to the clubhouse allowed. Wet weather mitigation options include the following:

Marquees placed on the outfield (1st/2nd XI outfield)
Rugby stand (3rd/4th XI outfield)
Return to your own car

Please come prepared with the necessary clothing to deal with inclement weather, noting that the clubhouse is out of bounds.

Use of the bar
The government rules for pubs and restaurants have changed compared to last summer, so please take note of and adhere to the following:

No-one to enter indoor areas to access the bar
Access to toilets is permitted on a one-at-a-time basis (masks required)
Drink sales will be outdoors only
Drinkers must be outdoors and seated, not standing and mingling
Scan yourself in using the QR code posters provided
Outdoor gatherings should only be occurring in groups of up to two households (or support bubbles), or a group of at most six people from any number of households
1 person at a time in toilets
Use hand sanitiser before entering the bathroom and wash your hands thoroughly with soap when leaving
Dispose of your cups bottles, cans, cups and any other litter yourself in the bins provided as soon as you have finished them – do not leave them for someone else to have to pick up
Take home everything that your brought with you
At all times: keep socially distant, use hand sanitiser, adhere to the rules, and listen to club officials.
Hands, face, space and open air!
Please make sure everyone follows the rules so that we can keep the bar open.

Please make every effort to comply with the above guidance, to help us ensure a safe and lasting return to cricket!