October 2021 League
September 30, 2021
Dear members,
As you may be aware, the Welsh government have announced that leisure centres may open from the 10th August, including squash facilities. However, it's not as simple as just opening the doors and as a squash club we have to rely on the guidance provided by our National Governing Body (NGA) - Squash Wales.
Squash Wales provided an initial draft of guidance for return to play (RTP) on the 3rd August, and a webinar on the 5th August. Following these events, the Committee have drawn up a risk assessment (following the Squash Wales template), which has then been reviewed with Squash Wales.
All clubs and leisure centers have a duty of care to their members, which includes ensuring that members adhere to the rules and regulations designed to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19. As an unmanned club, with no reception, staff or volunteers on site, where every member has unrestricted and unmonitored access, we need to make some changes to ensure that we can effectively manage our responsibility for your safety.
Therefore, we have now installed an electronic door lock, which was completed on the 4th September. The Committee had already discussed and hoped to install an electronic door lock several times, as this will provide benefits over our current key system in terms of management and issuing / collection of new keys, as well as reducing costs in the long term. From a Covid-19 perspective, an electronic door system provides a further logging system for track and trace over just the online booking system.
We have a few small issues left to resolve, which will be completed this week, and therefore we will reopen the club from Monday 14th September.
Please be aware that we are opening under the current government and Squash Wales rules, where social distancing and safety have a significant impact on how you may currently play. See https://www.squash.wales/
What’s Allowed
Solo training.
Training with a member of a different household but must respect the rules of social distancing.
Matches with a member from the same household or their extended household.
What is NOT Allowed
Matches remain banned with members not from your household or extended household.
No more than two players at a time on the court.
No club night/team games/lessons/organised events.
Prior to arrival at the club
All members to have read and understood the latest Squash Wales ‘return to play’ guidance, this document, and optionally our own risk assessment document. Anything not understood should be clarified with the Club Covid Officer**.
Any player with symptoms should not to enter the club and report to the Club Covid Officer**
Members to book online prior to arrival at the club, if the booking is not for solo practice, both members attending should be selected on the online booking.
Members not in the same household/extended household should travel to the courts separately.
Players to bring supplies to treat minor injuries and a phone in case of emergency.
On arrival at the club
By entering the court, you are declaring that:
You have NOT HAD in the last 2 weeks:
A continuous high temperature.
A loss of taste or smell
A new continuous cough
Contact with anyone who has had these symptoms or who has tested positive for Covid-19
Are not subject to any requirement to quarantine e.g. returned from abroad
No hands on, no hugs, kisses, handshakes.
Members to arrive at the club ready to play, and no more than 5 minutes prior to their booked session.
All members to ‘sign/swipe in’ using the electronic door system, regardless of whether the door is open or not.
On arrival, use the hand sanitiser provided.
If your court is still occupied, make your presence known and then exit the club and wait outside until the current members have left (note that if everyone follows the rules below, this should never happen).
Go directly to your court, place your bag / towel / drink at the front of the court. No personal belongings to be left anywhere else in the building, no food to be brought into the club.
The changing rooms are off-limits and not to be used for any purpose.
Play your game, following the rules. Do not wipe hands on the walls, bring your own towel for this purpose.
Rest between games to be taken on court.
The court booking times are 1 hour slots, however your ‘game time’ is 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, pack up, wipe down all surfaces touched using the spray/wipes provided (e.g. door, door handles, handrail to the balcony if used to retrieve balls from upstairs), place the wipes in the bin provided and leave promptly so as to avoid any overlap with players arriving for the following session.
The balcony area is off limits, with the sole exception of retrieving squash balls.
Due to the seriousness of Covid-19, any member who fails to adhere to the safety guidelines will receive a written warning in the first instance. Should a second infringement occur the members access shall be suspended until such time as the committee determines. No refund of membership shall be given due to any suspension.
As and when the guidance from the government and Squash Wales is updated, we will update members on any changes required.
Each of us has a responsibility to the safety of all other members of the club, and we must all play our part. Should any member have any concerns, questions or witness any breaches of the Covid-19 rules, they should contact the Club Covid Officer.
Please note that due to the Covid-19 situation, we have decided that membership will now commence from the 1st September 2020, and will be valid up until 1st September 2021.
To help streamline the membership purchase/renewal process, a new system has been introduced to allow payments to be carried out securely via the club website. Once membership has been paid, members will be contacted to arrange collection of their electronic door access fob(s).
We look forward to seeing the club back in use, and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.
Regards,
Llandeilo Squash Club Committee