Blackheath Squash Club - reopening

From the Club Committee

This e-mail describes our approach to re-opening the Club. In formulating our approach we have been led by Government and England Squash requirements and guidance and have put the safety of our members as our top priority. We have therefore taken a modest first step to make sure we do not over stretch ourselves and keep everyone as safe as possible.
The headlines are:
- We expect to re-open on Saturday 1 August
- Allowed play will be single player solo practice, full squash for members of the same household and coaching for up to two players from same or different households
- Members can only play if they confirm they have read, understood and undertake to comply with new member guidance and responsibilities (see below)
- Members who wish to resume play must book a court. The court booking system has been extended to cover all day/7 days a week and ‘turn up and play’ is not allowed
- The two metre social distancing rule is to be observed at all times on and off court
- New member responsibilities have been introduced to help keep the Club safe (see attached document)
- Box leagues, Club Night, Club matches, Ladies Night, Junior Coaching and Senior training sessions remain suspended.

We are not allowing two members of different households to play socially distanced squash drills. This is allowed by England Squash but there is a requirement for Clubs to monitor compliance and in our view we cannot do this effectively. We will keep this under review in light of compliance experience with allowed play and developments in England Squash guidance.

The attached document sets out the details of the new arrangements and member responsibilities. Please read this carefully. It requires significant changes to member use of and behaviour at the Club. We therefore believe it is appropriate that members let us know by a positive statement that they wish to return to play. So if after reading the document you would like to resume play you will need to send the following by e-mail to our Membership Secretary Roald Piper at Roaldkjellpiper@gmail.com copying in Kevin Clark at kevin.clark100@ntlworld.com our Chairman and COVID-19 Lead Officer.

‘I confirm I have read, understood and agree to comply with the Blackheath Squash Club’s Returning to Squash member guidance and responsibilities’

In this ‘new normal’ any member resuming play has a responsibility to keep themselves and other members safe. We will be monitoring compliance with the new requirements but we cannot do this 100% of the time and will be relying on members to act responsibly and safely. Any instances of non-compliance will be taken very seriously and repeat offences will result in explusion from the Club.

We will be in touch shortly with regard to unused light tokens and how the closure and limited resumption of play will be taken into account for annual membership fees.

We appreciate that some of you will be disappointed by not being able to get back full squash. But it is a start and England Squash have stated they will be continually reviewing and revising their guidance so hopefully this start will carry on in the right direction.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the above or the attached please do not hesitate to contact the Club Committee by replying to the e-mail.

Stay safe
Blackheath Squash Club Committee