Blackheath Squash -re-opening confirmed for 12 April

Message from Blackheath Squash Club Committee

Earlier this week the Government confirmed indoor sports venues can re-open from Monday 12 April. Detailed guidance is still awaited but at this stage is seems almost certain squash clubs will be allowed the following activities:

- solo practice;

- full squash for members of the same household and their support bubble; and

- one to one socially distanced coaching.

The Committee is very pleased to let you know the Club will therefore be re-opening next Monday for these activities . We will update our detailed COVID guidance to members once the Government and England Squash issue their guidance. In the meantime here are the headlines for use of the Club from next Monday:

- all bookings are to be made on-line using the MyCourts system
- members must add the names of their opponents (only same household/support bubble members currently allowed) to their bookings so the Club can comply with track and trace requirements
- members are not allowed to bring guests to the Club
- booking slots are now staggered on the hour and half hour to reduce contact in the corridor
- booking slots are for an hour, however members must only play for 40 minutes, use 5 minutes to clean the court and the remaining 15 minutes is to allow for air circulation and clearance between bookings. Members MUST NOT PLAY FOR LONGER THAN 40 MINUTES. The court booking fee of £6 is equivalent to 40 minutes play using the old light tokens
- changing rooms and showers are not to be used other than for access to the WCs, members must turn up ready to play and nothing is to be left in the changing rooms during play eg kit bags, bikes etc.
- before entering the club members must hand sanitise and after play members must sweep the courts using the court mops and wipe down touch points (door handles, mop handles etc) with the wet wipes provided
- members should turn on the court fans (switches in the corridor) during and after play to increase court ventilation
- social distancing is to be observed at all times and the Club recommends face masks are worn in the corridor, changing room and balcony areas. Masks are not to be worn during play.

If you would like one on one coaching please contact the Club Coach Ville at ville@theanimalfarm.co.uk

If you wish to play a member who is in your household support bubble please notify the Club's COVID Officer, Kevin Clark, at kevin.clark100@ntlworld.com. You may have already done this under previous arrangements but to keep our records up to date please do so again. Support bubbles are not the same as squash bubbles. Further information on support bubbles can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-support-bubble-with-another-household

Given the opening on 12 April is relatively limited and many members will not use the Club until further easements under the roadmap are allowed the Club Committee has agreed to extend the credit for annual membership so there is no need re-new annual memberships for the time being. We will be in touch to let you know when annual memberships will need to be renewed.

If you have any questions please contact the Club's COVID Officer Kevin Clark at kevin.clark100@ntlworld.com

Blackheath Squash Club Committee