Return to Full Squash Monday 17th May

England Squash have confirmed today that we can move back to full court normal squash from Monday 17th May without the need for bubbles or restricted play. We would therefore like to welcome you back.

The full details are on the England Web Site however I’ll paraphrase the key elements for you from their notes:-

• Players can get on court with multiple households and play full court squash e.g. best of five with tie-breaks, and singles and doubles (squash bubbles and modified versions not required). The maximum number of players on court allowed are 4 adults or children.
• Coach-led sessions can take place in any number (within the maximum venue capacity limit) but the maximum number of players on court allowed is 4 adults or 6 children. Coaches are allowed on court and are not included in the total number of players on court.
• Coaches can provide Out-of-School Setting activities to all children (6 max per court), with no restrictions on the total number in attendance.
• Spectators are allowed to return, but must observe maximum of six people or two households as well as social distancing rules and wear face coverings.

Box Leagues

Internal Club competitions are permitted and we will be bringing back the Internal Box Leagues. If you would like to re join the Leagues please advise me or Steve Ryles and we will include you in the new Leagues. Our best estimate is that these will start the first week of June so please get back to us by the end of May if you are interested.

Club Night

We are also considering what we do about Club Night. Clearly we will have to limit numbers and therefore will require you to book in advance and follow any ground rules that we propose. We must adhere to government Covid rules so we are having a think currently how best to do this whilst still allowing the night to proceed. It would help with the planning if you let me know if you are interested in joining in with Club Night as it will give us a feel for the demand. If there is no particular interest we can postpone this re introduction until after the full opening up in mid June.

Whist we are in this delicate phase of emerging from lockdown please be scrupulous in following the previously suggested guides on social distancing when arriving and leaving as it is helpful to all.

Lastly whilst the Club has been closed some internal refreshing and uplift has taken place. We have:-

• Changed the light meters from coin operated to contactless payment. Court times are still set at 8 minutes although costs are now £1.20 per 8 minutes and £1.20 to book. Apologies for this but it wasn’t cost free to do this change but we thought it the right thing to do as the world has moved away from dealing in cash.
• The Club Wi fi has been upgraded and you are welcome to use it. Password is burghfieldcsa all lower case.
• Similarly the mobile phone signal has been boosted internally so there is no excuse for not returning my calls.
• Finally the changing rooms and corridors have had new flooring.

The Main Club and Bar is also re opening from the 17th May. It will be table service but you can go inside for a post match tactical debrief and re hydration. The Club has a new caterer and they are also available Tuesday to Saturday evenings. I am advised they are very good.

I hope to see you all soon.

Richard May
Club Chairman
07306079995