Sonning CC - Protocol for Adapted Game Play during Covid-19

Please see below the protocol that we will be adhering to at all of our matches for the time being.   Please make sure you have read it ahead of your match and comply with it.  By attending the match we will assume you have agreed to follow the protocol.  In particular, please do not attend any match should you be showing any signs of illness.

The ECB have provided guidance for adaptations for all outdoor cricket activity, applicable to players, spectators, volunteers, clubs, coaches & officials in Step 4 of the ECB Return to Cricket Roadmap.  This includes adaptations for match play that can take place from 11 July 2020.

We would like to provide a safe environment with government and ECB guidelines for our players to play games.  Please note we have a separate protocol for training during Covid-19 that has also been updated for this latest guidance.

The Club notes that there is an increase in transmission risk associated with partaking in socially distanced group activity, as such all participants must be clear that they are opting to participate in cricket activity.  For advice on reducing the risk of infection when outside your home please see here.

Under social distancing we have to carefully manage any matches.

• Cricket activity must take place outdoors only.
• 11-a-side cricket can return as long as groups are limited to a maximum of 30 participants, including coaches and officials.
• We must maintain 2 metre social distancing between players, coaches, officials and parents at all times including throughout warm-ups, during post-wicket celebrations, drinks breaks, tactical discussions and on leaving the venue.
• Only exception to this, where social distancing of 1 metre+ is permitted:
• There must be no physical contact.
• Where possible players should limit sharing of equipment. If they do, they must practise strict hand hygiene before and after use and the equipment must be cleaned before use by another person.
• No sweat or saliva is to be applied to the ball at any time.
• A hygiene break will take place every six overs or every 20 minutes (whichever is sooner) in which the ball will be cleaned by an antimicrobial wipe and all participants’ hands are cleaned using a suitable sanitiser.
• This routine should also be followed at drinks breaks and close of innings.
• Batters to sanitise their bat when leaving the field of play and Wicket Keepers should sanitise their gloves.
• Bowlers should not hand any personal items to the umpire. Bowlers should place these items at the boundary themselves.
• Batters are to run in distinct running lines to ensure they are not within 2 meters of the bowler or other batter. Lines will be marked on the square on either side of the wicket.
• If two scorers are required, social distancing must be maintained and the use of communal scorebooks should be avoided.
• Sharing of the ball in a match should be minimised by limiting contact as the ball makes its way back to the bowler e.g. ball goes straight from wicketkeeper to bowler instead of around surrounding fielders.
• Spectators should remain socially distanced at all times and refrain from all contact with the ball e.g. returning it to the field of play.
• Spectator groups must be restricted to discrete six person gathering limits and spread out, in line with wider UK Government guidance.
• Umpires should refrain from any contact with the ball, it can be returned to the base of the stumps at breaks and wickets.
• Umpires should be responsible for the stumps closest to them and should be the only person replacing the bails if dislodged.
• The club cannot provide food or drinks for participants.
• Players must have their own water bottles – no sharing – and should refrain from spitting or rinsing out their mouths.
• Personal hygiene measures should be carried out at home before and after cricket activity.
• Participants must supply their own hand sanitiser, applying it before the start of the activity and at all breaks in activity (especially before consuming food or drink) and at the completion of the activity.
• Social gathering after the activity will be allowed in line with current UK Government guidelines on hospitality and social distancing must be maintained (please refer to Sonning CC protocol for Pavilion use including the bar).
• One club representative/volunteer should be responsible for collecting and disinfecting any shared equipment after the game.
• Regular cleaning of equipment and the facility should take place, particularly between one group finishing, and the next group starting.
• In the event of rain, participants should return to their own vehicle to maintain social distancing if there is insufficient outdoor cover from the rain to maintain social distancing.
• Application of covers in the event of wet weather should be done whilst maintaining social distancing.

Transport and General Attendance

• Parents/players must not share lifts to or from training with anyone outside of their household.
• Parking on site may be restricted or not available.
• Players attending matches should arrive on site no earlier than the stated meet time to mimimise time spent congregating before an activity.
• Adults/parents to maintain a 2 metre distance at all times and spectator groups must be restricted to discrete six person gathering limits and spread out, in line with wider UK Government guidance.
• Parents and players are recommended to leave promptly at the end of a match but where remaining on site social distancing guidelines must be adhered to.  These state that groups gathered should not be larger than 6 unless from the same 2 households.   It is now against the law to have a gathering of more than 30 people in a public area.  Businesses and venues following COVID-19 Secure guidelines can host larger groups provided they comply with the law.  This includes cricket matches and training as the Club will be following COVID-19 Secure guidelines.  However, you should take care to limit your interactions with anyone outside of your group and you should continue to maintain social distancing from those that you do not live with.  Therefore please aim to keep social clusters to small numbers where possible and spread out.  Large groups, even socially distanced, must be avoided.
• We will have toilet facilities available at set times during the match.
• Use of the toilet facilities will be monitored to ensure social distancing is maintained.
• There will signs setting out the required hygiene protocol to follow when using the toilet facilities
• All juniors will be required to be accompanied by a parent to ensure that the hygiene protocols are followed.

Equipment

• Players must arrive changed and ready to begin the warm up.
• Players must keep all equipment and drinks separate from other players’ and limit sharing of equipment wherever possible.
• Players must bring their own hand sanitiser to every training session and wash their hands before leaving home.
• Players must provide all their own equipment.  Spares cannot be provided.

First Aid / Illness

• 1 parent of junior players should stay to observe in case of injury as the preference is for the parent of a player to administer first aid response.  Coaches will have PPE and can administer basic first aid but that would be after a parent’s involvement and with parental approval to go within 2m social distancing.
• If players or any member of their immediate household show any symptoms of COVID-19 then they MUST NOT attend a training session and should isolate in accordance with government guidelines.
• If during a match a player feels unwell then please let the coach know immediately.
• If any player becomes unwell after a match and shows symptoms of COVID-19 then please email [email protected] immediately so that all necessary parents and coaches can be made aware.
• If any player or any member of their immediate household are deemed as critically vulnerable or at heightened risk from COVID-19 then please do not risk attending matches.

Covid-19 Protocols