The Club has welcomed the ECB announcement that, in line with the latest Government guidelines, outdoor exercise to include cricket net practice can now be done with up to 6 people training (or 1 coach with 5 players). Club volunteers have worked hard to make sure our facilities are ready for members who wish to practice in the nets.

The Club has prepared some rules (summarised below) and it is essential that any member using the nets follows the latest Government advice on personal hygiene and social distancing at all times.

Full ECB guidelines on outdoor facility use can be found here

At present, the Club will be running net sessions on Tuesday evenings (for the womens team), Wednesday evenings (for the 3rd and 4th team players) and on Thursday evenings (for the 1st and 2nd team). This has been done to make it safe for everyone. The Club is only permitting players of its senior sides to undertake net practice sessions and no other group training activities. Provided that the test sessions go well, the Club will try to look to implement net practice sessions for its junior members and consider further junior coaching options.

Please Note: You will need to book the nets before you can use them. The Cub's book system is currently for anyone looking to attend to correspond with one of the senior captains and/or the ladies captain and they will then allocate spaces to the weekly net sessions accordingly. However you can ONLY attend a net session if you have been told that you are booked in for a particular session.

To comply with the ECB’s requirements, the Club has prepared the following rules which MUST BE adhered to by every player that seeks to use the Club’s net facilities from 15th June 2020 onwards, until further notice:

• For all activity, social distancing of at least two metres must be maintained at all times (except between members of the same household).
• Playing cricket individually is permitted e.g. practice of individual cricket skills or fitness activities.
• Playing cricket with people living in your household is permitted. If you are coming as a household, travel together.
• It is permissible for two groups of six (6) players to train at the same time at the ground provided that the players are kept separate, and social distancing and strict hygiene measures are observed. One group shall be permitted to use one of the fixed practice nets and another group shall be permitted to use the moveable practice net on either the artificial pitch or a prepared grass wicket.
• The Club’s facilities are only available for use by its members.
• The Club House shall remain closed.
• Try not to arrive too early, aim to arrive at the start of your slot to help with social distancing.
• Players must use their own equipment and should stick to using one ball in training either by bringing their own (recommended) or being assigned a numbered ball which they are responsible for the whole summer and must be returned once outdoor practice ends in August/September.
• Avoid touching as much as possible whilst on club premises and, where provided, use cleaning stations.
• Do not overstay your allocated time slot, you should be clear of the area by the time the next users arrive. Do not stay to socialise.
• No saliva or sweat should be applied to the ball at any time and no spitting.
• Wash hands at home before and after using the outdoor facilities. Bring your own hand sanitiser where possible. If this isn’t possible wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after visiting the club
• You must come to the ground in suitable attire as there will be no changing facilities available and bring your own food and drink if required. We recommend that players bring their own drink with them.
• The bowling machine MUST NOT be used.
• You can ONLY attend a practice net session if you have asked to book a place and you have received confirmation of your booking from one of the Senior Club captains. You cannot use the ground or the nets without a booking.
• Whilst undertaking a net session and waiting to bowl, you MUST stand next to the cone/flag/white line indicated, which will be set out at two metre distances, and move along every time a bowler has bowled.
• Check for symptoms of COVID-19. In line with current Government guidance, if you are symptomatic (temperature above 37.8 °C, a persistent cough, breathing problems, a new loss of taste or smell or other symptoms identified by the UK Government) and/or living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection, you should remain at home and follow Government guidance.
• Follow UK Government guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 if it applies to you.
• Avoid using public transport to get to the ground if at all possible.
• As always, the health and safety of participants is paramount so please wear suitable protective equipment (wear helmets, pads etc).
• You must report any infection of your household following use of the facility to allow effective contact tracing and to limit the spread of the virus.

If you have any questions on any of these rules or see others disobeying them then please contact one of the Senior Captains or a member of the Committee immediately. Please remember that the Club has opened its facilities for its members’ benefit so please respect these rules of use.

Stay safe everyone.