England Squash - Return to Play - Phases

Return to play phases

Introduction Following the re-opening of courts on 25 July, England Squash has been working with partners and Sport England to establish a safe and practical path for the return to ‘full’ play. Whilst there are still restrictions in place, due to the UK Government social distancing guidelines and the unique nature of squash, a phased approach has been developed to gradually return to play across England. The following table shows the various phases that have been identified and summarises what they mean for clubs and their members.

Current status - Phase 1: ‘Sides’

Next steps As with other sport governing bodies, England Squash currently has a proposal with the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), presenting our recommended changes and measures to transition through the next phases. Once we have approval of the proposal, we will update clubs and partners on the specific details. We expect to receive approval soon, allowing us to progress to Phase 2 by the middle of September.

Phase No's & Descriptions / Summary of what it means for clubs and players

1. ‘Sides’

• Re-open clubs with safety measures in place

• Socially distanced practice and ‘Sides’ game play only

• Solo practice

• Same-household play

2. Squash Bubbles

• 'Squash bubbles' (a group of up to six players who can play squash with each other) can be formed within clubs and venues

• Introduction of full court play within squash bubbles, with enhanced hygiene protocols

• No competitive inter-club play

3. Inter-Club Play

• Return to inter-club play with game modifications including social distancing measures and enhanced hygiene protocols

• Increase to number of players allowed within squash facilities

• Group training allowed with additional safety measures in place

• Inter-club/local matches can take place, including county leagues with adapted rules

4. Small Scale Competition Play

• Small one-day competitions to resume, with a reduced number of competitors allowed and limited spectators

• Further increase to number of players allowed within squash facilities

• Small, local team competitions to resume with a reduced number of players per team and dispersed schedules

5. Full Play

• Return to full play with no limit to number of opponents

• Full leagues/multi-day competitions to resume - dispersed schedules and multiple venues to be used to control crowding

• Continuation of practical health and safety protocols to mitigate any additional risk of COVID-19 outbreaks

Disclaimer Please note that the phases are subject to change and continue to be superseded by any national or local Government guidelines. The current status of the return to play will only be changed by England Squash and should not be overruled locally. Any breach of these guidelines by clubs or individuals may mean that we will have to revert to previous phases.

Update - Return Phases of Squash - Squash Bubbles - PHASE 2

All,

As you may have noticed - England Squash have just announced the next phase in their "Return to play plan" - this is to be done by implementing "Squash Bubbles"

Please note, before reading the England Squash update, that at this time NOTHING CHANGES in terms of gameplay & club rules at Cheam Squash. SIDES IS THE ONLY CURRENT OPTION FOR PLAY AT THE CLUB.

We need to asses how this next phase can be implmented, how it is aligned to the risk review we have completed and also agree that the approach is appropriate with Cheam Sports Club.

If you wish to prepare for the return phase, as you read the update from England Squash please pay particular note / think about the following items;

1. Your squash bubble - Work out whom will be within your squash bubble (a maximum of 6 players). Please bear in mind that you can only ever be a part of 1 bubble at any time. If you switch bubbles you must take a break of 7 days.

2. Validate you contact details - Ensure your contact details are fully up-to-date on the MY-COURTS system (including e-mail address, contact phone number & home address). This needs to be completed to ensure we have tracability in place.

3. Purchase protective eye-wear - England Squash have made protective eye-wear / visor mandatory if you wish to return to full court play. Purchase a pair such as these from Techifibre (other brands are available):

The published England Squash article can be found by clicking HERE

If you have any questions, please reach out to either Stuart Savill or Neal Brooker.

Racketball Sides Ladder

All, so we are now back to hitting on the court - and hopefully getting some enjoyment out of the game of sides - it seems to have translated in to racketball pretty well and folks are enjoying

the hit!!

So... with the above in mind - thought it might be worth putting the rules out there, and where we are at this starting point of the ladder

If there are any questions - please do reach out but i think its all pretty obvious...

As for the rules - here goes;

1. In this ladder - you can ONLY play sides

2. You can challange upto 3 places above you

3. If the challanging player wins the match, they move above you in the ladder

4. If the challanging player loses the match they stay where they are

5. Games are played to 15 points

6. There are 5 games in a match

7. American Scoring (PAR)

8. When winning rally you hold serve

9. If you are recieving a serve and the ball bounces before the serve line or comes off the back wall before bouncing, the opposing player can call long or short. The server gets a 2nd service... If the same happens on the 2nd serve and the reciever calls long or short, the point is awarded to the reciever and they now hold serve

10. If you reach 14-14 in any of the games, you have to win by 2 CLEAR POINTS

11. If you run out of time on the court - leading player (in games and current game score) takes the win

12. If a challanger contacts you and tries to arrange a game and you fail to respond within a week / after two attempts - the challanger can move ahead of you in the ladder

13. If your our opponent does not turn up for the match - you take the win

14. If your opponent is 15 mins late - you can take the win (unless they have advised you prior to the match and you are happy with the new timings)

15. If you challange and opponent higher up the ladder and that opponent subsequently (after you have laid down the challange) arranges to play another opponent higher than him/her up the ladder - the 2nd arranged game can only be treated as a friendly. Challanges have to be played in order of asking

16. Play nicely

So thats the rules - hopefully all common sense!

In terms of starting position on the ladder (as of 17/08/2020) it is as follows:

1. Richard Clasby

2. Steve Weller

3. Julia Ledger

4. Nathan Newark

5. Simon Muir

6. Stuart Savill

7. Pete Bansfield

8. Kim Barrance

9. Ray Smith

10. Darren Plumridge

11. Jim Fay

12 Jackie Arrowsmith

13. Simon Price

14. Ali Merchant

15. Steve Holland

16. Joe Omar

17. Naveed Aziz

18. Charles Baldacchino

19. Eddie (Colin) Grant

Unclassified (will place in ladder when ready)

- John Butler

- Neal Brooker

See you on court!