COVID-19 Club Correspondence

Correspondence emailed to All SA Affiliated Clubs and Adelaide Pennant Players (Squash and Racquetball) 3 August 2020

Supper/drinks

The Office for Sport and Recreation (and Squash SA) do not recommend players share communal food after matches for supper.  But if players would like to still participate in supper, they need to comply with the following protocols (and the protocols set by their club);

  • Social distancing must be maintained. This includes referees, scorers and spectators
  • Players may bring food for a shared supper provided:
    • it is supplied in sealed manufacturers packaging (eg pre-package meat pies, sausage rolls etc are OK. Sandwiches, sliced fruit  or other home-made food items are not allowed)
    • there is a designated person who will prepare the food (heat, slice up etc), set out on platters and distribute to the table for consumption by people on that team only (ie no passing/moving around between teams or tables)
    • an individual may bring homemade food for their own personal consumption provided it is not shared
  • Alternatively, teams can order pizza(s) and share this with their team and the opposition
  • Drinks can still be purchased/consumed as normal

 Player Interaction

  • Players should arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to competition commencing
  • Avoid unnecessary contact e.g. no high fives or handshakes
  • Change room facilities can be used
  • No sharing of drink bottles, towels or other personal items
  • No sharing of food/snacks (e.g. lollies or fruit)

 Hygiene Practices

  • The clubs are required to ensure each team has access to hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes
  • We encourage all players to use hand sanitiser before and after each match
  • If you are feeling unwell, you must not attend or participate in your match

 

Correspondence in July 2020 e-newsletter

On 29 June 2020, South Australia moved forward to the third step in the South Australian Government's Roadmap Restrictions. This includes venues adhering to 1 person per 2m2 , and remembering to social distance (1.5m) offcourt.  Squash SA also recommends players sanitise their hands prior to entering the court to play, and again once you have finished. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Clubs run junior programs?
Yes, as long as your venue has completed the COVID-Safe Plan, you can start running junior programs. Encourage juniors to use their own equipment, and sanitise any share-use equipment before and after the session.

Can Clubs recommence in-house competitions?
Yes. The SA Government recommends that players try to limit their time in the venue to 2 hours, so players are encouraged not to mingle after their teams matches are complete. 

Can we have 'supper' after pennant/in-house matches?
No. The SA Government are not allowing communal/sharing food, and as above, they are recommending players try to limit their time at venues to 2 hours.

Can we shower at the venue after our match?
Yes this is allowed, although some venues may decide to keep their showers closed. 

Can we shake hands after our match?
No. Players can lightly tap racquets at the end of the match.

All squash and racquetball venues across the state need to have completed a COVID-Safe Plan, and should have appropriate signage in venues outlining COVID-Safe protocols.

 

Correspondence sent to Clubs on 27 May 2020

To Venue owners, managers and Squash Clubs

The Government has announced that indoor sports can open for training as of Monday 1st June under certain conditions.

All Venue Operators and Clubs must go to sa.gov.au and complete the COVID-Safe Plan via the template on their website (click on the ‘learn more’ section of the COVID-19 portal). This is a relatively easy form to fill out and at the end of the process you are able to download both a copy of your COVID-Safe Plan and your COVID-Safe Record of Completion.

All the compliance protocols and obligations for your venue are detailed in the COVID-Safe Plan. You will need to have these documents at your venue at all times for State Compliance Officers to sight if they visit.

If your venue is managed by a third party or is Council owned you will need to liaise with them to ensure you are complying with all of their requirements as well.  We are aware that some Council controlled venues that have Squash Courts will not be opening until after the long weekend on Tuesday June 9th.

If any Venue Owner, Operator or Club official wishes to have assistance with their plans or other resources, or wants any other information please feel free to ring Geoff Baynes on 0411 844 114.

Also below is the most recent information we have received from the ORSR. We are endeavouring to maintain regular contact with the Office for Recreation and Sport and as we receive any new information, we will pass that on to you immediately.

 

Geoff Baynes
Squash SA
CEO

 

 

From: ORSR:Executive Office [mailto:ORSR.ExecutiveOffice@sa.gov.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 27 May 2020 8:50 AM
Subject: SA Roadmap for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions

 

For Official Use Only

Good Morning

On Monday 25 May 2020, the Premier announced that South Australia will now transition to Step 2 of the South Australian Roadmap for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions (the Roadmap) on 1 June 2020. The easing of restrictions for Step 2 is based on a number of Principles based on available medical evidence.

To implement Step 2 of the Roadmap, the State Co-ordinator will update the relevant the Emergency Management Directions (the Directions) which South Australians are bound by. The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing will forward you all the link to the updated Directions as soon as they are released in the coming days.

In accordance with the Roadmap please note the following information:

 

Outdoor sport

  • Non-contact competition can commence from 1 June 2020.
  • Contact training can commence from 1 June.
  • Contact competition can commence from 25 June 2020.

 

Indoor Sport

  • Non-contact sport training and competition can commence from 1 June.
  • Contact sport: non-contact skills training can commence from 1 June.
  • Contact sport: contact training can recommence from 25 June.
  • Contact competition cannot yet recommence.

 

Other key information to note includes:

  • Gyms and indoor fitness centres are permitted to open with indoor classes limited to a maximum of 10 participants.
  • Social distancing measures must still be followed (i.e. 1 person per 4 square metres and 1.5 metres between people).
  • A maximum of 80 people may gather at a venue.
  • A maximum of 20 people per room or group is permitted (subject to the 1 person per 4 square metre rule).

For further information relating to Step 2 of the Roadmap please visit sa.gov.au or read the Frequently Asked Questions.

It should also be noted that the limit of 20 people (excluding staff) per room will be challenging for some venues which are functionally one very large room including indoor sports courts. The relevant agencies have informed the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing that over the coming weeks, they will work to develop a safe, risk managed approach to large rooms and they will provide further information on this when available.

Finally, organisations (sport and recreation clubs) that were previously directed to close under the Directions must complete a COVID-19 Safe Plan (the Plan) before they can reopen. The Plan will outline how organisations staff and patrons can be kept safe from COVID-19.

The plan must be completed and made available at organisations premises.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the COVID-19 team at ORSR.COVID19Support@sa.gov.au.

 

Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing
27 Valetta Road Kidman Park SA 5025 | PO BOX 219 Brooklyn Park 5032 | DX: 354

www.ors.sa.gov.au | www.sasi.sa.gov.au | www.sportsvouchers.sa.gov.au