10th July 2020
| Mallory Gray
Cricket Wales welcomes the First Minister’s announcement at
lunchtime today, Friday 10th July, which stated that organised,
outdoor activities, including cricket - for up to 30 people - will be permitted
in Wales from Monday 13th July.
The purpose of the guidelines that we will issue shortly, in
follow up to the First Minister’s announcement, will be to offer practical
guidance to players and clubs on the steps they should take while undertaking
recreational cricket activity in Wales when we are allowed to return from next
week. They should be read in conjunction with latest Welsh Government
regulations and guidance.
As of 13 July 2020, recreational cricket matches and outdoor practice sessions can take
place, but with some adaptations in place to mitigate the transmission risk of
COVID-19, and with overall group size participating, including any coaches and
officials, being limited to 30 people in total.
We would reiterate that these guidelines could change in response
to the current COVID Alert Level or any other changes in Government advice or
policy.
While today’s news is extremely positive for cricket and
cricketers, we will need to implement some adaptations for all cricket activity
in order to keep participants safe. These adaptations will be applicable to
players, parents, clubs, coaches, spectators, and officials; ALL participants
and spectators should therefore familiarise themselves fully with these
guidelines BEFORE undertaking any cricket activity.
The adaptations relate to activity prior to, during and
after cricket activity.
Some of the key
adaptations are listed below, but we urge participants and parent to read the
full guidance when it is issued for comprehensive details.
- Individuals should undergo a personal symptom
check prior to matches and NOT take part if they demonstrate any COVID-19
symptoms.
- All groups limited to a maximum of 30 people,
including coaches and officials.
- Club representatives should ensure that the
facility is compliant with current Welsh Government legislation including
legislation and guidance related to COVID-19.
- Clubs should keep a record of attendees at a
match/session, including contact details, to support the Welsh Government’s Test,
Trace, Protect programme.
- Players should socially distance – including not
celebrating wickets with traditional ‘high-fives’.
- Players should minimise handling of the ball in
match by limiting contact as it makes its way back to the bowler; no sweat or
saliva should be added to the ball at any time.
- Limit the sharing of equipment where possible. Where
not possible, practice strict hand hygiene.
- Batters to run in distinct running lanes to
ensure they are not within 2m of the bowler or their batting partner.
Full guidance will be issued as soon as possible.
Cricket Wales CEO, Leshia Hawkins, commented “We are
absolutely thrilled with the news today, and as I know the Cricket Family in Wales
will be. There has been an extraordinary amount of work by Cricket Wales staff
and Club and League volunteers behind the scenes over the last few months to
get us to today I must say a huge thank you to them.
“My team and I will now urgently work with colleagues at the
England & Wales Cricket Board, to analyse the detail of the written
guidance from Welsh Government on sport’s return, when it is issued, and ensure
that the guidance for Cricket in Wales is signed off and published as soon as
is possible.
“I look forward to seeing as many people as possible,
especially kids, out there playing and enjoying their cricket this summer.”
Please see how we are celebrating this
here in this short film