Following the end of the latest UK national lockdown to help combat the spread of COVID-19, we are pleased to report that England Hockey have now given us the go-ahead to recommence hockey training and matches from Wednesday, 2nd December.

With Essex remaining in Tier 2 of the COVID-19 alert levels, and hockey still considered to be a low risk activity, there is little change for us compared to prior to the lockdown. However, we urge all players, parents and spectators to please continue to respect the regulations and guidance to keep everybody as safe as possible.

MATCHES

Team captains, coaches and managers should already have been in contact with all players about what you can expect between now and the Christmas break. While we have been given the option to play league matches up to and including 19th December, this is only with the agreement of all parties. As such, the situation will vary from team to team. However, to summarise:

• L1 – no news yet from England Hockey
• L2/L3 – postponing all games until 2021
• L4/L5/L6/L7/L8 – continuing to play, including rearranged fixtures, with agreement of opponents

• M1/M2 – postponing all games until 2021
• M3/M4/M5/M6/M7 – continuing to play, including rearranged fixtures, with agreement of opponents
• MV/ME – continuing as planned. Missed matches already rescheduled to April.

TRAINING

Midweek training may continue as normal, but please check details with captains/coaches.

Junior Sunday morning training sessions will recommence on Sunday, 6th December and run up to and including Sunday, 20th December.

RISK MITIGATION

We have implemented a new entry/exit system to the playing surface on the club pitch to help maintain social distancing between matches. Entry to the pitch is only permitted by the single gate near the spectator seating. Exit from the pitch is only permitted by the double gates near the main entrance. We hope this will mitigate the risk of teams coming into contact during changeover and avoid congestion inside the main entrance.

We have also been asked to remind all players to please switch off mobile phones if you leave them in your kit bag at the side of the pitch. This is to avoid unnecessary reports of contact by the NHS Track & Trace app if somebody passes your bag while you are on the pitch.

Finally, as long as we remain in Tier 2, we have no plans to reopen the clubhouse. This will only change if we are downgraded to Tier 1 or the Tier 2 restrictions are relaxed.

Good luck everybody. Stay safe. Enjoy your hockey.

Kitch