Wantage and Grove Cricket Club regarding Covid-19

The following is the latest update from Wantage and Grove Cricket Club regarding coronavirus. The club will be following advice given by the ECB and the OCA Executive, and as a result the start of the 2020 season is suspended indefinitely.

However, in line with the latest advice, we are now in a position to restart training, under restricted conditions:

General rules:

  • Facilities are open for use by members who have paid their 2020 subscription fees.
  • For all activity, social distancing of at least two metres must be maintained at all times (except between members of the same household).
  • Only attend sessions with members of your lockdown group, or up to maximum of five other people.
  • The clubhouse will be open for use of the toilets, if a keyholder is available to open.
  • If using the clubhouse for access to toilets please use disinfectant wipes available for wiping door handles etc. after opening/locking/unlocking doors and dispose of these in the bin for the used wipes at the main door.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after practice. It is your responsibility to bring some hand sanitiser with you.
  • Have liquids to rehydrate – do not share of course.
  • There will likely be no first aid/medical support available at the facility so you will be taking responsibility for your own actions.
  • At all times – Use Common Sense and Be Alert!

Fitness/fielding practice:

  • Use the WGCC Facebook Messenger group (if you aren’t a member, message a captain to be added) to announce the day/time that you will be using the outfield such that you can use in accord with the social distancing and limited numbers at one time. Simply let everyone know the time slot you will be there and if a slot is taken by someone do not go down at this time. First reserved has priority.
  • At present it is not possible to host a fitness/fielding practice session at the same time as a net session, as we are limiting facility use to a maximum of six at a time.
  • There should be no sharing of cricket balls where possible, to minimise risk. So please bring your own ball for practice. It may be sensible to bring one or two spares, in case your ball is lost.
  • Fielding practice sessions will need to be adapted to follow the above rules.
  • Avoid going on the Square. This is still being prepared such that we can host games as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Roll-on practice net (once strips are prepared):

  • Use the WGCC Facebook Messenger group to announce the day/time that you will be using the net such that you can use in accord with the social distancing and limited numbers at one time. Simply let everyone know the time slot you will be there and if a slot is taken by someone do not go down at this time. First reserved has priority.
  • At present it is not possible to host a net session at the same time as a fitness/fielding practice session, as we are limiting facility use to a maximum of six at a time.
  • If using the roll-on practice net please put it away afterwards, and wipe the carrying pole down after it’s put away with sanitizing spray that you have brought with you or from the clubhouse if open.
  • Do not share equipment, bat, gloves, helmet, pads – box!
  • There should be no sharing of cricket balls where possible, to minimise risk. So please bring your own ball for use in the nets. It may be sensible to bring one or two spares, in case your ball is lost.
  • Avoid going on the rest of the Square. This is still being prepared such that we can host games as soon as restrictions are lifted.
  • The Bowling Machine will be available for use, but is locked in the pavilion. You will need to co-ordinate with one of the keyholders if you want to use this, and will need to use hand sanitiser to clean surfaces of the bowling machine that have been touched.

We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks and pay close attention to updates/bulletins issued by central government and cricket’s own governing bodies. When there is something meaningful to announce, we will do so.

We encourage all members to continue to follow the advice in respect of public health guidelines https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and to stay safe and healthy.