The Road Back! Return to Play & Training
The road out of lockdown and into the 2021/22 cricket season has been a long one, but we are extremely excited to announce that as the lockdown ends, we move one step closer to the commencement of the season!
The last 18 months and the effects of the pandemic have been felt by all, and community sport is no exception. Community club environments have been sorely missed, as well as the positive effects of social interaction and physical activity.
Cricket Victoria, as well as the team behind the scenes at Cricket Southern Bayside, have been working around the clock to make sure that the season can start at its earliest point, in a covid safe way. It is important for us to acknowledge the work of Cricket Victoria specifically, who have provided us with clear return to training and play framework from the outset and have communicated government directives concisely throughout.
Cricket Victorian have released the roadmap to return to play, which you can view here.
There are a number of key takeaways from the plan, as follows:
- The Victorian Government has confirmed that an individual’s vaccination status will not impact their ability to play, coach or umpire in outdoor cricket this summer. More information will be available shortly regarding unvaccinated people entering/utilising indoor social rooms and change rooms.
- Training can resume, but there will be no inter-club practice matches until the 80% double dose vaccination rate is achieved. Clubs are able to organise intra-club practice matches in the meant time.
- Breaking training sessions into smaller groups will help minimise any potential spread of Covid-19, and is highly recommended.
- Training currently is still only for those required to participate. Ie. Players, coaches and parents/guardians of dependants who rely on them for travel.
- Clubs are to have in place a Covid Safe Plan, and have the necessary sanitation equipment available for use at all times.
- Masks are to be worn when not batting, bowling or fielding.
- Change rooms are to remain closed except for toilet/emergency access.
It is recommended that clubs remain keep a close eye on the Cricket Victoria website in the coming weeks in order to receive updates as they are delivered. All correspondence from CV within this time period will be forwarded straight to clubs to ensure that we are all as prepared as possible for the start of the season.
We would like to thank all of our clubs for their understanding throughout this time. Covid has presented several unique challenges and increased the burden on volunteers at club level, and e appreciative of the cooperation shown to overcome these hurdles. We are extremely excited for the season to begin so that we can again share in the moments that make cricket, and community sport, special.
If you need clarification on any Covid related issue, please reach out to your relevant competition contact to discuss further.