The BCC Cricket Committee met for a virtual meeting this morning (17/5) and have come to the decision that the Cricket Club and all of its facilities will REMAIN CLOSED until the installation of the new nets has been completed.

With work due to commence in the first week of June, the committee felt that rushing through a policy and booking system which may only operate for a few days prior to the current nets being refurbished would not be a sensible decision because above all else, the health and safety of all of our members remains paramount.

Whilst this news may be disappointing to many who had visions of getting back to Manor Way to practice in some description over the next few weeks, the extra few days that the new net installation gives the committee will allow them to produce and distribute a very clear and robust plan for how all members can safely use the nets. This will include: a form of online booking system which can be centrally controlled by club administrators, a very clear document explaining how to conduct safe practice with people outside of your household, the production of signage which will be placed around the areas where members are likely to walk in order to access the nets, a rota of volunteers to manage the net schedule each day to make sure we abide by ECB and Government guidelines plus the installation of hand sanitizing stations at various points in the ground which will experience high traffic and are therefore potential 'contamination zones'.

I am sure everyone will appreciate the lengths we will have to go to in order for cricket to return to Manor Way but once we have communicated the club policy on the use of the nets we should be in a very strong position to deliver opportunities to practice 7 days a week for the entirety of the summer, which should provide some light relief if these restrictions continue to remain in place and recreational cricket in the form of matches remains suspended.

If you do have any questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch but we hope to be able to provide a further update in next 2/3 weeks.

As always, Stay Safe.

BCC Cricket Committee.