bowls_england_covid_19_supplementary_guidance_310720_FINAL
Category: COVID-19
Sports England Grant to help Trentham Bowling Club during current COVID-19 pandemic
Trentham Bowling Club in Purley on Thames, Berkshire has been awarded a grant of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards essential ongoing maintenance of the bowling lawns and Club during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 has left the sport and physical activity sector facing a period of uncertainty.
In response, on March 31 Sport England announced a £195m package to help the sport and physical activity sector through covid-19. Within the package is a £20m Community Emergency Fund, of National Lottery money to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.
The grant will allow Trentham Bowling Club to cover regular outgoing commitments for utilities and to ensure maintenance costs for the upkeep of the Bowling Lawns and premises are covered over the coming months.
Rick Hough, Honorary Treasurer of Trentham Bowling Club said:
“Finances for the coming months are stretched as our sources of income during the summer, playing fees, and social activities have ceased, but our regular commitments still have to be paid. This grant will ensure that our bills will be paid, and that the playing surfaces will not be allowed to deteriorate and will be playable as and when the restrictions ease, this will benefit all our members. We are very grateful to Sport England for their support”
Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said:
“As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just to come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future. The £20m Community Emergency fund, made possible by National Lottery players is part of a multimillion pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation’s health and wellbeing.
“We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Trentham Bowling Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”
***ENDS ***
About the Sport England Community Emergency Fund
Part of Sport England’s overall £195m support package to help the sport and physical activity sector through COVID-19, the £20m Community Emergency Fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need. It’s specifically targeted at organisations, including those not currently supported by us, who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but who are experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the ongoing crisis.
Awards will be between £300 and £10,000, and in in exceptional circumstances we’ll consider awards of more than £10,000. The types of organisations eligible include local sports clubs forced to close at short notice but who are facing ongoing costs around maintenance and utility bills, and voluntary and community sector organisations who deliver or enable sport and physical activity.
This £20 million fund of National Lottery money is designed to complement other sources of funding from the government, such as funds targeted at small businesses.
Further information on the Community Emergency Fund – including seeing if your organisation is eligible and the application process – can be found via https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/community-emergency-fund.
About National Lottery
National Lottery players raise £30m every week for good causes, funding arts, heritage, sports, voluntary and charity projects around the UK. For more information on good causes in your area go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
About Sport England
Sport England is a public body and invests up to £300 million National Lottery and government money each year in projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport.
It wants everyone in England, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engage in sport and physical activity. That’s why a lot of its work is specifically focused on helping people who do no, or very little, physical activity and groups who are typically less active – like women, disabled people and people on lower incomes.
IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL MEMBERS TO FOLLOW THESE REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEMSELVES AND FELLOW MEMBERS.
These regulations do not supersede or replace any Governmental instruction or guidance which takes precedent over these regulations. The physical and mental well-being of our bowls members are of paramount importance and is our main concern.
These regulations are written with consideration to the current guidelines issued both by the Government and by Bowls England.
The Club will reopen from 12:00 Thurday 21st May for roll-up and practice sessions only, and the below regulations must be followed at all times, until rescinded.
Please note, only current Club members will be allowed on site, no visitors, guests, or spectators will be permitted at the Club. Anyone who is displaying ANY signs of infective illness, (or has a household member who does) should NOT attend the Club for ANY reason.
Pre-booking of a rink is essential, and members should not enter the grounds without a confirmed booking, unless on essential Club business. Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to; you must remain at least two metres apart from other bowlers (who are not part of your household) at all times.
All members intending to use the Club will be asked to sign a declaration stating they have read and understood these regulations.
Play arrangements – booking a rink
- Rinks can be booked for a maximum of 2 hours, but there will be a minimum of 20 minutes between allocated time slots to enable players to arrive/depart safely. Dependent on demand, the maximum time allocated may be reduced.
- To book a rink call Rick on 0118 9678808, Joan on 0118 942 5269 or Shirley on 0118 327 1523 between 10:00 and 14:00 only, where you can arrange a rink and a timeslot.
- Do not arrive at the Club more than 10 minutes from the start of your allocated timeslot.
- Ensure you have left the Club no later than 10 mins after the end of your allocated timeslot
- Play on the rinks will be alternated i.e. rinks 1, 3, 5 and 7 on one day and 2, 4, 6, 8, on the next day, direction of play will be at the discretion of the Greenkeeper.
- Maximum of eight players on club premises at any one time (assuming average of two people per rink who are not from the same household).
- Depending on usage, the number of occasions a player can book a rink each week may be capped to ensure that the available capacity is distributed fairly.
- If the Greenkeeper declares the greens unplayable, due to adverse conditions or wear, all bookings for that day will be cancelled.
- Shared equipment, jacks and mats must be sprayed or washed with sanitiser before and after use. You are recommended to bring your own spray antiseptic, as there may be none available at the Club.
In advance
- Dress appropriately before you get to the club to avoid the need to change clothes – flat shoes must be worn on the greens, change shoes immediately before and after your game.
- Travel to the green on your own or with members of your own household only – do not offer a lift to, or accept a lift from, anyone outside your household. Do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your allocated booking time.
- Travel to the green on your own or with members of your own household only – do not offer a lift to, or accept a lift from, anyone outside your household. Do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your allocated booking time.
Clubhouse and Facilities
- The Clubhouse is closed, and the lounge area, bar, kitchen and changing rooms are not to be used by players. However, limited essential access (for example to use the toilets and hand washing facilities) is allowed.
- We will provide sanitiser if possible, but all players are advised to supply their own and this must be used for cleaning hands and equipment both before and after playing.
- Take any food or drink you might need with you.
- No rubbish bins are in use at the Club – players must take any rubbish away with them
- Sanitise padlocks, keys and door handles before and after your use.
Playing Formats
- Individuals playing bowls on their own on a single rink.
- Two individuals from two different households playing on a single rink (no markers allowed)
- Two members of the same household on a single rink (no marker unless from same household)
- When changing ends, all players must always walk down the left-hand side of the rink.
Equipment
- Players may only use or touch their own woods, sharing of woods is not permissible.
- Two mats and two Jacks will be used, (one of each at both ends). Jacks will always be placed and not rolled.
- Scorecards (these should be retained by one person only if required) Bowling arm/lifter (for use by one person only if required).
- Gloves, own gloves only must be used.
To minimise the risk of infection, any other equipment is not deemed essential equipment at this time and should not be utilised. This includes:
- Scoreboards
- Bowls pushers
- Ditch markers
- 2m distance sticks
- Chalk
Playing the game
- You should only play with people from your own household or by yourself or, as long as you stay two metres apart, with one other person from outside your household. Groups of more than two people must all be from the same household. This means you cannot have two or three people from one household plus one person from outside the household playing together.
- Do not shake hands before, during or after a game.
- Do not ‘high-five‘ or ‘hug’ other players to celebrate shots or a win.
- Please respect other players and help keep the social distancing.
- Only one player should handle the mat during the session.
- Two jacks (one at each end) should be used and this should be set by one player only throughout the session.
- Do not measure for shot/s, this is not allowed.
When you leave
- When you finish playing, change your shoes and leave the club within 10 minutes – ensuring that you have sanitised all equipment used and that the club is secure (as applicable).
Frequently Asked Questions
What games can we play?
All activity should be consistent with the government guidance regarding health, social distancing and hygiene. That means that participants and others can maintain a safe two metre distance, that good hygiene practices are in place, that equipment is disinfected regularly, and that it is clear that anyone who is symptomatic or suspects they have been exposed to the virus does not take part and remains at home.
What about competitions within our club?
The Club will not be holding any type of competitions at this time. The primary purpose of bowling activity at this time is for physical and mental well-being.
Can clinically vulnerable people (such as people aged 70 and over) participate in lawn bowls?
The advice for clinically vulnerable groups remains the same. If you are in this group you are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if you do go out, take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household. If you are living in a household with a possible COVID-19 infection or if you are classified as extremely vulnerable on health grounds, the guidance is that you should remain at and exercise at home.
Can I receive coaching?
One on one coaching is permitted if outside and remaining a minimum of 2 metres apart.
Are we going to open the club bar and kitchen?
No – Bars and kitchens, including any food or drink facilities inside a clubhouse must remain closed until further notice.
Can we use the club toilets?
Yes – toilets and throughways may be kept open, but guidance on hygiene should be followed.
Can we use the changing rooms?
No – all indoor facilities, apart from toilets and through-ways should be kept closed.
Can we share equipment?
We recommend that you limit sharing of equipment, for example you should use your own bowls.
What if people don’t follow the guidelines?
We will have to consider withdrawal of use of the facilities to individuals not complying with these regulations.