After an abrupt end to last season we are now looking forward to welcoming yourselves and your children back to hockey on Tuesday 6th October, but firstly we need your help to ensure we all remain safe, and that we are allowed to continue playing hockey.

In terms of registration, if you have had a renewal invitation email please follow the link to renew your membership. In view of starting the season a little later than normal, we are keeping the annual membership cost at £75 rather increasing this as we would normally do annually.

Before attending the club we ask that you complete, with your child, the Participation Agreement. This HAS to be completed by all players as stipulated by England Hockey, so please complete it prior to the 6th October. It takes just a couple of minutes and the form can be found on the home page of our website, (http://www.penzancehockeyclub.com/) under COVID-19 News, (https://penzancehockey.clubbuzz.co.uk/covid_19). There’s also a useful video link on our Covid page that we would encourage your child to watch as this explains the guidelines in a more child friendly way. (https://youtu.be/E-8Bax0-wNA)

Training times have also been adjusted to prevent overcrowding in the car park and on the pitch:-

Under 10s - 4.30-5.20pm

Under 12s - 5.30-6.20pm

Under 14s - 6.30-7.20pm

Goal keepers - 6.00-7.15pm

If we feel this is not working we may have to adjust them again. However, for now we would ask that you arrive and leave promptly at your childs’ allotted time to prevent overcrowding.

Please accompany your child from the car park to the pitch as the car park in the dark can be like a game of dodge ball!

The main gate will be entrance only and we ask that you line up with your child, socially distanced from others, until the coach calls the children forward.

At the end of the session, the gate on the adjacent corner will be exit only, so once you’ve entered the pitch, please make your way around to the dugout side of the pitch and wait, socially distanced, for your child to come to you. Please then make your way off the pitch, keeping 2m away from others.

If you would like to spectate, please do this from the dugout side of the pitch, and be socially distanced 2m from each other, in groups of no more than 6.

I will be around on training nights to guide you so please don’t worry about what side you need to be on!

A register will be taken of all attendees as we normally do, but these registers will also be sent to England Hockey who will keep them for 21 days to aid NHS track and trace if required.

Thankfully we can play hockey ‘normally’ without having to socially distance but whilst not playing, such as when the group comes together to listen to the coach or to have a drink, social distancing must be followed.

Players MUST hand sanitise on arrival and departure and this will be provided on the gates.

We ask all players to not touch any equipment unless it is absolutely necessary and there should be no sharing of sticks, shin pads, drinks bottles, etc. between players.

The upstairs toilets will be open. The downstairs of the clubhouse is currently closed.

The bar area will be open and food can be purchased but social distancing guidelines will need to be followed. Anyone over 11 years of age needs to wear a face mask unless seated at a table.

First aid will be given to your child, with the person administering it wearing a face mask and gloves.

Please do not allow your child to attend any hockey activity if he/she becomes sick with Covid symptoms, tests positive, or has been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case. Please contact me if any of these apply and you will also need to contact NHS Track and Trace.

Whilst we all appreciate that some things need to change to keep everyone safe, we are keen to promote as normal an environment as possible. There is no pressure for anyone to return to playing and we understand if parents and children decide not to attend hockey in the near future. We will welcome you later in the season or next season if that works for you.

Finally, if you have any concerns or questions please feel free to contact me. My details are on the club website.

Best wishes,

Carla

Covid Officer, Penzance Hockey Club