Club reopening -Reopening guidance 16th May 2021
Danny Dowling • May 16, 2021
Blackheath Squash Club - return to full squash from 17 May 2021
Message from the Blackheath Squash Club Committee
England Squash have confirmed that full squash can be played between members of different households from Monday 17 May 2021. This is great news and we hope to see many of our members return to court. However there are still COVID 19 safety restrictions in place which members must respect.
The Club has been led by Government and England Squash requirements and putting the safety of our members first. The Club has made various changes to minimise risk to members but members themselves must take responsibility for behaving safely and complying with the Club's COVID guidelines. These guidelines, updated for the latest Government and England Squash advice, are available here
and on the Club's website and on the notice board in the corridor. All members who wish to resume play must take the time to familiarise themselves with these guidelines.
Members must read and understand their new responsibilities in relation to keeping the Club safe before attending the Club and adhere to these responsibilities at all times whilst at the Club. To make a court booking Members must have read the guidance and by making a booking are agreeing to abide by the guidelines.
Following the release of detailed Government guidance England Squash updated their guidance to squash clubs on 18 May to include the following:
- Hand hygiene, thorough washing and sanitising remains the most effective method of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Players must sanitise hands and disinfect balls before play, at 20-minute intervals, and at the end.
The Club's guidance to members has therefore been updated to include the above. Members can use the hand sanitiser and wet wipes by the court doors to sanitise their hands and the ball.
The headlines are set out below:
- full squash between members of different households allowed at the Club from Monday 17 May 2021
- maximum number of players on court at any one time is 4
- non-member and visitors not allowed at Club except for coaching/training sessions
- courts must be booked using the on-line booking system and all players must be added to the booking for track and trace purposes
- no need to check-in using the check-in screen in the Pavilion Bar
- the court fans are to be turned on during and after play and the downstairs door is to be hooked open whilst members are using the Club to increase ventilation
- social distancing off court is to be observed at all times and face coverings are to be worn off court
- the maximum number of people allowed in the balcony area is 6
- the chairs and stools in the balcony area are not to be used (to reduce touch points and cleaning requirements)
- balcony windows must be opened if the balcony is in use and the balcony door hooked open to increase ventilation
- changing rooms are not to be used other than for access to WCs and avoiding passing others in the corridor.
- Members must turn up changed and ready to play. No items of clothing, kit, bags, bikes, scooters etc are to be left in the changing rooms.
- members must continue to hand sanitise on entry to the Club, wipe down touch points with wet wipes, dry mop the courts after play and not touch court walls
- booking slots will remain at 1 hour, play is for 40 minutes only, 5 minutes court cleaning and 15 minutes air clearance. Members MUST NOT PLAY FOR LONGER THAN 40 MINUTES.
We hope to restart some group activities although numbers will be restricted to comply with the relevant guidelines. For the time being we will not be running Club Night, Match Nights or Junior Coaching. Box leagues will re-commence in June after member annual renewals have taken place. Further information on annual renewals and box leagues will be sent out shortly.
Blackheath Squash Committee
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15th May 2021 - It's official!
We’re excited to announce that from Monday 17 May 2021, you can play full court squash with different households. This means you can play multiple households without having to form a squash bubble or play modified versions.
What can we play?
Adults and juniors from different households can play full court squash – e.g best of five games with tie breaks, and singles and doubles.
Up to four adults or juniors can get on court at any time allowing for doubles.
Do I have to follow any safety protocols?
Yes. You must continue to observe current UK Government advice on COVID-19 for your own health and safety, and everyone at your club/venue. Key things to remember are:
- Maintain social distancing off court.
- Wear a face covering off court.
- Wash your hands before and after you play.
- The poster above is a quick reference guide that you must follow to keep you and fellow players safe:
Returning to the club
Due to the UK Government restrictions still in place including social distancing, your need to follow the guidance displayed around the club and on this website.
Let's work together
We need to work together to keep squash safe and our club open. It's important that we all follow the latest guidance to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
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Blackheath Squash -re-opening confirmed for 12 April
Message from Blackheath Squash Club Committee
Earlier this week the Government confirmed indoor sports venues can re-open from Monday 12 April. Detailed guidance is still awaited but at this stage is seems almost certain squash clubs will be allowed the following activities:
- solo practice;
- Full squash for members of the same household and their support bubble; and
- one to one socially distanced coaching.
The Committee is very pleased to let you know the Club will therefore be re-opening next Monday for these activities . We will update our detailed COVID guidance to members once the Government and England Squash issue their guidance. In the meantime here are the headlines for use of the Club from next Monday:
- all bookings are to be made on-line using the MyCourts system
- members must add the names of their opponents (only same household/support bubble members currently allowed) to their bookings so the Club can apply with track and trace requirements
- members are not allowed to bring guests to the Club
- booking slots are now staggered on the hour and half hour to reduce contact in the corridor
- booking slots are for an hour, however members must only play for 40 minutes, use 5 minutes to clean the court and the remaining 15 minutes is to allow for air circulation and clearance between bookings. Members MUST NOT PLAY FOR LONGER THAN 40 MINUTES. The court booking fee of £6 is equivalent to 40 minutes play using the old light tokens
- changing rooms and showers are not to be used other than for access to the WCs, members must turn up ready to play and nothing is to be left in the changing rooms during play eg kit bags, bikes etc.
- before entering the club members must hand sanitise and after play members must sweep the courts using the court mops and wipe down touch points (door handles, mop handles etc) with the wet wipes provided
- members should turn on the court fans (switches in the corridor) during and after play to increase court ventilation
- social distancing is to be observed at all times and the Club recommends face masks are worn in the corridor, changing room and balcony areas. Masks are not to be worn during play.
If you would like one on one coaching please contact the Club Coach Ville at ville@theanimalfarm.co.uk
If you wish to play a member who is in your household support bubble please notify the Club's COVID Officer, Kevin Clark, at kevin.clark100@ntlworld.. You may have already done this under previous arrangements but to keep our records up to date please do so again. Support bubbles are not the same as squash bubbles. Further information on support bubbles can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-support-bubble-with-another-household
Given the opening on 12 April 2021 is relatively limited and many members will not use the Club until further easements under the roadmap are allowed the Club Committee has agreed to extend the credit for annual membership so there is no need re-new annual memberships for the time being. We will be in touch to let you know when annual memberships will need to be renewed.
If you have any questions please contact the Club's COVID Officer Kevin Clark
Blackheath Squash Club Committee
30th March 2021
The latest update from England Squash is that they expect clubs to be able to re-open from 12 April 2021 for limited play comprising:
- solo practice;
- full squash for members of the same household; and
- one to one socially distanced coaching.
Guidance for indoor sports from Sport England is expected next week after which England Squash will update their guidance to clubs. So currently we expect to be able to re-open the Club from 12 April for the above allowed play. We will confirm this and provide an update on England Squash detailed guidance nearer the time. Further relaxations of restrictions are expected at the earliest from the 17 May and 21 June in line with the Government's roadmap.
5th January 2021
The Government have just announced a new lockdown for England so we remain closed. We will update further when we have information about a change.
Thank you for your continued support.
Stay Safe
The Commitee
19th December 2020
The Government have just announced new Tier 4 Covid restrictions for London. Details are a bit sketchy at the moment but the press are reporting gyms and indoor leisure facilities are to close from midnight tonight. So unfortunately we are closing the Club from midnight tonight.
If you have a court booking after today please cancel it. If you incur a late cancellation charge please email us and we will refund the charge to your Mycourts account.
Stay Safe
The Commitee
30th November 2020 - Return to Play from 3rd December 2020
The Government have announced the new tiers which apply from 3 December 2020. London is in Tier 2 which prohibits mixing of different households indoors. However, under guidance issued by England Squash (ES) yesterday the Club can re-open from Wednesday 3 December 2020 with restricted play and all the usual COVID-19 safeguards. Taking into account the ES guidance and what the Club can manage safely the Club Committee have agreed the following restricted play can take place from 3 December:
- Single player - solo practice
- Same household or support bubble – full squash
- One to one coaching with adults using socially distanced practices
All COVID-19 safety requirements remain in place. Full member COVID-19 guidance can be found on the Club website at
https://www.blackheathsquashclub.com/reopening-guidance-for-members
Unfortunately, full squash in squash bubbles is not allowed under Tier 2 ES guidance so the box league bubbles and social bubbles remain suspended for the time being. The only full squash play allowed at the Club is for members of the same household or support bubble. We are now recognising support bubbles, which is a change from our previous practice before the November lockdown. Please see below for more information on support bubbles.
Support bubbles
The Club will now recognise Support Bubbles so if a member is in a Support Bubble with another member's household they can regarded as being in the same household for the purposes of playing squash at the Club. If you wish to use a Support Bubble with another Club member for playing squash at the Club please notify Kevin Clark.
Support Bubbles are not the same as squash bubbles. A summary of Government guidance for Support Bubbles is given below, full guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-support-bubble-with-another-household
- A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult or a household with one adult and one or more people who were under the age of 18 on 12 June 2020 in the home (known as a single-adult household) and one other household of any size.
- Once you make a support bubble, you cannot change who is in your bubble.
- From 14 September, if you form or continue in a support bubble, you cannot then change your support bubble.
Court schedules/booking
We have made some changes to the court booking schedule. Both courts will be open for play. Start times are staggered on the hour and half hour to reduce congestion on changeover. Court booking slots are hourly however members must only play for 40 minutes. The remaining 20 minutes of the booking slot allows for 5 minutes court cleaning, after which members must leave the Club building. The remaining 15 minutes are for air clearance before the next booking. Members should make every effort to start on time and MUST finish play after 40 minutes. Court fee is £6 and payable on-line when booking a court. This fee is the same as paying for 40 minutes of play under the previous light token system.
If you have any questions regarding the above please contact Kevin Clark.
Blackheath Squash Club Committee
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4th November 2020 - Club Closed
Parliament has approved the Government's four week lockdown for England so the Club will be closed after tonight for four weeks, opening again on the 3rd December 2020. Current thinking is that the 3 tier system will be reintroduced then and we will re-open in tier 2. However, in the current situation one thing that is certain is nothing is certain so we will update this website nearer the time to confirm the opening date and what play will be allowed at the Club.
In the meantime look after yourselves, keep safe and hope to see you back on court soon
2nd November 2020 - Blackheath Squash Club - 2nd COVID-19 lockdown
England Squash has issued guidance to squash clubs, venues and coaches following the UK Government’s proposal to introduce a four-week national lockdown. Squash clubs and venues should prepare to close from this Thursday, 5th November to Wednesday, 2nd December 2020 inclusive. These lockdown measures are dependent upon a House of Commons vote this Wednesday, 4th November 2020 and should it pass, squash clubs and venues are likely to be ordered to close from Thursday.
In light of the above it is extremely likely the Club will be closing from this Thursday, so last day of play will be Wednesday. Hopefully we will be open again on the 3rd December 2020.
Confirmation of the closure will be sent when confirmed by England Squash but this will probably be on Wednesday evening so currently members should not book courts after this Wednesday to avoid having to cancel them at short notice.
Also the bar will be closing from Wednesday evening until the 3 December.
Apologies
17th October 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - BUBBLES SUSPENDED
Following the Government decision to put London in 'High' COVID 19 restriction Tier 2 which does not allow indoor mixing of different households the Committee have reluctantly decided to suspend all squash bubbles, both box league and social, until further notice from tomorrow Saturday 17 October 2020. If you have a bubble game planned please cancel it. If you incur a late cancellation charge please let me know by replying to this e-mail and you will get a credit.
From tomorrow the only play allowed at the club will be solo drills, full squash for members of the same household and coached activities. It is frustrating we have to do this but at the end of the day its about keeping our members and the local community safe.
2nd September 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - Bubble Arrangements
Following recent changes to England Squash guidance the club is introducing full squash for members of the same 'bubble' from Monday 7 September. This message explains how bubbles will work at the club.
First of all some ground rules about bubbles. These are set by England Squash:
- each bubble can have up to six members from different households;
- members can only belong to one bubble at any time;
- members can change bubbles but must wait 7 days after leaving a bubble before joining another bubble. During this 7 day break from full squash members can play solo drills and have coached sessions.
The Club is introducing two types of bubble:
- Box League Bubbles: A bubble will be created for each box in the league; and
- Social Bubbles: these will be bubbles for those who do not want to play in the box leagues but wish to play full squash with members who are not in their household.
Box League Bubbles
A new box league will be set up using bubbles for each box. Box sessions will run for approximately 6 weeks, at the end of a box session there will be a 7 day gap before the next box session runs. During this time box league players are not allowed to play full squash. They may play solo drills or take part in coached sessions. To maximise play we will endeavour to organise the boxes so each has the maximum number of players i.e. 6. Also box players are encouraged to play social games with their fellow box members as well as their box game. The Box League Bubbles will be run by Jon Brodie-Levinsohn. Entry to the first box league session runs from now to 6 September. Your initial box position will be based on your last position in the pre-lockdown leagues. If you were not in the pre-lockdown leagues please advise Jon your level i.e. beginner, intermediate or advanced. Jon will be in contact with all entrants with further details of the the league session.
If you would like to join the Box League Bubbles contact Jon Brodie Levinsohn at leagues@blackheathsquashclub.com
and provide the following declaration:
'I confirm I have read, understood and agree to comply with the Blackheath Squash Club’s Returning to Squash member guidance and responsibilities published on 1 September 2020 and the England Squash guidance for full squash in Bubbles’
Social Bubbles
Social bubbles will be set up and run by members, one of whom must be the 'Bubble Leader'. The Bubble Leader must notify the COVID-19 Officer, Kev Clark, that they are setting up a bubble and provide the names of the members in their bubble. Social Bubbles will run without time limit. Members may join or leave social bubbles, observing the 7 day break between leaving one bubble and joining another. Bubble Leaders must notify the COVID-19 Officer of all joiners and leavers for their bubble.
Social bubbles will be published on the MyCourts system under the 'League' tab as if they were a box league so everyone can see what social bubbles exist and who belongs to them. Social Bubbles can be set up any time.
If you would like to set up a Social Bubble and be that Social Bubble's Leader then email Kevin Clark at chairman@blackheathsquashclub.com
with a list of members in your bubble. You and each member of your bubble must provide the following confirmation to Kev Clark. As Bubble Leader you must ask your bubble members to provide this declaration to Kev.
"I confirm I have read, understood and agree to comply with the Blackheath Squash Club’s Returning to Squash member guidance and responsibilities published on 1 September 2020 and the England Squash guidance for full squash in Bubbles"
28th August 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - re-opening update - Blackheath Squash - full play to be allowed for Squash bubbles!
Some good news for squash players -
England Squash
announced yesterday a relaxation on restrictions on playing squash. From 1 September full squash will be allowed for members of a squash 'bubble'. A bubble comprises 6 players who can be from different households. You can only be in one "bubble".
The Club Committee is looking at when and how 'bubbles' can be introduced at the Club. This will take a few days and given its a long weekend we expect to be able to let members know middle of next week with the aim of allowing bubbles to start playing from Monday 7 September at the earliest. There are official guidelines the Club and members must follow. Below is a summary of these guidelines. Please note that to play full squash in a bubble you will be required to wear safety goggles.
28th July 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - re-opening update
Safety is our main priority! Further to guidance from the UK Government and England Squash, especially around Social Distancing, Blackheath Squash Club plans to open to Members only in a limited way on the 1st August 2020. Full details are in the PDF File "Members Return to Squash Guidance"
that can be downloaded.
Further details can are on the website: https://www.blackheathsquashclub.com/reopening-guidance-for-members
16th July 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - re-opening update
England Squash (ES) has issued guidance to clubs on how they can re-open. The guidance allows a limited return to play from the 25 July 2020 subject to clubs being able to meet certain requirements.
The guidance requires clubs to carry out a formal risk assessment and develop a COVID-19 Secure Plan prior to opening. The Club Committee is reviewing the guidance and has commenced development of the Club's risk assessment and COVID Secure Plan. The guidance from ES is detailed and requires careful consideration and the safety of our members is our top priority. We expect to be able to let members know when and how the club will re-open early next week once we have completed the risk assessment and plan.
10th July 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - re-opening update
Yesterday the Government announced further relaxations of lockdown restrictions that include the opening of indoor sports facilities from the 25th July 2020. This includes squash clubs which is great news!
Squash clubs will be subject to social distancing and other Covid-19 safety requirements. England Squash
expect to issue guidance on this next week. Once we have this guidance we will be in touch to let you know when and how the club will re-open. Until then the club remains closed.
23rd June 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - Latest Government Advice
England Squash Statement 23rd June 2020:
"Last week the Government announced that grassroots and community sport could return at the beginning of July at the very earliest. However, the Government have today announced that indoor sports venues must remain closed until further notice. Like you, we are extremely disappointed by this news and eager to see the sport return but we must sit tight and keep all courts closed for the health and safety of our communities. Thank you once again for your continued patience.
We are busy finalising a toolkit for clubs and venues including a risk assessment template to facilitate safe play. Once we receive guidance from the Government to open all venues and have clarity from Sport England on any of the details, we will prepare and release our toolkit and resources to clubs, venues and coaches. Any premature response could lead to confusion amongst the squash community. It is a frustrating time for the community, but we must impress the need to follow Government guidelines only as and when they are available, not beforehand, for the safety of everyone. We appreciate your patience at this time and will update you as soon as we hear anything. In the mean time, there are some areas that clubs and venues can start to think about such as access and court bookings - visit our FAQs page for more info.
All squash activity in England currently remains suspended following the UK Government’s advice to close sports facilities. The Government issued further FAQs on 11th May in relation to exercise and what is and isn't permitted. Specifically: "As with before, the public cannot: exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool.
This means that all squash clubs and facilities should remain closed until further notice - this includes anyone wishing to engage in solo practice or members of the same household playing on a squash court".
19th June 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - remaining closed awaiting further guidance from England Squash
We remain closed awaiting further guidance from England Squash. Their latest update:
"All squash activity in England currently remains suspended following the UK Government’s advice to close sports facilities. The Government issued further FAQs on 11th May in relation to exercise and what is and isn't permitted. Specifically: "As with before, the public cannot: exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool."
This means that all squash clubs and facilities should remain closed until further notice - this includes anyone wishing to engage in solo practice or members of the same household playing on a squash court. As we await further information from the Government, we are planning how we can best support squash clubs when they reopen, including grants and guidance for day-to-day operations. We are very eager to see squash return as soon as it possibly can, in a safe way that is aligned to Government advice. We will share more information at the appropriate time, so that we can all get back on court."
Thank your for your patience
11th May 2020
Blackheath Squash Club - remaining closed
Following last night's broadcast by the Prime Minister and today's publication of the Government's 'road map' to ease the lock down England Squash current official advice
for squash clubs is:
'Squash clubs and facilities should remain closed until further notice following the Prime Minister's address to the nation on 10th May. As we await further information from the UK Government, we are planning how we can best support squash clubs when they reopen, including grants and guidance for day-to-day operations'
Therefore the Club will remain closed for the time being. We are monitoring the situation closely and will let you know when we have a better idea of when squash can get going again at the Club.
20th March 2020
Message from Kevin Clark - Chair Blackheath Squash Club:
"Hi, I am very sad to let you know that we are now closing the club from tonight as a result of the coronavirus. We have been monitoring the situation closely and the news this evening that the Government is requiring gyms and leisure centres to close, as well as pubs and restaurants, means it is no longer possible to keep the club open.
I know many of you will be disappointed by this news, as am I, but we have a responsibility to our members and the local community to keep people safe. We will be monitoring the advice and will re-open as soon as we safely can.
For those of you with light tokens, please keep them until they can be used. If the closure goes on for some time we will extend members annual renewal date to take account of the closure.
If you have any other questions please e-mail me.
Stay safe"
19th March 2020
Bar closing from tomorrow
In light of the current circumstances the Blackheath Sports Club Executive Committee have decided to close the bar from tomorrow. Tonight is therefore the last night the bar will be open. The Squash Club remains open, however members will no longer be able to buy light tokens from the bar. We will be putting in place limited alternative arrangements for members to buy light tokens and will notify you of these shortly.
18th March 2020
Given the current circumstances regarding Coronavirus the box leagues have been suspended. The Club currently remains open for social play. It is also no longer necessary to check in for your court booking using the screen in the bar until things return to normal and the late cancellation and no-show fees have been suspended.
Following yesterday's Government advice regarding Coronavirus all group activities at the Squash Club will be suspended. This includes Club Night, Ladies Squash, Sunday morning training sessions and Junior Coaching on Saturday mornings.
For the time being the Squash Club remains open for social play and it is of course up to each individual member to decide how much social interaction they feel comfortable with.
From next Monday the bar will be operating on reduced hours as follows: Monday to Friday 7pm to 9pm; Saturday 1pm to 3pm and closed on Sunday. This will mean members may not be able to check-in so the check-in requirement will be suspended together with the late cancellation and no-show charges.
I know that we are all aware of the guidelines laid down by the Government but if any member or any member of their household has a fever or persistent dry cough, they should not come to the club and isolate themselves for 14 days.
As we all know the situation is fast moving and we will endeavour to update you as quickly as possible if any further changes are made.
16th March 2020
The squash club remains open at the moment which is in line with England Squash guidance, which states that 'community squash will continue to take place unless we are advised otherwise by the Government'. For more see https://www.englandsquash.com/news/england-squash-coronavirus-statement
Members can help by ensuring that they do the following:
- wash your hands before coming up to the club
- wash your hands before and after play at the club (there is currently soap in both changing rooms - please leave it there after use)
- avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces, for example do not use walls to wipe sweat off hand
- bring your own towel to wipe sweat/dry hands
We will continue to monitor official guidance.
England Squash - "We would encourage all players to follow the widely available guidance of public health with regard to maintaining good hygiene to avoid spreading of the coronavirus virus. Information on how to do this is provided on the NHS.UK
website, with additional information available on the Public Health England blog".
England Squash have set up a dedicated web page with advise specific to the squash community and this can be accessed here
Annual court maintenance - Club closed 8/9/10 April
2025 Club Tournament registration is now open to full members
The popular Ladies Sessions continue each Sunday @ the same time of 5:30pm. The sessions are open to ladies of all standards and currently no membership is required (although welcome). So, if you are a complete beginner who would like to try out the game, or a competent player looking for a "knock", why not pop along for a session of fun and exercise, do some stretching and play some squash. Please make sure have non-m arking trainers and bring a racquet if you have one, if not we can loan you one for the session. The session is £5 to attend and lasts from 5:30pm until 7:00pm. #Women'sSquashweek #SquashGirlsCan follow us on Instagram : blackheath_womens_squash For more details email me @ ladies@blackheathsquashclub.com Pam X
