Although lockdown restrictions are starting to be eased, and we are super keen to get back on court as soon as we can (and hopefully you are too!), we all have an ongoing responsibility to "stay alert, help control the virus, and, in doing so, save lives". This page details the changes we will be making to our junior indoor sessions so that everyone can continue to enjoy playing badminton in a safe environment. These changes have been made according to guidelines issued by the UK government, public health bodies, BADMINTON England, and the venues that we use. They also include mitigations for additional risks that we have identified.

It's worth noting that this page details the *current* changes, and we reserve the right to make additional alterations at any time, in order to take into account new guidelines. Any changes will be communicated to all members before they attend their next session.

Have any questions or concerns? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

This page was last updated on: Thursday 10th September 2020.

Updates on Thursday 10th September:

• From September, coaching will be reintroduced to our sessions, in addition to game play.
• The maximum permissible coach:player ratio has changed from 1:5 to 1:15. However, players must continue to be split into groups, containing a maximum of 6 players. Our approach will be:
  • a maximum of 4 groups [same as before]
  • each group containing a maximum of 6 players [previously, 5]
  • each group using different courts and shuttles [same as before]
  • coaches will be split into 2 teams
  • each player group will be assigned to a coaching team
  • coaching teams may be assigned multiple player groups, but the total number of players will not exceed 15 [previously, 1 coach per group]
• If your child is not able to attend a session then please let us know as soon as you can so that we can make any appropriate changes to the groups.
• The disabled toilet can now be used for 'emergencies', but we need to minimise its use, so please use your toilet at home before leaving for a session.

Updates on Thursday 23rd July:

• Players to bring a small towel to sessions and use it to help stop sweat from dropping on the floor
• Updated limit of number of people per session - from 2 groups of 6 people, to 4 groups of 6 people.
• Up to 2 players, from any household/bubble, are allowed on each side of the court at once i.e. doubles play is now allowed.
• Although 2 players are now allowed on the same side of the court, players should try to keep as much distance as is practical whilst on-court. Players should be keeping at least 1.5m distance anyway, otherwise they risk getting hit by their partner's racket. But they should be mindful of other instances when they might be too close to their partner e.g. players should pass the shuttle to their partner from racket-to-racket, rather than hand-to-hand.
• All areas of the court may be used during play. The fore-court is no longer out-of-bounds.
• Whilst off-court, players should continue to maintain at least a 2 metre distance from each other.
• Whilst off-court, players must remain standing and not sit or lean on any surfaces/equipment.
• Any sweat drops should be mopped up using cleaning wipes.
• Fire exits will be kept open during sessions to enable fresh air to circulate into the hall.
• Fire evacuation assembly point moved from car park to sports field where it will be easier to social distance.
• When setting up the hall, coaches will clean surfaces that people might accidentally touch with surface wipes - net posts, tables, door handles etc

• Are you feeling unwell? If you have symptoms of *any* illness then please do not attend!
• Have you had confirmation that you are allowed to attend the session? Our drop-in policy continues to apply - players can only attend a session if they have been invited. If you have not been invited, then you will be sent home. Sorry.
• Familiarise yourself with the rules and guidelines on this page
• Think about how you will travel to and from the session safely - If you use public transport then you need to ensure you wear a face covering. If you would normally carpool then you may have to consider another option.
• Make sure you bring everything you need - racket, water bottle, towel, medication, hand sanitiser etc
  • Please note that we will not be loaning out any rackets - you will need to make sure you bring your own!
  • Make sure your water bottle is full - you will not be able to use the water fountain!
  • Please bring a small towel to use to avoid sweat dropping on the floor
• Use your toilet at home before leaving
• Arrive in your sports kit, ready to play - changing rooms will not be in use

• We will be operating a one-way system for entering and leaving the sports hall
• Please try to avoid arriving at the sports hall too early
• Do not enter the sports hall unless the door is open. This is to give coaches time to set up the hall.
• If you arrive early, and you are able to, then please wait in your car.
• If you are unable to, then please queue outside, underneath the covered walkway which leads to the right of the entrance (green arrow on below diagram). Make sure that you observe social distancing - leaving at least a 2 metre gap between those in front and behind you from different households.

• Please also try to avoid arriving late. If a player misses the briefing at the start of the session then we may have to refuse their entry.
• Hand sanitiser will be provided for players to use as they enter the sports hall.
• Coloured cones will be placed 2 metres apart, at the rear of the courts, to mark out an area for each player to place their belongings. Players should make their way to an unoccupied area and then wait for a coach to tell them when they can move onto court.
• Players must not touch or use any of the nets, posts, benches, chairs, tables etc in the hall

• We expect all players to continue to abide by our code of conduct, be aware of these additional rules and to follow them. The session leader will have absolute discretion to send anyone home who they believe jeopardises the safety of a session.
• There will be a strict limit on the number of players allowed in the sports hall at any one time.
• Players will be split into groups. There will be a maximum of 6 players per group and a maximum of 4 groups. Each group will use different courts and shuttles. We will avoid reusing shuttles for as long as we can. With our current stock levels we will be able to run sessions for roughly 3 weeks before we have to reuse any.
• Coaches will be split into teams. Each group of players will be assigned to a coaching team. Coaching teams may be assigned multiple player groups, but the total number of players will not exceed 15.
• Players will only be permitted to play against others in the same group i.e. there will be no mixing of the groups.
• Coaches will use their judgement to decide which group each player will be in, based on their ability. If we are unable to identify a suitable group for a player then we will let them know before the session so that they can decide if they still want to attend.
• If your child is not able to attend a session then please let us know as soon as you can so that we can make any appropriate changes to the groups.
• Whilst off-court, players should maintain at least a 2 metre distance from each other at all times.
• Whilst on-court, players should try to keep as much distance as is practical e.g. keep at least a racket length away from your partner and pass the shuttle to them using your racket.
• Up to 2 players, from any household/bubble, are allowed on each side of a court i.e. singles and doubles games are now possible.
• Players can decide to just rally in a friendly manner, play full court singles, full court doubles, play full court vs. half court, practice certain shots etc. All areas of the court may be used.
• Players who are not on court should stand with their belongings at the back of the hall, or stand in between the courts at the net posts. Do not touch the net posts! Do not sit down on benches, chairs, or the floor! Do not lean against walls!
• If you are able to use your racket to pass the shuttle back to your partner/opponent then try to do this, rather than picking up the shuttle, to reduce the number of times you are touching shuttles.
• If you are sweating during a game, please use your towel, to stop sweat dropping on the floor.
• Players should use hand sanitiser after every game.
• For the time being we will have to avoid the customary handshake after each game. Instead players should use non-contact alternatives such as waving, nodding, thumbs up etc.
• Fire exits will be kept open during sessions to enable fresh air to circulate into the hall.
• Sorry, but we will not be able to accommodate any spectators during the sessions. If this is an issue then please let us know.
• If the fire alarm sounds then everyone must immediately evacuate the sports hall. The assembly point will be on the sports field.

• Parents who are collecting their child(ren) should queue outside (green arrow on below diagram), as per the instructions in the 'Arriving' section. They should wait until a coach lets them in. When they enter the sports hall, they should collect their child, and leave by the rear doors which lead to the tennis courts (yellow arrow). Once outside, they should follow the path to the left, walk round the outside of the sports hall and return to the car park via the path that runs between the Sports Hall and the Pavillion buildings (red arrow).
• Players should use hand sanitiser as they leave.
• Once you have left the sports hall, please go straight home. Do not congregate anywhere on the school's grounds.
• If a player or coach develops COVID-19 symptoms following attendance at a session, they should promptly seek a test and follow the NHS Track and Trace procedure (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/). They should get in touch with the club to let us know that they have symptoms. Note that current Track and Trace guidelines state that only close contacts of someone who tests positive need to self-isolate. Close contacts are defined as:
  • having face-to-face contact with someone (less than 1 metre away)
  • spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of someone
  • travelling in a car or other small vehicle with someone (even on a short journey) or close to them on a plane
  If everyone adheres to the guidelines we have set out on this page then no one should be classified as a 'close contact'. Although this may be the case, the club will contact everyone who attended the same session to advise them that an individual within the group has reported symptoms. This is so that they can take extra care in practising social distancing and good hygiene, like washing their hands regularly, and so that they can watch out for their own symptoms.

• We will be limiting the number of coaches helping with each session to make social distancing easier. If you have been assigned to a coaching session then it is more important than ever that you let the lead coach know immediately if you are no longer able to help. If we are short a coach, and unable to find a replacement, then the group of players that they were supposed to supervise will have to be sent home!
• When you arrive you should use hand sanitiser and then help set up the hall:
  • nets and posts
  • placing tables with hand sanitiser on them at entrances, exits and for each group of players
  • place coloured cones at the rear of the courts, 2 metres apart, to mark out areas for players to place their belongings. Ensure the areas are rotated for each subsequent session.
  • assign a tube of shuttles for each group to use
  • move unnecessary furniture / equipment out of the way (e.g. remove chairs, stack benches at the side of the hall)
  • use door stops to wedge open the doors to allow players and parents to enter/leave the hall at the beginning and end of each session
  • clean surfaces that people might accidentally touch with surface wipes - net posts, tables, door handles etc
• After setting up the hall, you should use hand sanitiser again. Be sure to use hand sanitiser inbetween each coaching session and after touching any equipment or surfaces.
• Players will be split into groups and coaches will be assigned to groups. Like players, coaches should also practice social distancing. Players from other groups should not mix at any point during the session and coaches should not mix with groups they have not been assigned to.
• The one exception to this is if a player requires first aid assistance.
• Where possible, players should be guided in self-administering first aid.
• If this is not possible then first aiders should use appropriate PPE. The club's first aid kit has been stocked with additional:
  • disposable gloves
  • resuscitation face shields
  • alcohol based hand sanitiser
  • face masks
• Sweat drops on the court should be cleaned up with cleaning surface wipes.
• If a player starts displaying COVID-19 symptoms during a session then they should be immediately isolated from the group and sent home.
• As before, sessions will only go ahead if at least 1 first aider is present, willing and able to provide first aid assistance.
• If you are a trained first aider then please make sure that you let the lead coach know what (if any) assistance you are happy to provide. Do not feel pressured into committing to doing anything you are not comfortable with. However, it is important that the lead coach knows who is available before a session starts.
• Although all our new social distancing rules will be shared with players before they attend a session, and we will remind them at the beginning of each session, there will be slip ups. Our job is to educate and remind players to practice social distancing, not to reprimand them. Having said that, persistent breaches should be reported to the lead coach, who will deal with them appropriately.
• As usual, coaches should de-brief after each session to flag up any issues and to suggest any changes to future sessions.