Fellow Dolphins,
Our 2021 season commences this weekend with the first of two friendlies before the league matches start on Saturday 8 May. We host Bamville at our temporary home this Saturday, then take the trip to Hatfield Hyde on 1 May. Following the curtailment of last summer’s cricket we have much to look forward to: a full schedule of fixtures and the promise of building on our very successful campaign in League Division 7B in 2020.
Please be reminded that whilst we continue to work with the Council, John O’Connor and our local MP to improve the facilities at Rothamsted Park, we are playing all our home fixtures at Napsbury this summer. Address details are on our website, together with the full list of fixtures (www.harpendendolphins.hitscricket.com). We welcome supporters to Napsbury throughout the season, although our usual hospitality will be curtailed because of the current ECB guidelines related to COVID.
Presidents Day this year is scheduled for Sunday 4 July. I hope that progress at Rothamsted is such that we can host Presidents Day in the park - yet we do have the Napsbury pitch on standby if the ground at Rothamsted is not up to par. Everyone connected with the Dolphins is welcome on Presidents Day, both to the match and to my house after the game for a barbecue and a cooling beer (or two!). I shall confirm the venue for the match and other plans nearer the day.
Importantly, we have to remind ourselves (whether players or other attendees) of the matchday requirements to ensure both you and the club remains compliant with the ECB COVID protocols.
- For our players: It is strongly recommended that you take the time to read the COVID Protocols and ECB guidance. One of the players at each match will be allocated the role of Covid Compliance Officer to ensure everyone present complies with the guidelines.
- For our supporters: You may wish to browse the protocols so that you are aware of the procedures in place. The greatest impact on us as far as welcoming our supporters is concerned is that we cannot supply our traditional cricket teas, nor even a cup of tea! As soon as the official guidance changes and allows cricket teas I shall let you know, yet I hope that doesn’t dissuade you from making a visit in the meantime.
Last year the new Covid Guidelines did not get in the way of some very enjoyable matches and we hope this will be the same this season.
Good luck to our playing members in their efforts on the field over the next 20 weekends and, to our band of supporters near and far, I send my best wishes in the hope that we may see you at a match, or at the Common on a Saturday evening.
Best wishes,
Graham
President
Harpenden Dolphins CC
COVID Protocols
Specifically, everyone is
- to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms prior to leaving home and to not attend if symptomatic but to follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation
- to be accepting of the increased risk associated with taking part in cricket activity
- aware of the advice to comply with public health restrictions and avoid high-risk behaviour both inside and outside of the cricket setting to limit transmission risk wherever possible
- accepting that it is their choice to participate in a modified version of the game and the need for them to comply with COVID-19 measures
- to be aware that people with health conditions that put them at increased risk should consider the risks of participating in cricket activity
- to be aware that changing rooms will be closed (with limited exceptions for disabled persons) and that they should arrive and go home in their kit.
- to be aware that they should bring their own food (including tea) and drink and water bottles should not be shared
- to be aware the Rule of 6 (or as a group made up of two households) should be observed off the field
- to be aware that sharing of equipment must be avoided where possible
- accepting of the adaptations to playing conditions (such as hygiene breaks every 6 overs/ no sweat or saliva be used on the ball)
Specifically, both teams will be asked to accept the basis of NHS Track & Trace, including notifying the NHS should they suffer a covid infection and to self isolate if they are exposed to a covid infected person. Each Captain is to take responsibility for the retention of contact details for all of their players (and other attendees) and to share these upon request if an infection is subsequently identified by their opponents.