I would like to issue an update on the SCBBA COVID-19 response.
On behalf of the association the committee would like to get back to playing bar billiards as soon as possible, however we will only do so when it is safe for all our members to resume these activities. In order to decide this we use the recommendations of the Government and the Health Organisations. Obviously at the moment their advice is that we shouldn’t be playing. While we don’t know exactly when these will change, and the lockdown lifted, with the latest information available the following decision have been made:
- Cancel the Watney Mann for this year
- A decision on playing the U30s, Masters and Sussex Open on the current date or postponing will be made following the next government update after the initial three week lockdown (expected to be around April 14th)
- If these events are postponed in June we will look at feasibility of playing these either on the weekend at end of July with the Off The Spot, or possibly on the weekend of 27th September which has been reserved by AEBBA as an alternate date
- We will aim to finish the current Inter League season before starting next season
- Consider options to present at AGM for alternatives for next season’s Inter League if as expected a full season can’t be completed
There may obviously be issues when we are able to resume playing with restrictions lifted at different times and the possibility of having lost some venues during the crisis. This will make going straight back into normal activities difficult.
The Watney Mann is to be cancelled this year to allow for leagues around the county to have more time to fit in fixtures over the summer and in-line with the AEBBA who have cancelled the National Team Championship for 2020.
With the current Inter League season so close to completion we would like to complete the season. We are currently in a difficult position with Brighton A having ‘won’ Division One but the season not completed and no other promotion and relegation issues decided. This would cause problems with either voiding the season or settling on current positions. The length of the lockdown this could cause issues, and any problems this will cause will be looked at in detail when we have a resumption date.
While it is good that many of the postponed events from the last few weeks, and future weeks, have been rearranged for later in the year, this along with the possibility of future lockdown means that weekend to scheduled Inter League matches later in the year are restricted. This may mean playing a full series of fixtures next season is impossible. Depending on likely teams and division structures format proposals will be looked at for presentation at the AGM.
A full update on the Sussex Under 30’s, Sussex Masters and Sussex Open will follow next week.