Hope everyone is keeping well.
Below is an update on COVID-19 and Sussex Bar Billiards from the committee. No update has been provided for a couple of months as we have been waiting to see how the lockdown would be eased; and given this to date there had been no changes in our position to update on.
While pubs are reopening this weekend the ambiguous guidance means it is still unknown if bar billiards can be played; it also remains unclear which current league establishments will open and their commitment to keeping a bar billiards table in the future. While it is expected that restrictions will be further lifted at some stage in the next couple of months (subject to no second wave of the virus), no further timelines have been laid out by the government of when and what we can expect from these next steps.
Therefore all playing activities of SCBBA competitions remains suspended for the foreseeable future; this includes the Inter League season that was due to finish in April this year.
Jean Brackenridge announced on proboards a couple of days ago the cancellation of the Off The Spot weekend in July. This was highly expected and while it may seem a late decision entries had stopped being taken much earlier in anticipation of the cancellation.
While dates have been suggested elsewhere to rearrange these competitions, as well as the competitions from the cancelled Sussex Open weekend, there is no active planning to currently play these events. We would if possible like to save some of these competitions and combine into a weekend event at a later date if the guidance allows, but we will not start planning these until it is clear that they could be played under the Government recommendations. Given the current position this would likely be in the last couple of months of this year or early next year; subject to venues, tables and dates being available.
It still remains highly unlikely the 2020 Sussex Open will be played unless there is a significant shift in the Government guidance in the next few weeks.
The committee has decided more time is needed to see how the current situation plays out before deciding on how to conclude the 2019/20 Inter League Home and Away season and also how to proceed with the 2020/21 season. Further updates are likely to be presented at the AGM and available for discussion amongst the playing members.
A date has agreed for the AGM and this will be published shortly once final details have been confirmed. Due to the current government guidance this is highly likely to take a different format this year.
Regards
Stuart Carruthers
SCBBA Chairman