Cricket Ireland has today welcomed the recent announcement from the Northern Ireland Executive on the return to competitive sport on 11 July.
This means that clubs in Northern Ireland will, from Saturday, be able to play friendly matches ahead of the resumption of competitive club fixtures in the Northern Cricket Union and North West Cricket Union from Friday 17 July.
Whilst it is pleasing that competitive sport is able to commence at an earlier date, clubs should note that the NI Executive announcement states that spectators are not yet permitted to attend matches. Those attending matches should be limited to essential personnel only (e.g. players, umpires, scorers, groundsman, COVID-19 Safety Officers, media (where appropriate) and club officials who have a specific function at the game).
We are seeking clarification on this latter directive, and hopefully, within a very short space of time there will be provision for some spectators to attend matches, but until such times matches can take place with only essential personnel being present.
Cricket Ireland, Northern Cricket Union and North West Cricket Union appeal to clubs to ensure these conditions are met – we must all remember that if there is a breach(es) we are not only increasing the risk of Coronavirus spread but are also increasing the risk of restrictions being re-imposed.
Cricket Ireland, in conjunction with the Northern Cricket Union and North West Cricket Union, will continue to review the recently released COVID-19 Safe Return to Play Protocols (SRTPP) to ensure they reflect any announcements by the NI Executive. We will issue further information to clubs and updated SRTPP as soon as possible.
Craig Easdown
Cricket Ireland welcomed the announcement
No
Connaught
