Following the government announement of the introduction of a full Level 5 lockdown, all squash clubs must close from from tonight – December 31st. This is disappointing news, but due to the escalating number of infections and in particular hospital admissions, this action is understandable and necessary for the whole health of the nation.
A coach is not just for Christmas….
Irish Squash are holding a free Christmas raffle for junior players
There are 10 prizes, each prize is a voucher for a 2-hour coaching session with the coach of their choice from the list
below.
The vouchers are valid for all of 2021.
Clubs and coaches please fill in the attached spreadsheet with entries for the raffle and send to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 4th January 2021. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 6th January via the Irish Squash website.
Players can only enter once. Players, please contact your club or coach to get your name on the list.
Upon completion of coaching session, can winners take a selfie with coach for publication on Irish Squash website.
COVID-19 Update Nov 30th
Republic of Ireland
Sport Ireland provided Irish Squash and other NGBs with much needed guidance on individual training for sports today (see attached PDF document).
In Level 3 and 4, squash courts may be used for individual training only (no exemptions for members of same household).
Coaching is permitted on a one-to-one basis by trainers/coaches approved by Irish Squash.
Plan for Living with Covid-19 framework document & guidance for individual indoor training applied to squash:
| LEVEL 1 | LEVEL 2 | LEVEL 3 | LEVEL 4 | LEVEL 5 | |
| TRAINING | Normal training
|
Normal training, groups up to 6 players | Solo Squash
2 members -same household |
Solo Squash | No on court activity |
| COACHING | Normal coaching | Coaching groups up to 6 players | One to One Training | One to One Training | No on court activity |
Northern Ireland
Squash courts in NI should remain closed until Fri 11th December. We are awaiting clarification from Sport NI on what activities are permitted beyond this.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D, and the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, T.D., today announced that €40 million is being made available in 2021 under a new round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The SCEP is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. Applications can be made online only from 9am on Friday 11th December until 5pm on Friday 12th February, 2021.
Further information and details from today’s Department press release can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bc7e-ministers-launch-40m-sports-grant-scheme-for-2021/
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
The programme funds:
• Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage)
• Energy Efficient Floodlighting
• Artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas
• Security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts
• Hurling walls / handball alleys
• Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets
• Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms
• Non-personal sports equipment
• Limited Covid related works/equipment
• Modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption
• Any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance
Further information about the programme including details of all previous allocations and a detailed review of the latest (2018) round of the programme can be found at Gov.ie
We encourage all squash clubs to examine applying for a grant, where they feel its needed, carefully. We will publish more guidance/advice in the coming weeks. Contact [email protected] if you have any queries or need some advice on the grant process.
Following the goverment announcement on November 27th, regarding easing of some restrictions, Irish Squash is urgently seeking clarification on the exact definition of ‘individual training’ from a squash perspective, from Sport Ireland.
Irish Squash cannot provide appropriate guidance on the newly-published Level 3, until Sport Ireland respond to our queries however there should be no squash activity until Irish Squash get permission from Sport Ireland for clubs to open.
