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.
Irish Squash proposed to Sport Ireland and their Expert Group that solo squash be permitted under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, based on initial information from the Government that individual indoor training would be allowed. We have made strenuous efforts all week to obtain clarification on this and we would like to thank all the clubs and players who waited patiently for official news on how to proceed before taking any action.
With regret, Irish Squash now confirm that all squash courts in Republic of Ireland must close during Level 5 Covid-19 lockdown following communication this afternoon from Sport Ireland.
Separately, Irish Squash are extremely disappointed that Sport Ireland have informed us that our professional players do not qualify as elite/high performance athletes under Sport Ireland criteria. Therefore, no exemptions for our top players are permissible during Level 5 restrictions.
Following the start of level 5 restrictions today, we are actively working and awaiting final clarification from Sport Ireland, regarding ‘individual training ‘ which is allowed in Level 5.
Please bear with us, patience hopefully will get us ‘Solo Squash’ for the next few weeks.
Covid Sub Committee
Following the government announcement on last Monday, We are awaiting final clarification from
Sport Ireland today, regarding ‘individual training ‘ which is allowed in Level 5.
A further update will be posted later today.
WORLD SQUASH DAY is on this Saturday October 10th. We want as many of you to go to your local club as 
restrictions allow and play some routines, as per current rules. Then when on court, take a selfie, send it to @irishsquash and @worldsquashday and tag it #ReclaimOurCourts
Enjoy the day and stay healthy with the ‘Healtiest Sport in theWorld’
