I hope everyone is keeping safe and well in these difficult times and as the uncertainty on returning to normality and playing hockey does not seem imminent, we as a Club are attempting to prepare for next season and make contingency plans for whatever that may look like.

Further to the current situation with Covid-19 and the and the guidelines issued by the Government during lockdown, The Committee have made the unprecedented step to postpone this year’s AGM until such time either restrictions are lifted, or we are able to meet as a small group.

The current Committee have agreed to continue in their positions and are working hard to ensure that the Club remains ready to cope with the difficult challenges ahead.

Please keep a look out for our newsletter – the Walden Win which will have updates and information on what’s happening next, including virtual quizzes and social events.

Please find below the latest information from England Hockey and Sport England

Following the government's latest guidance on COVID-19, England Hockey are intending to issue advice and we are working with the relevant organisations in government and sport to provide the right advice for our players, clubs and other organisations.The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges that have never been faced by the sport previously.

Our support comes in two main areas: 

Let’s Stick Together is a resource for you to refer to during this time of uncertainty.  Please share this page with your community, committee, volunteers and players.  Together we are stronger, and we hope you find everything you might need here.   

Coming Back Stronger - We continue to follow the advice of the government and Public Health England and, whilst hockey isn’t being played, we are working on the programmes for when Hockey’s Back. You can find our advice following the government’s latest guidance here. In the meantime we are here to support you as club leaders, coaches and key volunteers with a one stop guide to help you and your club volunteers prepare so that when we return you can come back even stronger. This section has been divided up into the key ingredients of what make a great club

A detailed statement will be issued in the near future with more detail to follow shortly as the situation becomes clearer for hockey.

In the meantime please respect that the Hockey pitch and Clubhouse are closed until further notice. 

While hockey is on hiatus, Sport England's brilliant #StayInWorkOut campaign helps keep everyone as active as possible.

A number of hockey players at all levels - and hockey clubs of course - have already got involved and it is great to see hockey as a sport responding so positively in these challenging times.

More info at www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout and also look for #StayInWorkOut on social media

Sport England’s advice on training in general 

The choice to return to training is also a personal one. Every sport is different and everyone’s personal circumstances are different and whilst clearly there are many who are keen to return to training as soon as possible, there are those who will have genuine concerns or personal circumstances that make this challenging. As always, we are urging all sports to continue to make the welfare of athletes and staff their number one priority.

“We are therefore asking all sports to work through the guidance carefully, to give confidence to both athletes and support staff that they can “opt in” to any return to training safely. Ultimately the decision on when to return to organised training must be taken by each sport, in conjunction with relevant training facility providers, understanding all of the complexities and intricacies of individual sports.”

The guidance document is available here. 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at chairman@saffronwaldenhockey.co.uk

Or call 07791780670

Stay safe and well 

Kind Regards

Martyn 

Chairman