Now that restrictions have been lifted, unless there are new changes on the horizon, the 2021/22 season will go ahead.
We have a complete list of entries from Club Reps. Unfortunately there have been some withdrawals. Sadly Brampton and Queens Park do not have venues. We wish them luck finding somewhere to play squash in the near future.
The fixtures meeting will be held at Abbeydale Squash Club on 9 August 2021 at 7:30pm. Please ensure that all captains attend this meeting. One person covering multiples teams lengthens the meeting for everyone and is not acceptable.
The league structure will remain the same as the unplayed 2020/21 season with the exception of Brampton have withdrawn from Division 1; Brampton 2 from Division 2; Queens Park from Division 3; Phoenix 3, Woodfield 5 and Woodfield 6 from Division 4; Hallamshire 2 Ladies from the Ladies Division. Hallamshire have entered an additional team in the Racketball league.
Proposed fixtures will be posted on the website shortly.
The committee announced previously that it hoped to commence the 2020-21 season from October 1st. However, given the recent tightening of social interaction imposed by the government, this date is no longer achievable. The committee will review the situation should the rules be relaxed. The government has suggested that the new restrictions may last as long as six months, which suggests no matches would take place at all within the normal season. The committee is, however, optimistic, but even then it cannot foresee that any matches can be played this side of Christmas. The league must also follow guidance from England Squash. Fixtures can only sensibly resume once England Squash announce that they have entered Phase 3 of their Return to Play plan. The plan is currently in Phase 2. See the link below for the full plan and to check the current status.
The S&D Committee hope you are all well and have been keeping active over the last few months. The committee met tonight to discuss a few items. Here's a summary of what was discussed and some news on what we intend to do in the coming months to ensure that, all being well, we will be able to start the new season smoothly.
Last season is closed. Any unplayed matches will not count towards league points. Promotions and Relegations will be determined by current league positions.
The AGM will take place by video conference at 7:30pm on Wednesday 22 July 2020.
Club Reps can expect a communication in the next few days asking them to respond with their entries for next season. Upon receipt of entries a proposed league structure for next season will be presented at the AGM.
Instead of hosting a fixtures meeting, dateless fixtures will be posted on the website shortly after the league structure is agreed. Club reps will be asked to ensure team captains contact each other and enter the dates of the fixtures via the website. We expect fixtures to be completed by 31 August 2020 with a view to commencing matches from 1 October 2020.
At present the league is not cancelling or postponing any fixtures, however if teams choose not to play a fixture then the league will not issue a penalty. Where a fixture is cancelled or postponed, captains should ensure that the league and their opponents are informed and, where necessary, any out of pocket expenses are covered.
Princes Sports Club has closed, however please note the teams intend to fulfil their remaining fixtures. Individual arrangements may have been made to double up away fixtures or as quoted below, the fixtures will be played at Sharley Park Leisure Centre, Clay Cross, Chesterfield.
"The team captains are keeping the teams together to complete the league commitments. Also a Working Party (volunteers) have formed and keeping a virtual club together to keep promoting the sport with Chesterfield until we can find a permanent solution.
The rest of this seasons home matches have been secured to play at Sharley Park Leisure Centre, Clay Cross, Chesterfield."
Season 2021/22 Update 