Following recent announcements from the Scottish and UK Governments and the growing concern on the part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) with regards to coronavirus, Cricket Scotland is constantly reviewing its procedures and plans.
Here, we detail the support that is on offer to clubs and regional associations, as well as important advice from NHS and the UK Government. We also give you the latest updates on cricket within Scotland.
sportscotland
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland and they have all the information you may need on managing your Club during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They have created an information hub and a legal online resource from Harper McLeod at the following links. These provide guidance, advice, useful links and FAQ's for sports clubs.
Scottish Government Grants Scheme
One-off grants are available to clubs through the Business Support Fund which offers two types of grant:
- Retail, Hospitality, Leisure Support Grant: £25,000
- Small Business Grant: £10,000
Clubs throughout Scotland have already benefitted from these grants via application to their local council. Further information is below.
Third Sector Resilience Fund and Wellbeing Fund
The SCVO Resilience Hub it is the best place for clubs to get information on the Resilience Fund and the Wellbeing Fund, it also holds information on other sources of funding and Government schemes and is constantly being reviewed and updated.
The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20m emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. The fund supports organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Self Employed Coaches or Club Employed Staff
Any club employed staff struggling to meet their employer's PAYE or NIC commitment should contact the HMRC. This can be done via the HMRC Covid-19 helpline on 0800 0159 559. Evidence of financial hardship will be needed.
The Self Employment Income Support Scheme has been set-up by the UK Government to support self-employed people who have been adversely affected by COVID-19.
This information may be useful to coaches that have been engaged by clubs on a self-employed basis. Full details of the scheme can be found below.
Small Business Grant Scheme
For clubs and regional associations with Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) status, a grant is available up to £10k administered by local councils.
Clubs and Regional Associations with SCIO status
For clubs and regional associations with SCIO status, the charity regulator OSCR has published web guidance for charities that clubs and regional associations should review.
Guidance relating to grounds maintenance and COVID-19
Cricket Scotland has issued guidance to clubs relating to ground maintenance during the current COVID-19 outbreak. For guidance on caring for your grounds, see the two documents below.
Cricket Scotland will operate with reduced staff throughout April and May, with regular reviews taking place throughout this period. The Cricket Scotland office is currently closed, with staff working remotely. Clubs, members, supporters and the wider cricket community may contact the relevant member of the leadership team as follows:
Club, Officials, Community and Schools Cricket
Nic Wilson: nicolawilson@cricketscotland.com, 07891 408 915
Commercial and Membership
Paul Macari: paulmacari@cricketscotland.com, 07808 541 982
Media and Communications
Lizzie Sleet: lizziesleet@cricketscotland.com, 07889 570 419
High Performance and Senior Regional Cricket
Shane Burger: shaneburger@cricketscotland.com, 07889 594 275
Pathway (National & Regional), Facilities and Coaching
Gordon Drummond: gordondrummond@cricketscotland.com, 07826 907 124
Finance and Administration
David Johnson: finance@cricketscotland.com
Chief Executive
Gus Mackay: gusmackay@cricketscotland.com, 07739 749 899
Domestic Season
Cricket activity in Scotland is currently suspended until at least 1st July 2020. Cricket Scotland announced on the 13th May that no league cricket or national cup competitions in Scotland will take place this season.
International Cricket
Scotland's upcoming fixtures against New Zealand at The Grange on 10th and 12th June have been postponed. As soon as decisions are made about additional tournaments, leagues and international matches we will issue statements. In all cases, decisions will be made based on government guidelines and with the purpose of supporting the need to restrict the spread of the coronavirus.
Cricket Events
Sporting events around the world are currently being cancelled or postponed and we are monitoring the situation while maintaining ongoing contact with fellow sports governing bodies, sportscotland, ICC and others.
Participation
All events and cricket organised by Cricket Scotland's Participation team, included but not limited to: women and girls', schools, disability, coach education and community engagement are postponed until further notice in line with UK Government recommendations. This also applies to junior programmes such as All Stars Cricket, Dynamos Cricket and other junior formats.
Here you can find activities to help you stay engaged and active during lockdown.
On Monday 23rd March 2020, the UK Government ordered people to stay home and only leave the house for the following reasons:
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
- travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home
These reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Social distancing practices are also enforced across the UK, with members of the public instructed to stay at least two metres from people outside of your household.
Please find below the latest official communication from Cricket Scotland to Clubs, Regional Associations and the wider cricket community.
