RILSA GUIDELINES – RETURNING TO SPORT – COVID 19 REMINDER | Republic of Ireland Ladies Snooker Association

The Republic of Ireland Ladies Snooker Association have produced a Pathway for reopening their National Snooker Academy at Sharkx Newbridge to provide a safe and controlled reopening of their season of Snooker & Billiards events.

RILSA have produced this “Play Safe & Keep Healthy” Pathway for the reopening of their Academy, member Schools, and Youth reach Centres, and Academies with snooker tables. RILSA have developed a set of protocols to inform all our locations on how to reopen in a controlled and safe manner. RILSA have also announced a Pathway for the return to competitive snooker and billiards. These guidelines will be reviewed by the Board of RILSA at regular intervals and when guided by the HSE.

This Pathway places the health and safety of all our members, supporters, club owners, families and friends to the fore of its priorities. RILSA is confident these guidelines will allow for a safe and controlled return to playing snooker & billiards.

RILSA will begin a return to competition in July 2020, commencing with our National Billiards events which entails a small group of 8 players where it will be possible to see out the season as previously planned. We will however assess the current situation regarding COVID-19 on a weekly basis and make decisions accordingly. RILSA will hold all their events for the 2020/2021 season at their Academy Sharkx Newbridge which will help maintain continuity in one central location for our events. Our Academy at Sharkx Newbridge is set out in such a way as to provide optimum distance between tables to facilitate social distance guidelines along with providing suitable space for a referee and TD during events.

The following guidelines are just that guidelines and while are highly recommended, they are not comprehensive and require adjusting to suit your club, school.

In the meantime we want everyone to stay safe and follow all HSE advice.

RILSA Competition Guidelines for the 2020-2021 season

This Pathway ensures we place the health and safety of all members first. RILSA are confident these guidelines will allow for a safe and controlled return to playing cue sports.

All events will be subject to the following guidelines: To enter a player must:

Not have been out of the country 14 days prior to start of competition.
Not be in self-isolation and not required to cocoon.
Not be displaying COVID-19 symptoms:

Most common symptoms:

Fever

Dry cough

Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

Aches and pains

Sore throat

Diarrhoea

Conjunctivitis

Headache

Loss of taste or smell

A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Chest pain or pressure

Loss of speech or movement

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Closing date for entries will be 3 days prior to the event taking place.
Handshakes, hugging will not be permitted
All players must arrive dressed for play. Changing attire at the club is not permitted.
Personal cues, rests, extensions etc. to be sanitised before leaving home. Personal cues and cases are not to be left in club unless you have a storage locker otherwise you must take away with you when finished playing at the club.
Travel alone unless you travel with a family member who is also participating or officiating in the event.
Only 1 family member permitted with junior players
Arrive 15 mins. Prior to match start time.
Observe social distancing at all times.
We advise players prior to commencement of match to wash their hands. Players will also wash or sanitise their hands between frames.
For all non-refereed matches players will be required to spot balls and call out score when opponent is at the table.
For all non-refereed matches, each player will enter their own score on scoreboard.
Equipment including tables, balls and rests will be sanitised between matches. Each player will use only 1 rest during matches.
The Referee will monitor and supervise matches.
The Referee will ensure tables, rests and scoreboards are sanitised after each match. · The Referee will ensure the balls are returned to the sanitising station for processing and reuse.
The referee will ensure all protocols are observed, especially hand hygiene and social distancing.
Only referees, TD, and players involved in the matches will be allowed in the playing area.
A tournament check list will be used to assist with contact tracing.
Only one person at a time in toilets.
All players and officials are to abide by club guidelines in place at the venue
Players knocked out of competition are requested to vacate the playing area and not congregate.
Players are encouraged to bring along their own hand sanitisers
Players and officials purchasing items at the club are requested to be responsible when discarding papers, plastic bottles etc.
The TD and referee will ensure that all tables, balls and equipment are sanitised after use.
RILSA expects full compliance with these guidelines and that our members take personal responsibility for their actions while in competition.
All players are advised to bring their own chalk or purchase a piece at the club that they can keep.

Guidelines for RILSA Member Clubs

All clubs must comply with HES guidelines on COVID-19.
Sanitising stations must be in place on entering the premises.
Notices displaying information on COVID-19 symptoms – Fever, Dry Cough, and Tiredness should be placed at the entrance and areas that are in use by people within the premises.
Number of people in the area of competition should be kept to a minimum at any one time.
Congregating in groups will not be allowed at any time.
All players must comply and strictly adhere to the guidelines in place.
Personal cues, rests, extensions etc. to be sanitised before leaving home. Personal cues and cases are not to be left in club unless you have a storage locker otherwise you must take away with you when finished playing at the club.
Observe social distancing at all times.
Equipment including tables, balls and rests will be sanitised after each use.
Only one rest to be left at each table.
A check list of people entering the club is advised to facilitate contact tracing.
Anyone purchasing soft drinks, snacks etc. are requested to dispose of the packaging appropriately or take away when finished at the club.
Toilets to be checked and cleaned on a regular basis. Tables and counters used by customers must be cleaned after use. All surfaces used or touched by people within the club must be cleaned after use.
Washing cutlery and crockery in hot water using washing up liquid is highly recommended.
People purchasing items and paying for table time are encouraged to use non contactless card transactions but if money is used staff must wash hands after handling.
Computers, gaming areas will apply social distancing guidelines and all surfaces must be cleaned after use.
Door handles, latches, knobs, electrical equipment, fridges, microwaves, kettles, remote controls, pens, staplers etc. in other words everything used must all be sanitised after use.
Staff must be constantly aware of all these guidelines and apply them as laid out. Staff locking up will leave the premises in a clean and sanitised condition for staff opening up the next day.
Clubs can add to this list and introduce other guidelines as they see fit.
Clubs should use social media and any other means to inform their members and customers of their guidelines.
Smoking areas must be kept clean and those using these facilities must maintain social distance and only allow the minimum number of people to use at any one time.

Guidelines for RILSA Member Schools, Youth reach, and Academies

During the RILSA 2020-2021 season ahead, it’s important that the following list is put in place to ensure a safe and healthy environment for those participating in cue sports.

The RILSA National Special Needs, Primary School and U21 Championships will be held towards the end of 2020 providing that protocols and safe guidelines are in place to cater for these events.

Qualifying events will be held at school level with the top two players making it to the finals which will be played at a suitable venue with strict guidelines in place to facilitate these National Championships.

All locations listed above must comply with HES guidelines on COVID-19.
Sanitising stations must be in place on entering the premises.
Notices displaying information on COVID-19 symptoms – Fever, Dry Cough, and Tiredness should be placed at the entrance and areas that are in use by people within the premises.
Number of people in the area of competition should be kept to a minimum at any one time.
Congregating in groups will not be allowed at any time.
All players must comply and strictly adhere to the guidelines in place.
Personal cues, rests, extensions etc. to be sanitised before leaving home. Personal cues and cases are not to be left in school unless you have a storage locker otherwise you must take away with you when finished playing at the school.
Observe social distancing at all times.
We advise players prior to commencement of match to wash their hands. Players will also wash or sanitise their hands between frames.
Players will be required to spot balls and call out score when opponent is at the table.
Each player will enter their own score on scoreboard.
Equipment including tables, balls and rests will be sanitised between matches. Each player will use only 1 rest during matches.
The teacher in charge will monitor and supervise matches.
Schools, Youth reach centres and RILSA Academies will have other systems and guidelines in place and can edit, make amends, or add to these guidelines in line with their own set policies regarding COVID-19.