Minister Nathi Mthethwa Approves Squash SA’s Return to Play Plan

The easing of restrictions to Level 3 in the country has seen many sporting federations return to play, with squash being the latest addition.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, has approved the health and safety plans submitted by Squash South Africa, giving them the green light to commence with a phased return-to-play approach.

“We can’t even begin to explain how pleased we are to receive these three pages today.

“A massive amount of hard work has gone into initially getting us moved from a full contact sports to the non-contact sports, to get our plans submitted and APPROVED.

“Well done to the entire team for all the hard work to date and going forward as we continue to review and approve clubs, players and coaches,” Squash South Africa posted on their Instagram page.

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*APPROVED TO PLAY* #SquashIsBack We can't even start to explain how pleased we are to receive these three pages today. A massive amount of hard work has gone into initially getting us moved from a Full Contact Sports to the Non-Contact Sports, to get our Plans submitted and APPROVED. Well done to the entire team, for all the hard work to date – and going forward as we continue to review and approve, Clubs, Players and Coaches. • Please apply for your facility at: https://forms.gle/7GfUPCJyovvYKtGi9 ([email protected]) • Please contact the office to verify player or coaching status • A copy of our approved plan: http://www.squashsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Squash-SA-Return-to-Play-v1.2-DSAC.pdf • All conditions of safe return-to-play, must be strictly adhered to • The Minister reserves the right to audit/ monitor compliance A strict Phased return-to-play will be enforced. • Phase 1 – immediate commencement • Phase 2 – from 20 July • Phase 3 – from 1 August • Phase 4 – from 15 August

A post shared by Squash South Africa (@squashsouthafrica) on Jul 13, 2020 at 5:17am PDT

Squash South Africa’s Phased-Out Approach:

Phase 1: 1 July 2020

Athlete Criteria

• Professional Squash Association (PSA), players

o Registered and paid up with PSA as of 26 March 2020 (date of lockdown)

• Top SA Players

o Top 20 ranked Men’s Players

o Top 20 ranked Women’s Players

• National Teams

o SA National Junior Men’s Squad – Team of 2020

o SA National Ladies Squad – Team of 2020

o SA Masters Squad – Team of 2020 – (≥60 years of age, per Government

criteria)

• Provincial Teams

o Senior Interprovincial Players – A-Section Growthpoint IPT (as of 2019

event)

Coaching Criteria

• Certified Coaches

o Registered and authorised SA Level 2 coaches

o Certificate of Authorisation from Squash SA

Facility Criteria

• ≤30% (maximum) of all registered facilities per province (only)
• Certificate of Operation from Squash SA

Phase 2: 15 July

– as above, PLUS –

Athlete Criteria

• Provincial Teams

o Senior Interprovincial Players

▪ B, C and D-Section Growthpoint IPT (as of 2019 event)

o Masters Interprovincial Players

▪ A-Section Doubles or Singles IPT (as of 2019 events) – if ≥60 years of

age, with conditions (per Government criteria)

Coaching Criteria

• Certified Coaches

o Registered and authorised SA Level 1 and Level 2 coaches

o Certificate of Authorisation, from Squash SA

Facility Criteria

• ≤30% (maximum) of all registered facilities per province (only)
• Certificate of Operation from Squash SA

Phase 3: 1 August

– as above, PLUS –

Athlete Criteria

• Registered league members

Coaching Criteria

• Certified Coaches

o Registered and authorised SA Level 1 and Level 2 coaches

o Certificate of Authorisation from Squash SA

Facility Criteria

• ≤30% (maximum) of all registered facilities per province (only)
• Certificate of Operation from Squash SA

Event/ League Criteria

• 1st

Reserve and 2nd leagues (only)

Phase 4: 15 August

– as above, PLUS –

Athlete Criteria

• Registered club members (limited & authorised only)

Coaching Criteria

• Certified Coaches

o Registered and authorised SA Level 1 and Level 2 coaches

o Certificate of Authorisation from Squash SA

Facility Criteria

• ≤30% (maximum) of all registered facilities per province (only)
• Certificate of Operation from Squash SA

Event/ League Criteria

• All other official leagues
• Tournaments & Championships

o International/ National/ Provincial/ District Tournaments & Championships

Photo 1 Caption: Squash South Africa will be taking a phased approach as the sport returns to action. Photo: Squash South Africa