Spectator Pilots Grounded

WCCC

 

In light of today’s announcement by the Prime Minister on the cancellation of the spectator pilot programme for live sport, Warwickshire County Cricket Club can confirm that unfortunately Club Members and supporters will no longer be able to attend play in the opening Bob Willis Trophy match versus Northamptonshire at Edgbaston on Saturday or Sunday.

Stuart Cain, Chief Executive of Warwickshire CCC, said: “We’re naturally disappointed by today’s announcement given the steps that we have taken to create the safest possible environment at an elite sporting event. However, we fully understand and respect the Government’s decision.

“We remain committed to working with the Government and the ECB to play a further part in this pilot programme and building on our first successful hosting of a live crowd on Tuesday.

“Whilst we understand the disappointment from our Members and supporters, we have invested in an enhanced live stream for our matches in the 2020 season, and this can be accessed completely free from tomorrow morning at edgbaston.com.”

Warwickshire Members were able to claim complimentary tickets for both days of the spectator pilot programme. Supporters who purchased tickets will receive an automatic refund in the coming days.

Tickets are now available to Warwickshire supporters 

for the Bob Willis Trophy fixture against Northamptonshire 

on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August.

This fixture is part of the Government's pilot programme to

support the safe return of spectators to live sporting events.

A limited number of tickets are available to purchase

for only £5 each. Tickets can be purchased in groups of 1, 

groups of 2 sitting together, groups of 3 sitting together 

or groups of 4 sitting together.

Before buying tickets, please take a moment to read our

Spectator Code of Conduct for this match. You will also be required 

to agree to a Health Declaration before claiming tickets.

To adhere to NHS Test and Trace, the ticket booker will

need to provide contact details of all members of their party

as part of the booking process.

How to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone by calling

0121 369 1994 (option 1); Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Martyn Ziegler.

The Times.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020.

Counties hopeful of being allowed crowds for T20 Blast

The Times.

Tuesday, 28 July 2020.

PTG 3208-15880.

Counties are increasingly confident they will be able to welcome limited crowds to matches in both the Bob Willis Trophy first-class competition and the T20 Blast this summer.  The UK government has extended the pilot scheme for crowds returning to elite sport enabling up to 2,500 spectators to attend the first two days of Surrey’s Bob Willis Trophy match against Middlesex at The Oval and Warwickshire’s match against Northamptonshire at Edgbaston, both of which start on Saturday.

Surrey were able to welcome 1,000 county members for their warm-up match against Middlesex on Sunday and Monday (PTG 3206-15867, 27 July 2020), and a further 1,000 will be at Edgbaston on Tuesday and Wednesday for Warwickshire’s warm-up friendly with Worcestershire.

Other counties are now in discussion with their local Sports Safety Authority and Public Health England to demonstrate how they will comply with the government’s Stage Five guidance that allows the return of some spectators to grounds. It is hoped that the next pilot events at The Oval and Edgbaston will demonstrate further that cricket grounds could host about 20 to 30 per cent of their capacity safely.

Richard Gould, the Surrey chief executive, described the first day of their pilot match on Sunday as a “definite success” and the county are putting in place plans to more than double the size of the crowd for their first competitive match in the new competition. Smaller grounds feel they could safely welcome about 500 to 800 members for Bob Willis Trophy matches.  It is hoped that by September when the T20 Blast competition is in full swing, counties will be able to sell tickets to the public. The Blast gets under way on August 27 but for the moment ticket allocations will be limited to existing county members.

BBCSport

Surrey and Warwickshire can allow up to 2,500 spectators to watch the first two days of their opening Bob Willis Trophy fixtures which start on Saturday.

Middlesex's trip to The Oval and Northamptonshire's visit to Edgbaston have been chosen for the next phase of the pilot scheme to test government guidance on crowds returning to sport.

The first phase saw 1,000 watch Surrey play Middlesex at The Oval on Sunday.

It was deemed "a definite success" by Surrey chief executive Richard Gould.

The same social distancing measures, brought in as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, will be in place on Tuesday when Warwickshire host Worcestershire in a friendly at Edgbaston.

"We're all excited about the start of the county cricket season," said former Warwickshire chief executive Neil Snowball, who has just started his new role as the England and Wales Cricket Board's director of county cricket.

"Of course we all miss not being able to go and watch as we normally would. These two pilots are an important step in testing the government guidance and ensuring we can safely open our grounds again."

Bears chief operating officer Craig Flindall added: "We're delighted Warwickshire and Edgbaston are again at the forefront of innovation and we can play a part in securing the safe return of spectators to sporting events across the country.

"We have a proven track record and have vast experience of delivering some of the biggest sporting events that have taken place in the city in recent years. Whilst we are operating at a reduced capacity, these three match dates are of equal importance to those previous events."

Tickets are being made available to members only at both games and must be booked in advance, with both Surrey and Warwickshire saying no tickets will be available from their respective grounds on the day of the game.

-------------------------------

Sunshine, the crack of willow on leather, an obligatory rain break and 1,000 grateful spectators were all part of the scene in Surrey's crowd pilot friendly with Middlesex at The Oval.

England's first taste of live spectator sport since the coronavirus lockdown was described by Surrey chief executive Richard Gould as "a definite success".

Fans were spaced by alternate rows and two-seat gaps per group in two stands.

Spectators sipped beers, while big screens provided entertainment.

Hand sanitiser was placed around the ground to encourage those in attendance to keep up with protocols, while there were also pump bottles of gel placed around the boundary ropes for the players.

There was plenty of demand for tickets from Surrey's members, with Gould confirming 10,000 calls were made to snap up the 1,000 places available within an hour of them going on sale.

While there was pleasure in seeing crowds return on this smaller scale, Gould sounded a more sobering note regarding the future.

"To get 1,000 people desperate to come, and more, is great," Gould said. "The sun is shining, cricket is taking place and people look happy.

"We've got about 100 staff in, so it's like a 10 to one ratio. This one is not viable in truth but we hope that if trials could get extended, we can then move to a more viable way.

"People are being really sensible, so if people are being really sensible you can adjust the numbers, so 30% [capacity] is not viable in the long term but it's a start.

"You'd need to be getting north of 60% or 70% for commercial viability. That's not going to happen with cricket this summer, but that would be the number that other sports will be wanting to try and get to."

On the field Surrey were all out for 335 from 90 overs during the day, with Scott Borthwick making 87, backed by Jordan Clark's unbeaten 67 and 62 from Will Jacks.

Middlesex, who will bat tomorrow weather permitting, had six different wicket takers, with doubles for Tim Murtagh, Blake Cullen, Nathan Sowter and Thilan Walallawita, while James Harris and Toby Roland-Jones took one apiece.

"It was brilliant to see the crowd in - everyone's been starved of cricket this summer [and] it doesn't feel like a summer without it," Surrey head coach Vikram Solanki told BBC Radio London.

"The fact we were able to get out there today in reasonable weather, the cloud threatened for a while, but it was great and it served its purpose."

Two other friendlies - Warwickshire's crowd-pilot derby with Worcestershire and Lancashire's two-day game with Derbyshire - had been set to start on Monday but both have been put back 24 hours because of the prospect of rain that day.

Cricket pilot: The Oval - 26-27 July

When Surrey face Middlesex on Sunday for a men's county cricket friendly, it will mark the first time fans have attended a live sports event in England since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March and all sport was suspended.

Tickets were reserved for members of both clubs, and there will be careful spacing of groups to avoid breaking social distancing guidelines.

Households will be separated by two clear seats to the left and right of them, and only each alternate row will be used.

Only a few stands will be used for the trial, with the areas nearest the pavilion reserved for participants.

Richard Gould, Surrey CCC chief executive, said the club feels a "considerable responsibility" to get it right but there has been a positive response from members.

"What's been really pleasant to see is the level of support from the public," he said. "Nobody knows quite what the appetite is for a return to live sport and we've been inundated with calls. We had 10,000 calls in the first hour."

Gould said the bars and concession stands will be open to try to make it "as normal as possible".

"The bars will be open, there will be PA announcements, everything going on on the big screens, food options available," he said.

Surrey CEO: 

BBCSport

County cricket must find a safe way of bringing spectators back to grounds to avoid an 18-month 'lockout', says Surrey chief executive Richard Gould.

Sunday's two-day game against Middlesex at The Oval is one of several sporting events allowing fans in to gauge the suitability of crowds returning.

Limited capacity and social distancing are among the challenges posed for clubs, who would welcome the revenue.

"We're really keen to get supporters back," Gould said.

"If we don't, then cricket will have to go for a year and a half without any spectators. And that will have significant follow on issues for us."

Gould says the take-up for tickets from supporters has been positive, and he senses there is public confidence in watching live sport among crowds.

How counties like Surrey go about making the experience as 'normal' as possible could be vital to ensuring matches before crowds are a more permanent fixture.

This includes the potential sale of alcohol, as pubs and bars are now open under the restrictions.

"We will clearly be trying to make sure that we arrange the ground in the best possible way," Gould added to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.

"One thing I think we've got to realise, though, with all sort of consumer-facing industries, is that people are coming to have a good time.

"We must be treating people with proper respect, we must be keeping them safe, but we must also be creating conditions and environment where they actually enjoy coming to the occasion. Otherwise, we're just failing at the first hurdle."

Game at The Oval a pilot for spectator events

PTG Editor.

Saturday, 18 July 2020.

PTG 3198-15831.

A small number of sporting events will be used to pilot the safe return of spectators to sporting events in the UK over the next few weeks, including a pair of two-day county cricket friendly matches.  The first will be a game between Surrey and Middlesex scheduled for The Oval on Sunday-Monday next week for which Surrey have plans for up to 6,000 spectators in a stadium that has a capacity of 25,000.

An spokesperson for the England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) said: "From the outset of this crisis, we’ve worked in partnership with the UK Government on the safe return of cricket, both at professional and recreational levels.  The return of fans to stadia is the next step and we are pleased that this announcement allows cricket to be among the first pilot events. There is a significant amount of work to carry out ahead of these pilots, and we will continue to work closely with the Government to assess what additional planning and safety measures are needed for supporters to be able to return safely to cricket grounds”.

Venues will have to produce a crowd management plan, the percentage of the stadium that can be used depending on whether social distancing measures remain at one metre. Other requirements include: Controlled entry and exit of spectators; A code of behaviour for fans not to attend if they have been exposed to someone with Covid-19; Bookings controlled so that social distancing is observed; Fans encouraged to avoid public transport where possible; Additional hygiene facilities, such as hand-washing stations; Screens or barriers at catering and retail outlets; and venues will need a plan to decide who should attend if the number of season-ticket holders exceeds the space available.

Surrey’s plan for the Oval will involve players and staff being at the Pavilion End and spectators occupying the Vauxhall End. The club are likely to hold a ballot to allocate tickets for members because of expected high demand.  The EWCB will put forward proposals to the government to allow a reduced number of spectators during September when the T20 Blast competition is taking place, and at least for the final of the first class format Willis Trophy which is due to be played over five days starting on September 27.

Pre-season county friendlies among pilot events for return of spectators to sporting venues

The Cricketer

The two-day game beginning on July 26 between Surrey and Middlesex at the Kia Oval is expected to be one of two cricket matches lined up

Pre-season county friendlies will be among pilot events used to stress-test new government guidance for the return of spectators to sporting venues.

The two-day game beginning on July 26 between Surrey and Middlesex at the Kia Oval is expected to be one of two cricket matches lined up, along with the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre and the Glorious Goodwood horseracing festival.

Further pilot events are then likely to take place over the coming months, with sporting events set to allow fans to return from October 1 with social distancing restrictions in place – if it is deemed safe to do so. Sporting venues have been closed to spectators since lockdown measures were implemented on March 23, though Test cricket has since returned behind closed doors.

“We will pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadiums with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn,” said prime minister Boris Johnson on Friday.

The move gives the government the opportunity to test its ‘stage five’ guidance, on the return of fans to elite sports events. This includes spectators being provided with information on the steps being taken to minimise coronavirus risks at the venue.

The guidance has been developed with UK Sport and in close consultation with the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Public Health England, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, Police and medical representatives across Olympic, Paralympic and professional sports governing bodies.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “For months millions of us have felt the void of being unable to go to the match to support our team or attend a top-class sporting event. So I am pleased that we are now able to move forward with a plan to help venues safely reopen their doors to fans.

“I recognise that not every sport, team or club has the benefit of huge commercial revenue, and it is often their dedicated fans that are the lifeblood which helps keep them going. By working closely with sports and medical experts, these pilots will help ensure the safe return of fans to stadia.

“Although it will remain some time before venues are full to capacity, this is a major step in the right direction for the resumption of live spectator sport across the country.”

Spectators must also agree to a code, obliging them to take responsibility by not attending if they have symptoms or have been exposed to someone else with symptoms.

Booking processes will also be carefully controlled, so that social distancing can be maintained, and a crowd management plan will be in place to control the entry and exit of spectators, while there will be additional hygiene facilities on site.

Last week, infectious disease expert and SAGE member Sir Jeremy Farrar told The Cricketer: “July and August are going to be critical months for this. We’ve seen the lifting of restrictions, we all saw what happened over the weekend at pubs and previously at beaches. We could well see an increase in the number of infections in July and August.

“Then decisions about opening up sporting venues would have to be taken in light of the information available. If things stayed as they are today, I think that in September it would be possible to open sports grounds, with maybe 10 per cent or 15 per cent of capacity. 

“It all depends on what’s happening to transition in August and the beginning of September for that to be true. If it was today, I think it would be possible.