Norfolk Hockey Leagues Frozen
Published: 16 Mar 2020
Important Information and Advice from the Norfolk Hockey Association to All Norfolk League Teams
It is with much regret that the NHA has taken the decision to stop all leagues with immediate effect.
The senior leagues will be frozen as they stand today, and this will be the final result for 2019/2020.
The Junior Development final sections will be frozen until it is safe to continue the competition at a future date or the competition will be abandoned altogether if the situation does not improve by the beginning of May 2020.
There are two reasons: -
1. We have received news from a Club that a player who was involved in a league game played last Saturday has been told to self-isolate. Today we have another player who has been sent home from work to self-isolate.
2. We are mindful that the Government is recommending: -
a) "to avoid social contact and non-essential travel".
b) "to avoid pubs, clubs and restaurants".
c) "to avoid non-essential contact."
We need to accept that the virus is amongst us and for the Management Committee to expect teams to turn up and play league matches is irresponsible and is needlessly placing players and officials at unnecessary risk. For those who say that it is only two teams who are affected, we must ask, how many is it before we consider it to be a real risk? It is very important that we observe the need for "social distance" and we believe that if we are erring, then it is on the side of caution.
Please do not try to play these last league games as friendly fixtures. As a Club, please seriously consider whether you should continue with training, Committee meetings and social events. If you are organising other tournaments or competitions, please consider if they should go ahead.
The Executive Committee has the best interest of all players, officials and spectators at the heart of this decision. We wish you all well and look forward to resuming league fixtures in September 2020.
Thank you all for your help in the matter,
With best wishes,
Mary Cheeseman, NHA Chair
Avril Mallett, NHA Hon. Secretary
Chris Williamson, League Management Administrator
Katy Harris, Welfare Officer
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