The Republic of Ireland Billiards & Snooker Association have produced a Roadmap for Reopening Snooker & Billiards Clubs in Ireland in conjunction with Sport Ireland and facilitate a safe and controlled reopening of our clubs.
“RIBSA have submitted this “Playing Safe” Roadmap for the reopening of snooker clubs. RIBSA have developed this set of protocols to advise clubs and players on how to reopen in a controlled and safe manner. RIBSA have also submitted a Roadmap for the return to competitive snooker and billiards. Both documents will be reviewed by Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on the return to Sport. However, clubs and players should be aware that that each phase may evolve, accelerate or move backwards depending on the public health situation therefore clubs and NGB’s will need to keep that at the back of their mind”.
Under the Government’s Roadmap, indoor sports will be permitted to reopen in phase 3, starting June 29th. RIBSA proposes to put new protocols in place to meet the new challenges facing our clubs. These protocols will be called “Playing Safe “and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis subject to advice.
This roadmap places the health and safety of all our members and their families at the top of our priorities, everything else is secondary. We believe it will allow for a safe and controlled return to playing snooker & billiards. RIBSA will always be guided by advice from the Government, HSE, Sport Ireland and International Snooker & Billiards bodies.
Members/players and all stakeholders will need to be aware of the limited basis on which they will have the opportunity to play in the initial months. RIBSA and the clubs should seek to ensure that members/players and stakeholders understand the necessity of the restrictions to minimise the risk of a reintroduction of the lockdown measures. While everyone may have an opinion on what should be done, full compliance with the measures in place is essential.
Members/players and stakeholders should also be aware that these restrictions are not going to last forever, but they must live within them and be patient while they are in place. We all want to get back to normal as soon as possible, but this will be a gradual process and will be reliant on you observing these Protocols.
In the interim be safe and follow all HSE advise.
