Squash and Racketball activities can resume from 9am on Monday 26th April when Scotland is set to move into Level 3. Whilst unconditional squash remains off limits for adults and children 12 and over, the opening of indoor courts does allow all members back on court.

Formal Guidance from Scottish Squash for the return to Court has been released, and with this there are a number of policies and procedures that must be adopted and adhered to. Compliance with the Guidance and the Health and Safety of our members is paramount – therefore please take the time to read, understand and follow the steps below:

The key points are:

• You must book a court in advance to play. You cannot use a court without booking even if it is free. This is part of the “test and protect” provisions that are in place across Scotland. We expect to be required to leave a period between bookings to enable members to clean common surfaces and to vacate the area before the next booking arrives – details to follow.
• Court bookings have been changed to accommodate the mandatory buffer between bookings to allow sanitisation and recirculating of air. There is therefore a 20 minute gap between bookings. The court times have been changed and staggered, to reduce the likelihood of congestion. Court 1 is bookable from 9am, and on the hour thereafter; Court 2 is bookable on the half hour, from 9:30am
• Court bookings are currently free, and members should book 2 slots between buffers for 40 minutes.
• For clarity, two separate members should NOT book two consecutive 20 minute slots.
• Under the current Phase 3 Guidance, squash activity is allowed for Solo Squash and Household (including Extended Households) Squash ONLY for Adults. Children 17 and under can play regular, unconditional squash.
• Coaching is allowed, on a One-to-One basis for adults, and as normal for Under 18s.
• Members should come to the clubhouse ready to play as our changing rooms will remain closed, except for those “living with a disability, any special need or in an exceptional circumstance such as injury or unsafe playing environment”.
• The rules require the wearing of face coverings while indoors on route to and from court.
• Enter by the front door using your door entry card. Hand sanitiser is available under the court booking system screen.
• In the entrance hall, on the wall to the right of the door to the squash courts, you will find signs that denote whether each individual squash court is in use. If the court you have booked is marked vacant you can proceed to your court; otherwise, if your court is “In Use”, please wait at the “Give Way” sign to allow the previous player(s) to clear the area while maintaining social distancing. Please do not wait in the entrance or squash court corridor for your opponent, to ensure social distancing can be adhered to for all. Please change the sign to “In Use” from “Vacant” when you enter court, changing it back when you leave. Hand sanitiser is available on the wall next to the door to Squash Court 2. The advice of Health Protection Scotland is that members should wash their hands before and after play, or use hand sanitiser.
• Access to our toilets will be available, but strictly on the basis our one way system is adhered to, as a protection for all members.
• Solo play will be permitted, as will unconditional play between two players from the same household.
• Competitive play is not permitted at this time.
• Spectating is not permitted.
• After play, members are required to clean common surfaces with anti-viral sanitiser. This will be provided in the corridor in a box next to the cupboard under the viewing gallery stairs.  Members should take a cloth from the roll, use the spray and cloth to clean surfaces touched during their time on court, including the door handles, and bin the cloth on their way out.  Please wash or use hand sanitiser on your hands once you have finished sanitising your court.
• Please do not wipe hands on the walls.
• When leaving court, please proceed down the corridor towards the back door. If the bar is open you have the option of exiting by the viewing gallery door or the back door. The floor is marked with “Give Way” stickers where this may be required. This is for your own, and your fellow members, protection and ensures our obligation to maintain social distancing can be met.
• Remember to wash your hands or hand sanitise when leaving and to change the sign to “Vacant” so that the next court booking know it is safe to proceed to court.

Over and above the Return to Squash Block mentioned above, personal coaching is available with James, on a One-to-One basis. Please speak to James directly if you would like to book an additional session.

The courts will be available to be booked from 9am each morning, with each court staggered at half hour intervals. The safety of members is our priority and the advice from Sport Scotland to all clubs is that if you are not ready do not open until you are ready. We are confident we are ready, based on the above, and will do all we can to ensure squash and racketball is available at Giffnock to all our members.

Full guidance from Scottish Squash is available on their website.

The safety of members is our priority and the advice from Sport Scotland to all clubs is that if you are not ready do not open until you are ready. We are confident we are ready, based on the above, and will do all we can to ensure squash and racketball is available at Giffnock to all our members.

Stay safe, and enjoy your squash!