Covid-19 Match Rules & Verulam Angling Additional Rules
The Verulam Angling Club recognises the mental health benefits of organised outdoor activities during the current pandemic. The Club will endeavour to run competitions as long as the government permits them. It is essential that they are run in a Covid-secure manner and in accordance with the latest Risk Assessment based on advice from the Angling Trust.
However, no event can be guaranteed to be risk-free. All members must make their own decision as to whether they feel it safe and appropriate to attend and take part in any event.
Please do not attend any match if you are experiencing any Covid symptoms or have been in close contact with anyone who has symptoms or has had a positive test.
Please remember that the event organisers are doing this on a voluntary basis, give them your support and obey any instructions given either before or during the event.
The arrival and draw
The draw will be a rolling draw over a 60-90 minute period. Details may vary depending on the venue. Any changes will be notified in advance by the organiser.
A self-supporting face mask must be worn at the draw. No mask no entry to the match.
Competitors who arrive at the venue early must remain with their vehicle and not mix with others. Once pools are paid the draw will be made and the competitor must go straight to their peg.
Pools will be a round sum (£5/£10/£20 etc.) so as no change is required. Pools will be deposited by the competitor into a bucket. An additional one pound ‘net-levy’ will be applicable on all home water matches. Please have the correct money as no change can be given.
The peg draw will be made by the organiser and the details recorded on the weighing in sheets.
PPE and hand sanitisers will be made available to all match organisers as required.
Peg fees and pools pay-outs will be sorted by the organisers and put into clean envelopes. Once cash handling has finished hands will be washed or sanitised. Cash pay-outs will be made using previously quarantined notes as per the published risk assessment.
The Match
Matches will be restricted to members only to allow effective track and trace if necessary. All competitors must ensure that the Club has your up to date contact details.
The match will be a maximum of five hours
No competitor shall leave their peg except in emergency until the end of the match.
No sharing of any bait or tackle on the venue.
There will be a keepnet weight limit of 50lb. However, all competitors must lift their own net from the water and to the weigh bucket unaided so a lower limit may be advisable for some members.
The Weigh In
Two members will conduct the weigh in, or two pairs on larger matches.
A self-supporting mask must be worn by the scalesmen. All competitors must wear a self- supporting face mask during the weigh in process. No mask you will not be weighed in.
One will act as scalesman, one as recorder. They must maintain social distancing at all times both from each other and the competitor.
The weigh bucket will be set to zero and deposited in the bucket support, the scalesman will retreat and instruct the competitor to deposit his catch in the weigh bucket and then step back. The scalesman will weigh the fish using a tripod or similar support. Once the weight has been recorded the scalesman will return the fish and move onto the next peg.
No one will be allowed to ‘follow the scales’
The Result and Pay-out
Will be completed as soon as the weigh in is completed, there should be no gatherings and social distancing must be maintained by any awaiting the results and pay-outs.
These guidelines, will be circulated to all competitors before they book onto the match on the clear understanding that they are rules and not guides and anyone not adhering will be not allowed to compete and will forfeit any pools or peg fees.
Social distancing is the key objective of these proposals and should any variations be required due to venue limitations, the principles will remain the same.
All matches will need to be prebooked by text or e-mail.
There will be no Club Championship this year and at present all matches will be standalone competitions.
Finally
To prevent any issues at the weigh in or draw all competitors will be asked to adhere to the mask rule even if they are ordinarily exempt. You will only be required to wear the face covering for a few minutes. If you are unable to meet this requirement then you will not be able to attend the match.
Respect the rules and respect your fellow members.
If you need any clarification on any of these points please contact a member of the Match Committee or the Club Secretary.