Scheduling in the time of Covid has its own set of difficulties. In light of the latest Covid-19 restrictions, UKSAA looks at the options facing competition organisers.
Option 1 - competitive action. The most pallatable, but probably the least likely option, this would require a lot to go right over the next few weeks. Leagues would stage a minimum number of matches (say three?) that all clubs could attend, either in person or postally. Regional league titles could sensibly be awarded.
If restrictions only allow time for one competitive fixture to take place, this could run as a Championship, although regional league titles could not sensibly be awarded. Every club would need to be available though. If Covid restrictions default back to being tiered along local authority lines for a considerable time, this option may not be practical.
Option 2 - friendlies. This presumes that restrictions ease sufficiently for some fixtures to be attempted, but a full competitive fixture is not practical. Not all clubs would need to be available - some archery is better than no archery at all. This may well become the preferred option particularly if Covid restrictions default back to being tiered along local authority lines.
Option 3 - abandonment. The most extreme option open to league organisers is the nuclear option, a full abandonment of the season. Clearly this is the least desirable option, but in the long term, losing an entire season of regional leagues may not be nearly as damaging as losing an entire cohort of beginners.
Option 4 - outdoors. The best hope for this season might lie outdoors. Outdoor fixtures could supplement or even entirely replace indoor ones. SWWU has frequently used a lot of outdoor fixtures as league match results in the past. Outdoors is also better than indoors from a Covid transmission perspective and by the time we get to a more Outdoor friendly time of year, restrictions might have been reduced.
The problem with outdoors, even in a normal year, is scheduling around the various Easter and summer holiday dates, plus trying to avoid exam periods.
UKSAA will attempt to keep as up to date as possible with any developments from BUCS, BUTC, the E-League and all the Regional Leagues as they happen.
Section below added 13/Jan/21
BUCS announced today that they will not be running any individual events before 1st March. BUCS Indoors is currently scheduled for the 13th and 14th March and is therefore still on the books, although it is clearly in jeopardy. Alice Robinson, the BUCS Events Co-ordinator for Archery, is currently on furlough and will be until at least 25th January.
As ever, watch this space and wash your hands.
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