Fencing changes due to COVID-19

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It is very important to us at Cavs that we look out for the health and wellbeing of all our members. As a result, we have made some changes due to the current COVID-19 situation and are keeping a close eye on changes as they occur.

Summary:

No more handshakes for now! Salute instead.
Bouts must finish by half an hour before session close to allow time for disinfecting gear.
If you hire equipment from the club, you'll need to take it home to clean it after the session.
Keep checking for updates and changes, for both club sessions and competitions.
Follow common health guidelines, including washing hands well and often, not sharing equipment, and staying home if you feel unwell.

Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the club is putting in place a few measures to help limit risk to members. The club apologises for any interruption these measure may cause to your training. We remind fencers that there is no need for alarm, and that taking sensible hygiene measures is the best way to reduce the impact and spread of COVID-19.

Post-bout handshakes are no longer required. Instead, a salute will be sufficient.
Fencers are encouraged to bring hand sanitiser to all training sessions.
Fencers hiring club gear are required to check them out in the log book at the end of a session and wash them at home before returning them to the club.
All club masks used during a session must be disinfected at the end of a session. Volunteers will be appointed by the committee to oversee the disinfection process.
To ensure measure 4 can be carried out, all bouts will finish by 4:00pm on Saturdays and 9:00pm on Wednesdays. Any unfinished bouts must be postponed.
In light of measures 3 and 4, the cabinets containing club gear will not be left unlocked during club sessions. Fencers who have paid the club’s gear hire fee can approach a club member with keys to the cabinets and request the gear they need. Gear will not be lent to people who have not paid the hire fee under any circumstances.
Fencers are discouraged from sharing their own gear with other fencers.

The committee will continue to monitor the situation and implement further measures in the coming weeks as deemed necessary. We are trying to source hand sanitiser to provide for use of all members as soon as possible.

Llewelyn Foley
President, ECU Cavalier School of Fencing

Please watch for future updates from the club, and if you know anyone who does not receive these newsletters, do encourage them to check their junk mail folder and send us their email address so we can keep them in the loop. You can also see notices on our Facebook page.

Until you hear otherwise, avoid handshakes at the end of each bout. It is still important to show respect to your opponent, though - a salute is sufficient. It is also ok to nod, bow, or even elbow tap if you wish!

Remember to follow advice from reliable sources, including measures introduced by the Prime Minister. WA Department of Health is a useful source of updates. We will pass on any changing information about our fencing venue at ECU, and ECU University also has information available in their FAQ.

Other than that, follow health guidelines - wash your hands well and often, and stay home if you are feeling unwell. The club is currently sourcing hand sanitisers to place at the club. If you can help us source hand sanitisers for purchase, please email us at the club. As you may imagine, these are pretty hard to find in bulk at the moment!

Club Equipment
For those junior and senior members who hire equipment from the club, you will need to take gear home after the session in order to clean it. Please speak to Drew Foley or another committee member so we can record where equipment is, help you out with maintenance tips, and also so that we can apply a disinfectant spray to the mask at the end of the session.

Bladez & Beginners
The club is pausing Bladez and Beginners sessions for March. This is because all members of these groups need to borrow all their equipment from the club. Advice from Dr David Hughes (Chief Medical Officer, Australian Institute of Sport) to minimise the risk of infection are that gear should be disinfected after use and not shared. We will revisit the best start dates for both groups later this month.

We will send out updates as soon as we have them. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ECUcavaliers@gmail.com. Thank you all for your patience, and please stay fit and well!

Kind regards,
Elizabeth-Kate Gulland, Secretary

CLICK HERE - FENCINGWA CALENDAR

Mission
The ECU Cavalier School of Fencing aims to provide a safe and efficient structure with a friendly inclusive environment in which to enjoy the sport of fencing, where individual ambitions and skills may be pursued and developed.
Vision
To provide opportunities to participate and excel at all levels, with strong membership, appropriate coaching and sound resources.
Goals
• Further the sport of fencing
• Provide adequate opportunities for participation in fencing
• Encourage sportsmanship in fencing
• Endeavour to provide professional coaching and officiating by means of high and consistent standards using best practice methods
• Promote sociability amongst members
• Provide efficient and effective administration
• Maintain financial viability