Beach Volleyball

**Summer 2020 membership and booking rules updates added**

We have two beach volleyball courts, located in Cutteslowe and Sunnymeade Park in north Oxford, just outside the A40 (click this link for a map). During the summer, both nets are up; during the winter, only one net will be available. During the summer season (April to September), we usually offer a mix of coached training sessions for members, open sessions for club members (independent of ability; not coached), and private hire. However, for Summer 2020 we are operating under restricted conditions as per government guidance and as agreed with Oxford City Council. We have brought the most recent updates on membership and court booking rules to the top of this page together with information about staying touch. Our current guidelines are below that, and information about car parks etc is at the very bottom of the page.

Membership details and booking rules - updated 27 June 2020, effective Monday 13 July 2020

After a very busy and successful couple of months of free beach volleyball booking, we now need to make some changes to our booking rules and membership to hopefully give more people the opportunity to book a court.

If there are regular slots becoming free and not being used, we will change the restrictions asap, we do want the courts used as much as possible and it is frustrating for everyone to see it fully booked online and then not used. Courts around the country are now being opened so we might find there are more slots available anyway.

The three main things are: there is now peak time and off peak time; you will need to be a club member to book a court in peak time; and there is a limit on how many 2-hour sessions per week in peak time you can book. We will keep an eye on how things go and will change the restrictions if needed.

New peak times
1.       Peak times are now Mon – Fri 17.00 to 22.00, and all-day Saturday and Sunday
2.       You need to be a member to book a court in peak time, members can also book in off peak as well
3.       Non-members can book the courts from 07.00 and must be finished by 17.00 Monday to Friday

New membership programme
1.       If you were an Oxford Beach VB, Oxford Indoor or Oxford Uni VB member last year (2019) or Oxford Uni Student the membership for the remaining of the year is £25.00 (2020).
2.       If you are a new member, the fee is £60.00 for membership for the remainder of the year (2020)

New booking restrictions
1.       Members can only book 3 x 2-hr sessions per week (the week runs Monday to Sunday)
Payment to be made by bank transfer: Account: OVC Beach, sort code: 30-99-11, account: 20920460. Make sure to put down your email address in the payment reference and send us an email with your full name
It's important you use the same name and email as your membership is in when you book the courts so we can recognize members.
2.       If you can’t use your booking (whatever time of day it's for) please cancel it online, it only takes 1 or 2 clicks. If you can, please also send a message to our WhatsApp group (see below), alerting others that the slot is now available. 

General points
Please ensure you rake the sand before or after playing and be sure to take any rubbish home with you. The fewer people within the fence the better; we need to have a clutter free space. So, if there are a few of you in a group please try and make camp outside the fence, and only 4 within the area.

Staying in touch

To receive notifications and updates, please subscribe to our mailing list by sending an email to oxfordbeachvb+subscribe@googlegroups.com

N.B: This is a different list from the Oxford Volleyball Club mailing list.

Under normal circumstances, informal play on weekends is often coordinated via a WhatsApp group, which is open to members only. At present, this group provides notifications and updates and is a valuable means of our members knowing when a booking has been cancelled and a court is now free. To be added to the WhatsApp group, please send us your phone number.

PLAY SAFE GUIDELINES - UPDATES TO RESTRICTED PLAY

These guidelines currently apply to England only, and have been produced in line with the Government guidance on public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise, which can be read on the Gov.uk website.

INTRODUCTION

We know how important it is for people to be active, and the particular role volleyball can have in the physical and mental wellbeing of those that play it. By its very nature, volleyball is an activity whereby close person to person contact can be avoided.

Based on our discussions with Government and following the adjustment of  lockdown restrictions, we have developed a set of practical guidelines to follow.  They include measures to limit hand to shared surface contact and minimise unnecessary interactions with others.

At all times, players should adhere to the Government’s social distancing guidelines (staying at least 2m away from others), and practice public health advice for hygiene.

Given the length of time volleyball activity has been suspended, it is advised that anyone returning to court eases themselves back in to play gently.

We hope you enjoy getting back on court!

IMPORTANT: Do not leave your home to play volleyball if Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus.

Alongside these guidelines, players should read the information published by Sport England, and specifically their Q&A.

SECTION 1: BEFORE & AFTER PLAY

STAY UP TO DATE

n  Government information around social distancing is available here and should be read in full

n  Be aware guidance can change and restrictions may be reintroduced - ensure you have checked the latest version of the EVA’s guidelines for volleyball players on the EVA website

BEFORE LEAVING HOME & AFTER YOU RETURN

n  Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home to go to the court (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible)

COURT BOOKINGS

n   Ensure you have booked a court in advance to keep number of people waiting around to a minimum.

n  To book go to https://www.supersaas.co.uk/schedule/OBVC/BeachCourts

EQUIPMENT

n  Take hand sanitizer with you

n  Take all your own equipment (do not share equipment such as drinks, hats and towels)

n  Only take the minimum amount of equipment with you that you need to play

n  Clean and wipe down your equipment, including the ball and water bottles before and after use

n  Bring a full water bottle, and do not share food or drink with others

n  Bring your own volleyball ball that are clearly marked (e.g. with your initials)

n  Ensure you take all your belongings with you at the end of the session and do not leave anything on court

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE COURT

n  Follow appropriate guidance if using public transport

n  Arrive as close as possible to when you need to be there

n  Avoid touching court gates, fences, benches, etc. if you can

n  Allow others to leave before you enter the court - if you need to wait then do so away from the courts and clear of the gates

n  Ensure you leave the court before the end of your allotted time so that it is empty for the next players

n  Do not congregate after playing. No extra-curricular or social activity should take place

SECTION 2: DURING PLAY

COURT LIMITS

 n 4 Players can be from different households, still try and keep two meters apart. (Changed rule from original guidelines).

n  Coached sessions of a max of 5 people, one of whom is the coach (Changed rule from original guidelines). 

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING

n  Stay at least 2 metres away from other players at all times (including during play, when taking breaks and before and after play)

n  Do not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five)

n  Stay on your side of court and avoid changing ends, or agree to change ends at opposite sides of the net

n  Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if other players are using it

EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES

n  Use your own clearly marked volleyball balls

n  Avoid using your hands to pick up volleyball balls that aren’t yours - use your foot to kick them to return them to another court

n  Avoid using other equipment such as courtside benches, net handles or court rakes where possible

n  Be aware that onsite toilet facilities may not be open. Where they are open, players are advised to take particular care when using them

HYGIENE

n  If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve

n  Avoid touching your face

Facilities - please check council information for current status of general facilities in Cutteslowe Park

There are toilets on the side of the Pavilion not far from the courts but these can be closed by the park staff quite early.

There are no free showers or changing facilities. Showers can be hired via the City Council (~£12/hour).

There is a little cafe kiosk 2 min away from the courts (Sam Remo café) which sells coffee and sandwiches and is open until 6 pm most days.

There is a small parking area available near the courts. More parking is available on the other side of Cutteslowe Park, and on the other side of the A40. Parking charges apply - please read the signs carefully.