Opening Date for Online Entries Postponed
The opening date for online entries to tournaments or courses (other than virtual ones) has been postponed to at least the end of February, due to the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Traditionally, the calendar has been published on, and online entries accepted from, 1st February, to coincide with delivery of paper fixtures books. It had already been decided not to print the fixtures calendar this year, because of uncertainty about the Covid-19 pandemic, but it had been intended to stick to the same timetable. However, it is now looking increasingly unlikely that events early in the season will be able to take place, and it is too soon to be able to predict which ones will be able to proceed.
Refunding entries for events which have to be cancelled requires significant effort, is error prone and incurs additional transaction costs. It has therefore been decided not to accept online entries until further notice, which will be no earlier than the end of February. The situation will be reviewed before then.
We appreciate that many players enjoy planning their season at this time of year. Due to enhancements to the fixtures calendar system it will still be possible to do so and save a wallet of events to enter once entries are being accepted for them.
Clubs which have events with allocation or closing dates before 15th March will be asked to review them and inform the CA Office whether they want them cancelled, or postponed or retained with allocation and closing dates on or after then. It is important that all events should have allocation dates specified, so that players know that they can delay entering until then without reducing their chance of their entry being accepted.
The allocation, closing and draw dates for the inter-club competitions have been postponed by a month, to 8th, 8th and 15th of April respectively.
We apologise for the inconvenience that will be caused by this, but are satisfied that it is the best response to these uncertain times.
I trust you have an enjoyable season once it comes.
Best wishes,
Mark Suter
Manager Croquet Association.
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