From midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the Irish government will impose Level 5 restrictions nationwide.
This means that gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and indoor courts must close for a peroid of 6 weeks. Outdoor individual exercise is permitted but you must remain with 5 kilometres of your home.
It still remains a difficult time for all indoor sports including racquetball with all indoor activity now cancelled until further notice.

The following tournaments in October have been cancelled due to Covid-19, Galway Open 10th & 11th October and Kilkenny Open 17th & 18th October. The Ballinrobe Irish Open which was due to be held on 7th & 8th November has also been cancelled. Decisions on the The All Ireland Junior Championships and the All Ireland Singles & Doubles Championships will be announced later.

Phase 4 in our Return to Sport commenced on the 31st August 2020
The following restrictions will be in force until further notice.
The maximum number of people permitted indoors is six, if social distancing can be achieved.  Where social distancing cannot be achieved only the players and referee are permitted inside. Spectators are not permitted at a venue so viewing areas should be closed off.
Changing rooms and showers also remain closed until further notice.
For players under-18 years of age, a parent or guardian is permitted to attend matches or training.
Strict social distancing and the wearing of masks should be adhered to at all times.
A parent or guardian is not considered a spectator. A parent or guardian as well as all players must complete the Covid-19 Declaration before attending any tournament or training session. https://www.racquetball.ie/declaration.html.
The declaration should be made immediately before playing.
The first tournament of the season, the Fermoy Open will be a one day event and will only offer singles divisions, no doubles. Changing rooms and showers will not be available for this tournament. Payment of entry fees must be done online. To Enter & pay the entry fee online go to https://www.racquetball.ie/fermoy-open.html
These protocols are in line with government recommendations as issued by Sport Ireland.
For full Racquetball Ireland protocols visit https://www.racquetball.ie/covid-19.html

A limited Fermoy Open will be held on Saturday 12th September at the courts in Fermoy, Mitchelstown and Araglen. The tournament will be singles only, no doubles. It wil be a one day event and limited to 30 entries. Covid-19 protocols will be in force and no spectators are allowed at any of the venues. Entry fees must be paid online, no cash payments.
To enter online click HERE

Racquetball Ireland are currently seeking interested applicants for Coach Developers. We encourage all members to register interest.

The programme will be based in Limerick and will start on September 5th and 6th 2020. Coaching Ireland are now seeking nominations put forward by Racquetball Ireland.

Applicants must be available for all the following course dates:
Weekend 1 – September 5th & 6th 2020 (online)
Weekend 2 – October 3rd & 4th 2020 (online)
Weekend 3 – October 31st & November 1st 2020
Weekend 4 – November 28th & 29th 2020
Weekend 5 – January 9th & 10th 2021
These dates may clash with RAI tournaments.

Cost of the Course
The course fee is €1,000 per person. Racquetball Ireland will cover the cost of the course alongside travel & accommodation expenses as well as a out-of-pocket expenses.

What does a Coach Developer do after the five weeks of training?
Deliver Racquetball Ireland’s Coaching Pathway Foundation Course to future coaches (usually only one/two weekends per year).
Read more here about a RAI Coach Developer.

How to I register Interest?
You can let us know you are interested here.
Interest can be registered on a rolling basis but to be considered for the 2020 course, please register interest by Sunday, July 26th.

Sport Ireland have updated their Covid-19 Online e-learning Course which now includes certification and Covid Officer Training.

Section A of the Course builds on the previous Awareness course and has been updated with the current government advice and guidelines in relation to covid19.
Section A of the Course
This is targeted at supporting administrators, volunteers, coaches and players & participants.
Section B of the Course
Aims to support those who have been nominated to fulfil the Covid Officer Role in their NGB, LSP, Club or Community Group.
This section will include specific modules in relation to that role – Responsibilities, Management Plans, Venue Layouts, Dealing with a Breakout, Emergency First aid etc.
Participants can choose to complete Section A only or both sections A & B.
Nominated Covid Officers are recommended to complete both sections.
Both sections will include a test/quiz and a Certificate of Completion. The cert can be saved or printed out afterwards.
Clubs should ensure every player/member/parent/volunteer should have this certificate before returning to play.
You can log on to the course  HERE
The course is free and takes less than 30 minutes

The World Senior Championships usually held in September have been moved to 16-19 December 2020 at its usual venue Alberqueque, New Mexico, USA.
https://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=31892