By Nick M
June 11 2021

AS MY FIRST contribution to the editorial postings required to keep this forum alive, I thought it worth looking back over this strange, shortened season from the point-of-view of one of the people who was privileged to be inside the grounds at most of the matches. As I will explain later, I will not concentrate on the details of the matches, but on how the clubs organized running matches in the times of pandemic.

It was only the start of February, four months ago, when the season was announced, and in the first day’s exchange of emails with Chris Wearmouth at the club the ground rules, and the key dates were established. The red zone, for players and technical staff, all tested regularly for infection, and the amber zone, where others, including photographers would be allowed, were described. The biggest, and most pleasant surprise in that time of ‘no unnecessary travel’ was that the rules would permit solo travel to away matches, under the same rules.

So it was that, under two weeks later I queued up for the home pre-season game against Jersey Reds outside the bar doors to the BPA to check in. Ahead, a process that in its basic form would become familiar through the season.

In Coventry’s case the hall with the efficient Liz Martin checking us in way was ‘one out – one in’. Hand sanitizer, a temperature check, a Covid checklist to complete, and two QR codes to zap; one for the Government ‘Track and Trace’ app, one for the club’s own records. A coloured lanyard was issued, to indicate the zone we could enter, then inside and upstairs to wait in the top floor hospitality room until the match. Very quick and efficient, with only contact with one person.

From there, to the match. Outside to the Amber zone. In practical terms, the Butts Road end and the Broomfield Park side. The Red zone covered the main grandstand, the pitch and the railway end. Once in the Amber zone, we were free to roam, if we maintained our social distance from each other.

The match went well. Jersey arrived, played, and then left for their ‘plane home. As I said earlier, I am not providing a retrospective view of all the matches. I did not make notes, and, more importantly, anyone reading this had the option of a better view of the match than I did, via streaming. Add to that, you did not have the problems of operating a camera with the joint problems of steamed up glasses and viewfinder.

I went through four different types of face covering over the season, together with two different types of anti-misting wipes. None worked fully; the best that could be hoped for was a dry sunny day. Very few of the games took place in those conditions.

The following weekend came, and a trip down to Stonex Stadium, and Saracens. As you would probably expect from such a professional outfit, good instructions forwarded in good time. By now I had also obtained from the club, and printed off, a ‘to whom it might concern’ letter from the club explaining that I was travelling for legitimate reasons and had booked a night in an hotel near the ground so that I could process my photos that night. This would be my first trip outside Coventry in over three months. I was nervous as I set off. Saracens were friendly and efficient. All went well. I got to watch the repeat of the streaming late that night.

The following week, and the visit of Saracens to the BPA felt like a rehearsal for the season proper, and with Bedford visiting shortly after, it was becoming routine. Watching matches while taking photos is strange at the best of times, but with an empty ground, the reserves sat in the stand in distanced chequerboard patterns, and the relative silence it was even less normal. The benches tried to make a lot of noise, but what was very noticeable was the things that could be heard that would normally be drowned out. Quite often at home matches I found myself drifting to the foot of the streaming commentary tower to hear snippets of the commentary, or the latest score. Half-time and post-match calls to Kimbo became essential to fill in the details – “why was so-and-so sin-binned?”, “Who actually scored that try in the far corner?”, etc.

To Be Continued...

Season retrospective – a view from the amber zone: Part One

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 11/06/2021 17:36

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
11/06/2021 17:36

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:07:08:10:34:53 by Kimbo.

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covkid53
24/06/2021 19:29

The "amber zone" ! I'm liking the topical covid reference 😆

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OldNick
24/06/2021 20:42

Quote:

covkid53
The "amber zone" ! I'm liking the topical covid reference 😆

Red zone and amber zone were the standard terms throughout the season. Until the Saracens game at the end of the season no ome3 was only granted access to the green zone.

Red, amber, and green travel areas came much later.

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