Firstly we hope this email reaches you all safe and well

We as a committee wanted to reach out to you all following the weekends update from the government on COVID 19.  

As you recall, we had initially planned to get the games that did not complete from the winter season completed within the time frames that were to be the summer league. 

It seems unlikely under these new guidelines and plans laid out by the government that team contact sports will be allowed to take place any time soon, especially not in time for commencement of the summer league given the size of our league. There are also other factors to consider, England Netball's strict deadline of the 31st Aug to get the leagues completed as well as being allowed access to Wavell Campus, which may not re-open its gates until September. 

As a result of much deliberation it is with regret that the Committee have taken the decision to cancel the summer league and as a result the remaining games from the winter season. 

As you are more than aware, we are all living through this nightmare and having to constantly change and adapt our way of life and for the league this is no different. We currently have no defined rules within the league of how we agree to end the season as a result of a pandemic or other such situations. We are also in the awkward position due to the poor weather over the second half of the winter season, where we have various different amounts of games that needed to be complete. For these reasons we as a committee feel that the fairest way to end the season and to get final positions is as follows;

Please note that the following methodology is an option for local leagues that we has been provided by England Netball. It is also what we as a committee feel is the fairest way given the point at which the league was through the season. Your teams placings as a result of the below method of calculation are final and we aim to get these all communicated as soon as possible, please note that no suggestions for other ways to complete will be considered. 

Inline with the league rules teams in first and last place will be promoted/demoted. Any other movements will be at the discretion of the committee once we have the entries for the forthcoming winter season.

The 19/20 Winter Season will be decided as follows;

Average points - An average points equation to determine the final standings of a league. 

Dividing each team’s points total achieved so far by the number of matches they have played and then multiply this by the total number of matches they should play in a full season. This will result in a league table with final standings for all teams. This system provides a fairer way of finalising a league other than accepting the standings as they currently stand especially with differing amounts of games played.

Finances

Our proposal regarding monies that have been paid for entry into the summer league is to hold this money and deduct it from the Winter 20/21 entry fee for those that paid for the summer league.

With regards to the matches that were not played in the Winter 19/20, we will calculate how much per game you would be entitled to as a refund and again our plan is to deduct this from the Winter 20/21 entry. 

Please feel free to contact me directly to arrange a refund now if, you already know that you wont be entering next winter or if this scenario causes any financial difficulties for your club. Hopefully this will not be the case as we look forward to welcoming you all back for a full season of netball from September. 

Please know that it is with regret that we have been forced to make this difficult decision and one that has not been taken lightly, but if you have any questions regarding any of the above please feel free to contact me. 

Many thanks and Stay Safe

Sharon Moher

WINL Chairperson