As a University, with the start of the new academic year fast approaching, we have been carefully evaluating the most COVID secure way of welcoming our students back onto campus. Our approach includes a phased return for students to on-campus activities and, alongside this, we have been reviewing all activities where students and members of the public share the use of campus facilities.
This included a full review of all Essex Sport activities. Sadly, after careful consideration, we’ve taken the decision to limit access to University staff and students only for the time being; temporarily suspending all community memberships and activities for under 18-year-olds associated with Essex Sport. We will be directly contacting all individuals and groups affected.
We will review the decision ahead of the next phase of extending activities on our campuses, which is due to take place on Monday 2 November. This will enable us to monitor the impact of the first phase of students returning, and the effectiveness of the COVID-19 control measures we have in place.
We are extremely proud of the partnerships and programmes we’ve developed through Essex Sport, and we’re deeply sorry not to be able to continue these activities at this time, as a result of the on-going impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The groups and activities which will be suspended from 2 October are:
Essex Rebels
Community programmes
Those with paid bookings will be directly contacted by the Essex Sport admin team and will receive a full refund.
We understand this is deeply disappointing news and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
The situation is being kept under review and we will update you as soon as possible.