Last week, the Bath Lacrosse Club committee made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Bath Eights tournament due to take place on 5 September 2020.
The tournament would have been the 35th edition of the men’s and the 4th edition of the women’s tournament with the titles currently held by Hillcroft Lacrosse Club and Bath University Lacrosse Club respectively.
A statement released on Friday went on to say:
“Despite a lot of work by the organising committee, the event has proved, under the current COVID limitations, impossible to host this year.
“Although the latest Government announcements for return to play are positive, the management of some 400 players plus spectators, and a lack of site and support organisation commitment has provided the club with no option but to cancel.
“All the 2020 bookings will be refunded in full and the tournament will be rebooked for Saturday September 4th 2021.
“Bath Lacrosse club look forward to seeing everybody at the traditional launch to the Lacrosse season in 2021”.
The competition is seen as the traditional season opener by many and has been running a men’s version every year since 1986 while a women’s version was added in 2017.
In a letter sent to clubs involved in the competition, Bath Lacrosse Club committee chair, Paul Bown, remarked:
“Sadly in the absence of approved playing conditions for lacrosse at this time and given the practicalities of organising an event for over 300 people requiring social distancing and at a venue that has yet to confirm it's reopening plan we've taken the decision that we cannot provide you with a safe and enjoyable day this year”.
Read the full letter by clicking the button below:
For more information regarding the cancellation, please contact Nik Roberts at [email protected].