THE sporting landscape is changing fast and it is an uncertain and anxious time for many of our town’s sports clubs.

Sport is a big part of our lives and our culture in Farnham but, at this moment in time, it is quite meaningless compared to all those who have been affected by the coronavirus.

On behalf of Farnham Sports Council, our sincerest condolences go out to all those who’ve lost loved ones.

And, for others affected by the virus, we wish you an absolute and speedy recovery.

To help the NHS and to get sport back into our lives again as soon as practicable, we urge everyone to follow the government guidelines.

Sport in Farnham, as with every other sphere of society, need to reach for assurances there will be better days ahead. When they do happen, community sport will never have had a more important role to play.

Our advice to sports clubs in the meantime, no matter what your circumstances, is we suggest you do not treat this as down time.

Given the current testing and vaccine situation in the country, we may be some way away from any sort of sporting normality.

You will probably need to be very patient but, at the same time, your club will need to be in the strongest position possible when the green, or amber, light is given for activities to restart in whatever form that may be. The best suggestion we can offer at this juncture is really two-fold.

Firstly, it’s vital all clubs keep in regular contact with their members and supporters, even if it’s by virtual quizzes, or club or member updates.

Remember, if you do so, a fundamental consideration for all clubs is what your own safeguarding procedure says about online use. If you don’t have a policy, and you’d like to stay in touch with young or vulnerable people, adopt the version of your own governing body of sport.

Naturally, the safeguarding of your members is paramount at all times. But communication is key.

Secondly, although there is well-publicised government emergency and relief support for businesses, charities and clubs at this difficult time, for most sports we’d maintain the best help can be obtained through the national governing body of their sport or through the Sport England website.

At the time of writing, the governing bodies of sports such as cricket, rugby and tennis were offering grant or loan schemes to help clubs though this difficult period.

But more sports will offer help in due course, I’m sure, because there has never been a more important time than now for them to prop up and support their own grassroots clubs.

Sport England have a Community Emergency Fund, too, if you check out their website for details.

Summer sports such as cricket, tennis and bowls are especially vulnerable as their annual revenue streams run mainly from April to September, very much in conflict with the most challenging period the government have to manage.

But be upfront with your members about the financial position your club is in.

It’s not uncommon in times of crisis to ask members and sponsors for support even though there’s no visible service for the foreseeable future. As your most loyal advocates, they might just be your lifesaver and they will want a club to go back to when it’s all over.

We also have one important message to the thousands of people in Farnham who support or belong to a local sports and fitness club. It is this.

Behind the scenes, there are dedicated people who are passionate about your club and, despite there being no sport, they’re still remotely and actively running the club on your behalf.

They might be the chairman, secretary or treasurer, the groundsman, or others, still beavering away. They’re amazing – please remember to thank them.

Many clubs will be defined, now and in the future, by how they handled the coronavirus period.

If you’re a community club, can you offer a service to your local community or to your members that goes beyond sport? Sometimes, it can be as little as keeping in touch and offering some tender loving care to those who might need it.

Hope, inspiration and ‘TLC’ in our town’s sports clubs, as in all walks of life, has never been more needed than it is now. From everyone at Farnham Sports Council, please stay safe.

* By David Gill, chairman of Farnham Sports Council