Fertiberia will decide tomorrow whether to host the friendly against BM Benidorm with spectators

Next Saturday, 8 August, the Club’s Board of Directors will meet by videoconference to decide whether the match scheduled for Saturday 15 August at 7.30 pm against Balonmano Benidorm can be played with spectators in attendance. ‘The decision is complicated; we do not know what we will do’, the club president said. Meanwhile, the squad continues with pre-season; yesterday they received their new kit and the news that all the players and coaching staff had tested negative for coronavirus.

The club president outlined the measures that would have to be implemented if the match is ultimately held with spectators: ‘The match could be played with around 150 members in attendance. If no one leaves their seat during the interval, the number of spectators could be increased by 50%. Spectators will not be allowed access to the court. Only designated seats may be used, and unusable seats will be marked. The pavilion may only be entered through the main door, where all attendees’ temperatures will be taken. There will be a disinfectant mat, and the use of hand sanitiser will be compulsory both on entering and leaving the pavilion. Correct use of face masks will also be required. The pavilion may not be entered or exited through any door other than the main one’.

As for the members who will be able to enter the Ovni, the board is considering ‘establishing a rota, starting with the longest-serving members and their family groups. The rota will move on during subsequent matches. This will allow us to avoid having to fill in the personal-data form required by the health authorities at the entrance, since the details of attending members will already be held by the Club. A safety distance of 1.5 metres must be maintained at all times’, explains Bataller.

‘You must attend the match with this season’s membership card, which can be collected from the club headquarters from Monday, and you will be given a mask bearing the Club’s corporate image along with the card’, the president recalls that the membership campaign ‘we will return to the Ovni’ is already under way and that members can renew their commitment from Monday.

‘No other people will be allowed in apart from those indicated. Other supporters, from either team, will not be able to attend, nor will academy players; provision has been made for the latter to be allowed in during future rotating shifts. Children who are members may enter during their allocated shift, accompanied by adults who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all the rules, especially the safety distance. Children who are not members will not be allowed into the pavilion’, adds Juanjo Bataller.

Regarding the use of the pavilion’s facilities, the red-and-white president points out that ‘In addition, attendees will be asked to use the toilets as little as possible. They will also have a usage system based on their reduced capacity, in order to reduce movement within the facility and maintain the safety distance. We will have to avoid crowds both when entering and leaving the facility, always maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres, even once we are outside the pavilion. We recommend that people bring water from home, because as they will not be able to leave, they will have to stay hydrated’.

‘The outcome of the experience will determine whether we can hold the next matches with spectators. We must scrupulously respect the existing safety rules and protocols. We are sure of our members’ understanding and goodwill. We are learning; it is a new experience and we have no precedent, but we believe it is worth trying so that we can watch our team live’, concludes the president of Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto.

#WeWillReturnToTheOvni

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto launches its membership campaign ‘#wewillreturntotheovni’ at a delicate and uncertain time for everyone because of COVID-19. From Monday, membership renewals will begin; fees have been reduced by between 25% and 30% of their usual price this season, and members wishing to renew their commitment must go to the club headquarters (24 Alfambra Street, Puerto de Sagunto) or attend before the friendly matches to be played at the Ovni on 15 and 26 August, against Benidorm and Granollers respectively.

Prices range from €300 to €15. Honorary members can renew their commitment for €300, family membership costs €140, standard membership €100, retired membership €70, youth and linked membership €40, and junior membership €15. For any queries, members or prospective members can contact subealovni@cbmpuertosagunto.com.

Friendlies

In addition to the fixture against Benidorm on 15 August, the red-and-whites will play away against Cuenca on 21 August. On 26 August, the Ovni will welcome BM Granollers at 8.15 pm.  

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.