Acle Tennis Club

ACLE TENNIS CLUB
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 14th July 2020
I hope that those of you that have been able to play since the Club reopenedand have enjoyed getting back to playing and are getting a bit fitter. I also hope you are enjoying the newly resurfaced courts.

The Club Committee have reviewed the most recent LTA advice published on July 13th and applied it accordingly to our Club. The Club Committee have to insist on measures that minimise the risk of spreading this virus. This is our clear duty and responsibility.

The following measures are taken in accordance with guidelines set out for clubs  by the LTA. To view these, go to the LTA website.

As has been stated before, we all know how serious this virus is . Tennis players who do not follow these simple instructions are putting themselves and others at risk.

It should be noted again that all tennis players are playing entirely at their own risk.

CLUB FACILITIES, ENVIRONMENT & ACTIVITIES
 

1. The Tennis Club has now been open since 14 May 2020

2. Prior to opening, a risk assessment was completed which has driven the decision making along with the guidance from the LTA.

3. The pavilion remains closed

4. [NEW] The toilets will be open when coaches are on site. Hygiene processes are in place. This will be constantly reviewed, and we will look to expand this in a staged and controlled manner.

5. Benches have been removed.

6. Club Internal tournamnet is cancelled for 2020. No facility to offer social competitions with large gatherings yet. 

7. Coaching continues within some severe restrictions, which will be published separately. Again, a risk assessment has been completed by the Coaching team.

8. Social Tennis is NOT suspended but we expect you to abide by the following rules of play:

9. [NEW] Only current paid up members are to use club facilities – but we are now allowing guests to play on strict condition that prior to playing, the host member emails Liz Lake ([email protected]) to simply confirm who will be at the Club. In the event that the Club need to trace that guest, the member must know their contact details. Guest must pay £2.50, preferably the host will pay online.

10. All courts must be booked online in advance. No casual “turn up and play” until further notice.

11. [NEW] If someone who has played at the Club develops symptoms of COVID19, they should follow the Government’s ‘test and trace’ system, which can be read of the Gov.uk website

GUIDANCE FOR TENNIS PLAYERS

SECTION 1: BEFORE & AFTER PLAY

STAY UP TO DATE

• Government information around social distancing is available here and should be read in full

• Be aware guidance can change and restrictions may be reintroduced - ensure you have checked the latest version of the LTA’s guidelines for tennis players on the LTA website

BEFORE LEAVING HOME & AFTER YOU RETURN

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home to go to the court (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible)

COURT BOOKINGS

• Courts must be booked online  and you must socially distance yourselves from players coming off the courts prior to you starting.

EQUIPMENT

• Take hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching court gate, fences etc

• Take all your own equipment (do not share equipment such as rackets, grips, hats and towels)

• Only take the minimum amount of equipment with you that you need to play

• Clean and wipe down your equipment, including racquets and water bottles before and after use Bring a full water bottle, and do not share food or drink with others

• Bring your own tennis balls that are clearly marked (e.g. with your initials)

• Ensure you take all your belongings with you at the end of the session and do not leave anything on court

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE COURT

• Avoid using public transport

• Arrive as close as possible to when you need to be there

• Avoid touching court gates, fences, etc. if you can and use alcohol gel after doing so

• If collecting court key from the Club Light Room, use wipes available in the room to wipe key and your hands. Then unlock the gate, LEAVE GATE OPEN to ensure others do not have to touch the gate and hang key on Toilet Block hook as normal.

• When leaving (if nobody else is playing) please take key back to Club Light Room as normal and lock padlock. Please wipe the key and your hands with available wipes.

• Allow others to leave before you enter the court - if you need to wait then do so away from the courts and clear of the gates

• Ensure you leave the court before the end of your allotted time so that it is empty for the next players

• Do not congregate after playing. No extra-curricular or social activity should

SECTION 2: DURING PLAY

COURT LIMITS

• [NEW] Both singles and doubles play is now permitted with people from outside of your household, as long as you remain  apart as far as possible – meaning that four people from different households can now play doubles.

• The only exception to the above is where a group of four players are all from the same household in which case they can play doubles

• [NEW] Coached sessions should be limited to groups of no more than 6 people including the coach (es)

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING

• Stay at least two metres away from other players at all times (including during play, when taking breaks and before and after play)

• Do not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five)

• Stay on your side of court and avoid changing ends, or agree to change ends at opposite sides of the net

• [NEW} For doubles, consider agreeing in advance which player will take the shot if a ball travels to the centre of the court

• Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if other players are using it

EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES

• [NEW] Players do not need to use their own clearly marked balls – however, if you choose to use shared ball then take extra care must be taken to ensure that you do not touch your face during play, and you should clean your hands before and immediately after finishing (use alcohol gel if required) Of course, you can carry on using your own marked balls if you so wish.

• Avoid using your hands to pick up tennis balls that aren’t yours - use your racquet/foot to hit/kick them to your opponent or return them to another court

• Avoid using other equipment such as courtside benches, net handles or court sweepers where possible

• Be aware that onsite toilet facilities may not be open.

• Where they are open, players are advised to take particular care when using them

HYGIENE

• [NEW] Hand hygiene is imperative – use alcohol gel to clean your hands after touching a shared surface.

• If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve

• Avoid touching your face

COMPETITIONS

• The initial focus during this phase should be on facilitating recreational and social play, and letting players spend time practicing

• The Club Committee will be providing guidelines for the resumption of competitive tennis activity in due course

MOVING FORWARD
We will continue to keep regularly reviewing the situation subject to the LTA and government policies. We must support the government's social distancing policy. ALL tennis players must be aware of and adhere to all of the above.

ALSO, there will be no liability whatsoever on the Club if you choose to play.

As stated last month, the committee appreciate that club members may have differing views but the committee must make the health and wellbeing of members its top priority. We have to rely on members to adhere and we are sure that you will. If we feel these requirements are not being met, we simply may have to make the decision to suspend all play, which is the last thing we want to do.

We thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing more of you down at the Club as soon as possible, as doubles play is back, though in a modified social distancing way. Please enjoy your tennis and please keep safe.

If you want to get in touch, please feel free to email me [email protected]. I am very happy to hear any suggestions or ideas members may have.

Andrew Sherwood
Chairman
On behalf of Acle Tennis Club Committee.