Dear Tennis Players
As those of you who have enjoyed playing on our resurfaced courts over the weekend will have seen, work has started in earnest on the construction of our new 3rd court/multi-use games area (MUGA).
More of us will be able to take advantage of our new facilities and, possibly, be enticed to participate more frequently, following the Government’s further relaxation of lockdown restrictions and a subsequent update of LTA guidelines allowing doubles play amongst members of different households.
Our courts are open for members (subscription renewals were due for payment on 1st April) on Wednesday, 20th May. If you have any household members temporarily resident with you, who may only wish to join for the period they are here, we have designed a 3-month membership package for them at £40.
We appreciate that members may wish to play with guests, and court usage levels over the past few weeks would seem to be able to accommodate this, so we are re-introducing the facility to bring guests for a booked session, with the Covid-19 arrangements being a £5 guest fee is payable by BACS for each booked session to sort code: 05-04-54 account: 16623782 with the reference ‘guest fee’. This equates to just over half the hourly cost of hiring a court at the Valley Gardens and whilst being a reasonable rate does help contribute to the running costs of the club! Our club rules state that the same guest should only be brought 3 times in a season. Whilst we are reliant on each member’s honesty on this fee, members will be challenged if they repeatedly ignore the rule.
Courts must be booked online to enable contact tracing if necessary. Members are not permitted to play without booking. We have increased the adult booking quota to 1 booking per day. Please bear with the booking process, as we are conscious that it may throw up a few issues. Email us atbcmembers@gmail.com or text Barbara on 07989 284510.
The courts will be locked with a combination lock; your booking confirmation will provide the code. Always consult the booking confirmation as the codes will be changed from time to time. Remember to suitably spin the numbers when locking the court on exit!
Jamie Walters, from Kinetic Tennis is available to give coaching by arrangement, weekday mornings 9.00am to midday and Saturday until 2pm. £25 per hour. Contact Jamie direct on 07938 850558 or email kinetics.tennis@gmail.com We will update you as other coaching is re-introduced.
ATBC has updated its guidelines (detailed below) so that tennis activity can be enjoyed in a way that is in line with Government advice and helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They include measures to limit hand to shared surface contact and minimise unnecessary interactions with others.
We apologise that they remain long and detailed (new additions are highlighted [NEW] and [UPDATED], but it is important that they are followed to keep each other safe and well. Please do read them and print off the PDF version attached for future reference if desired.
At all times, players should adhere to the Government’s social distancing guidelines (staying at least 2m away from others), and practise public health advice for hygiene. 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 Guidance for Tennis Players
Please note that there might still be the odd bad bounce as the carpet settles and is re-dressed with further sand, but the excess sand will disappear. The contractors are returning to correct a few minor snags and ensure the surface has bedded in without any rucks and the carpet will be permanently and finally secured at the edge.
We hope you enjoy getting back to doubles!
IMPORTANT: Do not leave your home to play tennis if Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus.