Full statement below:

Dear BLTC members

Like other sports clubs we are trying to advise our members about participation in our sport on our premises.  Because the situation is so fast moving, the best we can do is to summarise the guidance available on the LTA website (www.lta.org.uk) at a particular date. For more information, and to check that it remains up-to-date, individuals are advised to refer to the website themselves. (If you spot significant updates please let us know and we can revise and resend our advice to members.)

On their website on 19 March 2020  the LTA state that they have cancelled all the activities that they deliver, citing the requirement for significant travel and close contact in the activities which they deliver.

We have therefore cancelled organised group activities at BLTC for the foreseeable future, in particular clubnights (which were due to start next week) and group coaching.

However for tennis as a whole the LTA says:

While the LTA has suspended its organised activity, the Government have currently indicated that recreational exercise that takes place at a safe distance from others and in safe exercise environments is something that can continue during this period.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has specifically advised us that tennis is in fact one of the best examples of social distancing in practice, and so should be encouraged as long as the guidance permits.

Their advice also extends to coaching, where it includes:

Adopt low player-to-court ratios (such as singles or doubles) or individual coaching as per the Government’s advised social distancing measures (defined by Public Health England as spending no more than 15 minutes and not within a 2-metre distance talking to someone).

We are therefore, for the moment, encouraging John Varney to offer individual coaching sessions at BLTC. He has carefully thought through the logistics of following the LTA advice, and we will circulate this information for him in the next few days.

As  far as your own decision about whether or not to participate in tennis, please weigh up the pros and cons as they apply to you. The  social distancing aspects of tennis are naturally quite good, but there are important ways in which this can break down. In particular the LTA emphasise:

Adopting best practice in relation to hygiene, especially before and after training sessions, including but not limited to:

·         Players should wash hands before and after a tennis session without exception (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible)

·         Clean and wipe down equipment, including rackets, courtside benches, cones. Do not allow racket sharing or use of communal rackets.

·         For tennis balls, consider using new balls where possible.

·         Avoid touching your face.

·         Outdoor courts and open spaces are preferable to small indoor spaces.

We can all add to this to avoid the obvious, but sometimes involuntary, handshaking of opponents or hugging of partners, etc.

Tennis that is either singles or within family groups, with the recommended precautionary measures, might be a way forwards that you are comfortable with.

GP Fiona also says:

‘members over the age of 70 years and those with a chronic health condition including asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes need to be particularly cautious and might consider opting out of play completely for now.’

Best wishes to you and your families for the upcoming weeks, whether or not it involves any tennis, or walks on the hilltops, or ………..