Adele Fletcher, 30th April 2020

Normally, I would be chasing you for BTMs, answering queries and begging you to Read The Rules at this stage. Bliss! However, at this extraordinary time and following a statement from the LTA on 28 April, we wanted to get in touch with you to update you.

The LTA has now extended the cancellation of all LTA staged and LTA approved competitions (grade 1 to 6) up to Sunday 28 June 2020. Therefore, no National League fixtures up to 28 June 2020 can take place.

Given that we have now lost three months of the season, it makes it very difficult to arrange fixtures during the summer season. There is also the uncertainty around how and when things may return to ‘normal’ and so it is impossible to guarantee dates at this moment.

Based on this we can update you with the following:

1. All junior age groups in the VMH East of Scotland Junior League 2020 are postponed. The Board is hopeful, but cannot promise, that this league can be rescheduled in late summer/autumn.
2. The VMH East of Scotland Men’s and Ladies’ Leagues 2020 are similarly ‘postponed’. We remain optimistic that these leagues can be held later in the year.
3. In order to accommodate 1 and 2, it will be necessary to cancel all of the late season events.
4. All of the above is under constant review. That we will do what we can is the only guarantee.

During these challenging times for our society, the LTA’s focus has been to ensure tennis coaches, venues, volunteers, officials and players are supported in any way possible. The LTA is trying to ensure that tennis in Britain emerges from this period in a strong and healthy position and that the sport is able to resume its role in keeping the nation active.  I am sure you are all aware that the LTA has announced a multi-million pound support package for tennis in Britain to combat the impact of coronavirus. You can read more information on this support package here.

There are dedicated FAQ pages in relation to competitions for both officials and players, both of which are accessible from the main coronavirus information page at www.lta.org.uk/coronavirus. Should you have any further questions, please refer to this in the first instance.

The LTA remain in regular, direct dialogue with the Government in relation to the coronavirus to ensure the guidance we are providing to those involved in tennis is the right advice at that time. Our aim is for tennis activity to return as soon as is possible in a way that is both safe and appropriate based on Government advice. This includes scenario planning for a resumption of tennis competitions when conditions allow but, at this stage, it remains too early to speculate as to how or when this may be.

Thank you all once again for your continued support and understanding.  We are sorry that we have been left with no choice but to make this decision, however, we are ever hopeful that some inter club team competition can occur this year.

Please keep an eye on our social media for updates too. Also, Tennis Scotland, LTA, Judy Murray Foundation and many of our coaches and instructors have been posting hundreds of useful, fun and challenging ways to keep fit and keep your tennis skills sharp. TonyVator is one of my personal favourites!!

We will be in touch again soon but if you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Yours in tennis

Adele Fletcher