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COVID-19 Update June 2020

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00

Following the further easing of restrictions in England from 1 June, the Government and LTA have confirmed what these measures mean in relation to tennis. Players from different households can now play doubles together as long as they stay two metres apart as far as possible, and small group coaching for up to six people (including coaches) can resume.  Further, it is now possible to share tennis balls although this does require higher levels of hand sanitisation.  The changes to the LTA guidance are indicated below and we would ask that you read these through. 

All other aspects remain unaltered including the closure of the clubhouse and no social sessions or use of floodlights. 

Should you now wish to join the club to play doubles, details are below.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation the Committee have decided that a short membership period to the end of June should be put in. This will be £10 for adults and £5 for juniors. This will be reviewed at the end of June. YOU MUST BOOK COURTS TO PLAY. There will be no social tennis sessions, organised or free flow and no use of floodlights. Court bookings are required and are restricted to one hour. Do not turn up unless you have booked a court.

Please note that in order to play you will need to renew your membership online here:

 https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/LeightonBuzzardTennisClub/Membership/Join  The system will ask you to make a direct debit payment but this is just a one off payment. 

Book courts online using our new website here: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/LeightonBuzzardTennisClub. 

 

Coaching is available through Club Coach Ross Neary Tel. 07772630494 and Rusty Rackets coach Craig Keeling Tel. 07958938275. All coaching is now available for groups up to six people and must be booked in advance.

Please see the LTA guidance below. We have also installed signs at the court, providing specific instruction on how to use the courts and stay safe.  Please read these and adhere to them.  

 

CURRENT LTA GUIDANCE

At all times, players should adhere to the Government’s social distancing guidelines (staying at least 2m away from others), and practice public health advice for hygiene.
 


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

 

NEW

If someone who has played at this venue develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should be directed to follow the Governments ‘test and trace’ guidelines, which can be read of the https://www.gov.uk 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)

 

EQUIPMENT

  •  Take hand sanitizer with you

  • UPDATED Use all your own equipment where possible. Rackets can be shared but where this happens ensure thorough cleaning before and after use. Players should not share items such as grips, hats and towels and only take the minimum amount of equipment with you that you need to play

 

  • Clean and wipe down your equipment, including rackets and water bottles before and after use

  •  Bring a full water bottle, and do not share food or drink with others

  •  NEW Players do not now need to use their own clearly marked balls however if you choose to use shared balls then extra care must be taken to ensure you do not touch your face during play and you should clean your hands before play and immediately after finishing (use alcohol gel if required)  

  •  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

  •  UPDATED Use alcohol gel after touching any court gates, fences, benches, etc. and avoid doing so where possible

  •  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

  •  Arrive changed and ready to play.

  • The end room will be locked and there will be no access to toilets. Please use home facilities before arriving at the club.

  • Swipe cards can be used for emergencies to access the FIRST AID KIT that will be placed in the first room on the left from the back door.

 

COURT LIMITS

  • NEW Both singles and doubles play is now permitted with people from outside of your household, as long as you remain 2 metres apart as far as possible – meaning that four people from different households can now play doubles

 

  •  NEW Coached sessions should be limited to no more than six people, including the coach

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)

  • NEW For doubles, players should agree in advance which player will take the shot if the ball travels to the centre of the court

  •  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

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

  • If playing on courts 1/2 use nearest gate to enter and leave courts

  • If playing on courts 3/4 use furthest gate to enter and leave courts

  • Wait using the distancing markers until you can safely enter, and exit the courts following the arrows nearest the railings 

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

 

EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES

  •  Avoid using your hands to pick up tennis balls that are not yours - use your racket/foot to hit/kick them to your opponent or return them to another court

  •  Avoid using other equipment such as court side benches, or court sweepers where possible (Nets will be pre-set at the correct height.  The nets do not require adjustment. Net winders and coat hooks have been removed)

  • Open gates with gloves/sleeves/racket and leave gates open where possible.

  • Benches and chairs have been removed apart from two benches for use by parent/guardian when watching their child have tennis coaching

 

HYGIENE

  •  If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve. Bins have been removed, so please take tissue home with you and bin it. 

  • Avoid touching face, eyes, nose or mouth.

 


 

The latest LTA advice can be seen on the LTA web address below.
https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/news/2020/lta-guidance-for-tennis-players---covid-19.pdf


We hope you will be able to make use of the courts soon - but remember to stick to the guidance and stay safe.

 

Kind regards 

Leighton Buzzard Tennis Committee