Dear Members,
I hope that you will have heard the wonderful news that tennis is now possible again, all be it on a restricted basis. Subject to being able to satisfy social distancing and other guidelines tennis courts can now re-open for singles play between two players (not necessarily from the same household) and for individual coaching lessons. Sadly doubles will have to wait a while yet unless you are lucky enough to be living with 3 other tennis players!
We are obviously keen to be able to re-open the club, but to do that we are having to make a few changes to ensure your safety, to reduce the risk of any spread of COVID-19 and make sure that we comply with the guidance issued both by government and the LTA.
First and foremost all players must read and strictly follow the guidelines set out in the attached LTA booklet.
Secondly we are having to make a few changes to how you access and use the courts, namely:
- There will be a one-way system in place as the main entrance path is too narrow to allow for social distancing. Entry to the club and all courts must be through this main gate, and exit from the club and all courts will be via the gate on Court 5. If playing on Courts 1 and 2 entry onto and off these courts will be via the small gate on Court 1. If playing on Courts 3, 4 and 5 entry onto these courts will be via the gate at the end of the old road onto Court 5. Exit from the club must also be via this route. If people are using Courts 4 or 5, please wait at this gate until they have seen you and then beckoned you through, again to enable them to distance themselves from your way out.
- To reduce the risk of infection from hard surfaces we have had to remove all extraneous items from the courts ie benches, net handles and squeegee. In addition, whilst others are at the club the various gates will be propped open and remain unbolted so that you don't need to touch them with your hands (the internal gate from Court 2 to Court 4 will be locked and unusable). If you are last to leave the club please ensure that the main gate and the gate from Court 5 are both closed and locked.
- To avoid people turning up unnecessarily and prevent overlapping visits we are having to introduce a court booking system. Courts must be booked in advance and are bookable in hourly slots, with a 10 minute turnaround time between bookings to reduce social interaction. Tim from Le Tennis has very kindly agreed to operate this system for the club, at least initially. To book either text him on 07770304651 or email him at letennis@btconnect.com. He will endeavour to reply within the hour - please don't try and call him as he may well be coaching and won't be able to answer or call you back.
- The clubhouse must remain closed for the time being. We have no way of ensuring that this is continually safe and clean for everyone.
- One of the Le Tennis team is likely to be present at the club most days. They will have the safety and welfare of everyone uppermost in their minds and I would ask that we all respect any requests they may make of us with regard to distancing or safe methods of play.
- Please ensure that you wash your hands both before and after leaving the club (particularly as you may have to touch gates and handles to get in and out)
I do hope you can enjoy playing tennis again, even if everything isn't quite back to normal. The social side of tennis is certainly going to have to wait. Sadly I must stress that the club can only be open for play and not for socialising or interacting with anyone other than your playing partner. Please be aware that the government and LTA guidelines are all subject to change at short notice and hence further changes may be necessary.
Some of last years members have understandably held back from renewing their membership until restrictions were lifted and play was possible again. Obviously now would be the time to renew.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me or anyone else on the Committee.
With best wishes,
Brian
For and on behalf of the Committee