CURRENT STATUS:  all tennis coaching sessions (including group and individuals) are running with extra safeguarding measures in place. 

As this is a rapidly evolving issue, please refer to this page regularly for the latest advice and guidance on dealing with Covid-19.

We are in communication with the LTA (our governing body, who is liaising directly with Government) and other relevant organisations regarding the coronavirus. We are closely monitoring advice from the Government and the LTA, to ensure we are right up to date with the latest guidance for our customers.

The latest Government guidance and information regarding Covid-19 can be found via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

We all know tennis is a unique sport which has many benefits – the main one being health and wellbeing. The Government has currently indicated that physical exercise (including grassroots coaching) that takes place at a safe distance from others and in safe exercise environments is something that can continue at this time.

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. Tennis is also specifically identified as currently being a sport that is ok to play in this BBC news article.

We are adapting sessions to accommodate the advice on social distancing:

• We're adopting low player-to-court ratios (such as singles or doubles)
• We're avoiding close proximity when giving feedback, or when players are resting
• We're ensure no physical contact between players during warm-ups or games
• There will be no other unnecessary extra-curricular or social activity taking place during and after coaching

We've also adapted our best practice guidelines in relation to hygiene, especially before and after training sessions, including but not limited to:

• Players and Coaches should wash hands before and after a tennis session without exception (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible)
• Our teams wil clean and wipe down equipment, including rackets, courtside benches, cones. Do not allow racket sharing or use of communal rackets
• We adapting our coaching drills, such as the use of live ball drills over basket drills
• All players and coaches should avoid touching their face whilst playing tennis
• Players will be encouraged to leave the court and go home as soon as the lesson/session is completed
• We will minimise the use of clubhouses and other common areas. 
• There will be no handshaking or bodily contact

We are monitoring the situation closely and we have an experienced team drawn from across all areas of the business who are speaking regularly to monitor developments and react accordingly. As is normal business practice, we are following the UK government guidelines and will adjust our response accordingly, and we will let you know if we make changes.