St Pauls Walden Tennis Club

Our club is in the parish of St Pauls Walden, Hertfordshire, and the 3 courts are in the village of Whitwell at the recreation ground, off Bradway (nearest postcode SG4 8AP).

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS :  Return to RESTRICTED Tennis activity

St Pauls Walden Tennis Club – COVID19 Guidance – 01/06/2020

The new Government COVID-19 regulations allow us to return to playing tennis, but only in a restricted manner in accordance with guidelines as issued by the LTA on  01/06/2020. Changes are marked NEW or UPDATED within the linked PDF documents on the LTA website.

The LTA’s “Guidance for Tennis Venues – COVID-19” can be found here:

https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/news/2020/lta-guidance-for-tennis-venues---covid-19.pdf

The LTA’s “Guidance for Tennis Players – COVID-19” can be found here:

https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/news/2020/lta-guidance-for-tennis-players---covid-19.pdf

Members should make themselves aware of the contents of these documents if considering playing tennis.

Summary of changes for LTA clubs in England - Return to Restricted Play

Following further clarifications we have received from Government, tennis activity in England will be able to take place outdoors from with both singles play 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

The Images opposite have replaced the COVID-19 STAY AT HOME - DO NOT ENTER sign that has been displayed previously after we had unauthorised access and damage to fencing.

NOTE: If the STAY AT HOME sign is returned due to an increase in the R-rate of infection], please repect the position of the Tennis Club Committee. 

KEY POINTS:

Key points include (in summary form):

• Venues should take time to ensure they reopen safely
• Activity should be consistent with the government guidance
• Risk assessment should be undertaken (we have carried out such resulting in measures below)
• Measures put in place need to be capable of being flexed or changed quickly
• Court booking is recommended , we have introduced this across all three Courts
• To save injury, ease yourself back into tennis gently
• Do not play tennis if you have symptoms of COVID-19
• Clean and wipe down your equipment before and after use
• If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve and avoid touching your face

SPWTC recommended measures for members

• All Under 18 players will require an Adult to be present (on court preferably)
• Pavilion use is forbidden except in a medical emergency
• Nets are to remain at playing height - Do not alter them
• Club tennis balls are not to be used
• Avoid touching surfaces such as gates, nets, handrails etc
• Players provide their own hand sanitizer and wash hands before and asap after playing tennis
• Doubles can now be played from outside your own household is now permitted, please book a court if possible
• Stay at least two meters apart.  Change ends at opposite ends of the net.
• Do not hang around at the courts before or after playing
• Spectators are only allowed if a sole parent is required to watch a junior

General Information

The club is open to adults and juniors of all abilities from beginner to match player.  We participate in the Datchworth Summer and Autumn leagues, have monthly tournaments, weekly clubnights (Thursdays in Spring/Summer), and club competitions.