Following announcements by the government, Writtle Parish Council, Writtle Sports and Social Club, Writtle Tennis Club and Writtle Tennis Academy have made significant changes to how we operate for the foreseeable future. It is our responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of our members and visitors are priority and that we are doing all we can to be in line with the government’s guidelines to reduce the Corona virus spreading. However, courts can remain open to help ensure people remain active, subject to strict social distancing and hygiene practices being employed. Since then, further measures and restrictions have been announced on a daily basis.

Buildings & Facilites

• Writtle Sports and Social Club is closed until further notice (social club, 4G pitch, play area and car park gate will be closed)
• Club toilets are locked and not accessible
• The hut (kitchen) is locked and not accessible 
• The ball room and changing room is now locked and not accessible. The ball machine cannot be used. Please read below regarding balls and lights

Coaching

• Writtle Tennis Academy have stopped all junior and adult coaching completely

Social Tennis

• All social tennis is cancelled

Matches 

• All local and Essex leagues are cancelled until further notice

What you can do

• At this stage, and until we receive further advice, we feel it is an individual choice as to whether you or your children play tennis or not, albeit, at your and their own risk
• Organised singles, fixed fours will continue for the time being
• Online court booking system must be used
• You must bring your own drink or bottle
• You can use the outside tap for drinking water and washing your hands
• New and nearly new tennis balls will now be stored in a box under the bench nearest to ball store. Please take a tube of balls and keep these for your future individual or group use and don’t put them back in the box. If we are running low please let us know - committee@writtletennisclub.com 
• The key for the lights will be on the key ring attached to the ball. It will stay in the light switch locker. Please leave it in there
• All rubbish must be taken away with you

This is what we are doing to ensure we are following the guidelines, so members are safe, and the club remains accessible. We cannot stress enough that all member should be following the governments guidelines.

We request that all of our members play their part in minimising the risks, which for certain age categories, might mean, regrettably, not playing tennis at all.

It is particularly important for people who:

• are 70 or over
• if you are high risk or have a long-term condition
• are pregnant
• have a weakened immune system

Please look after yourselves and others around you. The club’s operations will be reviewed on an on-going basis, following the guidelines, and will be in contact with you all with any further updates or developments

Very Important

To prevent the spread of the virus, we ask all members to observe the following practices for the time being:

• Do not play tennis if you are showing symptoms, including a persistent cough or a fever that means you might be carrying the virus
• Anyone who has been advised to self-isolate as a result of developing symptoms and/or recent international travel to destinations specified by the Government, should clearly not, therefore, take part in tennis activities for the duration of the self-isolation period
• No person to person physical contact wherever possible. Try to maintain social distancing of at least 2 metres from other people
• Avoid congregating in groups in the Club grounds
• Avoid close proximity when resting
• Avoid racket sharing and clean equipment when finished
• No shaking of hands before or after matches, just touch rackets
• Avoid changing ends between games
• Wear gloves if possible to provide extra protection
• Try to avoid touching your face
• Ensure best practice in terms of personal hygiene which should include frequent hand washing especially before and after playing given the handling of tennis balls. Use your personal hand-wash or the water and soap provided at the outside tap. Please bring your own towels for drying hands.