Playing Tennis Safely During Lockdown

We are fortunate to have been able to make two courts available to members for booked sessions of play. But it is important that we follow not only the Club’s guidelines as to booking and playing, but also the mandatory social distancing guidelines in relation to playing tennis. These can be found by following this link: Guidance for Tennis Players.

The club rules have an additional consideration towards our resurfaced tennis courts, which while are playable, are not yet completely finished, so important information is as follows:

TWO COURTS ARE NOW OPEN AGAIN FOR PLAY.

  • The resurfacing and painting of the courts has now been completed. COVID-19 is now our guide to court use.
  • The courts can only be accessed by booking through Julia Bristow on 01869 226466, the keys to the court will be made available for a period of one hour at the end of which the court must be re-locked and the keys returned to Julia Bristow, NOT passed on to any other players. (there will be a buffer of 15 minutes between bookings.)
  • The clubhouse will be available for use of the toilets to those members who are clubhouse keyholders. If you would like more information about how to get a clubhouse key please contact the Membership Secretary, Andrea Healy at marshgibbontc@outlook.com.
  • 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.
  • For doubles, consider agreeing in advance which player will take the shot if a ball travels to the centre of the court.
  • Spectators of any age are strictly forbidden.
  • The nets have been set at the correct height and the winders removed; the net height will be checked at various intervals.
  • Players are advised to use gloves to open and close gates.
  • Players do not now need to use their own clearly marked tennis 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).
  • Use alcohol gel after touching any court gates, fences, benches, etc, and avoid doing so where possible.
  • It is advisable not to change ends or if doing so then cross on opposite sides of the court.
  • It is advisable not to shake hands at the end of a game and to leave the court maintaining the 2 metre rule.
  • By booking a court and playing you are agreeing to comply with the LTA guidelines for playing tennis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The club reserves the right to cancel, extend or change any or all of the above in the event of non- compliance or changes to the guidelines from either the LTA or the Government.

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