Coronavirus (Covid-19) - guidelines for play
UPDATE 15 MAY 2020
The Club is now open, but strict guidelines must be followed so that we can all play tennis in a safe environment, including mandatory booking of courts. These guidelines have been designed in line with LTA guidance and following our own risk assessment and must be read in full before you book a court and play.
Any player(s) repeatedly not following the guidelines will be asked to leave the premises immediately and may jeopardise their membership or result in the Club having to shut.
Please be aware this guidance may change and restrictions may be reintroduced at any time. Please check back here regularly for the latest updates.
IMPORTANT: Do not leave your home to come and play tennis at the club if Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus. If you develop symptoms after playing, please let the club know. Including the time and day you played and your opponents’ name.
The latest Government advice can be found at the link in the "Additional Information" section below.
Currently play is restricted to singles play. The only way you can play doubles is if all players are from the same household. Individual lessons are also permitted. This means there is no social tennis, group coaching, matches etc. and the Clubhouse will remain closed except for Committee Members and Coaches who need access to equipment and to enable the running of the Club. This also means there is no access to floodlights or toilets for the time being.
Court Bookings
We have introduced a new court booking system which can be accessed via the link at the top of this page. This is accessible to all current paid members and is part of the new ClubSpark system which we have used for renewals too this year. You must book a court via the system to play. You must arrange to play another member.
Courts 1, 3, 4 and 7 will be available from Saturday 16 May from 1pm. After Saturday, you can book anytime from 9am to 8pm 7 days a week. The Club will be shut at 9pm every evening. You can book 3 x 1 hour slots per week. The week refreshes on a Wednesday.
The restrictions on the number of courts in use, the number of slots you can book and the timings will all be reviewed by the Committee at the end of the second week once we see what the demand is like and how the social distancing is being managed.
Initially the courts are for members only and no visitors are permitted.
We ask that you arrive promptly but not more than 5 minutes in advance of your booked time. You must finish 5 minutes early and leave the premises promptly to allow the court to be free when the next people arrive.
Entering and leaving the courts and premises
Arriving at the Club
For those arriving on foot please check the driveway is clear of any other pedestrians (and cars!) before you proceed up the driveway. If anyone is walking down the drive when you arrive, please wait until they have exited the driveway before you walk up to avoid passing in close proximity to others.
The fob access gate must remain closed for security reasons. There will be a sanitizing point by the gate, however we are still awaiting the arrival of the dispensers (due any day now) so we ask that anyone playing this week bring their own sanitizer and apply it before pushing open the gate (please do not touch the sliding handle at all - the gate is secure enough when pushed shut and it clicks). Please close the gate behind you.
Entering and leaving the courts
Players should head straight on to their court on arrival using the sanitizing stations at each court entrance (or their own sanitizer in the first few days). These should be used both on the way in and on the way out of the courts.
Gates to the courts must remain open at all times.
The nets have been adjusted to the correct height and winders and net measurers have been removed. Please do not touch any of the nets or fixtures on the courts. If you see a net that needs fixing or adjusting, please let Chris or another committee member know.
Players should observe social distancing at all times and resist the temptation to mingle.
Leaving the Club
Please sanitize your hands before pushing the exit button to release the fob access gate and close it behind you. Please leave the car park promptly.
On Court
Gates to the courts must remain open at all times.
Currently play is restricted to singles play. The only way you can play doubles is if all players are from the same household.
Players must provide their own racquets and equipment. Singles players should use two sets of clearly marked tennis balls. These should be alternated for serving with each player only touching their individual tennis balls.
Players should use their racquet / foot to pick up balls with their opponents initials on and hit them to their opponent and should avoid using their hands to pick up the balls. If a ball from another court comes across, players should send it back with a kick or with a racquet. Please do not pick it up.
Players should ideally bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer with them and keep it in their pocket or bag for use. This is essential in the first few days whilst we are awaiting our dispensers. Players should avoid touching their face after handling a ball, racquet, or other equipment.
Physical distancing should be observed throughout the period of play, particularly on change of ends and entering and exiting the court. Players should change ends at opposite sides of the net. Players must refrain from handshakes and high fives. Players should remain apart from other players when taking a break.
Players should not hang clothing items or towels on court pegs, on the net posts. Please put them in your bag when they are not needed.
Tennis Balls
To help members back on court, the Club is offering one can of 4 brand new tennis balls per household. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, they will be available for collection at the following times:
Saturday 16 May
9.00-9.45 Surnames A-K
9.45-10.00 Surnames L-Z
Saturday 23 May
9.00-9.45 Surnames L-Z
9.45-10.00 Surnames A-K
Please do not park in the car park during collection times as we want to ensure social distancing during this period and having as much space in the car park to do this will be helpful.
Coaching
Individual lessons only are allowed. Coaches should be paid by bank transfer only. Chris will be sending out an email regarding coaching offers in the next few days.
A limited number of tennis balls will be used for each lesson and no serving will take place. Coaches will take charge of picking up the balls. Players should use their racquet or their foot to pass the balls back.
Spectators
Parents supervising children should be limited to one. No other spectators are permitted.
First Aid
In emergencies the first aid box will be available for use by the side door underneath the defibrillator.
Cleaning
Daily cleaning of the fob entrance, gates, handles, first aid box and any other frequently used areas will take place.
Additional Information
More information on how to protect yourself against the virus, whether you need to self-isolate, and the latest guidance from the LTA can be found in the following links:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.lta.org.uk/coronavirus
Thank you for your support and understanding.
CLTC Committee
