Judging by the overwhelming response to the first invites for social tennis nights issued last night, so many of you cannot wait to start play again. Unfortunately, there is another 18 days until Lockdown restrictions for tennis end and play can begin on March 29.
At that point, tennis is back much as before lockdown but subject to tighter regulation in some areas.
The main issue is keeping to groups of maximum six people in any situation. So no more than six people on any one court and, if interacting, across both courts. Where two groups of four or more are booked separately on each court, they MUST NOT interact.
The additional rules restrict off court accommodation of spectators. Players must not congregate around the courts when not actually playing and non-playing spectators or guests are NOT allowed. The only exception is where a parent (one per child ONLY) accompany children under age 18 and then only where they observe strict social distancing requirements. They MUST NOT be accompanied by siblings.
Online court booking will be available from this weekend and please note that, by then, the gate keypad will have been fixed and there is a new code!
There are special dispensations for Club organised activity and social tennis nights return on Wednesdays and Thursdays from March 31. As before, we are restricted to a maximum of 12 people. With 8 playing on courts at any one time, the non-playing participants MUST remain IN THE COURT AREA and socially distanced. That’s minimum 2 metres apart.
In view of this, it is even more important that those wishing to join the social night sessions observe the Teamer protocols. Please confirm your availability BEFORE 5.00pm on the day before session you wish to attend; also change your availability to declined if you have accepted and find you are no longer able to attend. Do NOT try to attend without a SELECTED confirmation.
We already have more than 12 people wishing to play on both the first Wednesday and Thursday sessions back. We will be allocating sessions based on 1) giving people at least one preferred session and 2) a broadly first come, first served basis thereafter.
Looking forward, please be considerate and allow us to fit as many people in as possible by keeping your Teamer availability uptodate and accept the SELECTED confirmation as soon as possible.
In view of demand and the fact that more people can play in Club organised social group activity, we are exploring the possibility of more weekly social tennis sessions. We are tentatively proposing a third on Saturday afternoons, 4-6pm, and would welcome comments in the social tennis chatroom.
We are also proposing that the current tennis ladder resumes and the updated ladder will be posted under Documents on the App shortly. As previously advised, we have removed the original anticipated end date and this will be reviewed at the end of May. Anyone wishing to enter the ladder challenge – or, indeed, join the social tennis sessions – is still able to do so by completing the rolling tennis survey here
https://ccdn.survey.fm/social-tennisMany of the restrictions on junior (and most adult) coaching will also be lifted on March 29 and HotShotZ will be notifying existing participants of new arrangements. Anyone wishing (their child) to join coaching programmes should contact Jack Lusher direct.
CURRENT PLAY CONDITIONS (UPDATED WEF 29 MARCH)
• A maximum of 6 players are allowed on one court booking with 4 playing and 2 remaining within the court area, socially distanced;
• the maximum number of people on both courts at any one time is 8 in two separate bookings;
• there must be NO interaction between players where 2 courts have been booked separately. NO attempt should be made to chase balls across courts;
• if both courts have been booked for the same group, the maximum number of players is 6 in TOTAL. Otherwise, you will have to play in separate and discrete groups of upto 6 players with NO interaction and to a maximum of 8 players across both courts;
• 2 metres distance to be maintained between players at all times – on and off court – other than in exceptional circumstances where 1m+ will be permitted with mitigating actions;
• existing LTA COVID-19 conditions for doubles tennis play must be observed which include NO changes of end and nominating one partner to take balls down the centre of court
• as a courtesy to other users, we ask you to end your play a few minutes early to allow safe handover of courts with the court nearest the gate vacated first.
All other latest court booking conditions remain the same:
• The tennis courts are available for booking online ONLY.
• Before leaving home & after you return wash your hands
• Bring hand sanitizer with you
• Arrive changed and ready to play
• Use all your own equipment
• Clean and wipe down your equipment, including rackets and water bottles
• Bring a full water bottle, and do not share food or drink with others
• Ensure you take all your belongings with you at the end of the session
• Arrive as close as possible to when you need to be there
• Avoid touching court gates, fences, benches, etc. and wipe them down if inadvertent contact
• The court nets will be set at the appropriate height and the winding handles removed
• Allow others to leave before you enter the court – if you need to wait then do so away from the courts and clear of the gates
• The first court users to arrive for each session are to take the court furthest from the gate irrespective of the court booked
• PLEASE AVOID TOUCHING SURFACES UNECESSARILY AND AT THE END OF PLAY WIPEDOWN ANY SURFACES WHICH HAVE BEEN TOUCHED
• Do not congregate after playing and leave the premises promptly
• Do not make physical contact with other players
• Make sure you have the court access codes from the booking confirmation
• Do not provide anyone with the court access codes or facilitate access to ANYONE ELSE, especially if they have not booked
• Under no circumstances are people to access or use courts they have not booked. This includes overstaying after a booked session.
The LTA guidance tennis players are required to observe – including specific conditions for doubles play – are included under Documents on the Club App.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLUBHOUSE REMAINS CLOSED AND OUT OF BOUNDS TO ALL.
The Tennis Committee will keep conditions under continuous review and amend as necessary so please keep checking Club media and the Tennis chatroom on the App in particular.
Any abuse of or failure to observe the required conditions may lead to the curtailing or withdrawing of the facilities and/or cancellation of individual bookings. We ask members to continue reporting abuses of the conditions for the protection of all court users.
WE MUST ALL ADHERE STRICTLY TO THESE CONDITIONS AND THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN INSTANCES OF POLICE AND/OR LOCAL AUTHORITY VISITS TO KENT TENNIS CLUBS to review planning in anticipation of lockdown easing. You are liable, as well as the Club, for any breaches of the law with the potential for significant fines.
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