Chairman's Coronavirus Update - 11th September 2020

Posted 14th September 2020

Chairman's Coronavirus Update - 11 September 2020

Following the Prime Minister's statement on Wednesday 9 September, I am writing to confirm that little has changed for tennis - but it is important that we follow the rules which have been in place for some time whilst now adhering to the "Rule of Six".

The official guidance says that from Monday 14 September:

- For informal social play, group size is limited to a maximum of six people by law

- Organised tennis activity for larger groups, including coached sessions, club sessions and competitions, is permitted by the Government as an exception to the limit of six, and so can continue, provided that venues, coaching providers and event organisers follow the LTA Covid-19 secure guidelines

We have again reviewed the way the club will work going forward and are reminding members of the guidelines which remain in place.

ACTIVITIES

Adult club sessions will carry on but they must continue to be organised and supervised

We will record details of those attending for contact tracing purposes

Our coaching programme continues unchanged - players and coaches must still observe the Covid secure guidelines

FACILITIES

The courts are open from 07.00 until 22.00

The hut is open - only ONE person in the hut at a time

The club now provides tennis balls but members may still use their own if they prefer

The floodlights are available for use again

The pavilion may be used for toilet facilities only - one person at time in the pavilion

We are unable to provide the usual showering facilities in the main clubhouse at the current time

COURT BOOKINGS

Courts MUST be booked - members are not able to turn up hoping a court will be available

Courts booking slots are in multiples of 30 minutes

Members are able to book a maximum of 90 minutes per booking - please do not book two successive 90 minute sessions in the same player name

Members are able to make a maximum of FOUR bookings in any seven day period

Courts may be booked up to ONE week in advance

PLEASE cancel your booking if you are not able to play. The notes at the bottom of the booking sheet explain how to do this.

VERY IMPORTANT: Only PAID UP CLUB MEMBERS are allowed to play. There is only one exception. Non-member parents of Colts who are members are permitted to play but ONLY with their Colt-member child (who by definition should be of primary school age) and on the HARD courts. Juniors (who typically will be at secondary school) MUST play with other club members. Several club members have been seen playing with non-members. It is the responsibility of club members to collect a visitor fee from all non-members they bring to the club each and every time they play. It is not fair to the paying membership if they do not. And we are now chasing this more rigorously than of late.

BEFORE YOU START PLAYING

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible)

Ensure you have booked a court - see above

Remember to carry your access fob when you leave home - you will need it as the gates are being kept closed except during peak coaching times and when the bar is open

Take hand sanitizer with you, please

Only take the minimum amount of equipment with you that you need to play

Arrive as close as possible to the time of your booking - walk from the car park via the front of the clubhouse, around the marker poles and after playing please return to the car park via the rear driveway

SAFETY FIRST

Clean and wipe down your equipment, including racquets and water bottles before and after use

Please leave the court a few minutes before the end of your allotted time so that it is empty for the next players - we no longer have 15 minute changeover slots

Ensure you take all your belongings with you at the end of the session and do not leave anything on court

Avoid congregating on or around the court after playing to allow safe access for others

Stay at least two metres away from other players (including during play, if you change ends as well as before and after play)

Do not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five)

Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if other players are using it

To reduce the contact on common surfaces we ask that players do not try to alter the height of the net - it should already be at the correct height.

If you are the last player to leave the courts, please ensure that all the courts, hut and pavilion are locked.

Enjoy tennis. But please STAY ALERT!

Old Wilsonians Lawn Tennis Club