Chairman's Coronavirus Update 17 December 2020

Posted 18th December 2020

CHAIRMAN’S CHRISTMAS CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 17 DECEMBER 2020

London moved into tier 3 ahead of today’s planned review involving all of England.  As a club with only outdoor courts, what is permitted in terms of playing tennis at our club - and what is not – remains very similar, with the exception that spectators are not allowed (although one parent/carer per child is permitted) .   To recap what that means:  

• Apart from anyone living in a tier 2 area members may continue to enjoy the club.
• Social play within the Rule of Six is permitted, including doubles and singles.
• Coaching 1-2-1 is permitted.
• Coaching of adults in groups up to 12 people is possible.
• Coaching of children in groups no larger than 15 is allowed.
• The winter season of the North Kent League has been cancelled and matches that both clubs want to play are being played as friendlies.
• The junior matches in the National League are currently suspended till January. A decision on whether to re-start those is due soon.
• Social distancing, the Rule of Six, and reducing travel and contact whenever possible remain the best ways of avoiding the spread of the virus.
• We continue to be responsible for collecting information for the purposes of the test and trace system – from players (and from the opposition in any friendly matches). Please sign in with the QR code using the NHS Track and Trace app or sign in in the file on the hut veranda.

• The pavilion will remain closed but is open for the use of the toilet. The hut is also open but only one person is allowed in at a time please. No congregating indoors with others from outside of your household is allowed.

In other news:

• The club has been shortlisted for Club of the Year in the Kent LTA awards. And we were also shortlisted in the Competition category for our series of box leagues and other events we ran, providing cash prizes from the Jack Petchey 21st Birthday grant. This was a real boost for youngsters who were particularly hard hit by closures and cancellations in the summer. Lots of credit is down to Laura Perrins for the Box League initiative – we find out the winner on 21st January.
• Charlotte Hares has stepped down as Club Secretary as she is now working additional days elsewhere. It has been brilliant to benefit from her skills and energy for quite a while now and I should like to thank her publicly for everything she has done. That does, of course, mean we are looking for someone to take over. We can tailor the role to what works best for the individual and the club – and I am happy to provide further information to anyone who might be interested.
• Thanks to Alex Burn we now have an Instagram account. Using Facebook and Instagram is a great way to provide real-time news and pictures from matches and, for example, keeping members fully informed when there is snow or ice on the courts. So please download the Instagram app and look for @OldWilTennis – and please follow us.
• We are trying to finalise the calendar of tennis and social events for 2021. There are three events where we don’t yet have an organiser in place – so I am asking for volunteers to run:
  • The Wimbledon Mixed Doubles “wearing white” Tournament which takes place on Saturday 3 July. You can choose a new format if you wish – or follow the well-trodden paths where we can provide the rules etc for you;
  • The Club Championship which runs from July to September, with Finals Day due to take place on Saturday 11 September;
  • Next year’s Christmas Tournament – with mince pies and mulled wine hopefully – which is scheduled for the morning of Sunday 5 December.
• The cost of floodlights on Courts 5 and 6 has been aligned to the £6 per hour charge that applies to courts 1-4. Court 7 (MUGA) remains at £5 per hour.
• The minutes from the tennis club’s recent AGM are now on the club’s website - you can read about the matters discussed, and our thinking on priorities for 2021.

Everyone will agree that it has been a very difficult year.  But I believe this has brought us closer together as a club. Camaraderie at the club has improved, possibly because of a shared sense of fighting a common enemy – this virus.  People are now starting to be called for vaccination so there is genuine hope on the horizon.  So please continue to abide by the rules, look after yourself and fellow club members and reduce the risks you take and cause.  Hopefully things will improve soon.

Let’s all look forward to a much more interactive 2021 with lots of fun and silliness – and a Wine Tasting Quiz!!

Happy Christmas everyone.

NIGEL JORDAN
CHAIRMAN