Knowle Lawn Tennis Club

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN (22nd June 2020):

Dear Members

As you may be aware after due consultation with the Government, the LTA have issued new guidelines regarding the playing of tennis. The major changes are that doubles play is now going to be allowed and there is no longer the need to use clearly marked balls. Accordingly the club guidelines and conditions of play have been modified to take account of these changes and can be viewed in full below.

• Both singles and doubles play is now permitted with people from outside of your household. 
• All players must be members of the Club.  
• Players must book a court prior to attendance. You cannot turn up and play.  
• Players should stay at least two metres away from other players at all times including during play, when taking breaks and before and after play. Do not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five). Stay on your side of court and avoid changing ends, or agree to change ends at opposite sides of the net.
• For doubles play consider agreeing in advance which player should cover if a shot is hit down the centre of the court. 
• Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if other players are using it.
• It is also very important to maintain social distancing during the time players are coming on and off court and to leave the club promptly.
• Tennis Balls. Players do not now need to use their own clearly marked tennis balls. This is optional. If you choose to use shared tennis balls then extra care must be taken to ensure you do not touch your face during play and you should clean your hands immediately before and after play. If you need to return a ball to another court they should be picked up with the racket hit or kicked to their intended destination.

In response to an increasing demand we are going to allow courts to be booked for doubles play on all days at any time from Monday 29th July.

The situation will be monitored and further options may be made available at a future date

It is important that all players comply with the guidelines as published to enable everybody to enjoy the resumption of tennis.

Many thanks
Peter Wayborn
Chairman

GUIDANCE AND CONDITIONS OF PLAY

PLAYERS

Both singles and doubles play is now permitted with people from outside of your household. All players must be members of the Club. A junior member may only play with another member who is 18 years or over.

MEMBERSHIP

It is clear that the benefit of membership this year will not be what we anticipated even a few weeks ago. As a result we have decided to reduce the cost of membership by 25% for the year 2020/21.

So the rates become:

Membership	Cost
Full adult	£154.50
Weekday	£82.50
Young adult (19-22)	£91.50
Young Adult (16-18) full playing rights	£48.00
Junior	£27.00

In order to be able to play, all players will need to have paid. We request that instalments are avoided, as we already 2.5 months into the year, but if your circumstances do not permit payment in full then payment can be made over 3 monthly instalments. Please also remember to complete the membership form on the website. This a legal requirement and is a condition of membership. This gives the tennis club bank details.

If you have already paid the full rate – firstly thank you! You will in the light of the reduction be entitled to claim a refund of 25% of the amount paid. If you wish to claim please e-mail the treasurer, Tony Willford, and provide details of the membership being reclaimed, details of the bank account to be credited – sort code, account number and full name of the account holder. Tony’s e-mail address is tonywillford@hotmail.com.

BOOKING OF COURTS

Players must book a court prior to attendance. You cannot turn up and play. This can be done via Clubspark and the times available will be shown for respective courts. You can only book one hour time slots. Initially the courts will be available for play between 9am and 8.30pm.  Players should arrive promptly for their allocated period of play and they should also complete their use of the court at or just before the stipulated time to enable social distancing to be maintained during changeover periods.

BALLS

Players do not now need to use their own clearly marked tennis balls. This is optional.If you choose to use shared tennis balls then extra care must be taken to ensure you do not touch your face during play and you should clean your hands immediately before and after play. If you need to return a ball to another court they should be picked up with the racket hit or kicked to their intended destination. Club balls will not be provided. However the club will give each full adult member a tube of new balls free which can be obtained by prior arrangement from Tony Willford at his home address (mobile 07976560206). Any subsequent balls can be purchased at £5 per tube.

HYGIENE

All players are expected to provide their own sanitiser and it is requested that the keypads on the entrances be wiped before and after use. Likewise the latches on the court gates. Please note that the clubhouse will remain closed for use so that there are no toilet or changing facilities available at this time. It is advised that all equipment used should be wiped and cleaned after use. Players should also avoid the use of court benches where possible. All the nets have been raised to the correct height and the winders removed. Players should also avoid using the benches on the patios.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Players should stay at least two metres away from other players at all times including during play, when taking breaks and before and after play.  Do not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five). Stay on your side of court and avoid changing ends, or agree to change ends at opposite sides of the net. For doubles play consider agreeing in advance which player should cover if a shot is hit down the centre of the court. Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if other players are using it. It is also very important to maintain social distancing during the time players are coming on and off court and to leave the club promptly.

FIRST AID

Due to there being no access to the clubhouse, the first aid box has been placed in the outside cupboard which houses the floodlights fuse board and can be used as required.

These guidelines have been produced in line with the Government guidance on public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise published on 31 May 2020, and guidance given by the LTA both of which can be read on their respective websites.

If you can play the game and are looking for a new club, or if you are a complete novice in search of coaching, the folks of Knowle Lawn Tennis club look forward to welcoming you in to their vibrant community.