More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Outdoor tennis will be resuming in Kent from Wednesday and the LTA have issued guidelines for clubs and players to follow.
Sports such as tennis, angling and golf are among those allowed to resume this week, with restrictions, as part of the government's new coronavirus lockdown measures.
Players will be allowed to play doubles with members of the same household or singles, which could be against another person not from the same house.
The Lawn Tennis Association - the game’s governing body in Great Britain - has announced guidance to clubs which also says that one-to-one coaching is allowed, providing social distancing is adhered to.
Only outdoor facilities are being allowed to open and that includes the Kent 2019 club-of-the-year, Frindsbury Lawn Tennis Club.
They are expecting to be at 86% capacity on Wednesday when they reopen but are keeping to the guidelines announced.
Head coach Jim Barton said: “We have strict isolation procedures in place, with online booking and with staggered court time and access.
“Nobody will be going onto or off the courts at the same time or going off them.”
Anyone wanting to play must book through the website and short-term memberships are being made available for newcomers.
Mr Barton also plans to run coaching sessions, one to one, as permitted under the new guidelines. Bookings can be done through the club's website, where contact details are available.
The LTA guidelines state that a maximum of two people are allowed on court at any one time, unless they are from the same household, which means doubles matches can be played.
If playing singles with a person from a different household then you are to mark your own balls so that you don’t pick up your opponent’s.
Players should avoid changing ends, or changing ends at opposite sides of the net, maintain social distancing at all times, follow public health guidelines for hygiene and not to play if you are self-isolating.
Clubs are advised to take online/phone bookings and payments while a 10 minute ‘buffer period’ should be factored in to minimise the risk of meeting anyone else outside of the courts.
Sundridge Park Tennis & Squash Club in Bromley have been maintaining their courts during the lockdown.
They announced on Tuesday afternoon that “our amazing courts are excited at the prospect of being allowed to open soon... Still waiting on the final green light and guidance but hope to advise you all soon.”
The LTA say: “We know how important it is for people to be active, and the particular role tennis can have in the physical and mental wellbeing of those that play it.
“By its very nature, tennis is an activity whereby close person to person contact can be avoided, with the Government saying tennis is a good example of an activity that can be undertaken in a way compliant with social distancing restrictions.
You can visit the LTA website for a list of clubs near you but not all will be opening immediately.
Herne Bay Tennis Club are holding a committee meeting on Thursday to discuss reopening.
They said: “Obviously, we would like to be able to get members back on court as soon as we can but safety remains our primary concern and if we move towards any level of re-opening we need to make sure this is handled responsibly.”
