Guidelines for Players
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Guidelines for Players
Only people core to playing should attend tennis activities such as players, participants, coaches and operational personnel.
Everyone should personally assess the risk of passing on infection and follow recommened NHS guidelines.
You must stay at home if you:
- Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Have been overseas or exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Have flu-like symptoms or are feeling unwell
When using our courts:
- Equipment will not be available for hire initially to reduce forms of contact.
- Arrive and leave as close as possible to when you are due on court
- Play should be limited to singles only during this phase of the reopening. The only exception for doubles play is if playing partners are from the same household. Further doubles play will be considered in future stages of reopening
- Players should arrive ready to play as there will be no access to the pavilion/dressing rooms during this phase
- Players should ensure that they utilise toilet facilities in their own home before arriving at the premises as toilet facilities will not be available during this phase
- Players should, ideally, bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer with them and keep it in their pocket or bag for use
- Juniors, under 18 years, must be supervised by a parent/guardian in this stage of reopening
- To protect against infection, players must refrain from handshakes and high fives; Keep 2 metres away from other people at all times
- Do not share food, towels and drinks
- Change ends at opposite sides of the net. If this is not possible then do not change ends
- Remain apart from other players when taking a break.
Tennis Ball Use:
- Use two sets of clearly marked tennis balls. These should be alternated for serving with each player only touching their tennis balls
- Use your racquet/foot to pick up balls and hit them to your opponent. Avoid using your hands to pick up the balls
- If a ball from another court comes across, send it back with a kick or with a racquet
- Consider spraying tennis balls with a disinfectant spray after play
- Using new balls on a very regular basis is highly encouraged
Leaving the courts:
Once play has finished players should leave the premises promptly and:
- Hands should be washed and sanitised as soon as possible
- Ensure equipment is cleaned thoroughly after use
- Tennis balls can be sprayed with a disinfectant
If a player becomes unwell after playing, they should first contact their GP/NHS and then inform the Council
Players should be encouraged to remind other members of the guidelines, gently, when they witness poor practices. Repeated poor practise should be reported to the Council as soon as possible.