Billingshurst Tennis Club partially reopens with restrictions

Billingshurst Tennis Club had been ‘busily preparing’ for yesterday’s partial re-opening for ‘some weeks’.
Tennis has returnedTennis has returned
Tennis has returned

Following the government’s announcement on Sunday, tennis players in England were told they can get back on the court on today (Wednesday) - with restrictions.

Chairman Richard Cordy said: “I am pleased to report Billingshurst Tennis Club have busily been preparing for a controlled partial re-opening of our four tennis courts for some weeks now, and following the green light and recent receipt of guidelines from the LTA and Horsham District Council we are delighted that we are now be geared up to open our courts from tomorrow Wednesday morning.

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“All our members were notified by email, regarding the strict protocols as outlined below to ensure members can responsibly enjoy their tennis again while taking sensible precautions to minimise any unnecessary risks to each other.”

The club’s rules include:

1. Courts must be pre-booked online – this is to reduce the risk of people turning up without knowing if a court is available and hanging about in groups.

2. Players must be from the same household or singles can be played with one other person from outside the household.

3. Players must always keep 2m distance including walking to and from the courts unless they are from the same household and use the entrance near the scouts hut to enter and the court 4 gate to exit.

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4. Players must not enter the clubhouse including toilet areas.

5. Players to change ends on opposite ends of the net - leave their belongings on one side of the court away from other people's things

6. Players can give a racket wave at the end of play and must not shake hands

7. Each player wear a glove on their non-racket hand to handle tennis balls

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8. Bring handwash and make sure to wash hands on arriving home

9. If you sneeze, don’t let droplets go into the air, sneeze into a handkerchief or your elbow.

10. Bring wipes to wipe anything players have touched

11. Do not touch other players things including tennis rackets, bags, coats etc

This advice will be updated as and when any further guidance is received from the LTA.

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Cordy said: "We have also updated our website and will be posting several of the attached notices at the entrance to the overall premises, the courts and the club house.

"All four courts will be available for singles, or doubles if players are all from same family, the club house however will remain closed, so there will be no access to use the toilet and changing facilities, or switch on the floodlights.

"The same rules will apply to our 4th court which non - members can book on line.

"I'm sure everyone will relish the chance to get some more exercise in the fresh air, and use this opportunity responsibly in accordance with the rules to ensure social distancing."

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