All the usual rules still apply

• STAY AT HOME IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAS SYMPTOMS
• REGULARLY SANITISE YOUR HANDS PARTICULARLY BEFORE & AFTER PLAY
• WEAR A FACE MASK IN THE CLUBHOUSE
• AVOID WIPING YOUR FACE WITH YOUR HANDS
• FOLLOW THE RULE OF 6.
• MAINTAIN 2M SOCIAL DISTANCING

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BAR CHAIRMAN

The wait is (almost) over!  Headstone bar will be reopening on  Monday 12th April!  Hooray I hear you cheer!

To conform to government guidelines there are a few rules that must be followed.

• only ONE member is allowed behind the bar at any one time.

• maximum of 2 people allowed in the ‘Bar area’ to buy drinks
• Responsible key holders will be allowed to open and close the bar during permitted licensing hours.
• Please wipe down bar surfaces with supplied wipes when opening and closing the bar
• Drinks must be consumed outside.  RULE OF 6 APPLIES
• Drinkers are asked to put glasses back on the bar to be washed. (NB only 2 in bar at a time)
• Card payments only. If unsure how to use card machine refer to instructions.

And the golden rules…

• Everyone must wear a mask inside the clubhouse
• Keep sanitising your hands when entering the clubhouse
• Enjoy using Headstone’s bar again!!

I hope the more relaxed rules allows for all members to enjoy the bar and to kick start the club’s social scene as safely as possible within the present government guidelines.

Will hope to see you all on or off the court!

Ben

1. You are allowed to play both singles and doubles with members of other households but rule of 6 applies
2. Courts have to be booked in advance
3. The clubhouse is closed except for access to the toilet, balls & floodlights as before. PLEASE WEAR A MASK INSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE.
4. Arrive changed and ready to play no earlier than 10 minutes before you are due to be on court.
5. No gathering to chat with other members
6. There is NO SOCIAL TENNIS AND NO BAR.
7. Continue to follow the Covid guidelines of sanitising hands, keeping 2M social distancing and avoid wiping your face with your hands.
8. IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS THEN STAY AT HOME & ISOLATE.

The LTA Summary Grid and the Roadmap Overview can be found here.

Sadly Headstone Tennis Club will close its courts again from Tuesday 5th January until further notice.

We can now confirm the rules for playing tennis outdoors and therefore the club will be open for play today.

RULES FOR TIER 4

SINGLES: You are permitted to play singles only, with a member who is not from your household.

DOUBLES:  This can only be played with members of your own household bubble.

NO SOCIALISING BEFORE OR AFTER PLAY.

Please refer to the LTA guidelines & their grid system of Tiers for any further information.

The Committee is very pleased to be able to keep the club open and relies on the members of Headstone to comply with the rules as requested.

Thanks, as always for your support & compliance.

The Committee

Harrow has now entered Tier 3 & the infection rate is above the national average.

As a result of this and as an attempt to minimise the risk of transferring infection, the committee has decided to suspend social tennis on Saturdays.  The rule of 6 & no socialising before and after play makes it very difficult to run social tennis, as we know it, in a safe environment.  This will be reviewed in the New Year when hopefully things will have improved.

Saturday afternoon social times will now revert back to the court booking system.

Just a reminder that you must not come to the club if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of Covid 19 or you have been asked to isolate.

Thank you for your support throughout this challenging year.

May we wish you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy & Healthy New Year.

HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW & RULES TO ADHERE TO:

TENNIS

• Both singles & doubles tennis with different households is still permitted as before.
• Please maintain 2M social distancing at all times
• Sanitise your hands before and after play
• Avoid touching your face
• The arbours will be in use on the courts.
• Please use the drags to remove any debris and leave in the allocated place folded once & covering the debris ready for removal. As you know the courts are our greatest asset & must be looked after. Sanitise your hands after using the drag.

ACCESS TO THE CLUBHOUSE

• Due to problems with our locking system we have not been able to issue any new fobs to our new members.  Hopefully this problem will be resolved over the next two weeks.  All previously issued fobs are fine and can still be used to gain access to the clubhouse.

FLOODLIGHTS & BALLS

• To overcome our ‘fob problem’ Richard & Anthony will be putting the lights on every evening & those booking courts after 3.30 p.m. will be billed for their use.  Please ensure that you arrange a shared payment with your playing partners because if YOU make the booking YOU will be charged.
• If for any reason you decide not to play you must cancel your booking in good time otherwise you will be charged.
• Balls will be available from inside the clubhouse at the end of the corridor past the changing rooms.  Please return them at the end of play.  There are 4 balls per court and are numbered in an attempt to reduce the possible spread of the virus
• For those unable to access the clubhouse balls will be available from the junior box adjacent to the patio doors.  This will be left unlocked.  Please return  the balls after use.
• Alternatively you could use your own balls.

GATE CODE

• The code for the court gates is 1632 as before
• PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ensure that the gates are locked when you leave the court unless of course others are playing.
• REMEMBER There are two gates to check if you are the last one to leave.

BAR & CLUBHOUSE

• Sadly the bar remains closed
• Access to the clubhouse is solely for the use of the toilets, to get balls & for any first aid emergencies.
• REMEMBER to check that the clubhouse door is locked by firmly but carefully pushing the handle up until a red light  shows.  Please check that it is locked, if not repeat the process.

Hopefully this is all clear.  If you have any queries please reply to this email.

Enjoy your tennis!!

The Committee

DO NOT COME TO THE CLUB OR PLAY IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD ARE DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS OR SELF-ISOLATING

INTRODUCTION TAKEN FROM LTA WEBSITE

Following the further easing of restrictions in England from 1 June announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday evening (28 May) and the publication of detailed Government guidance on Sunday (31 May), the Government has confirmed what these measures mean in relation to tennis. Players from different households can now play doubles together as long as they stay two metres apart as far as possible, and small group coaching for up to six people (including coaches) can resume.

These developments to the measures are detailed on the Gov.uk website under their guidance for ‘Gatherings, public spaces and and outdoor activities’ (see 1.5) and in their information for the public for the ‘Phased return of outdoor sport and recreation’.

Based on our continued discussions with Government and in line with its detailed guidance published on Sunday, the LTA has worked to develop an updated set of practical guidelines as soon as possible for venues, coaches and players to apply from 1 June so that tennis can be played in England, where the local environment allows.  We have clearly indicated the key additions and updates to the guidelines on the pdfs.

These guidelines apply to both tennis and padel, and outline adaptations and considerations so that tennis activity can be enjoyed in a way that is in line with Government advice and helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They include measures to maintain hygiene and minimise unnecessary interactions with others.

These guidelines currently apply to England only, and have been produced to help venues, coaches and players operate in line with the Government guidance. The full guidelines can be downloaded below – please ensure you read the relevant guidelines in full before undertaking tennis activity:

LTA Guidance for Tennis Venues

LTA Guidance for Tennis Players

LTA Guidance for Tennis Coaches

Please take time to read these documents.

The committee at Headstone want you all to be able to enjoy your tennis and at the same time keeping yourself and fellow members safe.  It is for this reason it is essential that you follow the regulations and take note of signage around the club.

COURT USAGE

• All five courts will be available for play via a booking system.
• The gates to the courts will be open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day.  This ensures that you do not have to touch the gates to obtain access.
• On entering and exiting courts you must follow the 2 metre social distancing guideline which also applies to the carpark and the patio.
• ON COURT Players from different households can now play doubles together as long as they stay two metres apart as far as possible, and small group coaching for up to six people (including coaches) can resume.
• Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if other players are using it.  For doubles, consider agreeing in advance which player will take the shot if a ball travels to the centre of the court
• The nets will be set at the correct height, so no touching necessary.
• The benches around the entire club and courts are out of use.  The arbours on the courts will be taped so please do not try to use these.

CLUBHOUSE

• The clubhouse can be opened via the main door solely for access to the toilet facilities. This will also give access to the first aid cabinet & the defibrillator if needed.  You must not enter via the patio door. 
• Changing facilities & showers are out of use.
• Water is available from the outside tap.

USE OF THE TOILET FACILITIES

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

• ONLY USE THE TOILET FACILITIES IF REALLY NECESSARY.
• ONLY ONE PERSON TO ENTER THE CLUBHOUSE AT A TIME REGARDLESS OF GENDER.
• Sanitise your hands before entry (there is a gel dispenser near the outside tap)
• Avoid touching any surfaces.  Internal doors will be left open and your privacy will be protected as you will be the sole user of the facilities.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap & hot water before leaving.
• On exiting the clubhouse sanitise your hands again.

THESE MEASURES ARE TO PROTECT YOU & FELLOW MEMBERS SO PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES.

EQUIPMENT & SANITIZER

• You must come changed ready to play.  You are not allowed to use the changing facilities in the clubhouse which can ONLY be opened to use the toilet facilities.
• Bring your own racquets.  The club would prefer that you do not share any equipment.
• SANITISE YOUR HANDS BEFORE PLAY, AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE DURING PLAY & SANITISE YOUR HANDS AFTER PLAY
• Moving on from the latest guidance from the LTA.  The club has chosen to give a tube of new balls to each member in Categories: A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H. who has paid their subscription.                                                                                             
• To ensure this happens safely, distribution will take place on:                                       
  • Saturday 13^th June       12.00 – 1.00 p.m.                                                                               
  • Sunday   14^th June       12.00 –  1.00 p.m.                                                                                      
  • Tuesday 16^th June       10.00 – 11.00a.m.                                                                                   
• Please ensure that you personalise them clearly.
• We encourage you to bring your own sanitizer gel/wipes /soap. Use it to wipe down your equipment including racquets and water bottles before and after use.
• Have a bag to put your clothes and belongings in.  Do not use taped off benches, nets or court hooks to hang your clothes on.
• ENSURE THAT YOU TAKE ALL YOUR BELONGINGS WITH YOU.  Do not leave anything on court.

RULES FOR PLAY

• SINGLES PLAY:  You allowed to play singles with current members of Headstone Tennis Club. (They do not need to be a member of your household)
• DOUBLES PLAY:  You are now allowed to play with members of three different households.
• FOR BOTH YOU MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES ON SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

The guidelines stipulate that you should meet and only play with five people, who are not members of your household, in any one day.  Please comply with this recommendation. 

• On arriving please stay in your car until the previous players have left the premises.  There can be no hanging around chatting as this would be contrary to the guidelines that we are asking you to follow.
• When on court ensure that you cross taking care to avoid close contact, maintaining the two metre social distancing.
• Use your sanitizer to clean your hands and equipment after play.
• Please adhere to your playing time and vacate the courts promptly to allow the players in the next slot to enter the courts.
• NO SPECTATORS except in special circumstances when there is a need for a parent, guardian or carer to be present. (see LTA guidelines)

Please keep safe by following these regulations.

The Committee