by | Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
*******UPDATE
Following the Prime Minister’s statement last night we have decided to close the courts. They are no longer available for bookings until April 14 at the earliest. All remaining bookings in that period are cancelled.
While the statement supported sole or family group exercise, we cannot align that with the practicalities of playing tennis and protecting all potential users in any managed way.
We are obviously sorry for this news but wish all our members and other users good health in the coming weeks.
by | Mar 18, 2020 | Uncategorized
We have been closely monitoring a rapidly evolving situation and government, Sport England and our main sports governing bodies’ guidance. As well as acting in the interests of our members, we also need to fulfil our responsibilities to the local community.
Statements issued, today, by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) now compel us to act in slightly different ways for the respective sports.
Tennis coaching sessions will continue at the Club until the end of March, as planned, and advice on minimising risks, in line with government and Public Health England guidance, has already been circulated to participants by HotShotz, our coaching partner. The tennis courts will remain open for informal use for the time being but, again, on the basis users are aware of the public authorities’ health guidance.
As a more obvious team sport, cricket is dependent on group interaction whether in training or play. As a result, ECB has recommended that all forms of recreational cricket are for now suspended. This extends to “training, pre-season friendlies and any associated cricket activity”.
This means that adult winter training on Fridays at Maplesden Noakes School and further junior activities at Staplehurst School will not now take place. The announcement of school closures this evening simply reaffirms this decision.
It is also prudent that we postpone, now, the planned junior cricket registration and information sessions after Easter and make alternative arrangements to advise parents of plans thereafter. We fully endorse the ECB statement’s continuing commitment to supporting community physical activity at this time.
We do not need to make any further hard decisions at this stage. As you know, the clubhouse is closed for refurbishment, anyway, so there are no planned social activities to consider in the immediate future. And we wait to hear from the various cricket leagues on proposed contingency arrangements for later in the Spring should they be required.
You will appreciate that these are unprecedented times and it is a fast-moving picture. We are determined to help our members and site users stay as safe as possible while ensuring we can get back to some form of normalcy as soon as circumstances allow. We will continue to keep you informed through formal club communication channels – the App, email and website – so please be sure to check in regularly.
Above all, I wish you and your families well at this most difficult time.
Joy Henson
Chairman
