Sydney Badge Recommences June 6

Due to recent announcements from Government and in line with the new Guidelines for community play released by Tennis NSW, we are pleased to announce the recommencement of the Sydney Badge Competition to commence on SATURDAY, 6th JUNE.

The details of the competition will be as follows:

  • 16-week competition, commencing on SATURDAY, 6th JUNE with finals to be played on 19th SEPTEMBER. Play will continue during school holidays and long weekends.
    Revised Saturday Badge – Fact Sheet
  • Thursday Competition will re-commence on THURSDAY, 11th JUNE.
  • Play & Go procedures to be enforced at all venues. All players should only attend the centre to play their match and should leave the centre immediately following the completed match. (EG: Spectators, Afternoon Tea’s, etc are not allowed)
    Community Tennis Guidelines – 13th May

The next steps:

  • TNSW Competitions Team will be in touch with each Badge Delegate to ascertain which teams are ready to ‘Opt In’ to the recommencement of the competition.

a. Teams would be accepting to play in the current competition setup, and abiding by the above regulations.

b. No grading requests will be considered

c. Any team member changes should be managed by the Badge Delegate through League Manager.

d. Further details on the Thursday Competition to be considered once team responses are confirmed.

  • Once the complete field of available teams is finalised the draw will be communicated to all participants through Match Centre.

a. Please note: some re-grading may be necessary to ensure competitive divisions. This will be carried out by the Sydney Badge Panel. No appeals regarding these changes will be considered.

  • Pending any schedule change requests, we hope to provide a revised draw by MONDAY, 1st JUNE.

Please note all Badge enquiries should be sent to your Badge Delegate in the first instance. We thank-you for your support in the Sydney Badge Competition and our staff members will be in-touch with Badge Delegates shortly to assist you with your competition entry.

Kind Regards.
TNSW Competitions Team

Limited Doubles Play Starts Saturday 16 May

Dear Members,

As of this Friday, 15th May, the New South Wales government have advised that a number of restrictions will be lifted in regards to social gathering and outdoor recreation. Core to this is the allowing of outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. Please note that we are still awaiting the final Public Health Orders, so these published guidelines may be subject to small changes and revisions once these are released.

The Club has received the advice from Tennis NSW which is summarised below. You can access the updated Community Play guidelines here

1. 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

If you are in a high risk health category, then you should not be administering or playing tennis at any time during this period. The Federal Government have listed the following as high-risk categories:

  • Persons with weakened immune systems
  • Any person aged over 70 (over 60 for people with pre-existing medical conditions, or over 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people with pre-existing medical conditions)
  •  Persons with diagnosed chronic medical conditions (such as lung conditions and kidney failure)
  •  People with diabetes
  •  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • Very young children (Under 5) and babies

 2. Social distancing
The rule of keeping 1.5 metres away from other people is still in place
 
3. Play

  • The number of players per court is now a maximum of 4 people. Therefore Doubles play can now recommence.
  • No off court social gatherings before or after play. Get in – Play – Get out is still the rule.
  • Court side seating will be reopened – – users should continue to adhere to social distancing measures
  • No shared equipment such as racket, balls and drink fountains.

 4. The Clubhouse will remain closed
Showers and change rooms to be closed. Toilets are for emergencies only

New Arrangements at MLTC

THIS IS NOT A RESUMPTION OF NORMAL PLAYING ARRANGEMENTS

The following rules and guidelines will apply. 
 
Any breaches by Members or court hirers will be severely dealt with, as the Club is open to serious fines if Government guidelines are not adhered to.

1. Members must book courts for Members’ play times (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) through the Manly Tennis Centre (MTC) – Play will be singles and Doubles  (4 persons per court max.).
 
As a reminder, here are Member Court times. These may vary somewhat under the current arrangements but provide a reminder to members of roughly when they can book.
 
2. The Clubhouse will remain closed.
  
3. Court time is limited. One hour per booking.
 
4. Players must bring their own balls.
 
5. Players must leave the club surrounds as soon as they have completed their match. Entry will be via the front gate on Raglan St and exit via the gate on Court 4.
 
6. Players cannot come down the court in hope of finding a hitting partner. All matches must be organised beforehand. Any infractions by members in this regard will be severely dealt with as the Club is open to serious fines if Government guidelines are not adhered to.
 
7. Players must bring their own water bottle.
 
8. Players are responsible for their own hygiene etiquette, and must comply with ALL COVID 19 rules and regulations.
 
9. Court opening times are determined by the MTC and may be shorter than usual.
 
10. Members play must be booked.

  • Bookings for Saturday are available from 12pm to 5pm. Bookings can be made via the website (click here) or by calling MTC up until 11am on member playing days
  • Bookings for week days need to be booked by 11am on the day of play, otherwise the court may be booked out to non members.

11. No visitors are allowed during Members’ playing time.
 
12. Players can play outside of Members’ time but the normal rules of the Club will apply (click here for court policy). If Members want to book a court outside of club hours so they can guarantee a time of play, they will need to hire the court. If you are playing with a non-Club member you will also need to hire the court.
 
13. You must always check with Scott (MTC) before playing at any time.

Craig Withell
President
Manly Lawn Tennis Club
mob. 0409-116-220
[email protected]

Tennis NSW Updated Guidelines May 13

Firstly, we would like to thank you all for your commitment to ensuring our tennis community has remained safe and healthy during this challenging period. Our commitment to our guidelines and the Public Health Orders has allowed tennis to continue, albeit in a limited form, and this has been recognised by our Government partners.

As of this Friday, the New South Wales government have advised that a number of restrictions will be lifted in regards to social gathering and outdoor recreation. Core to this is the allowing of outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. Please note that we are still awaiting the final Public Health Orders, so these published guidelines may be subject to small changes and revisions once these are released.

Ahead of the new legislation being released, Tennis NSW are pleased to issue an updated set of guidelines for tennis clubs and venues that will be effective from 11.59pm on Thursday 14 May. You can access the updated Community Play guidelines here

You will note that we are recommending a resumption of doubles play but also allowing group coaching in small numbers and the resumption of intra & inter-club competition all assuming that the Public Health Orders can continue to be observed.

In regards to coaching, our recommendation is for a maximum of 4 students to each coach per court (or half court in the case of red ball coaching). This has been set deliberately below the 10 persons per court position to ensure venues can still comfortably adhere to social distancing protocols when we factor in the attendance of parents and guardians. We ask that you give this strong consideration when considering the resumption of your group coaching activities.

As we start on the road back, the team here at Tennis NSW have compiled a wide range of resources and tools to assist you and your club to plan for your re-opening or expansion of activities across social play, competition and coaching. These resources include the following and can all be found on our website:

Our ongoing commitment to these guidelines and to operating our clubs and venues in a safe and considered manner will be critical as we make our way back from this situation. Your support will be key to ensure tennis can return stronger than before.

If you have any questions regarding the changes we are making, the updated guidelines or just need help in getting your club or venue open again, then please don’t hesitate to contact your Tennis NSW Club Development Officer or contact us directly at [email protected]

Thank you again for all you have done so far, we are truly appreciative.

Regards,
Lawrence   

Roadmap to COVIDSafe Australia

Three-step pathway for easing restrictions.

AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport – Summary

High level descriptors of three levels (Levels A, B, C) of activities and associated hygiene measures are recommended. Detailed descriptions of recommended sport specific activities at each level are outlined in Appendices A and B.

Tennis Level A: Running/aerobic/agility training (solo), resistance training (solo), skills training (solo) — e.g. serving only, hitting with ball machine.

Tennis Level B: Full training on court, singles or doubles.

Tennis Level C: Full training and competition

COVID-19 Testing @ Manly

A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic is now available at Manly Town Hall. NSW Health is asking anyone with a cough, fever, sore throat or shortness of breath living in the Northern Beaches LGA to be tested for COVID-19. NSW Health is increasing COVID-19 testing, particularly around areas where there are some suspected community transmissions with an unknown source.

The clinic will operate between 9am and 4pm seven days a week and testing is free, as it is at the 60 other clinics run by NSW Health. No referral from a GP is required.

Those presenting to the clinic should enter via Manly Town Hall main entrance, 1 Belgrave Street, or follow the signage.

If attending the testing clinic, people who have symptoms should wear a surgical face mask, if possible, and practise social distancing when travelling to the testing centre.

There are clinics also available at Mona Vale and Northern Beaches Hospitals. For full details visit NSW Health.

USTA Player and Facility Guidelines

The USTA recognizes that the coronavirus has been affecting different parts of the country in different ways and with different timing. We therefore believe it will be possible for people to return to playing tennis safely in some cities and states sooner than others.

Below are two “Playing Tennis Safely” documents, one geared to players and one geared to tennis facilities, that have been developed by the USTA in conjunction with its Medical Advisory Group and its Industry partners.

These documents provide extensive guidelines for the safe return to the courts. By following these guidelines as well as those of local governments and health agencies, facilities and players will be able to make informed decisions as to when play can recommence.

Please note that the local decisions on phased opening will not apply to USTA-sanctioned programs. These programs will remain suspended until at least May 31 as previously announced.

Patrick J. Galbraith Chairman of the Board and President
United States Tennis Association

COVID-19 Playing Tennis Safely – Player Tips and Recommendations
COVID-19 Playing Tennis Safely – Facility and Programming Recommendations

Current Public Health Orders

The NSW Government has enacted several Public Health Orders which directly impact on the Sport and Active Recreation Sector.

Monday 23 March: Public Health (COVID-19 Places of Social Gathering) Order 2020

Friday 20 March: Public Health (COVID-19 Gatherings) Order 2020

Thursday 26 March: Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order 2020

Monday 30 March: Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020

See all Public Health Orders

Courts Reopen 15 April

Manly Lawn Tennis Club will  reopen for limited court bookings from 15th April 2010– singles only and only two people per court.

Court hire will be for one hour. Bookings are via the Manly Tennis Centre. Payment is to be made at the courts prior to play.

Players will need to bring their own balls and rackets or purchase them at the Centre, and take them with them when they go.

Players will need to leave the club surrounds as soon as they have completed their match. Entry will be via the front gate on Raglan st and exit will be via the gate on Court 4.

Players will be responsible for their own hygiene etiquette, and will be required to comply with current COVID 19 rules and regulations.

Any player that does not cooperate in maintaining a risk-free environment at the Manly Lawn Tennis Club will be asked to leave the premises.

Craig Withell
President
Manly Lawn Tennis Club
mob 0409-116-220
[email protected]

Easter Weekend in Manly

1.  Manly Beach is now closed to all usual beachside activities but can still be used for exercise within the COV-19 rules. That is one hour of exercise including walking, running, swimming or surfing. Social distancing must be observed, groups are limited to 2 persons (unless from the one family) and sunbathing, sitting or socialising are not allowed.

2.  Parking will be limited to 1 hour.

3. Police and Rangers will continue to patrol the area.

TransportNSW will have signs at Circular Quay notifying people that our beaches are closed.  We also expect that police will be monitoring the situation at the Quay.

Manly and Dee Why have now been identified by the Government as ‘hot spots’.  This sends a clear message to the rest of Sydney to stay away.  Testing clinics will be set up shortly, probably at the oceanfront, similar to Bondi.

The Council is working very hard to keep our area safe.  As per the government rules, please stay home except for essential trips, and do your exercise around your local streets where possible.

You can find regular updates on the council’s website.

Courts Remain Closed

The Committee have decided to keep the courts closed due to the difficulty of social distancing, supervision and compliance with guidelines.

We will be reviewing this as government guidelines change.

Keep well
Virginia
MLTC Secretary

USTA Statement on Safety of Playing Tennis during the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic

April 03, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating challenges for everyone across the globe. American tennis players are asking for guidance regarding the safety of playing tennis, especially when social distancing and space sharing issues are now paramount.  

Based on the recommendations of the USTA COVID-19 Advisory Group, the USTA believes that it is in the best interest of society to take a collective pause from playing the sport we love.

Although there are no specific studies on tennis and COVID-19, medical advisors believe there is the possibility that the virus responsible for COVID-19 could be transmitted through common sharing and handling of tennis balls, gate handles, benches, net posts and even court surfaces.

As a result of this, the USTA asks that as tennis players we need to be patient in our return to the courts and consider how our decisions will not only affect ourselves, but how our decisions can impact our broader communities. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay active and healthy with at-home exercise and creative “tennis-at-home” variations. 

We look forward to our return to tennis in a safe manner and will provide updates as new information becomes available. By practicing all the recommended guidelines presently put forth by our medical experts, that return will happen in the soonest possible timeframe.

USTA Link