Coronavirus update

Written on 17 March 2020.

A message from the club president.

The board is constantly monitoring advice on how to react to the news on coronavirus.  As the advice changes, our approach is likely to have to change with it.  As of Tuesday 17 March, the following sets out our position.  This note does not refer directly to the cricket section as the season is yet to begin; cricket advice will follow when it is available.

Until yesterday the LTA had encouraged the continuation of usual tennis activities.  Following the changed advice from the government yesterday, the LTA have suspended activities ‘delivered by the LTA’.  While the LTA has suspended its organised activity, it points out that the Government have currently indicated that recreational exercise that takes place at a safe distance from others and in safe exercise environments is something that can continue during this period.  For the full LTA advice, go to https://www.lta.org.uk/.

Middlesex Tennis meanwhile have suspended all league games, so all our tennis league fixtures are suspended until further notice.

Similarly England Squash have suspended all squash league games.

Tennis coaching activities are continuing with extra precautions.  Marina is writing separately to all involved in group coaching.

Otherwise the club’s present approach is to leave it to each member to decide what is appropriate in the light of government advice, but with the following requirements:

• There should be no social gathering other than the minimum required to play.  This means that the club and tennis pavilions should be used only for access to the toilets and wash facilities.  If it rains, don't gather in the pavilion, go home. 
• The bar is closed until further notice.
  
• Players should carefully wash hands before and after playing.
• No handshakes.
• Do not attend the club if you are feeling unwell.

We have stepped up the level of cleaning of both pavilions and the squash courts.

The board and everyone involved with the club’s organisation wish all members well.  It is and it will continue to be a very difficult time; we can only hope that sport is allowed to continue, to provide respite for those for whom it is appropriate, but we will have to see what advice is forthcoming.

Richard Abramson

Race night - this Saturday!

Written on 10 March 2020.

A reminder about Race Night on Saturday 14th March, 7pm at the Club. This event is open to the whole Club and the Cricket section would love to welcome Members from Tennis and Squash, as well as their guests. This is now an annual event in memory of our former 1st XI captain who died three years ago from bowel cancer and so all money raised will go to the charity Crohn’s & Colitis. The 2020 edition will be the third time that we have run this event and previously we have raised close to £1000 on both occasions. Please do come down and support.  Minimum bets are £1, so please don’t worry about it becoming too expensive!

For any further details, email [email protected] 

Tennis reminders - Easter Camps and LTA Leaders

Written on 09 March 2020.

LTA Leaders Course 

On Saturday 21st March, Marina Lavarello will be running a LTA Leaders Course for teenage players.
Tennis Leaders is aimed at 13 years plus and the content is suitable for older juniors just starting out on the tennis career pathway through to adult volunteers looking to support their local coach, referee or club official. 

It will run from 1.00 - 6.00pm and cover 3 modules: Introduction to Tennis, Running a Competition and Supporting your Coach. The course costs £40 for the day.

To book either the LTA Leaders Course or Easter Camps please email Marina on:

[email protected]. 

Cricket update

Written on 09 March 2020.

As the cricket season gets closer (6 weeks to go), we’re mainly hoping that it stops raining! Pre-season planning has been successful though, with the recruitment of a number of new players and a ‘Head of Development’ to help with the transition of our colts into adult sides. We have also secured Southgate as our 3rd XI ground and a mixture of UCS and Regent’s Park as our 4th XI ground. Our focus on the pitch is obviously to be successful in all 4 XI’s, but also to continue the upward curve of our juniors playing in the adult sides and pushing for selection in the higher XI’s. Our 1st XI returns to the Premier League which will be a challenge, but one that the whole section is excited about and we’ve complete confidence that we’ll be really successful.