The email below has been received this afternoon from Tennis Ireland outlining the protocols for the much awaited return to play.  We will adapt these protocols and issue our own Club Guidelines to members next week. 

On 30^th March last, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced that Tennis activities can return from April 26^th.

Following engagement with the Department of Sport Expert Group, Tennis Ireland has developed a Practical Guide for Tennis Clubs, Players and Coaches that will guide participation in compliance with the protocols issued by Government.

All stakeholders must ensure that they familiarise themselves with the protocols outlined in the document and ensure that they are followed, in full, so that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is minimised.

The guide can be downloaded at:

https://www.tennisireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ROI-Clubs_Level5_April-26-2021.pdf

The key points are:

• From 26 April outdoor tennis facilities can reopen
• To access club courts, players must be a current member or a participant on an approved Tennis Ireland Programme
• Indoor courts must remain closed (with an exception for High Performance Players)
• Double’s play is allowed, if playing partners are from the same household.
• Club houses and other indoor facilities (for example: changing rooms, showers, meeting rooms), must remain closed.
• Essential toilet facilities may open.
• Gyms and swimming pools must remain closed.
• From 12 April, travel is permitted within your own county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries.
• Coaches should prepare and present a Risk Assessment document and get approval to coach from the Club Covid 19 Committee.
• A pod, up to a maximum of 6 Junior players (u18 yrs.), can be coached per court.
• A maximum of 4 junior players (u18 yrs.) can operate on the court at any one time while remaining in their own sections of the court with up to 2 other players rotating in and out as required.
• A pod of 8 players per court is allowable for red ball activities, subject to social distancing protocols being implemented.
• Adult (Over 18 yrs.) coaching activities must be limited to a maximum of two households per court. Players must remain in their own sections of the court.

Our measures and procedures are under constant review and will be updated as advice from Government and health authorities evolves and we will endeavor to keep clubs updated.

If you have any queries in relation to the guidelines or otherwise, please contact covid19@tennisireland.ie

Regards

Richard Fahey
Chief Executive
Tennis Ireland