Practical Guide for Tennis Clubs, Players and Coaches during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions - Effective from April 26th, 2021
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Practical Guide for Tennis Clubs, Players and Coaches during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Effective from April 26th, 2021 Version 1.1 Updated 14th April 2021 Republic of Ireland
Tennis Ireland
Level 5
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to our country and our sport. The pandemic
is not over, and the disease has continued to evolve and generate new challenges for us all.
While the various vaccines and their delivery provide a clear pathway for us, we must continue to be mindful of
the risks involved in everyday life and the need to:
• wash hands properly and often
• practice social distancing
• cover coughs and sneezes
We must continue to be agile and flexible in our response while recognising that one year on, imposing and
adhering to restrictions places an enormous burden on us all.
This document references the Irish Government document, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path
Ahead, which outlines the protocols that should be implemented in clubs during this level of reopening society
during COVID-19.
We have learned a lot over the last 12 months The Republic of Ireland as a country is moving to
and these learnings are informing our ongoing reopen society once again.
approach:
To this end, a new plan, COVID-19 Resilience
O The power to control the level of and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead has been
transmission is in our hands — individually developed and released by the Government to
and collectively help us to go about our daily lives as much as
O People in Ireland and within our sport are possible, while managing the behaviour of the
willing to follow public health advice to virus.
protect themselves and others
The plan recognises the need for society and
O Cooperation and solidarity across our sport is
business to be allowed to reopen albeit with
vital if this disease is to be contained
restrictions.
O No single preventative measure is adequate
to control virus transmission — what matters The Government’s strategy, in line with the
is a combination public health advice, is suppression.
O There is an ongoing need to minimise the
risk of cases/clusters and respond decisively In response to the Government’s plan our
when new threats/clusters emerge team, in consultation with Sport Ireland and the
O If the disease spreads in the community, Department of Sport Return to Sport Expert
it will have the greatest impact on the Group have developed a framework of protocols
vulnerable and this will impact our members, that are specific to Tennis in the Republic of
many of whom are of an older age profile Ireland.
O Rapid identification and contact tracing of
Please note that the new protocols are due to
new cases is central to the government’s
come into effect from April 26th. Any further
response
updates will be communicated to clubs directly.
1 Plan for Playing Tennis during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Version 1.1Tennis Ireland
Clubs and their members must make themselves better understand, anticipate and prepare for and
aware of and implement the measures contained implement the measures to prevent an escalation
within the framework to help safeguard staff and in the transmission of the disease.
members. This will allow all of us to play safely
and keep our communities safe while the threat Our measures, procedures and timings are under
of COVID-19 exists. constant review and updated as advice from
government, health authorities and governing
This document is designed to allow individuals, bodies evolves in line with the gradual lifting of
families, coaches, and club administrators to social restrictions.
Safe every step of the way
1. Club Committee 5. Clubhouse Facilities 9. Getting Home Safely
2. Club Access 6. To the Courts 10. Dealing with a suspected
3. Booking & Arrival 7. On Court - Playing case
4. Check-in Protocol 8. On Court - Coaching
This practical guide, prepared by our
team in consultation with medical
experts and in line with Government
Guidelines, outlines the robust
measures clubs should implement
and maintain to help safeguard staff
and members during the COVID-19
pandemic. This will allow all of us to
get back on court safely again and
improve the wellbeing of members Club
across the country. Educated
These measures should be in place Members
seven days a week and until further and
notice. Robust
BOOK
Our measures and procedures are Procedures
under constant review and updated
as advice from government, health
authorities and governing bodies
evolves in line with the movement
between levels as outlined by
Government.
2 Plan for Playing Tennis during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Version 1.1Tennis Ireland
1. Club Covid-19 Committee
O Professional sports people and
those who participate within professional
As per last year and in case of any committee/ competition.
personnel changes, Tennis Clubs should appoint
O A member of a high-performance team
an assigned COVID-19 Officer and committee
responsible for managing issues and queries funded by Tennis Ireland e.g., Davis and Fed
relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. This Cup, Team Ireland programme recipients.
committee should: O Those who compete at major international
events including European and World
O Should check with their insurers if any Champions, Olympic and Paralympic Games,
amendments to their policies are required to Grand Slam, ATP, WTA, ITF Men / Women’s
cover Covid19 issues. World Tour.
O Ensure they review and that the club can O Nationally ranked Junior Players are not
comply with all the protocols outlined before considered to be High Performance players
reopening their club
O Ensure that the club and its members adhere 2. Club Access
to HSE / Public Health advice in all cases. During Level 5, access to the clubhouse should
O Ensure that sufficient HSE Covid-19 be limited to staff / committee members and
information Posters are in place only for emergency access by players. Facemasks
must be always worn when indoors.
O Operate a court booking system that, if
possible, allows for staggered play and Courts should only be accessed by staff and
perhaps allow 10 minutes between booking members only. Participants on approved Tennis
slots for players to exit and enter without Ireland programmes such as Enjoy Tennis / Parks
interaction. If this cannot be done it would Tennis / Provincial Programmes can also access
be advisable that players understand the courts.
need for social distancing while entering and
exiting the courts and wait in a designated Children should always be supervised during
waiting area. play.
O Ensure that the club maintains accurate
records of who is playing and when. This To access the courts in Level 5, a player must:
should include all persons on court and O Be a current member or a participant on an
not just the one making the booking. This approved Tennis Ireland Programme
must be carried out for coaching sessions as O A parent/guardian must accompany any
well, and in the case that a parent/guardian player under 16 years
is present in the club that must also be
recorded. This will help with contact tracing if
O Not be subject to a quarantine restriction as
necessary. per the Department of Foreign Affairs Travel
protocols. For more information visit
O Ensure that tournaments and events are https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-
postponed during Level 5 but can allow advice/coronavirus/general-covid-19-
internal Ladder and World Tennis Number travel-advisory/
activities to take place.
O Have not been around someone with
O Be responsible for informing all members symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 10 days
of the Covid-19 guidelines and insist on full
cooperation
O Not be displaying COVID-19 symptoms
O Ensure that the contact details for all
O Live within the county in which the club is
members are up to date as this will assist located or within 20km of their home if
with contact tracing should it be necessary crossing county boundaries
O Listen to feedback and contact Tennis Ireland
O Have a pre-reserved playing time
if there are issues not covered under these Note
protocols Those traveling to Ireland from any country not
There are some exceptions that pertain to deemed a “Category 2” state, must quarantine
High Performance Players and these are at home and only exit and play once a negative
defined as covering those who are: or 'not detected' PCR test is taken 5 days
following their arrival back in Ireland at the
earliest.
3 Plan for Playing Tennis during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Version 1.1Tennis Ireland
3. Booking and Arrival 4. Check-in and Club Shop Protocol
O Booking a court time in advance is advisable, O Two-metre queue markers should be in place
preferably via a court booking system, at any single-entry point whether at the
website, app, or phone. This will assist should clubhouse reception or at the entrance to
contact tracing be required subsequently. courts
O All players should ensure their club has their O Only one person at a time should be
up-to-date contact details (phone and email). permitted inside the reception area
O Play should be limited to outdoor singles only O A two-metre exclusion zone should be in
during this phase of the reopening. The only place at the service desk and, if possible, a
exception for doubles is if playing partners protection screen should be fitted.
are from the same household and play is O Club shops should only open in line with the
outdoors. Indoor courts must remain closed. protocols for this sector
O All players, and not just the player making the O Food and beverage items should not be
booking, should be included in the booking available, and people should be encouraged
notes. If there is a change to who is playing, to bring them from home if required
it is advisable to make sure the booking is O Club vending machines should be placed out
updated.
of commission during this phase
O Players should travel to the club alone, or O Any Purchases should be paid for by
only with a member of the same household.
contactless card payment only
There should be no carpooling between
households.
5. Clubhouse Facilities
O If travelling to the club via Public Transport, O Protocols for cleaning clubhouse facilities
players should wear a mask, sanitise their
should be in place prior to opening and
hands regularly throughout the journey and
during operation.
socially distance from other passengers.
O Clubhouse access should only be when
O Ample car parking spaces should be available
necessary and be limited to the Club
to ensure social distancing. If players must
Reception if required to check in.
park next to another car, they should wait
for the other person to exit or enter before
O Toilets can be utilised during Level 5 but on a
doing so themselves. one in / one out basis.
O Players should arrive at the court entrance
O Changing rooms should remain closed during
no more than 5 minutes prior to the reserved this Phase of reopening
playing time. It is important that players O Players must provide their own racquets and
maintain social distancing and wait in a pre- equipment
designated waiting area that allows for social O Chairs should be removed from the reception
distancing area to prevent people congregating
O Players should always observe social
distancing and resist the temptation to 6. To the Court
mingle O Play should be restricted to outdoor singles
O Locker rooms should remain closed during play only during Level 5. The only exception
this phase. Players should arrive in Tennis for doubles play is if playing partners are
attire and change footwear at the car or at from the same household.
home O Courts that are side by side can be utilised.
O Players should sanitise their hands using Players should enter the court one at a time
dispensers provided at the entrance to the Entrances / Gates to courts should remain
club and courts open, if safe to do so, perhaps tied back to
O Players should head straight to their prevent use of handles
designated court unless required to check-in O Rubbish bins should be removed, and all
O Players should ensure that they utilise toilet items brought on court should be taken
facilities in their own home prior to arriving home afterwards.
at the club.
4 Plan for Playing Tennis during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Version 1.1Tennis Ireland
O Other court furniture should be removed O Coaches should ensure a player has
including scoreboards, chairs/benches, and registered their contact details with the clubs.
net winders. O As much as possible, coaches must try to
O Shoe cleaners should be removed adjust their schedules to stay on-site for the
O Any player(s) repeatedly not following the club minimum amount of time required.
directives should be asked to leave the club O Exercises that require continuous play are
O Nobody but the players should be allowed recommended.
on the court. There should be no spectators O Coaches should limit the number of tennis
present during this phase of reopening balls used and not use basket drills or feeding
O Parents supervising children should be during this phase
limited to one. Parents waiting for children O Coaches should limit the use of equipment
to finish playing or their coaching lesson such as cones, drop lines and targets.
must not congregate and be mindful of social O Do not let players manipulate the practice
distancing at all times equipment. Coaches should take charge of
picking up the balls.
7. On the Court - Playing
O A pod, up to a maximum of 6 Junior players
O Physical distancing should be observed
(u18 yrs), can be coached per court.
throughout the period of play, particularly
on change of ends and entering and exiting O A maximum of 4 junior players (u18 yrs) can
the court. Players should change ends at operate on the court at any one time while
opposite sides of the net. remaining in their own sections of the court
with up to 2 other players rotating in and out
O Players must refrain from handshakes and
as required.
high fives.
O A pod of 8 players per court is allowable for
O Equipment such as towels, food, and drink
red ball activities, subject to social distancing
must not be exchanged between players.
protocols being implemented
Players should be encouraged to bring their
own drinks and towels. O Adult (Over 18 yrs) coaching activities must
be limited to a maximum of two households
O Players should avoid touching their face after
per court. Players must remain in their own
handling a ball, racquet, or other equipment.
sections of the court
O Players should ideally bring a small bottle of
O All activities are subject to strict social
hand sanitizer with them and keep it in their
distancing and those players not on court
pocket or bag for use.
must always maintain a clear 2m distance
O Players should remain apart from other from others.
players when taking a break.
O Caution is advised for those who intend to 9. Getting Home Safely
engage in high intensity training following a O Once play has finished players should leave
recovery from Covid-19. Individuals should the premises promptly, sanitising their hands
seek medical advice prior to a return to on the way out using a courtside dispenser.
playing / training. O Restaurant and bars should remain closed
8. On the Court – Coaching until restrictions are eased so there should
O Coaches should prepare and present a Risk be no congregating in these areas
Assessment document and get approval to O Clubs should make provision for thoroughly
coach from the Covid 19 Committee. cleaning accessible areas and ensuring that
O Coaching sessions should be booked with the all “touch areas” are cleaned thoroughly daily
participants contact details recorded. O If a player becomes unwell after playing, they
O Coaches should brief their students and/or should first contact their GP/HSE and then
their parents of the protocols that should be inform their club. The club should contact the
followed in advance of the session. HSE and follow the advice provided to them
on the next steps.
O Coaching should only be provided to club
members or those on approved Tennis
Ireland programmes such as Enjoy Tennis /
Parks Tennis / Provincial squads during this
phase of reopening.
5 Plan for Playing Tennis during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Version 1.1Tennis Ireland
10. Dealing with a Suspected Case
They should not attend the club and
IF A CLUB should self isolate and contact their GP.
MEMBER HAS
COVID-19 The Club can continue as normal at this
SYMPTOMS stage.
The club member with symptoms must
inform their GP if they have taken part Both the club
IF A GP
IF A CLUB in club activity and seek advice on what member, their
ADVISES THERE
MEMBER IS SENT action, if any, the club is required to do. playing group or pod
IS NO COVID-19
FOR A TEST The club member should then contact and the club can
CONCERN
the club COVID Officer and outline to continue as normal.
them what has been recommended.
In line with Health advice, the club
The club members
member can return to activity 48
playing group or pod
IF A CLUB hours after the symptoms abate. IF A CLUB
must remain away from
MEMBER TESTS MEMBER TESTS
the club and await advice
NEGATIVE The club members playing group or POSITIVE
from the Public Health
pod can return to play.
Authority.
Dealing with a player showing symptoms at the Club
O Ideally the designated Covid-19 Officer O If they are too sick to go home or advice is
should take care of the management of any required, contact 999 or 112 and inform
persons with Covid-19 symptoms them that the sick person is a Covid-19
O Immediately separate any person displaying suspect.
or complaining of Covid-19 related O All persons who have been in close contact
symptoms from others with the suspect case will need to be
O Ask this person to wear a facemask if informed to restrict their movement until
possible further information is available. i.e. a negative
test result of the suspect case.
O Provide the unwell person with tissues and
hand sanitizer and ensure that all tissues are O No reusable medical equipment should be
disposed of in a waste bag. This waste bag returned to service without being cleaned/
then needs to be tied inside a second waste disinfected. Disposable PPE and any waste
bag and clearly marked. It will need to be should be disposed of appropriately, as
stored securely for 72 hours before it can be above.
disposed of in general waste. O Keep record of individuals who have been
O The designated person managing the isolated, due to suspected COVID-19 and
situation should try to maintain at least 2m notify the Lead COVID-19 Officer
from the person with the symptoms and O For other useful info, please check here
should wear a face mask and wash their https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/
hands regularly. close-contact-and-casual-contact.html
O If the person is well enough to go home,
arrange for them to be transported home
by a family member, as soon as possible and
advise them to inform their GP by phone of
the symptoms.
6 Plan for Playing Tennis during Level 5 of the COVID-19 Restrictions Version 1.1Tennis Ireland, DCU, Glasnevin, D9
Email: covid19@tennisireland.ie
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