Tennis Victoria, Frankston City Council and the Victorian Government have released guidelines with details on how outdoor courts can be opened again for play, subject to strict social distancing and hygiene practices being implemented, to help ensure people remain active and healthy as we endure the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee of Overport Park Tennis Club held a committee meeting on Monday the 8th of June, 2020 to discuss these guidelines and see how we can further open for use.  It is agreed that the following activities may go ahead at OPTC as long as we can strictly adhere to the guidelines specified.  It is important that the guidelines be followed by everyone to ensure that we can continue to use the courts.  The following is agreed and will be effective immediately.  Should circumstances change and based on direction from Tennis Australia and ultimately the Australian government, we will communicate this as quickly as possible.

Courts Available for Use

• All courts will be available for coaching and member use only.
• The Book-a-Court system will be turned back on.  Any members wanting to play need to book via the     Book-a-Court system  http://overportparktennisclub.com.au/court-hire-2/

Private coaching

• Private tennis coaching re-commenced from the week beginning Monday 18th May, 2020. 
• A record will be kept of each person receiving private lessons.

Group coaching

• Small group lessons will be facilitated with a maximum of 6 people per court (coach included). 
• Participants handling balls and equipment will be kept to a minimum. 
• Drills will be modified to ensure social distancing at all times.
• Wherever possible only one parent should attend and follow the social distancing of 1.5m.

Cardio sessions

• Cardio tennis re-commence again from the week beginning Monday 18th May, 2020. 
• Drills will be modified to ensure social distancing at all times.
• A record will be kept of who and when each player participates in club organised cardio tennis.

Social tennis

• Members may use the courts for playing tennis with a maximum of 4 players on the court at any one time.
• A record will be kept of who and when each player participates in club social tennis.

Court hire

• Unavailable to non-members at this stage

Other Specifics

• The club bar will be closed until further notice
• The club rooms will be closed until further notice however the toilets will remain open.
• The club BBQ is not to be used until further notice.
• The club and club coaches will implement daily cleaning routines to ensure that all coaching equipment (including the baggers and water hoses) is cleaned regularly with alcohol-based disinfectant.  Only the coaches will bag and water the courts (for sessions other than club social tennis).
• When bagging the courts, players should not swap baggers and bag the courts from side to side (not up and down).
• The club will ensure coaches have hand sanitiser to wash their hands at the start and end of each lesson.
• Players must bring their own drink bottles with water for use whilst at the courts and are NOT permitted to use the water taps around the courts.
• Toilets will be open for emergency use only whilst club organised sessions are in operation.
• When using the security keypad on the front gate, ensure your hands are clean.
• No pre/post match handshakes or hi-fives.  Touch racquets instead.

For tennis to remain open, every one of us needs to play our part.

Tennis Australia Guidelines Endorsed by OPTC Committee – READ NOW!!

Before you play

Stay at home if you:

• Feel unwell

• Have flu-like symptoms

• Have a cold or runny nose

• 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

• Or are in a high risk health category, for example elderly or have a pre-existing medical condition.

Attending tennis activities

• Only people core to playing should attend tennis activities such as players, participants, coaches and operational personnel

• Arrive and leave as close as possible to when you need to be there

• Only one parent/guardian should accompany younger children where possible.

Social distancing

Tennis holds a unique advantage as a sport which requires no direct contact between players. You can also:

• Touch racquets instead of the regular pre or post match handshakes

• Keep 1.5 metres away from other people while watching or attending an outdoors tennis activity.

Behaviours

We recommend that members download the Australian Government COVIDsafe app.

To protect against infection, you should:

• Wash/sterilise your hands before and after you play and avoid touching your face while playing

• Not share water bottles and bring your own full bottle

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand-sanitiser when available, before and after eating, after going to the toilet, sneezing and coughing

• Cover your coughs and sneezes and dispose of any used tissue immediately

• Avoid touching your face

• Keep your distance from people who are obviously sick

• Be aware of what surfaces you touch.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at info@overportparktennisclub.com.au

Thank you, OPTC Committe

e