Welcome to The Hallamshire Tennis, Squash & Racketball Club
MEMBER UPDATE MONDAY 20th JULY 2020
Squash Courts & Indoor Tennis Courts Reopening 25th July
Dear Members,
please find below updated information as to where we are in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. In no particular order…
Pre-attendance symptoms check
Anyone attending a venue (including players, coaches, staff and any other visitors), should undergo a pre-attendance self-assessment for any COVID19 symptoms using the information on this NHS website before leaving home:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/
No-one should attend the Hallamshire if they, or someone they live with, has symptoms of COVID -19, which are currently recognised as any of the following:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste.
Should an individual demonstrate any such symptoms, they must follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation.
In line with government guidelines, the Hallamshire recommends the wearing of a face covering when at the Hallamshire.
Any returning members who have suffered from COVID-19 or any other illnesses during the lockdown must check with their GP before returning to play at the Hallamshire.
The Hallamshire gym & ladies’ changing room
At this time we have been advised not to reopen our gym and ladies’ changing room as they do not meet the requirements set out by the government. We have been in touch with Health & Safety officials who view them as not providing sufficient ventilation to the spaces in question. We are disappointed not to be able to reopen these facilities, but our members’ wellbeing is our main concern.
We shall keep you updated as to when government guidance changes and we can look to reopen these areas again.
We are pleased to announce that the following areas can reopen:
Indoor tennis
Squash/racketball courts
Men’s changing room
There is guidance below regarding the rules applying to the return to each area.
Tennis – general update
There will be no buffer and outdoor queuing system from 25th July onwards.
All players will need to book in advance and add their names to the booking. No play will be permitted without prior booking.
Please use hand sanitiser on entry to the club, on entry to the court, on exiting the court and on exiting the club.
In the men’s changing room, please maintain social distancing. It is still advised that you arrive ready to play and leave without using the changing room unless it is necessary to do so.
Indoor Tennis
Indoor courts can reopen from Saturday 25th July 2020. The courts will be able to pre-book from 10am Monday 20th July.
To reach the indoor tennis courts please follow the one way system through the club to your court. When you have finished your booking please exit via indoor tennis court 1, follow the one way system up the glass corridor and back through the bar.
There will not be an external queuing system. Please arrive five minutes prior the court booking and be ready for play. Please exit the court promptly for the next court booking.
Spectators are welcome but must maintain social distancing.
The fire escape doors on both sides of indoor courts must remain open to allow fresh air into the areas.
Squash
Squash and racketball can restart from Saturday 25th July 2020. The courts will be available to pre-book from 10am Monday 20th July, but please note the types of play allowed in the following section.
England Squash has provided strict rulings surrounding squash’s return in an aim to protect players from the potential risk of COVID-19.
All players will need to book in advance and add their names to the booking. No play is permitted without prior booking.
Any returning members who have suffered from COVID-19 or any other illnesses during the lockdown must check with their GP before returning to play at the Hallamshire.
Visitors are allowed to play at £4.00 per visitor.
We are ready to welcome new members. If a member of your household or support bubble would like to join, we can offer a family discount of 15%. Below are prices for a short term membership.
3 Month Adult Squash £75.00 / 3 Month Student Squash £40.00 / 3 Month U18 Squash £25.00 /
3 Month U14 Squash £8.00 / 3 Month U8 Squash £4.00
The men’s changing room is open. Please maintain social distancing. It is still advised that you arrive ready to play and leave without using the changing room unless it is necessary to do so.
Please use hand sanitiser on entry to the club, on entry to the court, on exiting the court and on exiting the club.
Please arrive no more than five minutes prior to your booking and come ready to play. The court booking will last 40 minutes. Please exit the court promptly. Following the booking the court will be closed to allow aerosol droplets to disperse. Court timings will be staggered to lower the risk of congestion in the one way system.
Please follow the rules below.
• No handshaking/physical contact, and always maintain social distancing.
• Bring your own water bottle and arrive at the club with it full.
• Bring your own towel to wipe away sweat.
• Do not wipe your hands on a court wall.
• Bring your own balls and racket.
• Bring a change of shirt if you are prone to sweat a lot.
• Take your kit bag and water bottle on court.
• When your booking is finished, please wipe down the door handle and dispose of the wipes in the bin provided.
Ways to play squash and racketball until normality returns
There are a number of ways we are advised members should play. The following guidelines should be adhered to. They are relevant to all levels of ability. Please remember that the government guidelines that have permitted indoor courts to open state that activities must be modified in such a way that social distancing can be maintained throughout.
Please note that there should be no more than two players on court at one time.
Members from the same household or support bubble
- Match play/full squash or racketball game.
Individuals
-Single player (solo) practice.
Two members from different households (not in a support bubble)
-Members must play a modified version of squash and racketball known as ‘Sides’, which is an adapted version of the game for two players from different households. This cross-court version of squash/racketball is designed to comply with social distancing measures, with each player remaining in their own half of the court at all times. During the game, only one player should touch the ball and the court door, and players must not touch court walls.
The rules:
• Only two players permitted.
• The aim is to hit a winner or force an error from your opponent as in regular squash or racketball.
• Only one player serves during the match, and the opponent cannot handle the ball.
• Both players must keep to their side of the court throughout each rally, using the full length of the court while maintaining safe social distancing throughout.
• If a player crosses into the opponent’s side of the court, they immediately forfeit the rally.
• If there is a danger of players breaching a safe social distance, they must call a let and replay the point.
• Once a rally is complete, players switch sides of the court (maintaining a safe social distance) and the server restarts play.
Please follow this link to watch an instructional video on Sides. https://www.englandsquash.com/backtosquash
All memberships will be reactivated from 25th July. If you are a direct debit member, this will resume from 1st August 2020. If, as a direct debit member, you would like to start using the club before 1st August, please email helen@hallamshire.net
You can top up your account by calling reception on 01142662153.
Please note that all fire exits by the squash courts must remain open, and the doors to the glass back courts must also remain open.
The Hallamshire Bar
The Hallamshire bar has been open a week, and we have been very happy to welcome back our members.
From Saturday 25th July we shall be able to move away from table service and to a queuing system in the bar. You will need to follow the signs, order at one end of the bar and then collect at the other end. We have moved back to traditional pint glasses, but we may need to use plastic glasses at busy times.
We advise you book tables in advance, but we can take walk-ins if we have availability. Still only two households are allowed to occupy an indoor table, but it is allowed to book two tables next to each other.
Men’s changing room
No personal items can be left in the changing room at any time. All clothing and equipment must be removed after changing and showering. Please use the disinfectant spray before and after using a bench in the changing room, and please use the hand sanitiser provided.
A number of showers have been closed to aid social distancing. In the event that all the showers are full, please wait in the changing area until a shower becomes available. The sauna will need to remain closed at this time. Please maintain a social distance in the changing room and follow the one way system.
We are also open to new tennis members. There will be a no joining fee for June for new members. There is a 3 month, 6 month and 12 month membership option. Family Discount is available.
We are looking forward to seeing you all soon.
The Hallamshire Team
Tennis
OUTDOOR TENNIS COURTS ARE OPEN.
Indoor tennis courts reopen 25th July 2020
With 4 indoor and 8 outdoor courts you can play tennis all year round.
Join Tennis for
£29.00 a month.
Junior memberships from £14.00.
Email Try Tennis Now to try a free group taster session.
squash & Racketball
Squash & Racketball courts reopening 25th July 2020
Try our club nights, box leagues, social nights and much more...
Join Squash and Racketball for £22.00 a month.
Junior memberships from £10.00.
Email Try Squash & Racketball Now to try a group taster session.
gym
THE GYM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19
Cardio, free weights and
highly qualified staff
-
Join the gym from
£27.00 a month Peak
and
£20.00 Off Peak