ESSEX TENNIS Covid-19 updates (updated 25/09/20)
We had intended to reopen the Essex office on Thursday’s from 1st October, but subsequent to new government guidelines we believe it to be irresponsible to do so. So for the foreseeable future, or until guidelines change Essex Tennis staff will be continuing to work at home.
We can be contacted via the following emails
And will continue to pick up phone voicemail messages on 0208 502 6364.
In respect of DBS checking if you have any issues please drop joanne@essextenns.org.uk an email and we will try our best to help (please note that having documents checked at the Post Office is still the best option).
Essex Tennis will be constantly reviewing the Covid situation and we ask that you use this page to update yourselves on information from the LTA and the Government (please see the links at the end of this page).
We understand that our clubs and venues are the lifeblood of tennis in Essex and in response to this we have implemented a financial support package for venues. This includes loan moratoria on AE loan repayments for a year, the ability to apply for interest free loans and no AE fees due for the 2020/2021 financial year. All details have been sent to Club Main Contacts, Treasurers, Secretaries and Coaches. Further information is available on the links below
ESSEX TENNIS COVID 19 SUPPORT PACKAGE AND LOAN SCHEME
Essex Tennis Covid 19 Support information
Application form for the Essex Tennis Covid 19 support package
Essex Tennis Covid 19 Spread Sheet
There are many forms of ‘club’ operating under the remit of Essex Tennis and we have prepared two papers which may help clarify the Government advice regarding what might be available under the government’s COVID-19 Response, to be taken up and assessed dependent upon the particular circumstances of each club. The second paper we have prepared may clarify the Governments advice regarding the Self Employment Support Scheme.
Club Advice Sheet Essex Tennis re Covid 19 Support 22-04-2020
In the section headed–
‘Cash grant for retail hospitality and leisure, and small business grant funding’ – this contains important information which you may be aware of—however if you don’t have knowledge of this it is worth investigation. A number of the Clubs across the County have applied for these grants and have been successful—many of them have already received the funds (both 10k & 25k)
Advice Sheet (Essex Tennis) re UK Government self employed support scheme
LTA – Financial guidance and support for Venues, Coaches, Officials and Players/Performance
This link gives the detail of the full LTA financial support packages for Venues, Coaching, Officials and Performance https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/covid-19-support-package
LTA – Guidance for Venues, Coaches and Players regarding return to playing tennis
OTHER ORGANISATIONS OFFERING FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Sport England
Sport England have also set up an emergency fund for those experiencing short term financial hardship due to the impact of Covid-19. Clubs, leagues and community organisations can apply for a grant up to £10,000 who are not currently in receipt of Sport England funding.
https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/community-emergency-fund
Active Essex
Active Essex have also highlighted a couple of other sources of potential funding, Other key sources Essex Community Foundation: The Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme is to get help quickly to voluntary and community organisations that are in crisis as a result of the pandemic and need emergency funding to keep their vital services running. See more information here.
The CAF (Charity’s Aid Foundation)
has launched this rapid national response Fund to help smaller charitable organisations affected by the impact of Covid-19. See more information here.
We send good wishes to all our venues, players, officials, coaches, volunteers, and supporters at this difficult time.
Please stay safe and well and heed the advice to stay at home.
Essex Tennis Summer Leagues and Cups
Please be advised that the Competitions Committee have decided to cancel the Summer Open and Seniors Leagues for this year, with the League structures for both remaining the same for the 2021 season. In view of the work already carried out by Fixtures Secretaries to date, the Competitions Committee propose that dates and times already scheduled between clubs for the 2020 season should be played on the corresponding dates in 2021 where possible. Some date changes may be needed (Easter, LTA commitments, tournament dates, team entries may change for some clubs) but on the whole you will be able to start off with a well scheduled calendar.
It is the intention to run the Winter Open Leagues from 1 November (Kerry Pryor will be in contact in due course) and with regard to the the Winter Cups (George Sabiniak will be in contact also) .
This information has now been sent to all Fixtures Secretaries with further information on team changes etc.
County Training
County Training has now re commenced. Dates are now published for the September – December 2020 term and these are published in the Performance – County Training area of the website. If you require further information please contact Nigel Parsons, the Essex Performance Liaison Competitions Officer on his e mail: nigel@essextennis.org.uk
Junior County Cups/LTA Seniors County Cup Events
In conjunction with Tennis Scotland and Tennis Wales, we have however made the decision not to run LTA staged and LTA approved competitions (Grade 1 to 5) up to Monday 31st August; this includes the O35s County Cup, Ilkley Grade 2, East Gloucester Grade 2, County Championships and the Junior National Championships. It is important to note that the LTA British Tour will be treated differently, as is currently the case, to provide elite players with matches in an appropriately controlled environment, following Government guidelines.
Up to date guidance can also be found on the LTA coronavirus information page at www.lta.org.uk/coronavirus.
What to do to get your DBS – updated 24 September
https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/about-lta/safeguarding/safeguarding-update-05.06.20.pdf
Due to the continuing COVID situation, the Essex County Office remains closed with staff working remotely from home. For a DBS validation check please contact your nearest participating Post Office. We had intended to re open the office for Validation checks from 1st October but due to new Government guidelines will not be doing so. If circumstances change we will post on this website. In the meantime we apologise for the inconvenience
Find a participating post office
