News

ESSEX TENNIS Covid-19 updates (updated 02/07/20)

You will all be aware of the Coronavirus situation, in response to this Essex Tennis implemented an immediate suspension of tennis activity, which is still currently in place.

The Essex Tennis office remains closed, but our current operational times remain unchanged (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-3pm). We (Celine, Janice, Joanne and Lynn) are dealing with emails and picking up voicemail messages during the above times.

Essex Tennis will be constantly reviewing the 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 cash grants for those unable to access LTA grants (closing 26th June 2020).  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

ESSEX TENNIS COACH SUPPORT SCHEME

As you may be aware, the LTA had put in place a financial grant for coaches. This scheme which is now closed was aimed to support those coaches who are full-time and self-employed.
In order to support those part-time coaches working between 10-29 hours per week (at an Essex venue) Essex Tennis have put in place a grant to offer support.
Full criteria are outlined in the links below, the grant is calculated on the basis of £74 per week (the equivalent of job seekers allowance) for 6 weeks but will be paid in one single payment to those eligible upon successful application. Applications will only be accepted up to the 26th June and should be forwarded to Lynn O’Brien at: lynn@essextennis.org.uk

Essex Tennis County Coach Support Application Form

Essex Tennis County Coach Support FAQs

Essex Tennis County Coach Support Terms and Conditions

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

https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/news/2020/lta-guidance-for-tennis-venues—covid-19.pdf

https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/news/2020/lta-guidance-for-tennis-coaches—covid-19.pdf

https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/news/2020/lta-guidance-for-tennis-players—covid-19.pdf

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 the Winter Cups (George Sabiniak will be in contact in due course) .

This information has now been sent to all Fixtures Secretaries with further information on team changes etc.

County Training

Until further notice Essex County Training is suspended and our intention is to reinstate this in September.  New dates will be published in due course. 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.

LTA DBS Checks 21-04-2020
LTA Changes to DBS Checks (21-04-2020)