Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club disappointed by lockdown ban on the sport

Jonathan Allwood and Simon Mason, who were first and second in the men's Summer League.

Helen Riby, Membership Secretary, said the club accepted that clear action to reduce COVID needed to be taken but felt tennis could have continued safely.

It means income during the year will almost certainly be down due to a club initiative to half membership prices to reflect a lack of action

“Clearly members are disappointed they cannot continue to play,” she said. “You can’t get much more socially distanced than playing a game of singles tennis outdoors.

Revenues will be down following a year of disruption for the club.

“We do understand that there needs to be a simple message. As the lockdown came in Covid rates in Mansfield were rising.

“Thankfully they are now moving back in the right direction. There is no point in moaning. No-one really knows how to tackle this pandemic so if this short lockdown helps reduce deaths and safeguards the NHS we tennis players should have no cause to complain.

“We do however have some members who live alone and will really miss the social interaction of playing.

“The mental as well as physical benefits of playing sport are well documented fingers crossed this is just for the four weeks as planned.

Players who took part in the club's Summer League are pictured, from left, Ashleigh Blount, Andrea Simmons, MLTC head coach Gareth Griffiths, who organised the competition and presented the prizes, Simon Mason and Jonathan Allwood .

“Finance wise more members helps offset the half price (membership) offer, but income will still be down this year.

“In addition we haven’t been able to do any fundraising activities including having to cancel our popular bonfire and firework display night.”

The club are now taking the opportunity to demolish the old clubhouse, which will help create much needed extra car parking space.

Adult memberships, including seniors, has grown by almost 40 per cent this season.

“With tennis being one of the first sports to be allowed back in the spring we have had a good five/six months of excellent tennis at the club,” added Helen.

“Some members have missed competitive tennis as there were no summer league matches held.

“As lockdown was announced, Notts LTA had just introduced a special one-off Notts LTA winter league. That is now suspended but fingers crossed may resume after the lockdown.”

The club also ran its own competitive doubles league over the summer.

This targeted all abilities and simply required four people to play.

Three sets were played with each individual player partnering a different player for each set.