policies

The Tennis Committee welcomes feedback from all members.

If you have any ideas, comments or suggestions, please contact Chairman tony Brown or Secretary Michael Davis Higuera at s.c.tennis.committee@gmail.com

Any safeguarding concerns regarding children or adults should be taken up with the Safeguarding Officer Tom Corfield at Thomas.corfield1@outlook.com or 07834392026, or with the LTA Safeguarding at  020 8487 7000 or emailing safeguarding@lta.org.uk. For urgent and critical concerns, please contact the police.

South Croydon LTC is committed to upholding the highest standards with regard to Safeguarding, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Copies of the Club's policies are available from the office or the tennis committee.

Juniors

Junior players (children) under the age of 13 must not be left at the club unsupervised by a parent. Children who are 13 years old and older may be left at the club or allowed to be on their own at the club providing they are sensible and follow the rules, and it should be noted that these children remain the responsibility of their parents whilst at the club. Children left alone unsupervised should be given instructions on how to deal with emergencies or difficult situations as well as be aware of the reporting/safeguarding policies in place.

Housekeeping

Players should treat the club facilities and equipment with respect.

Plastic/metal scorers at the sides of the net/post: use your hand rather than your racket.

Balls: collect up at the end of your set so they do not get lost. Put balls away in the ball cupboard at the end of club session.

Rubbish/recycling/used tennis balls: should be placed in the relevant bins provided.

Damage to nets, scorers, fencing, furniture, etc, should be reported to the committee. 

Only appropriate tennis footwear may be worn on court.

Chewing gum is not permitted on court – discarded chewing gum will damage the court surface.

Guests using the club facilities should pay a guest fee and should pay the £5 guest fee.  

Court etiquette

Do not walk onto a court, across or behind a court while a point is in progress or between first and second serves. For example, if accessing courts 4 and 5, while there is play on court 3, wait for a point to be completed on court 3 before opening the gate and walking to court 4 etc.

Court bookings

Court bookings are made online via the club website, each members has their own username and password which is issued on joining the club. Contact the office if you have any issues with accessing the online booking system: SCSC | Booking (southcroydonsportsclub.com).

Court bookings should not exceed two hours.

Court bookings are only permitted to be for one court per time slot.

If you cannot make your booking, please cancel your booking in advance so someone else can book the court.

Members are not permitted to share their booking access with others and must be present for their booking.

Flood lights are available on courts 3, 4 and 5, and cost £6 per hour. These are payable via the payment meters inside the club house. These accept £1 and £2 coins.

South Croydon Sports Club social members must pay the £5 guest fee each time they play. If you have any social members or guests playing as part of your booking, you must ensure they pay the £5 guess fee.

New members

Prospective members may attend club session three times on a trial basis. After that point, they need to join in order to attend.

New members must be signed off by a Committee member to ensure they are at club session standard. Please point them in the direction of a committee member or the office, so we can be in touch with them.

To be eligible for full membership, a player needs to meet the following standards:

Play basic tennis shots and ability to maintain a rally

Score confidently and correctly

Understand positioning on court for doubles

Be able to concentrate for a set

Understand and comply with tennis rules e.g. line calls

Anticipate and be ready for the next point

Enable the game to flow without unnecessary or disruptive comments, which could make other people uncomfortable or upset

Be respectful to your partner and to your opponents

Be respectful when watching others playing

Be respectful when communicating with other members

Club Session Rules and Guidelines

At club sessions, and when playing in general, the spirit of the game is as important as the standard of play. Therefore, all members should show respect and kindness to each other, at all times. Players should exercise judgement in order to include everyone but also find balanced matches

Please follow these rules for your own benefit and for the benefit of other club members. If no rule exists, follow common sense and the spirit of the game.

“Picking” a four

The first four people to arrive establish the first four, and subsequent fours are established in the order that members arrive.

At the end of a set, the first member waiting picks the next four. They should pick other members waiting first, before selecting someone who has just played.

If no one is waiting, the winner(s) pick from the available players.

All club session matches are one set, with a final, deciding game, at 5-5.

Club session balls

Only one tube of balls should be removed from the ball cupboard at a time. All members have access to the cupboard.

All balls should be returned to the cupboard at the end of the session, not left on the bar or tables in the clubhouse.

New balls for the week ahead are put out on a Saturday.