COVID-19 Limited club re-opening set for May 18th

Tennis Ireland and its Branches have warmly welcomed the Taoiseach’s confirmation that Tennis can reopen for play in the Republic of Ireland on a restricted / recreational basis in the first phase of the Government’s roadmap for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions later this month.​

Since the restrictions were introduced in March, like many other sports, Tennis Ireland has been engaging with Sport Ireland and Sport NI on a range of issues including the financial impact of the crisis on clubs and the potential for the safe resumption of Tennis.

Tennis Ireland has prepared a draft protocol on the safe resumption of restricted play and which we have been engaging with Sport Ireland on over recent weeks. We now intend to finalise this protocol in the coming week, in consultation with the Government and medical experts, and issue clear advice to our member clubs well in advance of the reopening of clubs on a limited basis on 18 May.

Richard Fahey, CEO of Tennis Ireland said:

“Tennis Ireland welcomes the Taoiseach’s confirmation that our clubs can reopen on a restricted basis in the first phase of the Government’s plan to ease the Covid-19 restrictions.

Tennis along with golf will be one of the first sports to resume and will give our club members the opportunity to return to play on a limited but safe basis.

However, this decision brings with it a great responsibility and we will work with our clubs to ensure that they are fully prepared for reopening so that their members and the local community can play and remain safe.

Our sport provides a valuable outlet for healthy physical activity which can be enjoyed with the appropriate safety measures in place.

I would like to thank the Irish Tennis community for their patience and for putting the health of their communities and fellow members first during this crisis and would urge them to continue to strictly adhere to the protocols for safe Tennis which will be finalised shortly and to continue to follow the public health advice of the Government and health authorities.

Many of our members are frontline workers and we wish to acknowledge the tremendous efforts being made by them since Covid-19 arrived on our shores and whose great work over the last months has made it possible for our sport to return, albeit on a limited basis initially”.