Recently our club conducted a membership survey regarding our Covid 19 Framework Protection Policy. The survey invited feedback from all Senior & Intermediate members. The survey attracted a response of 41% across the membership. We can be happy this constitutes a reasonable sample of the overall membership.

The 65+ age group membership invitations were sent first, allowing a 24 hour window, so as to gather and record opinions from that group in isolation. This was done in response to concerned feedback from that group regarding the current policy. Within the 65+ group we received a response of 44%. Once again this can be considered a reasonable base of member opinion.

• The members that predominantly play on Tuesday and Friday represent 54% of the overall survey respondent base.
• The overall “comfort” level with the current policy across all respondents is 7.22 (10 is absolutely comfortable and 1 means non-attendance due to discomfort), whereas within the 65+ respondents the “comfort” level is only 4. This of course reflects the general society situation whereby people of age have more at stake in terms of avoiding contact with Covid.
• If the club elected to run “My Vaccine Pass” club days the most popular choices were Tuesday and Friday – the least popular choice was Sunday, closely followed by Monday.
• 11 respondents confirmed they would be willing to help run “My Vaccine Pass” separate sessions – a not unexpected response. On the positive side this number will include some members that are currently not actively involved with the running of the club. We would like to establish a roster of volunteers to run the various club sessions, please help us to make the club days run smoothly.
• The majority of members are happy enough to play in “open to all” club run sessions.

My personal thanks to all the members that took time to have their voice heard on this very important matter. It is really heart-warming to “feel” that we have such a “vested” membership. That augurs very well for the future of our club.

Clearly this is a very divisive issue within our wider society. Opinion varies widely; some are very passionate about their “position” on the topic. Importantly we must stick to the club values of diversity and inclusivity. It is essential that our club remains warmly welcoming and that we foster fun, fitness, family and friendship. We have a hard earned reputation of a relaxed, casual vibe that is at some risk if we create divisions among people.

We need to reassure those members of our tennis community feeling most concerned about Covid that there IS a place of comfort for them at the club. We can achieve that by being innovative, flexible and offering compromise solutions. Let us not frame this situation as primarily about “vax v non-vax” but absolutely about managing the risk to our members when they are at the club playing tennis.

We are well within the Government guidelines of running “small gatherings” of less than 50 people in an outdoor setting. We are very much a tennis club focussed on the playing of the game.

Accordingly, the Club Committee have taken account of what is in the best interests of the club and have adopted modified Covid 19 Protection Policy as follows.

Revised Covid 19 Framework Protection Policy- effective as of 24 January 2022

The main focus of the Papamoa Tennis Club is the playing and enjoying of tennis. Our facilities are very much geared toward playing as opposed to the post match socialising.

We recognise that some of our members have legitimate concerns regarding contact with Covid and accordingly have established Tuesday and Friday morning organised senior club sessions as only open to those members and guests that have a “My Vaccine Pass”.

A new Wednesday morning organised senior club sessions will be available, beginning Wednesday 25th January. This new session will be open to all members and guests without any vaccine mandate.

All other club activities do not require any sort of vaccine pass mandate to play at the club. Our club has always aspired to a culture of diversity and inclusiveness. We are focussed on providing fun, fitness, family and friendships and believe that health is better balanced by playing tennis.

We will, however, be insisting on a range of measures that are well recognised to keep our players, visitors and spectators safe from the virus.

• Self monitor (be self-aware of your own health) – If for any reason you are unwell do not come to the club, stay home. There will always be another day for tennis. If you have any type of Covid symptom get tested.
• Scan in via one of the many QR codes – if you don’t have a phone sign using a manual sheet at the clubhouse door. This is essential – please do it every time you visit the club. We MUST know who is / has been at the club.
• Regularly use hand sanitiser. It is available at the club in many locations.
• Maintain social distance at all times. We can chat from beyond a metre.
• At the conclusion of each match please use the racquet touch technique to acknowledge mutually excellent play.
• Please do not congregate on the deck area in large numbers, even though it is considered an outdoor area.
• Water is available via the deck area.
• The only time you will have access to the clubroom is to access the bathroom facilities. We will be restricting entry in order to maintain distancing.

All staff and volunteers involved in Coaching are fully vaccinated.

Social distancing is a crucial element to successfully keeping players safe at the club. If you have spectators watching your match please advise them to maintain social distancing as well. 

Please be assured that the club is taking every step to keep members and visitors safe as we transition through the summer. We are taking a calm and measured approach that keeps tennis available to all members and casual players. Tennis, by its very nature, is a relatively safe outdoor activity. We encourage people to play and enjoy outdoor exercise.

This policy is a “live” document and is only valid while we remain at the current Traffic Light setting of Orange. Any changes to the setting or other Government / Public Health advice will be reviewed and further modifications made as required.