Grafton Tennis and Squash Club
70A Thornton Road • London • SW12 0LF
Tel: 020 8673 2891
Greetings Graftonites,
Quite a lot to unpack in this week's broadcast. Given the average weather coming our way this week, squash / indoor bar service are all very welcome announcements, so do read on:
- INDOOR BAR SERVICE
- SQUASH IS BACK
- SQUASH BOOKING RULES
- SQUASH TOKEN MACHINE
- HALF TERM SQUASH ANYONE?
- SQUASH GROUP SESSIONS COACHING PROGRAMME
- CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
- TENNIS COURT BOOKING RULES
- MEN'S TEAM TENNIS SESSION
- COVID REMINDERS
- DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
***If you want to put an announcement in next Monday’s broadcast, the only way to do so is by sending your broadcast to graftoncomms@gmail.com by Friday 6pm.***
INDOOR BAR SERVICE
In line with the very welcome further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we are pleased to announce that we are able to re-open the club house for limited hours, during which time we’ll be able to offer a bar service.
Club House / Bar Opening Hours (subject to volunteer coverage): Tues – Thurs 7pm – 11pm.
Due to the increased risk associated with indoor activity, and the threat of new COVID-19 variants, we ask all members to
please try and stay outside where possible
. Outdoor heaters will be in place to help keep us warm.
As always government guidelines and law require us to put special safety measures in place. It is essential that members adhere to these at all times, without exception.
Rules for Indoor Drinking
Indoor seating is strictly limited. You are not permitted to drink indoors if there are no spare seats
Do not add extra tables or seating; the layout respects COVID-19 saftey guidelines.
Social distancing is essential. Numbers are strictly limited to 6 per table
Masks must be worn at all times except when seated and drinking / eating at a table
Follow all signage and adhere to the indicated one-way system
All doors and windows must be kept open to provide adequate ventilation
Table service only. Please be patient.
Do not walk up to the bar to order
Last orders are at 10:30pm.
Here’s to this being the last step before a return to normality in June!
SQUASH IS BACK!
From Monday 17th May we are in Stage 3 of coming out of lockdown.
England Squash have said that we are back to full squash matches and with no squash bubbles!! Therefore, we plan to reinstate the squash leagues from Monday 31st May, that were halted over a year ago. If you wish to be in a squash league please send an email to Harry (harry.parkes@kcl.ac.uk) by Wed 26th May with your name and playing level - please select one of the following:
1) Advanced/Team player
2) Good intermediate
3) Intermediate
4) Beginner intermediate
If you contact Harry after 26th May, or you don't give your squash playing level then you may end up joining at the beginning of July.
Please note that in Stage 3 we still have to carry out some anti-covid measures. This means that you still have to apply social distancing when not on court, you should still sanitise your hands on entering and leaving the squash court area, and not wipe your hands on the squash court walls. If you are on the balcony watching squash you should wear a face mask.
SQUASH BOOKING RULES
When you book a court please add in an opponent - there are 3 choices:
1) enter the name of a Grafton member,
2) enter ***solo squash practice, or
3) enter ***SQUASH GUEST £5 (the guest must also sign the Guest sign in sheet on the token machine when they arrive).
Please note that if you do not have an opponent booked within 24h of your booking you risk having your booking deleted. Also, if you bring in a guest then you are the one to play with that guest - guests can only play with members . You cannot bring in 2 or more guests and they play with each other - this is not allowed!
SQUASH TOKEN MACHINE
We have recently had a few issues with the token machine in the squash courts. If you find that you are having problems getting the token machine to work properly please contact Harry Parkes (harry.parkes@kcl.ac.uk).
HALF-TERM SQUASH ANYONE?
Head Squash Coach, Marco, is putting on a Junior coaching program throughout the coming half-term. Book now on our 3-day intensive junior program which will run for 2 hours per day. Aimed at teaching the fundamentals in Squash, but also providing fitness, agility, balance, and coordination development coupled with drills, tactical training, match play and analysis.
The sessions will run as follows:
Monday 31st May – Wednesday 2nd June
9.00 - 11.00am | 7 - 12 yrs
11.30am - 1.30pm | 13 - 17yrs
Price | Junior Member £100 | Non-Member £120 | 3 days
Slots are limited to 8 children per session (4 per court) therefore book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions will be tailored to both those with or without experience.
To book please contact Marco directly by no later than Sunday 23rd May:
Email: 2dotsquash@gmail.com | WhatsApp: 07593437063
SQUASH GROUP SESSIONS COACHING PROGRAMME
Grafton’s Squash Head Coach Marco will be running group coaching sessions, tailored for everyone to meet their goals, working on your needs within the group.
Sessions aim to develop the gameplay for all players from juniors to adults, from beginners to advanced, working on your needs and goals. The group sessions are planned for all levels in order to improve, in a challenging but relaxed and fun environment, focused in your progression.
During sessions we focus on teaching the basics; movement patterns; specific drills and developing skills that will enable you to be more thoughtful and successful in your game. The one hour session will be a combination of:
Dynamic warm up
Group games that will challenge both body and mind, working on your agility; balance; coordination; speed in a FUN way!
Drills; routines and conditioned games
Time to show what you’ve learned…let’s play…enjoy!
Summary of the session and inevitably...stretching
Our Junior programme (term fee payments) will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, depending of their age/level. Ladies will show their power on Wednesdays; Squash57 (Racketball) and adults “Developing Skills” groups will happen every Friday.
Bundles of 5 and 10 sessions available for adults. Book your place now through the following link: Grafton Junior Courses and Group Sessions
For further questions or coaching information please get in touch with our Squash Head Coach Marco through:
WhatsApp: 07593437063
Email: 2dotsquash@gmail.com
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL (Sat 29 May)
What better way to celebrate indoor socialising re-opening and the new clubhouse development by watching the culmination of the Champions League on
Saturday 29th May!
We will be screening the match (8pm k.o) on the new projector. The event runs from 7-11pm and pizza and beer is included £10 each. Sign up and pay via MyCourts in advance to secure your place – we have a maximum of 15 places, with some already taken, due to social distancing and can’t allow any to attend on the night unfortunately who aren’t registered. We will let the first 15 know in advance that they are in.
Sign up here - https://grafton.mycourts.co.uk/tournament_details.asp?tid=3688
TENNIS COURT BOOKING RULES
We still see or hear from poeple who are unclear as to what the pandemic tennis booking rules are, so here they are again. If for whatever reason you have to cancel a court please try to do so as early as possible. If it has to be a last minute cancellation, then please put a message on The Grafton Chronicle Whatsapp chat, so someone else can make the most of that court. If it is a last minute booking, the below rules still apply:
> Please state your opponent on your bookings. If you're practising your serve please choose "Serving Practice" as your "opponent".
*** Serving Practice is an off-peak only activity.***
> All bookings with no opponents selected 72 hours in advance of play will be cancelled
> Guest bookings are not permitted in peak hours
Please bear in mind the below hours:
WEEKDAYS:
0800-1600 Off Peak
1600-2200 Peak
WEEKENDS:
0800-1600 Peak
1600-2200 Off Peak
-> If you believe your booking warrants an exception, then please contact graftoncomms@gmail.com in plenty of time to further discuss. Questions? Please email graftoncomms@gmail.com well in advance of your court booking to avoid disappointment.
MEN'S TEAM TENNIS SESSION (Sat 22 May)
Men's 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th team session this Saturday from 3pm- 7pm. If any new players would like to play for the teams, please contact Steve Beales, Ben Kelly, RIck Jones or Paul Flatters if interested, or just turn up!
COVID REMINDERS
Let's remember to pack a face mask, and to scan the QR code from the NHS Covid-19 app every single time we're at the club. Social distancing and frequent use of hand sanitiser still need to be our watch words. Face masks are obligatory when in the kitchen or when heading to the unisex toilets.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sat 22 (3pm) - Men's Team Tennis Session
Sat 29 May (7pm) - Champions Leauge Final Viewing Party
Mon 31 May (onwards) - Junior Squash Half Term Coaching
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