Who are we

Cambridgeshire Tennis is the organisation responsible for the administration and development of tennis throughout the County, from those just thinking of taking up the game to tournament players of all levels. We are part of the LTA and we work closely with them in attracting new players of all ages, supporting clubs, schools and other places to play as well as developing coaching schemes and competitive play at club and county level. 

30 May 2020 - Latest advise from the LTA
Following the further easing of restrictions in England from 1 June announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday evening (28 May) and the publication of details Government guidance on Sunday (31 May), the Government has confirmed what these measures mean in relation to tennis.  Players from different households can now play doubles together as long as they stay two metres apart as far as possible, and small group coaching for up to six people (including coaches) can resume.  To see the full details please use the following link
https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tennis-news/news-and-opinion/general-news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19---latest-advice/

27 May 2020 - LTA Venue Hardship Fund
 
As part of the LTA’s coronavirus support packages for tennis in Britain, applications will be opening at 2pm today for our COVID-19 Venue Hardship Fund.
 
All venues that were registered with the LTA on the 1 March 2020 are eligible to apply for this support, which will offer simple, unsecured financial support of between £1,000 and £5,000. This will be repayable over a three year period, following a repayment holiday of approximately a year, from the point at which the financial support is provided.
 
This support is intended to provide venues with additional cash-flow where they are facing the issue of costs continuing during this period, but with reduced income, for example as a result of reduced membership renewals. This support will be easily accessible, and interest free.
 
As you know, our goal in providing this and our wider support measures is to help tennis in Britain emerge from this period in as strong and healthy a position as possible, and that our sport is able to resume its unique role in keeping the nation active as soon as conditions allow.
 
We will be emailing all LTA Registered Venues this afternoon with details of the Hardship Fund and how they can apply, with further information provided on the LTA website from 2pm.
 
This support measure will then be followed next week by the opening of the Hardship Fund for LTA Accredited Coaches, marking the completion of all elements of the COVID-19 support package we announced in April for venues, coaches, officials and players.
 
County Coach Support Scheme
 
I would like to thank those Counties who have positively responded to the proposal communicated last week – the initial signs are that the vast majority of counties plan to support and deliver the scheme which is very positive. We will be keeping track of the adoption and roll out of this support so that we can provide a report across all County Associations and we will share this with you in due course.
 
Competitions Cancellation Extension
 
We will provide a further update later this week with regard to the extension of the cancellation of LTA staged and LTA approved competitions beyond the current date of Sunday 28 June which will include an update on the status of County Week – please look out for this communication.
 
LTA Youth Box Leagues
 
From June we will be running our brand new LTA Youth Box Leagues for players aged 10-18 years with a rating of 8.2 or higher to take part in competitive singles matches against players of a similar age, rating and location this summer. 
 
What are LTA Youth Box Leagues?
·         The singles leagues are open to juniors aged 10 to 18 years playing with a yellow ball rated 8.2 or higher in England - Scotland and Wales will follow at a later date subject to government guidelines
·         The entry fee is just £5 per player
·         Players will be organised into groups of a similar standard and location; there will be 6-8 players in each group (occasionally between 5 and 9)
·         Contact details of the other players in your group will be emailed before the league starts
·         Players arrange their own matches at a mutually convenient time between mid-June and end of July
·         Players share the cost of courts (where relevant) and any court that suits both players can be used
·         Players should follow the Covid-19 LTA Guidelines
·         Players submit their results online via the LTA website and League Tables will be updated on a regular basis
·         Matches will be played using the FAST4 format to keep time at the venue to a minimum
·         Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each group
 
We hope you can encourage your junior players who are regular competitors (LTA approved competition, junior club teams, county training etc) to take part in the new LTA Youth Box Leagues. 
 
Entries are now open – find out more
 
Cathie Sabin OBE
 
Finally, I know we were all deeply saddened to hear last week of the passing of Cathie. To allow the tennis community to pay tribute to the contribution Cathie made to our sport, the LTA has now opened an online Book of Condolences.  Individuals, National, County and Island Associations and tennis venues and coaches can add comments via the link below, with it being open for contributions until Friday 5 June – Cathie was truly an incredible lady, and I know her family will be touched to see just how much she was admired and loved within tennis.
 
·         Book of Condolences – Cathie Sabin OBE


12 May 2020 - Following further clarifications the LTA have received from Government, Tennis activity in England will be able to take place outdoors from Wednesday (13 May) with singles play only, other than when players are all from the same household in which case they can play doubles.  Direct link to the document is:  https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tennis-news/news-and-opinion/general-news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-venues/  

23 April 2020 - The LTA online guidance for Safeguarding provision has now been published and can be viewed on the Coronavirus Coach advice page here:   https://www.lta.org.uk/workforce-venues/coach-teach/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-coaches/​   Direct link to the document is: https://www.lta.org.uk/globalassets/coach/documents/safeguarding-guidance-for-livestreaming-activities-coaches.pdf

3 April 2020 - The LTA announced a multi million pound support package for tennis in Britain to combat the Coronavirus - to see the announcement please click here.

31 March 2020 - Sports England announced a £195 million package to support the sector - to see the details of this announcement please click here.

Coronavirus Update 23 March 2020

The message from the Prime Minister this evening should result in all tennis activities being suspended.  Detailed advice for venues and coaches can be found by following the links on the following page: https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tennis-news/news-and-opinion/general-news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19---latest-advice/

Based on information we have received from the LTA, we know that 80% of the LTA Accredited Coach workforce are declared as self-employed and understand that this brings with it particular worry and concern right now, especially with the announcement tonight that ends all tennis coaching.  The LTA and many other bodies are in ongoing conversations with Government to make sure the concerns of the self employed are heard.  These bodies are all pushing for Government to make further support available. 
In the meantime, Cambridgeshire LTA will try and support the local workforce with both advice and, in certain circumstances, some limited financial support.  If any coach needs any assistance or if anyone in our community is able to help, please contact us at the admin@cambslta.org.uk