City of Derry Tennis club back in full swing

Over 20 members played at allocated times, with a host of stipulations, all members enjoyed the experience.

Committee member Paul McClintock felt the opening night was a big success and praised everyone who played their part to get things up and running again.

"First night back was a success and everyone was very, very happy and glad to get back playing again," he explained.

"It took a bit of organising, as it wasn't like a normal club night, because you had to book your time slot on-line and also pay with pay-pal, so there was quite a bit of organising and the club is also thankful that Foyle College also agreed to us getting back playing.

"We also have no changing rooms and even getting into the tennis court you are going in one side and leaving a different way, with people getting a five minute break to leave the court before the next members come in, so that everyone can adhere to social distancing protocol.

"It's singles only unless doubles pair from the same household, like say mother and father taking on son and daughter. Everyone was social distancing throughout and each player serves with their own tennis balls, which they mark themselves and no one was allowed to touch other players tennis balls, unless they kicked the ball back or lifted it with their racket to return to other end of court.

"We have organised to play every Monday and Thursday nights and also Saturday afternoon's, so having 26 members on our first night, I suppose as we normally are a strictly doubles club, which now can't happen because the guidelines from Tennis Ireland are singles only matches unless there are four people from the same family household playing against each other, which there was on one court on Monday night with us.

"I think as the weeks progress it's just about everyone getting used to all these different things, but as I said all our members were delighted with how things went on Monday night, which is good."