Whitehorse Daily Star

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BACK AT IT – Yukoners play Alaskans in last year's Capital Cup. This year's Cup has been cancelled, and other tournaments put on hold. Local players, however, are able to use the tennis courts at Mt. McIntyre after Tennis Yukon's return-to-play plan was approved.

Tennis receives all-clear to play on

Tennis Yukon's return-to-play plan has been approved by Yukon Health so players can return to action – albeit with strict safety protocols.

By John Tonin on May 28, 2020

Tennis Yukon's return-to-play plan has been approved by Yukon Health so players can return to action – albeit with strict safety protocols. In the government's reopening plan phase one, tennis was named in the report as a sport that can maintain safe social distance.

Stacey Lewis, with Tennis Yukon, said the organization's return-to-play plan was based on Tennis Canada and Tennis B.C.'s reopening strategies while incorporating Yukon specific things.

"We will have a phased reopening," said Lewis. "It will be singles only, unless players are from the same house then they can play doubles."

The courts up at Mt. McIntyre only have two nets in place – on either side of the fence.

"We have hand sanitizer at the gate," said Lewis. "And we are asking that people play their match on one side of the court."

Lewis said there is no booking system at the courts so people are asked to limit matches to an hour.

"We are asking people to come and leave and not gather at the gate," said Lewis. "It's too bad, but at least we can play."

By the end of this week, Lewis said Tennis Yukon is hopeful the other two nets can be raised.

To use the courts, people must purchase a season pass and sign a form acknowledging the new rules. A waiver must also be signed acknowledging the risk of participating.

"Insurance came out and said they wouldn't cover any COVID related claims," said Lewis. "For a not-for-profit organization with a board of directors who are all volunteers that's a big deal."

Lewis said the return-to-play plan was approved quickly by Health Yukon but if anything changes they are ready to react accordingly.

Other restrictions on play include no benches, players must bring their own set of balls that only they touch, and are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer.

Lessons will also be heavily modified, said Lewis.

They will be limited to one player only, two will be allowed if from the same household. No loner racquets will be provided.

Coaches are to enforce the two-metre physical distancing rule and be "strict and absolute" about the no-touch policy.

The coaches are the only ones allowed to touch the tennis balls. Players may use their racquet to roll them to the other end but only the coach can pick them up.

Classes will be scheduled with at least 15 minutes between the start of the next lesson. This will give coaches time to sanitize the court area; net posts, chairs, themselves.

Tennis Yukon's plan only covers recreational play and all tournaments have been put on hold. Although Lewis said they are optimistic something could be done in late summer.

"The Capital Cup is cancelled because the Alaskans can't come over," said Lewis. "Yukon based tournaments are up in the air and we may be able to do something in August."

Pickleball, which also uses the Mt. McIntyre courts need a separate plan, said Lewis. When theirs get finalized, Lewis said they will access the courts through a separate gate.

Comments (1)

Up 1 Down 0

Dave Sanyal on May 28, 2020 at 3:28 pm

If recreational activities are opening up slowly is there any chance of revisiting the Capital Cup cancellation decision?

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