COVID rules are 'killing us' says Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club coach

It is a frustrating time for Charlie Pick, centre, and his coaching team.

Rule changes mean the Hawksley Avenue club can no longer open their lucrative indoor courts during the winter unless it is to people of the same household.

It means the club’s popular ladies night has had to be cancelled and has seen playing numbers plummet.

“This is killing us,” said head coach Charlie Pick. “I don't want to bring gyms down but we feel the rules are unjustified.

“We are not allowed four adults on an indoor court but a gym can do indoor classes.

“We don't think there is any consistency and feel there is a rule problem. We also have no support financially.

“We have had to put people back on job retention and people can’t play tennis so there is also a health issue

“We are the LTA national club of the year runners-up for 2020 and yet we can't even make ends meet.”

The frustrated club have now lobbied Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins in a bid to get the situation reversed.

“We support the government in what they do and we have done really well in lockdown, but now we have lost all the momentum,” added Charlie.

“We are completely self sufficient and have asked Toby Perkins to challenge the rules. It is not right.

“We want to get people indoors, that's how we make our income, and to keep people in the game during winter and now we can't do it.

“You can't have 18 people in a spin class but not allow four people on an indoor tennis court.

“We have done our COVID checks and we are safe, as safe as a gym anyway.

“It is not a battle against gyms, we just want an equal footing.”

LTA rules say people can play indoors, but only with people from their own household, while U18’s and disabled people are exempt.