USTA Eastern Long Island Region Update

Indoor Tennis is Back: A Message from the USTA Long Island Regional Council

These past few months have been extremely trying times for everyone. The members of the USTA Long Island Regional Council have missed all of our friends and colleagues in the local tennis community and our time together on the courts, and we hope you and your families are healthy and doing well. While we were thrilled to get back to outdoor tennis during Phase 2 of New York’s phased reopening plan, we were even more excited to return to indoor tennis in Phase 3 in early July.

We know our Long Island clubs have been working hard these past few months to meet the many new health and safety guidelines they will adhere to as they welcome customers back into their facilities. The USTA Long Island Region has also been working hard, along with USTA Eastern, to ease the path by communicating with the general public and tennis facility owners and providing the necessary information to bring tennis back safely.

The USTA has actively provided information to stakeholders and players in the industry about returning to safe play with COVID-19 in mind. The USTA National Medical Advisory Group has provided player tips and recommendations as both

competitive and recreational players ease their way back into competition. USTA Eastern has held conference calls and provided much needed educational material to clubs on applying for a USTA grants and assistance, as well as creating a USTA Support Hotline and Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines. They have also provided Participant and General Facility Release Waiver templates to be used in consultation with counsel and local laws. I have no doubt these efforts by all of us in the tennis community were tantamount in getting tennis reopened on Long Island and across the Eastern Section.

I know I join with all of you in being thankful for the return to indoor tennis play and getting our juniors, adults, league players, Net Generation kids and everyone else back out on the courts and enjoying the sport we all love. If you have any questions or need information about reopening guidelines, available grants and funding or anything else, please don’t hesitate to email us at ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.

—On behalf of your Long Island Council, Jonathan Klee, USTA Long Island Regional Director

How I’m Reopening: Jason Wass, Sportime Kings Park

The USTA Long Island Region is thrilled to get back in the swing as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to wane. Recently, USTA Eastern spoke to Jason Wass, Director of Tennis and Sports at Sportime Kings Park about his experience reopening and what measures his club is taking to keep staff members and consumers safe in this unmistakably new reality. Following is part of that conversation. The complete interview can be viewed here (https://www.usta.com/en/home/staycurrent/eastern/how-i-m-reopening--jason-wass.html).

Many tennis facilities are facing similar challenges as they make preparations to reopen their doors. What would you say has been the most useful or productive measure you’ve taken to stay on schedule?

Wass: There have been many changes, but some of the most and staff training. It’s really important to communicate in all directions: To employees, to owners/bosses, to members/players/campers, and to state and local governments. All of this is without face-to-face interaction.

What has been the most challenging aspect of reopening your facility?

There is confusing information, but also a lack of information. It’s also challenging balancing the needs of the business with the needs of each individual and his or her family. Everyone has had a different experience over the last three months. For example, some employees do not have child care, or their child care is limited. We have to respect each person’s views and feelings toward reopening as well.

Overall, how do you think COVID-19 will change the way players think about tennis? Do you predict any positive changes to the sport that will result from these unprecedented times?

I believe tennis has a huge opportunity at the grassroots, community level. Out East, in Westchester and in the Capital Region where outdoor courts have now been open for over three weeks, there has been a steady rise in participation and everyone seems to be exercising caution when in close proximity off and on the court. Most people have said that during play they almost forgot all the negatives and were happy important details are our communication, new operational plan

to be playing and moving. I have begun to receive interest from new potential players despite not being fully open for business. If we play our cards right, we could be in a great position moving forward. Tennis is the best sport for social distance—it’s naturally socially distant.

Please note: The USTA’s Medical Advisory Committee has established player and facility safety guidelines to be referenced and utilized by all of USTA Eastern's tennis providers. In addition to the guidelines, providers should also follow federal, state and local laws, regulations, executive orders and guidance, including, but not limited to, regulations and guidance from the CDC, OSHA, state and local Departments of Health, and other agencies, which are regularly updated. Our goal is to facilitate an open platform to encourage dialogue and share best practices so tennis providers can make informed decisions relating to reopening.

USTA Eastern Long Island Regional Council

Executive Committee

l Jonathan Klee, Regional Director l Michael Pavlides, Past Regional Director l Sunny Fishkind, Vice Regional Director l Randi Wilkins, Secretary For mor e information on the UST A Long Island Region, please visit LongIsland.USTA.com, e-mail USTAOnLongIsland@gmail.com, visit us on Facebook at USTA Long Island and follow us on Twitter @USTA_LI.