Vale Kevin Edwards

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Kevin Edwards or Kev as he was fondly known passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by family.

As most of you will know Kev has been part of the Club for around 20 years. He started off helping with the Seaside tournament, then was asked to work as our barman. Kev was more than a barman he was an integral part of Manly Lawn Tennis Club. He knew everyone by name and their drink. He was someone you could talk to and I personally enjoyed his stories about life before retirement as well as his informed tips on the weekends rugby and rugby league results.

On Saturday, he always made sure we had cheese and crackers on the bar when our players had finished their matches. If he wasn’t in the bar he out the back chopping up cheese squares. He always arrived early and didn’t leave until everyone was finished, Kev was part of some big nights at the bar.

Kev was an exceptional person, friendly, reliable and honest and will be sadly missed by all that have known him. We pass on our condolences to Alison his wife and his daughter’s Leone and Vicki, son in laws and four grandchildren.

Due to COVID only family will be able to attend the funeral that will he held next Thursday 12 August 2021 at 11am through Maurer Family Funerals. There will be a video link that I will pass on closer to the date.

Virginia
Secretary MLTC

New powers, new fines as police crackdown on non-compliance | Northern Beaches Council

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Friday, 30 July 2021

NSW Police will be out monitoring the beaches this weekend.

The increased police presence is part of a Sydney-wide operation that will see thousands of police officers deployed across Greater Sydney from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command and general duties to enforce the health orders.

Earlier this week, the NSW government announced enhanced police powers, additional fines and tighter new rules that will spearhead the enforcement response against people who refuse to do the right thing during a global pandemic, including:

• new powers that have been granted to the NSW Police Commissioner to shut down businesses, construction sites and public premises where there is a risk to public health; and

• penalties for not wearing a mask where required increased from $200 to $500.

Northern Beaches Council rangers, together with the Local Area Command will be actively monitoring the beaches and public spaces to ensure everyone is doing the right thing.

Call Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000

www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/council/news/new-powers-new-fines-police-crackdown-on-non-compliance

Sydney Badge – COVID Announcement

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Unfortunately the NSW Government has extended the Sydney lockdown until Friday the 27th August.

This means there will be no more play for the remainder of the Badge seasons.

We are working through options for the clubs and will be in contact next week with the next steps.

Stay safe and have a great weekend!

Kind Regards,
TNSW Competitions
Nathan Keys
Competitions Coordinator | Tennis NSW

MLTC President’s Message

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Hope everyone is staying well during the lockdown!

We are very lucky to play a sport that allows us to be able to exercise during these restrictions. For this to continue it is essential that all players  follow all the health protocols, wear a mask when signing in, arrive on time for your allotted playing time and , limit the time at the court waiting and leave prompting after your game. Can I also encourage all members to contact other members to organise a hit especially during member playing times when courts are available free to all members.

Behind the scenes there has been a lot happening this year.

  • The Accessible toilet has been completed and is proving very useful during the clubhouse closure.
  • The renovation of the bar is nearly complete – it has a new floor, new refrigeration, dishwasher, and an ice machine. Just some shelving to be done.
  • The men’s toilet is in the middle of a partial makeover. A further upgrade is on the drawing boards.
  • We have received a grant for water fountains. A new fountain will be installed on court three

The Committee has decided to move our accounting system over to Xero from MYOB. We  will start using “ In tennis” as our Club management system. This will enable us to streamline our Membership base and improve connectivity to members and more importantly allow better systems that require less manual input.

It has been many years since membership fees have been increased, from September 1 when you will be invoiced there will be a slight increase in fees.

I hope everyone stays strong during these testing times.

Craig Withell
President

Lockdown Extended to Sat 28 August

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Given low vaccination rates, the current stay at home orders will remain in place for another four weeks (until Saturday, 28 August at 12.01am) across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

This extra time will allow NSW residents to significantly increase the uptake of vaccines in areas most affected by the current outbreak and across the state.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said higher vaccination rates and following the health orders are the only way to guarantee the further easing of restrictions.

“Though the Pfizer supply is insufficient there is plenty of AstraZeneca, and updated federal health advice recommends anyone aged 18 and over in Greater Sydney should access the jab,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“If you are unvaccinated, please organise a jab as soon as you possibly can, especially if you live in an LGA of concern.”

Other restriction changes are as follows:

From midnight tonight (28 July):

  • In line with exercise rules, Greater Sydney residents including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour must limit their shopping to within their Local Government Area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within 10km from home, unless the item is not available locally.
  • Given localised case numbers, the Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River LGAs will join the five existing LGAs of concern which are subject to an Authorised Workers Order. Only authorised workers in these eight LGAs may leave their LGA for work.

The five previously announced LGAs of concern are Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Cumberland.

From 12.01am, Saturday, 31 July:

  • Construction in non-occupied settings outside of the LGAs of concern (with no residents on-site) will re-open as planned, subject to a one person per 4sqm rule. These low-risk construction sites must have COVID safe plans in place, compliance will be strictly enforced. Construction cannot resume in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will construction workers be allowed to leave these areas.
  • Trades people, including cleaners who are able to work with zero contact with residents will also be allowed to resume (no more than two people inside and five outside). If contactless arrangements are not possible, work cannot go ahead. This work will not be allowed in the eight LGAs of concern, nor will workers be allowed to leave these areas.
  • A singles bubble will also be introduced, allowing people who live alone to nominate one designated family member or friend to visit for companionship. Restrictions will apply for people in the LGAs of concern.

Changes to surveillance testing (enforceable from Saturday, 31 July):

  • All authorised workers from Canterbury-Bankstown LGA must get tested once every three days in order to leave their LGA for work.
  • People who live in the Fairfield and Cumberland LGAs but work outside these areas as health or aged care workers (including support services for health or aged care, such as cleaners, cooks and security providers) must be tested once every three days in order to be allowed to go to work outside their LGA.
  • These surveillance testing requirements will be enforceable from Saturday, 31 July. However, relevant workers will have from today to get their first test.

Year 12 students are also set to return to face-to-face learning on Monday, 16 August, with the Government finalising plans for the resumption of in-class study under strict COVID protocols.

The NSW Government is also working with industry and the Department of Education to introduce Rapid Antigen Testing to mitigate against outbreaks in workplaces and schools.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said restrictions in regional NSW will remain unchanged.

“The lockdown in Greater Sydney and every measure and precaution we implement is not only for the residents of Sydney but to protect regional NSW and to prevent the virus reaching our regional communities,” Mr Barilaro said.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to provide additional support for those hardest hit during this pandemic.

“Working with our federal counterparts we are providing extra support to ensure the businesses and people who have been hit hardest by this pandemic get the financial assistance they need to get through this crisis and back on the path to recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said though the stay-at-home restrictions are difficult for the community this is a critical time if we are to suppress the outbreak.

“The vast majority of the community has been absolutely fantastic to date and have followed the public health advice. Though we are easing some restrictions today we need people to redouble their efforts as we continue to battle the Delta variant in the coming weeks,” Mr Hazzard said.

“We need people to stay at home unless absolutely necessary to leave and the best reason for most people to leave home right now is to get vaccinated. In doing so, you are taking a vital step to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community.”

For the latest information visit COVID-19.

Restrictions to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain

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Given the number of infectious cases in the community, the following changes will be made to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain.

On the basis of updated health advice, the following changes come into effect across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour until 11.59pm on Friday, 30 July:

From 11.59pm on Saturday, 17 July:

  • Retail premises will be required to close (‘click and collect’, takeaway and home delivery can still operate), except the following can remain open:
    • Supermarkets and grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers);
    • Stores that predominantly sell health, medical, maternity and infant supplies;
    • Pharmacies and chemists;
    • Petrol stations;
    • Car hire;
    • Banks and financial institutions;
    • Hardware, nurseries and building supplies;
    • Agricultural and rural supplies;
    • Pet supplies;
    • Post offices and newsagents; and
    • Office supplies.
  • In addition to the stay-at-home rules, residents of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs cannot leave their LGA for work except for emergency services and healthcare workers (including aged and disability workers). Where those workers do need to leave their LGA for work, they are required to be tested every three days, even if they do not have symptoms;
  • Anyone who leaves the home must have a mask with them at all times. They must be worn when you are working outdoors, in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in an outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food; and
  • All carpooling to be stopped unless among members of the same household.

From 12.01am on Monday, 19 July:

  • All construction to be paused; and
  • Non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repair work on residential premises to be paused.

From 12.01am on Wednesday, 21 July:

  • Employers must allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so, failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required.

All other restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place.

These decisions have not been made lightly and we understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience.

It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community.

Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged.

Read the latest COVID-19 information.

www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/restrictions-to-further-limit-spread-of-covid-19-delta-strain

Wimbledon 2021 Ladies Doubles Final Highlights

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Hsieh/Mertens vs Kudermetova/Vesnina

WIMBLEDON, England — Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan and Elise Mertens won the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon on Saturday after saving two match points against Russian duo Veronika Kudermetova and Elena Vesnina.

The third-seeded Hsieh and Mertens won 3-6, 7-5, 9-7 on Centre Court. They clinched a back-and-forth third set when Hsieh hit a backhand winner to break Vesnina’s serve.

“We were very happy we could close it because it was just going on and going on,” Mertens said.

It was the third Wimbledon doubles title for Hsieh, all with different partners. It was a first for Mertens, who has also won the Australian Open and U.S. Open doubles.

The unseeded Russian duo had two match points at 5-4 in the second set and also served for the match at 7-6 in the third.

Mertens also had a chance to serve out the match at 5-3 in the third.

“It was such a tough match,” Mertens said. “We just kept going. … We never gave up. That’s the fighting spirit we had today that maybe made with the difference.”

Vesnina was looking for a fourth Grand Slam doubles title and second at Wimbledon. Kudermetova was playing in her first Grand Slam final

Hsieh/Mertens vs Kudermetova/Vesnina | Ladies’ Doubles Final Highlights | Wimbledon 2021 – YouTube

Novak Djokovic Wins Wimbledon and 20th Career Grand Slam Title

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Novak Djokovic won the Wimbledon men’s singles championship on Sunday, defeating Matteo Berrettini of Italy.

The 6-7(4) 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory gave Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, his 20th Grand Slam singles title, tying him with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Just as important, it gave Djokovic his third Grand Slam title of the year and positioned him to become the first man in more than a half-century to win the calendar Grand Slam when he competes at the U.S. Open later this summer.

Djokovic won the Australian Open in February, the French Open last month and captured the Wimbledon title for a sixth time on Sunday, successfully defending the title he won in 2019, the last time Wimbledon was held.

Rod Laver was the last man to win the calendar year Grand Slam, in 1969. Since then, no male player has arrived at the U.S. Open holding three Grand Slam titles in the same year.

Wimbledon 2021 Ladies Final Match Highlights: Barty vs Plisoka

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Ash Barty etched her name in history and achieved a childhood dream with a thrilling three set win against Karolina Pliskova in the Wimbledon final.

Barty beat Pliskova 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in just under two hours to become the first Australian to win Wimbledon since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002.

COVID Update – Increased Restrictions During Lock Down

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The number of active cases in Sydney has risen to 376 as of today.
(Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx)

Today the NSW Government announced that restrictions will be increased during the Lockdown ending at 11:59 pm on Friday 16th July. This date is also likely to be extended again if cases continue to with the current trend.

From 5 pm today (Friday, 9 July) the following additional restrictions will be in place:

  • Outdoor public gatherings limited to two people (excluding members of the same household);
  • People must stay in their Local Government Area or within 10kms of home for exercise and outdoor recreation, with no carpooling between non-household members;
  • Browsing in shops is prohibited, plus only one person per household, per day, may leave the home for shopping; and
  • Funerals limited to ten people in total (this will take effect from Sunday, 11 July);
    The four reasons to leave your home remain in place:
  • Shopping for food or other essential goods and services (one person only);
  • Medical care or compassionate needs (only one visitor can enter another residence to fulfill carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons);
  • Exercise with no more than 2 (unless members of the same household); and
  • Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.

Given the latest restrictions:
– This means singles only. Bookings will be limited to one hour.
– Do not come to the Club if you are outside the area.
– All members must sign in using the Service NSW App.
– You are only permitted at the Club if you have made a booking. Please arrive only a couple of minutes before and leave immediately after playing.
– Keep 1.5 metres from other people.
– The Clubhouse will remain closed.

Keep safe
Virginia
Secretary MLTC

URGENT: COVID Sydney Badge

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As most of you would have heard at 11am, the NSW Government has extended the Sydney lockdown for another week. Tennis NSW in consultation with the Badge Panel has made the decision to cancel round 10 matches of the Saturday Badge competition on Saturday 10th July. The matches will be marked as a washout with both teams sharing the points.

As Thursday Ladies Badge have not missed a round yet, round 11 will be postponed until Thursday 12th August.

At this stage the Sydney Badge competition will resume play with round 11 on Saturday 17th July. Round 9 of the Saturday Badge competition will still be postponed until Saturday 14th August. Thursday Ladies Badge will resume play with round 12 on the 22nd July as per the fixtures. This is obviously subject to change pending COVID-19 restrictions.

This also means that the finals for Saturday Badge will now be played on 21st and 28th of August and Thursday Ladies Badge will now be played on the 19th and 26th August.

All of the most up to date Covid-19 information can be found at the link below.

https://nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates

Good luck to all teams and stay safe.
Kind Regards,
TNSW Competitions