These “drop-in” sessions are a great opportunity to meet other members and enjoy some doubles play without having arranged play in advance. There follow the usual session times: if in any doubt, double-check the session is on before you attend, by looking at the eBooking app – see “Guidance…” below. You can also ask to be added to the Social Whatsapp Group – again, see “Guidance..” – which is handy for asking: “Is anyone going today…?”, etc. “Drop- in” to as many of these sessions as you want to – any or all!
Tuesday, 10 am – 1 pm, Courts 2 & 3
Thursday, 10 am – 1 pm, Courts 2, 3 & 4
Friday, 6.30 – 8.30 pm, Courts 2 & 3
Saturday, 1.30 – 4 pm, Courts 2, 3, 4 & 5
Sunday Courts, 10 am – 12.30pm Courts 2, 3 & 4
When membership is open (see this page), the following applies to potential new members:
- They can attend one Social Tennis session, as a free trial.
- If a person has not played before or considers themselves a complete beginner, we can recommend a coach, or group squad session to engage with, before attending Social Tennis. (In which case, if membership is open, please contact admin@pavavetennishove.com.)
Guidance for members
The club has a WhatsApp group for Social tennis, open to all members to join. For example, you can check on there if anyone is going, should it be damp or chilly. Message Malcolm Simmonds – Malcolm (at) malcolmsimmonds.com or 07899 907045 giving him your name and mobile phone number and he’ll be pleased to add you.
Please take your turn to bring balls to social – they are not provided by the club. Balls are available to purchase from the bar – both new, and cut-price, good quality “slightly used”.
Social tennis is usually played as doubles. The first four to arrive start the first game, the next four the second game and so on. After playing a set (a short set if someone has been waiting a long time) waiting players “mix-in”. A member who has not played in the session has priority to play next. On the rare occasions that a person is waiting too long, a “short set” can be played by playing “sudden death”’ deuce, instead of normal deuce; or playing a short set of, perhaps, 4 games, instead of 6.
The exact courts used in a social session can sometimes vary over the year. The best way to check which courts have been reserved for social on a particular day is to log in to our EbookingOnline.net booking website and you will see the social courts blocked out in bright green. (To download the Ebookings app and instructions on how to use it see this page.)
Safety and courtesy on court
Safety is of high importance and players should not deliberately aim the ball at others, retrieve a ball or walk onto another court during play. This could result in injury from a ball or player. Please wait until the point is over to ask the players on the adjacent court to return the ball.
Do not retrieve your stray ball from the back of a neighbouring court while that court is in play, or a player is about to serve: this is off-putting and considered discourteous. Wait until a break in play, or ask a neighbouring player to please retrieve your ball for you, when convenient.
Players should be respectful to one another at all times. This means being courteous, patient and offering encouragement, especially to players who may be new to the session or who are not as skilled at the game.
Only call the lines on your side of the net and let your opponent hear the decision. Call clearly and firmly and respect the line calls of your opponent. If in doubt you can agree to play the point again.