Club facilities
Courts
We are unusually fortunate in having two
courts at our club; the green court and the recently restored
and re-opened blue court (which for the uninitiated is largely
red).
Club rooms
The Blue Court dedans is downstairs, to the right of the
main entrance. There is a sitting area and this heated room
offers good viewing of play on the Blue Court. The dedans
is also where the professionals have their office area and
you may book your games on the computer here. Games on the
blue court can also be watched through the new glass wall
in the first floor club room. This room has kitchen facilities
and is used for club events and meetings .
Membership types
There are four main membership types:
- Student Member
- Student members of the university get a highly subsidised rate which includes court fees
out of peak hours.
- Girrafe Member
- Alumni of the university are invited to become a giraffe
member, which holds special matches, tournaments and
events for university (and real tennis) Alumni. See the
Giraffe Club section for
more details.
- County Member
- Players who are unlikely to be able to get to the courts, such as irregular visitors
from other parts of the country, are invited to become country members. There is a limit
of around five games a year in return for a reduced membership fee.
- Senior Member
- The most common type of membership. Anyone can be a senior member
Notice boards
The boards in the hall are a constant source of information
about club events and tournaments and what ’s on in
the real tennis world. Check them regularly so you don ’t
miss out.
Telephones
Members are asked to be considerate to others and avoid the
intrusion of mobile phones, which should be switched off unless
their use is absolutely necessary.
First Aid
There is a first aid box in the gallery by the entrance to
each court and all the professionals have First Aid training.
There is ice in the fridge at the back of the blue court.
If there is an accident, please fill in a report form, and
notify one of the professionals.
No smoking anywhere in the club please
Health and Safety
Because tennis is a fast game played with a heavy ball on
a hard court, one main area of risk is injury to the eye,
usually from a ricochet. If you wear spectacles with glass
lenses, there is a risk of shattering due to impact or a fall.
If you wear glasses, you should ask advice from your optician,
and / or consider using contact lenses. Non-prescription
safety goggles can be obtained,as well as goggles or special
safety sports glasses which incorporate a prescription
lens.
Another generic risk of injury is from slipping. A good grip
is essential for all footwear,which should be clean and dry.
In certain weather conditions, courts are liable to 'sweat'.
When a professional is present, play may be suspended for
this reason, but all players need to take responsibility,
and be aware of the importance of a secure foothold. Loose
balls should always be removed from the court surface before
play, including during a knock-up.
A tennis ball can leave a racket at speeds of up to 100 m.p.h.
The netting in the dedans and the side galleries protects
spectators. Spectators, players and markers need to keep a
safe distance from the netting, to avoid contact.
There are First Aid boxes on each court, and all the professionals
have First Aid training. There is ice in the fridge at the
back of the blue court. If there is an accident, please fill
in a report form,and notify one of the professionals.
Please familiarise yourselves with the position of the fire
exit doors, which are clearly signed.
Club Child Protection Policy Statement
The Club aims to create an enjoyable environment for all
juniors who wish to play real tennis.
The club emphasises that young people have the right to
be safe, secure and free from threat, and for their concerns
to be listened to and acted upon.
The club will ensure that the Head Professional and other
coaches have signed the club self-declaration form in relation
to Child Protection. It will also ensure that any club members
or volunteers working with young people are aware of and apply
the relevant T&RA Code of Conduct, and have signed the
same form.
The club has a Child Protection Officer, who should be contacted
in any issue relating to Child Protection. Currently,this
is Peter Raby (Tel 01223-811264)
Coming and going
Hours of play
Weekdays 7.00am to 10.00pm on the Green Court, 6.30am to
10.30pm on the Blue Court.
Weekends 8.00am to 10.00pm on the Green Court, 6.30am to
10.30pm on the Blue Court.
Play outside these hours is not permitted: the noise disturbs
the residents of Tennis Court House.
Car parking
The spaces alongside the court off Grange Road are reserved
for members. You may only use the Trinity Hall car park (by
the main wall of the green court) during the evening after
6pm and at weekends; please observe this rule strictly. If
you are inadvertently locked in their car park there is a
key tied to an old racket by the main entrance of the Blue
Court dedans.
Entering the club
The main entrance door, located on the left hand side of
the building, has a combination lock. Members may
for details of the combination. The light
switch inside is fairly high up on the wall on your left.
The main lights for the Blue Court Dedans and office area
are fairly high up on the right of the door directly in front
of you as you come in. Please take your bags and coats to
the changing rooms and do not leave them in the clubroom while
you are playing.
Changing facilities
The changing rooms are down beyond the dedans of the green
court. If there are players on court, wait for a break in
play – usually when they are changing ends – before
walking through. You may leave clothes, kit and bags in the
changing room while you play, but please take your valuables
on court with you.
Peace and quiet
Please respect the rights of the professionals to privacy
outside their working hours. Please also avoid noise that
can cause disturbance; loud voices in the showers can be heard
clearly in Tennis Court House, and its living room is the
other side of the Green Court main wall, so you are
asked not to practice by hitting balls against this wall.
Lights for the courts
The light switches for the Blue Court are opposite the notice
boards next to the connecting door that leads to the Green
Court. The light switch for the Green Court is located just
to the right of the connecting door.
Please switch off the Blue Court lights after your game.
Please leave the Green Court lights on after your game unless
no one is due on court for two hours or more.This is because
it uses a significant amount of energy to turn on the lights
in the Green Court.
Leaving the club
Always leave the outer door securely closed. If you are
the last to leave in the evening, please switch off all lights
and heaters, and draw the clubroom curtains. Please check
that the fire exits by the courts have also been closed.
Equipment
Balls
Balls (made by hand by the professionals) are provided for
members’ use. There is a basket for each court. The
hand stitched felt covers are renewed at regular intervals.
At the end of your game, please return all balls to the basket,
including those in the galleries. If you are last on the Green
Court in the evening, please leave the basket on the raised
table, behind the glass in the dedans (the life of the balls
is prolonged if they are kept at room temperature. If the
balls are kept in the inner-dedans, it makes no difference
and they may as well be kept on court).
Rackets
After your first few games, you are expected to buy your
own racket. Rackets are sold by the professionals, who can
advise you on your requirements. Do not forget to write your
name on the butt!
You can hire a racket from the pros. Racket hire is paid
for in advance for 4 games at a time. Prices are at the end
of the pricelist. Some older
rackets, kept in the blue court dedans, may be used if you
break a string during a game or are
awaiting repairs to your racket. Any contributions to this
stock are greatly appreciated.
Rackets for repair should be left in the repair rack in
the clubroom, with a note indicating your requirements. Repairs
should normally be carried out within four week days. Your
racket can be collected from the same rack, and the repair
fee paid to Peter Paterson.
Net height
You can check the height of the net using the marked stick
hanging by the entrance to each court. It should be three
foot high in the middle.
Dress and footwear
Sports clothing should be worn at all times when on court.
For representative matches, whites are preferred. Only non-marking
soles may be worn on court.
Arranging games
Bookings
The Booknowplus System
allows members to book the court and view the status of their
bill from a computer that has access to the world-wide-web.
A computer is available at the Club for this purpose and the
professionals will be only too happy to help with any queries.
Alternatively,bookings can be made by telephoning the professionals
at the Club (01223 357106).
Club Night
Peter Singleton organises a “social” club night
with food and drink as well as tennis on a Thursday at the
end or the beginning of the month: which typically involves
short doubles games, although singles matches may also be
played if numbers are appropriate. This is an excellent opportunity
to meet other members.The Blue court is reserved for the whole
evening for this purpose,starting from 17:30 and a small flat
fee made for the whole evening ’s play (see the price
list). All members are welcome:search the booking program
to find the date and notify Peter by email
if you would like to be provided with some light refreshments.
Ladies' morning
Every Friday morning, from 10 until 12, the Green Court
is reserved for Ladies’ Morning. This is an informal
fun session, open to all lady members, and is a particularly
good way for newer players to learn more about the game.
Depending on numbers, we usually play doubles, with players
swapping in and out every few games. The charge for the court
is normally £3.50 each. Every few weeks we try to arrange
a drill with Scott, for which
there is an extra charge of about £5.
If you want to know more about Ladies’ Morning please
contact
for more information, ring the
club or just come along.
Lessons
If you want to book a lesson with one of the professionals
please contact the Club by telephone or
. Lesson sessions last an hour with the first half an hour
being coaching and the second half clear to practice the new
skills you will have learnt. Lessons are charged at the rate
on the Price List page.
Cancellations
If you discover you are unable to use a court you have booked,
please inform the professionals as soon as possible (or leave
a phone message). If you notify us of your cancellation by
10am at least one weekday before the day of your booking (e.g.
by Tuesday 10am for a Wednesday booking, by Friday 10am for
a weekend or Monday booking) you will not be charged for the
court.
Otherwise you will be liable for your court fee and your
opponent’s court fee,charged at your rate (e.g. a senior
member cancelling pays 2x senior court fees, a junior member
cancelling pays 2x student court fees). As off-peak season
ticket holders have pre-paid their own off-peak court fees,they
will only be liable for their opponent ’s court fee
in the event of a late cancellation during off-peak times.
Playing the game
You can access the rules and an explanation of the scoring
system and how handicaps work on this website (www.curtc.net).
If you do not normally have access to the internet, then please
ask the pros for assistance when you come to the club.
Revised handicap listings are posted on the notice board
every Monday and are available online at www.realtennisonline.com
(registration
is free). Please record all your results on the paper sheet
provided by the entrance to each court.
Finishing on time
It is important for players to finish by their allotted
time. The next players due on court are entitled to their
full hour! Players whose hour is ending should make sure they
finish in time to gather up the balls so that the incoming
players can start promptly. Even if nobody is apparently waiting
to come on court, you should check and enquire before running
over time.
If a tournament game is over running, permission must be
obtained from the players who are waiting, to continue. Members
are expected to respect the feelings and wishes of other members.
Court etiquette
Real tennis has its courtesies and accepted practices. New
members should take note of the following points:
If you arrive while a game is in progress on the green court,
you should wait for a gap in play before walking through the
gallery passage. Usually this means waiting for the players
to change ends.
You should agree before starting your match what handicap
difference (if any) you are applying. Players of unequal handicaps
may nevertheless choose to play level, i.e. start each game
at love all (if you do this, the computer will make an allowance
for the ‘correct ’ handicap difference in determining
the effect of the result on your subsequent handicap, but
it will record a null result if the difference was more than
six).
It is usual to spin a racket to determine who will start
out as the server. Before the game commences, it is common
practice for the receiver to take the basket of balls from
underneath the net, put the balls in the dedans for their
opponent and replace the basket, before taking their position
at the hazard end. This is not something that you should assume
your opponent will do, but it is a courtesy to be encouraged.
When changing ends, if you are about to leave the service
end, you should wait for the other player(s) to cross the
net first. It is also usual to place a couple of balls on
your opponent’s racket, before moving to the hazard
end.
When you finish your match, please gather any loose balls
(including those in the galleries) into the basket.
Administration
Current Price List
Price List
The price list page on this
site details charges for membership, annual subscriptions,
court fees, rackets and grips, racket hire, repairs, lessons,
clothing and books on the game. Prices may be revised without
notice.
Accounts
Your Annual Subscription is due on 1st October, the start
of the tennis season. We encourage members to pay for their
court fees in advance and to stay in credit. Please do not
allow your account to fall into arrears as this causes both
embarrassment and inconvenience. Those who play more than
5 times per month,on average, should consider purchasing an
Off Peak Annual Season Ticket (see the price
list).
The new on line booking system allows members to keep up
to date with their bill. Members should note that the system
will not allow them to book courts once their account reaches
£100 debt. If you ever find your circumstances change
and you are experiencing difficulty meeting your bill, please
speak to the administrator as soon as possible and we shall
endeavour to find a solution to resolve the issue.
For lessons, equipment and repairs please pay the professionals
on receipt.
Change of address
Please inform the Administrator of any changes to your address,
email or telephone numbers.
Club tournaments
Cambridge University students compete for the Bostock Cup
(men) and the Lawrence Cup (ladies), and a Freshers’
tournament is also held each year.
The Graduate Cup is the premier annual club handicap tournament,
open to all Senior members (it is not restricted to members
of the University).
The Club Championship, Ladies Club Championship, Category
tournaments and junior tournaments are other notable features
of the club calendar.
Real Tennis beyond Cambridge
Matches and tournaments
The club has a programme of friendly matches with other
clubs (see fixture list
and the noticeboard), and enters teams in a number of competitions
and tournaments, including:
The Varsity Match, and Belles and University 2nds Varsity
Matches.
The National League: For the 2005/06 season, we are fielding
two Premier Division teams. The World Champion, Rob Fahey,
will be joined by ex University team captain, Neil
Roxburgh. A further student, David
Woodman, will lead the second team. Rod
McNaughtan, head professional at the Burroughs Club, will
be playing with David.
Cambridge is fielding 5 further National League teams in
various divisions.
The Field Trophy and Brodie Cup – national inter-club
tournaments
Tennis & Rackets Association (T&RA)
Many of the national tournaments (and also the Field Trophy
/ Brodie Cup team tournament) are organised by the T&RA,
which you may wish to consider joining. A membership form
and details can be found in the blue court dedans. The Association
also trains professionals in conjunction with the International
Real Tennis Professionals’ Association, and assists
with the funding, planning and maintenance of courts, safeguards
the supply of rackets and oversees the quality of the balls.
Members receive a full rule-book for both games, regular newsletters,and
have the right to play at other Clubs than their home club,
and to wear the Association’s ties and sweaters.
Ladies’ Real Tennis Association (LRTA)
The LRTA exists to
promote the game of Real Tennis and to organise and manage
ladies’ tournaments and to assist in those events that
lady members participate.
is the LRTA contact at CURTC.
Clubs elsewhere
There are 26 real tennis courts in use in the UK, including
our two. A full list can be found at the International
Real Tennis Professionals Association website - www.irtpa.com
There are also
• three clubs in France (where the game is le
jeu de paume);
• nine clubs in the USA (where they call it Court
Tennis);
• five clubs in Australia (where they call it Real
or Royal Tennis).
Check out our interactive world
court directory map.
