Ball machine:

Disclaimer:   The ball machine has the potential to cause injury so be very careful not to stand in front of the ball outlet and keep hands clear of the ball inlet. The club will take no responsibility for accident or injury while members are moving or using the ball machine. By booking the machine you accept that the club has no liability for injury caused by its use.

Members can book the ball machine for a 1 hour slot on the court booking system. It is the last column: ‘Ball Machine’ You must also book a court (strictly Court 5 or 6 to avoid disturbing other players).

You must be over 18 (or be accompanied by an adult member).

Children must not operate the ball machine even when accompanied by an adult.

Machine rental costs €2. You must pay this by scanning the QR code on the machine.

The machine, and depressurised balls, are kept in the main room in the clubhouse behind the counter. You must use these depressurised balls and MUST NOT put your own standard tennis balls into the machine.

You can bring the machine onto your court but please note that the machine is quite heavy and some may need to get help to bring it up and down the clubhouse steps. An instruction manual is also kept with the machine, which you should consult before use. If you would like instruction on its use please email the club and a group instruction session will be organised.

Brief instructions:

The ball holder attached to the machine is prized off and then attached to the ball inlet. There is a control panel at the back of the machine to turn it on and vary the settings including the speed and height of the balls. Make sure to return the machine and all the balls to the clubhouse. Never put your hand into the ball machine, if the machine is not working contact the club.

• Please do not use the ball machine when it is raining or the courts are wet as the heavier balls will damage the machine. If the balls do get damp please don’t put them back in the bucket but lay them out to dry on the floor behind the counter where the machine is kept.

• You must only use only depressurised balls in the machine as the standard balls will damage the machine. The club provides balls but you are welcome to use your own depressurised balls.

• You must not book the machine for non-members or those under 18.

Videos on the use of the ball machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojkzKx7AWKU https://youtu.be/P8NdOzA-3as https://www.racquetsportsgroup.com/images/data/SpinfirePro2_Drill_page.pdf

The are first aid kits and a defibrillator in the club foyer.

Club Rules:

• Always be courteous to your opponent and partner
• Proper footwear is obligatory when playing on the courts.
• Chewing gum is not allowed on or near the courts.
• No food or drink should be taken on to the courts, except water. 
• Players should refrain from ball/racquet abuse and never demonstrate threatening or abusive behaviour or language.
•  Players should respect the officials and coaches and their authority during sessions and events.
•  Climbing on fencing or gates is not allowed.
• Mobile phones should be turned off while on court and noise should be kept to a minimum when standing close to matches that are in progress.
• Juniors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult after 7pm.
• Courts must be booked in advance and cancelled if players are unable to play.
• Members should only book 1 hour during busy times to allow other members to play.
• Club property may not be taken from the premises without the  permission of the committee.
• Members should ensure the entrance gate and clubhouse door is closed and locked behind them when they leave at all times.
• Playing visitors to the club should book courts in advance giving their name and contact details, and make the appropriate payment. 
• The club does not accept responsibility for independent recreational play e.g. two juniors arriving at the club on their own to play a game or children being left unsupervised while their parents/guardians are playing tennis. 
• Players must not walk or run across or behind courts on which play is in progress, please wait for the players to finish the point. If your ball crosses onto a court on which play is in progress you should wait for the rally to end before retrieving your ball. If your ball has gone on court and may present a danger to players on that court, you should call the players attention to the ball. If a ball crosses onto your court, from an adjacent court, do not return it to that court while a point is in progress. Wait until a break in play arises. Out of courtesy  Players then retake the point or apply a first serve.
• Players should make all line calls clearly so that the opponent can hear them. If you are not sure whether a ball is in IN or OUT then it is IN. Dispute over a call may be resolved by repeating the point (ie playing a ‘let’). A ball that touches any part of the line is ‘in’. 
• It is also courtesy to ‘play a let’ if a ball or person crosses onto the court during a point, or if  players are distracted by something on or close to their court.

Club security: If you are leaving the club unattended, please ensure that the club door is pulled closed and the outside gate is closed.