Metro Tennis Tournament Sunday 9th Feb 2020 is cancelled due Storm Ciara!
“We are so sorry that the tournament has to be cancelled and we will look to re-arrange for later in the year. Thank you to all the players and volunteers for their support”
Martin Symcox
Heavy rain and widespread gales will bring disruption to the UK this weekend.
The Met Office has issued several National Severe Weather Warnings for strong winds and heavy rain brought by Storm Ciara throughout the weekend, including an Amber warning for much of England and Wales on Sunday. Yellow wind and rain warnings have been issued for north-western parts of the UK on Saturday, followed by a yellow wind warning covering the whole UK for the entirety Sunday. Named by the Met Office on Wednesday, Storm Ciara is currently tracking eastwards towards the UK and Ireland.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said: “Storm Ciara will bring damaging winds and heavy rain across the UK this weekend and we have issued a range of severe weather warnings giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.
“Winds will increase through Saturday across Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England and Wales, before turning very windy across the rest of UK through the early hours of Sunday morning. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected quite widely across inland areas, with even stronger gusts of 80mph or higher along coastal areas.”
Storm Ciara is expected to bring a range of impacts including delays and cancellations to air, ferry and train services; damage to buildings such as tiles blown from roofs and there is a good chance power cuts may occur. Furthermore there is a risk of large coastal waves and difficult driving conditions in heavy rain.
Guy Addington, Regional Water Safety Lead at the RNLI said: “This rough weather could making visiting our coasts around the UK and Ireland treacherous and bring very dangerous sea conditions. Sadly, around 150 people accidentally lose their lives around UK and Irish waters each year and over half of these people didn’t plan on ever entering the water. Slips, trips and falls can be a major factor in these kinds of incidents.
“If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – too many people drown trying to save others.”
Looking further ahead, Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “In the wake of Storm Ciara, it’ll remain unsettled and very windy across the UK and it’ll turn colder with wintry showers and ice an additional hazard, as we head into the new week. A wind and snow warning is in force for parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland on Monday as well as a further yellow wind warning in the south west of England.”
You can keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings from the Met Office using our forecast pages and by following us on Twitter and Facebook, as well as using our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
METRO TENNIS TOURNAMENT 2020
Date: Sunday 9 February 2020 Time: 11 am – 6 pm
Venue: Islington Tennis Centre Market Road, London N7 9PL
This event is open to current Metro members only aged 16+.
By popular demand, the day will consist of a B1 singles competition and a B2-B5 mixed doubles competition. Doubles partners will be drawn out of a hat.
Closing Date for receipt of entries: Saturday 25 January 2020
Registration: 10:45 am to 11:15 am in the upstairs Gallery. Play will start promptly at 11:30 am and finish by 5 pm. We have three courts booked; two will be set up for B2-B5 doubles, and one for B1 singles. Meet and greet from Caledonian Road at 10.30 am. Please inform lucy.simper@metroblindsport.org if this is required.
Trophies: Trophies will be presented in the upstairs Gallery at 5 pm.
Cost: £5 per player payable on the day.
Entry Form link: https://blindsport.uk/TennisForm2020
Please return this form to steven.pilcher1@btinternet.com no later than Saturday 25 January 2020
Tournament rules:
B1 players must wear eyeshades. These will be inspected by the umpires before play starts.
B1 players will be allowed up to 3 bounces, B2 up to 3 bounces, B3 up to 2 bounces and B4/B5 one bounce.
Dress code: White tops must be worn by all players.
Catering: Please bring your own water bottle. A packed lunch will be provided for players, umpires and volunteers.
Volunteers: Please let us know of any volunteers/umpires who are free to help on the day. Please ask family, friends and colleagues. Without their support, this day will not run smoothly.
Competition format: We are hoping to play a round-robin format for B1 and B2-B5’s events. This will be determined by the number of entries and will be confirmed nearer the time. We aim to have a schedule of play available one week prior to the tournament. We expect this event to be popular. In the event of having to restrict numbers, preference will be given in order of receipt of entries.
Please return this form to steven.pilcher1@btinternet.com no later than Saturday 25 January 2020
If you would like to be met at Caledonian Road tube station on the day, know of volunteers willing to help, or for all general enquiries, please email Charlie Raven, lucy.simper@metroblindsport.org
Tennis Volunteers needed for the Metro Tennis Tournament – 9th Feb!
Linda Almond our amazing award-winning volunteering co-ordinator needs even more volunteers to help at the Metro Tennis Tournament on the 9th Feb 2020, and here is your chance to join Linda’s great team of volunteers!
So if you’re interested in trying out volunteering and helping with Blind and VI tennis in the Islington area, this is a great way to start.
Contact: Email: laalmond2018@gmail.com or Call +44 7775 894136
