TENNIS players were getting back into the swing of the game yesterday as clubs re-opened as part of the post-lockdown easing of restrictions.
At Cavehill Tennis Club in north Belfast, a steady stream of members were back on the courts keen to resume their sport after a two-month hiatus.
It comes after Executive ministers agreed to ease more lockdown restrictions as part of the first step of their recovery plan, so long as social distancing is followed.
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Garden centres and recycling centres have reopened, while churches and places of worship can open for private prayer. Ministers also confirmed tennis and golf were among sports allowed to resume, but under strict conditions.
Sporting life has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with many clubs and courses closed as a result.
But Maurice Roberts, chairman of Cavehill Tennis Club, said it was "game set and match for members who were have been chomping at the bit to get back playing the game they love".
"We are delighted to see the club reopen and it is great to see members get the chance to play and feel connected with others, albeit at a distance and with restrictions on numbers," he said.
"This club in north Belfast has a proud history.
"We play tennis under the backdrop of Cave Hill and the majestic skyline of Napoleon’s Nose. It is a great social activity and we are delighted to be back up and running again."
Under guidelines issued by governing body, Tennis Ireland, clubs have to play on a restricted basis, with only singles matches allowed, unless doubles partners are from the same household.
Players have to use their own equipment and social distancing has to be adhered to.
Cavehill Tennis Club has for the first time implemented a booking system as recommended in the guidelines.
"We are a club of approximately 200 members, catering on our nine courts for all levels of ability, from those who have never held a racquet to those who play to a high standard," said Mr Roberts.
"We welcome members young and old to an affordable sport which is truly for life.
"We are hopeful that, with many other sports not being feasible at present, we may attract a lot of interest from people looking for a sport that offers a degree of natural social distancing."
Yesterday also saw golfers begin to return to the fairways following a frantic few days of preparations after Stormont ministers announced the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Taken by surprise by the announcement, clubs began returning staff from furlough and preparing courses for play.
The Golfing Union of Ireland, the ruling body, said play could begin from yesterday, but some courses will not be ready for reopening until the weekend.
Among those to reopen was Dunmurry Golf Club, which has seen an increase in membership applications recently as people awaited the return of the sport.
Colin Adair, general manager of the club, said they "absolutely delighted" to be back.
"The car park is full this morning and there are lots of happy faces about the place," he told the Press Association.
"Whenever we heard the first and deputy first ministers' (Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill) announcement on Monday evening that clubs could reopen, we were nearly ready.
"We have been running around, our benches were out of use, the bins were not in use, all the on-course stuff had to be done."
