1. NAME AND REPRESENTATION
1.1 The competition shall be called ‘The Staffordshire Inter-Club Tennis League'.
1.2
- (a) The competition shall be open to clubs affiliated to Staffordshire Tennis LTA.
- (b) The League shall be affiliated to Staffordshire Tennis LTA and shall also be governed by the LTA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Code.
1.3 The Constitution and Rules of the competition shall be subject to agreement at the Annual General Meeting of the representatives of competing clubs which shall be held in the last quarter of each year.
1.4 All competing clubs shall be entitled to send one representative per club to the Annual General Meeting. Each representative shall be entitled to one vote in respect of all elections and notices of motion.
1.5 The competition shall be administered by a League Committee made up of General Secretary, Treasurer and three other members.
1.6 The League Committee shall have the power to co-opt other members if considered necessary.
1.7 In Committee meetings, each member of the Committee shall have one vote. In the event of a tied vote, the General Secretary would have the casting vote. Co-opted members shall not have a vote.
1.8 The League Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall have responsibility for all aspects of the competition, including the grouping of competing clubs, monitoring and enforcement of all rules relating to the competition, all financial aspects and the preparation of a set of financial accounts annually for the AGM.
1.9 Nominations of persons to act for the ensuing year as members of the Committee may be made by any competing club, who may nominate one person only for each position on the Committee.
1.10 Every such nomination shall be in writing from the Secretary of the competing club and shall be sent so as to be received by the League General Secretary at least twenty-four hours before the Annual General Meeting at which the elections are to take place.
1.11 All clubs must ensure that key contact details are up-to date and maintained on Online League Planner to enable efficient communication between the League Committee and clubs/teams.
2. FINANCES
2.1 All competing clubs shall pay a League Fee for each team entered and accepted into the competition. The amount of the Fee shall be determined by the League Committee and shall be paid by bank transfer before the start of the season.
2.2 All competing clubs must be a paid up Registered Venue of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Venue registration fees must have been paid to the LTA via their Venue Registration Portal at the time of their venue renewal. Failure to do so will mean that the club concerned will not be eligible to compete in the League for the coming season.
3. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
3.1 Each competing club shall be a separate organisation under paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 37 of the Rules of the LTA and a player shall be entitled to represent a club if they are a fully paid-up member of that club.
3.2 No player shall be entitled to play for more than one club that has teams in the League at the same time during the season.
3.3 All players must be a member of LTA Advantage and therefore have an LTA Advantage number and be affiliated to their Club.
4. APPLICATIONS AND RESIGNATIONS
4. APPLICATIONS AND RESIGNATIONS
4.1 A club desirous of competing in the League or resigning from it shall give notice, in writing (email accepted), to the League General Secretary by a date in mid-January to be advised at the AGM and posted on the League website following the AGM.
5. ARRANGEMENT OF MATCHES
5.1 The competition shall be played during the months of April, May, June, July, August and September.
5.2 It will be the responsibility of the club to agree fixture dates with their opponents within the window given by Online League Planner. It will be the responsibility of the Home team to enter their home fixtures. Both teams should check that fixtures have been recorded correctly as per their agreement. Any team not entering its fixtures onto Online League Planner by 31st March will be removed from the League.
5.3 There can be no changes to fixture dates after 31st March in any season, unless Rule 5.4 applies. If a fixture is rearranged before 31st March, Online League Planner must be updated by 31st March.
5.4 The dates entered onto Online League Planner by 31st March shall be strictly adhered to and no match shall be postponed for any reason except (i) there is bad weather, (ii) there is an amber or red heat alert issued by the government covering the period when a fixture is scheduled and both team captains agree to a rearrangement or (iii) the unfit condition of the courts. If both team captains do not agree to a rearrangement, a team captain may concede the match without incurring a walkover. The match would be awarded to the opposition by a 4-0 rubbers score with all sets conceded at 6-0
5.5 All League matches shall be scheduled to be played by 16 September and must be completed by 30 September.
6. ARRANGEMENTS FOR MATCHES
6.1 Evening matches shall be scheduled to commence not later than 6.30pm.
6.2 Unless both captains agreed at the scheduled match time, any player not on the ground within FIFTEEN minutes of the arranged time of commencing any match shall lose the first rubber 6-0, 6-0 and any Club not represented by a full team within THIRTY minutes of the arranged time shall forfeit the match to the opposing side with a maximum score.
6.3 For the purposes of these Regulations, a rubber will be decided on the best of three sets. A tie breaker shall come into effect at six games all in the first two sets and shall be won by the first pair to score seven points with a two point advantage i.e 7-5, 8-6 etc. The deciding third set shall comprise a match tie break which shall be won by the first pair to score TEN points with a two point advantage i.e 10-8, 11-9 etc. The deciding match tie break shall be treated for all purposes (including the order of serving and receiving within the pair) as a set won or lost by one game to nil.
6.4 Points for each completed match shall be awarded on the basis of one point for every rubber won. Therefore the total number of points available per match will be four and all rubbers must be completed. Failure to complete all four rubbers by 30 September will automatically mean that the match will be regarded as uncompleted. Scores already recorded for that match will stand.
6.5 Each club shall play two matches, one home and one away, against each other in the same Division. The home club shall have the right to decide the type of surface to be used and both captains must agree any change of surface during the course of a match.
6.6 All competing clubs shall meet minimum standards with regard to the following:-
- (i) Courts of acceptable standard marked out for tennis only except that a club may use courts with multiple sport markings (for example netball markings) if approved by the League Committee.
- (ii) The provision of drinks between rubbers.
- (iii) The provision of food after matches unless mutually agreed between the team captains beforehand not to do so.
6.7 A Club conceding a walkover loses the match 0-4 and receives a further four point deduction. In the event of a second walkover, the offending team will automatically be withdrawn from the League and the results of any matches ignored.
6.8 The home club shall provide for each match at least EIGHT new LTA official balls.
6.9 All clubs shall be represented in all Divisions by teams of four players. Teams shall be arranged in pairs and each pair shall play each opposing pair one rubber. The first round shall be 1 vs. 2, and 2 vs. 1.
7. ABANDONED OR POSTPONED MATCHES
7. ABANDONED OR POSTPONED MATCHES
7.1 If one or more rubbers have been completed the match must be continued exactly from the position in which it was left unfinished and the composition of the competing teams cannot be changed.
7.2 In the event of a match having to be abandoned, postponed, or being otherwise unfinished, the responsible official of the Home Team shall upload the match scores as played within 10 days of the fixture date to Online League Planner. Failure to do so will incur a penalty of one point on the Home Team.
7.3 In the event of a match having to be abandoned or postponed: (a) The Home team must offer THREE alternative dates when the rearranged match might be played. Failure on the part of the Home team to give THREE alternative dates or failure on the part of the Away team to accept at least ONE of them will automatically mean that all rubbers will be forfeited by the offending team. (b) It is the responsibility of the Home team to notify the Divisional Secretary after TEN days but within FOURTEEN days of the original fixture date if the Away team has not accepted one of the three dates offered. (c) It is the responsibility of the Away team to notify the Divisional Secretary after TEN days but within FOURTEEN days after the original fixture if the Home team has not offered THREE dates for the rearranged match.
8. MATCH CARDS AND LEAGUE TABLES
8. MATCH CARDS AND LEAGUE TABLES
8.1 Match scores shall be submitted onto Online League Planner by the Home Captain within 10 days, irrespective of the match being completed or partially completed.
8.2 A match will automatically be regarded as unplayed and penalties imposed accordingly if a score card is not submitted to Online League Planner within 10 days of the 10th October.
8.3 The team scoring the highest number of points in Premier Division One shall be the Champion Team of the year.
8.4 In normal circumstances, the bottom two teams in each Division shall be relegated and the top two teams shall be promoted [except Division ONE (North) and Division ONE (South) where only the team finishing top shall be promoted].
8.5 If two or more teams in any one Division shall score an equal number of points the order of precedence in the Division shall be decided on the basis of the following sequence - number of matches won, number of matches drawn, set difference total, then game difference total. If the teams are still level after considering this sequence then the results of the matches played by the teams against each other will be used to decide final placings.
8.6 The League Committee may rearrange each year the number of clubs in all Divisions in such manner as they deem necessary and, for the purpose of such rearrangement, may promote to a higher Division or relegate to a lower Division more than two clubs, or may not promote or relegate any club, provided that, in such rearrangement, the order of precedence established by the previous competition is strictly maintained.
8.7 Final tables will be approved by the League Committee, circulated to clubs and confirmed at the Annual General Meeting.
9. DISPUTES
9.1 All matches shall be played according to ITF (International Tennis Federation) rules. Any questions of eligibility, qualifications or competitors' interpretation of the Regulations shall be referred, through the League General Secretary, to the League Committee, whose decision shall be final.
9.2 Any dispute arising between clubs in the competition shall be referred to the sole arbitration of the League Committee, whose decision shall be final and binding upon all clubs. Should any club in connection with any dispute or protest have a member or members on the League Committee, the said member or members shall not be eligible to sit on the League Committee while such dispute or protest is being considered.
9.3 Any penalty imposed on a club, team or player by the League Committee, following infringement of the Regulations shall take into consideration the Code of Conduct as approved by the Annual General Meeting. A copy of the Code of Conduct is appended to these Rules as Appendix A.
10. MULTIPLE TEAMS
10.1 Where a club has more than one team, the highest team in the League will always be referred to as Team 1 and the other teams in descending order thereafter (Team 2 etc).
10.2 Where a club has two or more teams in the same Division, these teams must play each other twice before any other fixtures are undertaken.
11. NOMINATED PLAYERS AND APPEARANCES
11. NOMINATED PLAYERS AND APPEARANCES
11.1 Each Club must submit a list of players from which teams will be selected prior to the commencement of the season. Any additions or deletions of players included on the list must be submitted to and approved by the Divisional Secretary before the player concerned can play for any of the Club’s teams.
11.2 Where a club has more than one team, then each team, other than the lowest, shall nominate three players and shall submit these names to the appropriate Divisional Secretary prior to the commencement of the season.
11.3 Nominated players shall, under no circumstances, play for a lower team.
11.4 A nominated player may not be denominated after playing for that team.
11.5 Nominated players must play in one of the first three matches of the season.
11.6 If a nominated player is not selected or eligible to play in any one of the first THREE matches then that player must be replaced by another nominated player and the Divisional Secretary notified before the third match is played.
11.7 No changes to nominated players will be permitted after a team has played its third match.
11.8 A player in a lower team of a Club may only play twice for any higher team. On the third appearance, the player will automatically become a member of the next highest team for which the player has played and must not make further appearances in any lower team. This rule also applies where a Club has two or more teams in the same division.
11.9 If an individual player withdraws from a match at any stage after the match has started, then the rubber or rubbers not completed by that player and his/her partner will be awarded to the opposing side.
11.10 After a match has started no substitute player can be played.
12. GENERAL MEETINGS
12.1 An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by the League General Secretary:-
- (a) By direction of the League Committee whenever it shall think fit.
- (b) Upon receipt by the General Secretary of a request for such a meeting, made in writing, supported by not less than TEN teams from a minimum of FIVE clubs.
12.2 Notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be sent to all Club Secretaries (with a copy to team representatives) within FOURTEEN days of receipt of the request for a meeting.
12.3 The League General Secretary will give clubs THIRTY-FIVE clear days notice of an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.
12.4 These Rules and Regulations shall only be altered, rescinded or added to at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting of the League.
12.5 Notice in writing of any proposed alteration or addition to these Regulations, or any other Notice of Motion, must be received by the League General Secretary TWENTY-ONE days before the date of the Annual General Meeting or TWENTY-EIGHT days before the date of an Extraordinary General Meeting.
12.6 The full Agenda and details of Notices of Motion received must be circulated to clubs at least FOURTEEN days before the date of any General Meeting.
APPENDIX A - DISCIPLINE : CODE OF CONDUCT
APPENDIX A - DISCIPLINE : CODE OF CONDUCT
1. All allegations of any breach of the League Rules will be dealt with solely by the League Committee, who will consider all the circumstances surrounding the case and impose an appropriate penalty. Any club, team or player who is alleged to be in breach of the Rules is entitled to a personal hearing with the League Committee before they reach a decision. The decision of the League Committee in matters of discipline is final.
2. The League Committee will have available to them any of the following penalties, or combination of penalties, to impose against any club, team or player who contravenes any League Rule:
- (a) A written caution
- (b) A fine
- (c) Deduction of points
- (d) Relegation to a lower Division
- (e) Suspension from the League
- (f) Expulsion from the League
3. The League Committee will use its discretion and impose a penalty appropriate to the offence and, in doing so, must take into consideration the previous conduct of the club, team or player and the effect the offence has had on other clubs, teams or players.
4. As far as 2(c) above is concerned, the deduction of points may result in a team being relegated or not being promoted.
5. In order to facilitate the work of the League Committee in dealing with breaches of the League Rules, one responsible person shall be nominated for each League Club to act as liaison officer with the Committee.
6. Any club, team or player who wishes to complain about any breach of the League Rules must do so in writing to the General Secretary of the League as soon as possible after the event. In urgent cases, the alleged offence may be reported verbally to any Committee member, but this must be followed by a written statement to the General Secretary as soon as possible afterwards.
7. The League Committee shall keep a record of all disciplinary matters and present a report to the Annual General Meeting.
SUMMARY OF PENALTIES
Walkovers
Penalties for the FIRST walkover:
Penalty for the SECOND walkover:
- The offending team will automatically be withdrawn from the league and the results of any matches ignored.
Play Ineligible Player
The two rubbers that the offending player took part in are to be awarded to the opposing team with a score of 6-0, 6-0. In addition, 1 penalty point is deducted from the team responsible for playing the ineligible player. The penalties are to be deducted on each occasion that the offence takes place.
Non-appearance of Nominated Player
The Team for whom the player was nominated will lose 4 points.
Unfinished Matches
Record match result as it stood when match abandoned.
Unplayed Matches & Illegally Re-Arranged Matches
In the event of illegally rearranged matches any points won will be deducted from both teams.
Late Submission of Match Cards
Each match result which is submitted after 10 days following the stipulated fixture date will incur a one point penalty on the Team responsible for submitting the result. A further one point penalty will be incurred for a result submitted a further 20 days late.
Appearance of Non-Registered Players
The two rubbers that the offending player took part in are to be awarded to the opposing team with a score of 6-0, 6-0. In addition, 1 penalty point is deducted from the team responsible for playing the non-registered player. The penalties are to be deducted on each occasion that the offence takes place.
Contravention of Rule 7.4
Deduct 1 Point from the Home Team.
Contravention of Rule 7.5
Deduct 1 Point from the Home Team.