BANBURY & DISTRICT TENNIS – WINTER LEAGUE RULES
Amended: February 2010
1. An Annual Subscription of £12.00 must be paid by each team entering the Winter League, or as agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
2. A meeting will be called by the Secretary in September of each year to set out the formation of the Divisions.
3. Two Representatives from each Club will be invited to attend this meeting.
4. Home and away matches will be played between all teams in the respective divisions, on dates provided by the Secretary, weather permitting. (See No. 13)
5. The matches will be played on a Saturday or Sunday and players to be on court and ready to play at either 10.30 am or 1.00pm/1.30 p.m. prompt (depending on the venue). If one pair is not ready to play half an hour after the time agreed for the commencement of the match, the opposing team MAY claim the rubber – i.e. 2 sets.
6. If a team fails to turn up without notifying the opposing team captain, at least 48 hours before the match, they will be deemed to have lost the match. If a team cancels a match for the published date for reasons other than for inclement weather or the unfit state of the courts, that team will concede the match and the points awarded to the opposition. (See Rule 13)
7. If a match is abandoned before 5 sets have been played the entire match must be replayed. The match may be completed on a mutually agreed date and notified to the Secretary within 14 days. The players may vary from the original team.
8. The HOME team will be responsible for confirming the match details and establishing a contact (in case of emergency) at least 3 days before the date of the match and notifying the visiting team if the courts are unplayable on the day of the match.
9. No player who has played in senior county matches in the previous three years will be eligible to play in the Banbury Town Leagues. (A Senior County Player is one who has played in the hardcourt singles or taken part in County Week).
10. No player may represent more than one club in the Winter League in one season.
11. No player may play down from his/her normal team. Players who have played three times for a higher team are not eligible to play in his/her lower team in that season. In a case where a club is genuinely short of players, the Club may apply to the B.T.T.L. Secretary who will use his/her discretion and may allow exceptions to this Rule if he/she considers the plea is reasonable.
12. At the start of each season the League for the coming year will be formed by the top two teams from each division being promoted (except Division 1) and the bottom two teams from each division being relegated (except Division 4) or at the discretion of the Committee and subject to amendment at the Winter League meeting according to the number of teams entering the League.
13. The HOME team must advise the Secretary if a match cannot be played due to inclement weather or the unfit state of the courts within 3 days and the new date within the period covering the League (October – March) must be agreed within 14 days and such date to be notified to the Secretary on the card provided. EACH TEAM IS ALLOWED TO CHANGE ONE FIXTURE which must be agreed with the opposing team and notified to the Secretary at least 3 days BEFORE the date of the original match.
MATCHPLAY: Teams will consist of 2 men and 2 ladies who should be listed in order of their playing ability. The teams will consist of 1 Ladies’ Doubles, 1 Men’s Doubles and Two Mixed Doubles. Each rubber will consist of two sets, a tie-break being played at 6-6 each set.
ONE POINT will be awarded for each set won.
The HOME TEAM is responsible for sending a match result card to the League Secretary within 7 days after the match and for supplying NEW balls for each match. The Home Team will also be responsible for providing a warm drink and appropriate (sandwiches, etc.) refreshments.
