Summer league rules

1. Season dates

1.1 The League season shall open on a date agreed at the A.G.M. and no tie shall be played after 31st. August except with the sanction of the Executive Committee. (1)

2. League composition and fixture list

2.1 The composition of the Divisions shall be arranged by the General Committee prior to the start of each season.

2.2 As a general guide the two teams at the bottom of each division (other than the lowest division) shall be relegated to the next lower division and the two teams at the top of each division other than the first division shall be promoted to the next higher division. All clubs must arrange to be represented at this meeting. (2).

2.3 The season's fixture list shall be compiled by the Executive Committee at least two weeks prior to the start of each season. (3)

3 Fixture rescheduling

3.1 In the event that this fixture schedule indicates a Club is required to field a Mixed and a Mens/Ladies team simultaneously that may call on the same players, then the Club is entitled to reschedule the fixture before the start of the season.

3.2 If for any reason, other than weather, a team is subsequently unable to meet a fixture commitment that team is at liberty to approach the opponents to request rescheduling. The opposition is under no obligation to accept a reschedule, but if agreed then the new date shall be deemed the fixture date and pursued subject to the normal conditions applicable to all fixtures. This date must be agreed between the two teams within one week of the original approach and advised to the Executive Committee once established. If no agreement is reached then the club that originally requested the postponement shall forfeit the points. No such rescheduling is allowed for a match between two teams from the same club. (3)

3.3 In the case of a match abandoned where a result has not been reached for reasons of bad light or weather, the match may be continued with the same players or the whole match has to be replayed. In the event of an agreement not being reached, Clubs may appeal to the Executive Committee. (8)

4. League scoring and points allocation

4.1 Two points shall be awarded to the winner of a match. In certain cases a drawn match is possible and teams will be awarded one point each. If teams tie with an equal number of League points, their relative positions in the League shall be determined firstly by the number of rubbers, then sets and lastly games. (4)

4.2 Should a team concede a walk-over to another team in any match the latter team shall be awarded two points, six sets and 36 games in the Mixed or Men's Divisions or five sets and 30 games in the Ladies Divisions. In addition, the conceding team will be penalised by one league point, three sets and 18 games. In any match the team which shall win the majority of sets shall be declared the winner of the match. (10)

4.3 For each match not completed by the specified deadline for the end of the season, two points will be deducted from the total points of each club concerned. (14)

4.4 When a club has completed all its fixtures, a results resume should be sent forthwith to the Fixtures Secretary on the form provided. A club has no recourse to challenge the final league tables unless this is submitted. (15)

5. Awards presentation

5.1 The Association shall present awards annually to winning teams of each Division. All trophies, etc. shall be considered to be legally owned by the President and the Hon. Treasurer in trust for the Association and after award shall be returned to the Secretary not later than 31st. July. (5)

6. Court equipment

6.1 No fewer than four new balls per court shall be provided by the home Club for each match, of a make approved by The ITFTC (International Tennis Federation Technical Committee). Each club shall ensure that there are serviceable centre tapes on each court used and that there is a measuring stick available for setting the correct height. (6)

7. Result recording

7.1 The Captain of the winning side (or the Home team Captain in the event of a draw) shall be responsible for forwarding the result of each tie on a score card provided by the Home Captain, completed and signed by both captains, to be received by the Fixtures Secretary within 48 hours of the match being played. Failure to do so may be punished by loss of points. (7)

8. Team composition

8.1 Teams in the Mixed or Men's Divisions shall consist of three pairs of players and in the Ladies' Divisions of two pairs of players which pairs shall remain unchanged through the match. (8)

9. Match format and eligible players

9.1 Unless otherwise agreed the starting time of an evening match shall be 6.30pm. (8)

9.2 Each competing pair of one team in the Mixed or Men's Division shall play one set, with a Tie-Break at six-all against each pair of the opposing team. Each pair in the Ladies ' Divisions shall play two sets with tie-breaks at six-all against both opposing pairs. (9)

9.3 Team Captains are to agree an appropriate order of play. Should any player be absent when called upon to play and remain absent for 15 minutes, the first set must be conceded 6-0. If he/she is still absent after a further 15 minutes then the second set must also be conceded 6-0. (10)

9.4 No player arriving more than one hour after the agreed time of start shall be allowed to take part in a match. Captains may NOT contract out of rules rules (10 and 11.) (11)

9.5 If a team fields an ineligible player, all sets in which he/she takes part shall be awarded to the opponents. The Fixtures Secretary shall bring the matter forward without waiting for a protest. (12)

9.6 Where a match is played on different surfaces, the home team shall accede to the wishes of the visiting team wherever possible. (13)

9.7 The League shall consist of Mixed Doubles, Men's Doubles and Ladies Doubles. (1)

10. Disciplinary procedure

10.1 All offences against the rules of the League Competition may be punished by a fine not exceeding the amount of the deposit, imposed by the Executive Committee in addition to other penalties specified. Such fines shall be paid by the Club concerned within 14 days of receiving notice from the Secretary, otherwise the Club and all its members shall be suspended until the fine is

***Note. These rules were reformatted on July 11 2009. The number in brackets in or after the text represents the old rule number. No wording apart from "rules 10 and 11" have been changed