Winter league rules

Registration

1. The requirements and rules in the 2006 Handbook headed 'Registration of Clubs and Players' and 'Summer League Competitions' apply equally to Winter League Competitions except for paragraphs 5,6,7 which refer to player registration, as there is no player registration requirement in the winter season.

Match and team composition

2. A Team will consist of two pairs. Players who are members of more than one registered club may represent only one club in the Winter League.

3. Each match will consist of four rubbers, each rubber being decided on the best of three sets. Tie-breaks will come into operation at six-all in the first two sets, the third set will be played as a single 10 point tie-break game giving victory to the winners as 2-1 in sets, but only a game result of an additional one game i.e. (1-0). The order of play will be : -
Round 1 Home first pair v Away first pair and Home second pair v Away second Pair
Round 2 Home second pair v Away first pair and Home first pair v Away second Pair

4. 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 net height.

5. 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.

Result determination

6. One point is awarded for each rubber won, meaning that a total of 4 points is available for each match. If at the end of the season there is a tie, firstly the number of sets is taken into account and then the number of games.

7. In the event of a match being abandoned by reason of weather after one round is completed, whether or not a winner is known, the result of this round stands as the match result. If for the same reason, a match is not started, or has to be abandoned before one round is complete, the match should be replayed at the earliest opportunity and the Fixture secretary informed of the new date.

8. 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, either on a score card provided by the Home Captain, duly completed and signed by both captains or using the web match recording facility. Results must be received by the Fixtures Secretary or posted on the web site within 48 hours of the match being played. Failure to do so may be punished by loss of points.

Rearrangements

9. In the event of a clash of fixtures necessitating a rearrangement, clubs must fulfil their AWAY fixtures and rearrange their home matches in co-operation with their opponent's team organiser. At least one week's (7 days) notice of a rearrangement is required. Failure to give adequate notice will result in the offending team gaining no points and the offended team gaining 3 points. Teams may only rearrange each fixture once for this reason and any further requests may be declined by the opposition and the points claimed without reference to the Executive committee.

Scheduling and league composition

10. The match season will commence in the first week of October and close in the middle of April. All matches will be scheduled for October, November, February and March, leaving time for rearrangements. The league numbers and composition will be determined by the fixtures secretary, in agreement with the Executive Committee. However, no team will, play more than 8 matches in a season.

(May 06)