Banbury & District Winter League BANBURY & DISTRICT TENNIS – WINTER LEAGUE RULES Amended: February 2018 1. An Annual General Meeting will be held once a year in February. Two Representatives from each Club will be invited to attend this meeting. Fixtures (changes/cancellations/rearrangements): (see note b) 2. The proposed fixtures will be posted on the League website as soon as possible after entry forms are received by the League Secretary. Unlimited fixture changes within the period of the League (October to March) are allowed before a deadline date which is also posted on the League website. After the published start of the season each team has a right to reschedule one match without incurring any penalties as long as 48 hours notice is given to the opposing captain and match secretary. 3. If a team wishes to change any subsequent fixtures their opponent has two options: a. to claim the match (see rule 8), or b. to agree to a rearranged match If a rearrangement is agreed, the home team must offer 3 dates giving a period of 10 days for the opposition to agree one of those dates. Captains should first check the website for available free dates, avoiding clashes, consecutive nights or two matches in same week. The rearranged date should be as soon as possible to avoid a build-up of fixtures at the end of the season and all parties should be advised of the new date within 14 days of the original date The team making the decision should advise the League Secretary via the link on the website within 14 days of the original date. 4. The Home Team will be responsible for confirming the match details (time and venue) 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. 5. If a match cannot be played due to inclement weather or the unfit state of the courts the Home Team should advise the League Secretary as soon as possible via the link on the website. When rearranging the match, the home team must offer 3 dates giving a period of 10 days for the opposition to agree one of those dates. Captains should first check the website for available free dates, avoiding clashes, consecutive nights or two matches in same week. The rearranged date should be as soon as possible to avoid a build-up of fixtures at the end of the season and all parties should be advised of the new date within 14 days of the original date. The team making the decision should advise the League Secretary the link on the website within 14 days of the original date. 6. The matches will be played on a Saturday or Sunday and players to be on court and ready to play at either 10.30 a.m. or 1.30 p.m. prompt (depending on the venue) or a mutually agreed time. 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. 7. If a team fails to turn up without notifying the opposing team captain, at least 48 hours before the match or cancels a match for the published date for reasons other than for inclement weather or the unfit state of the courts, their opponent has two options: a. to claim the match (see rule 8), or b. to agree to a rearranged match The team making the decision should advise the League Secretary as soon as possible the link on the website. 8. If a team concedes a match they will have 8 points deducted and their opponent will receive 8 points. No games will be awarded to either team. A match is also deemed to be conceded if claimed by an opponent under rules 3 or 7. 9. If a player is unable to continue due to illness or injury, uncompleted games in the rubber being played shall be forfeited. Should the player not recover in time to play a subsequent rubber, it shall be forfeited entirely. 10. Should a match be abandoned, the entire match must be replayed at the same venue and the re-arranged date notified to the Secretary within 14 days by the Home Team the link on the website. 11. If a team withdraws in mid-season all matches will be conceded to opponents, even those already played. Players: (see note a) 12. No player should 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. However, if a club is genuinely short of players for a fixture they can declare this to their opponents and: a. play with a player short and concede those rubbers that he/she is missing, or b. play down a player from a higher division and concede those rubbers that he/she has played c. use a club player that may not normally play in a team In exceptional circumstances players may ‘play up’ but will not be tied to the higher team as long as a competitive gain is not sought. In any event the circumstances must be agreed with the opposing Captain and the agreed outcome indicated on the score card. All names must be completed for the team claiming a rubber, even if the rubber is not actually played. 13. No player may represent more than one club in the Winter League in one season. Disputes: 14. If disputes cannot be resolved by Match Secretaries they should be referred to a Dispute Resolution Committee. This Committee should consist of the Chairman (who would have a casting vote), the Treasurer and two Match Secretaries (who would be independent and have no vested interest in the dispute). This committee would meet on an ad-hoc basis, not necessarily in person but could carry out their discussions by phone or email. Matchplay: 15. Teams will consist of 2 men and 2 ladies who should be listed in order of their playing ability. The match will consist of 1 ladies' doubles, 1 men's doubles and 2 mixed doubles. Each rubber will consist of 2 sets, a tie-break to be played at 6-6 each set. 16. One point will be awarded to each team for each set won in each rubber. In the event of a tie on points, the League positions will be decided by the difference between the total number of games won and the total number of games lost in all rubbers played. 17. The Home club shall provide 4 new LTA/ITF approved balls for each court in use during a match and is responsible for entering a properly completed match result scorecard in Playwaze within 7 days after the match. 18. The Home Team will also be responsible for providing a warm drink and appropriate substantial refreshments. 19. If there are fewer than six teams in a division, then only one team will be promoted and one team relegated, otherwise it will be two promoted and two relegated. Notes: I don't check whether all players are eligible, however, I will be monitoring one club chosen at random and circulate the results at the end of the season. Team Captains should continue to look at the scorecards on this site - if you find that an opponent is not eligible to play, please tell me. although each team is allowed to change just one fixture after the deadline date this is by no means mandatory. The one fixture rule is intended to deter a team from inconveniencing other teams - not to prevent two teams playing a tennis match so if it suits both teams to reschedule a match then please just let me know.