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WARRINGTON & DISTRICT LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION
General Rules
(Updated October 2022)

A.1 This Association of clubs shall be called the Warrington and District Lawn Tennis Association (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”)

The objects of the Association shall be to provide and promote lawn Tennis for clubs in the neighbourhood of Warrington and to arrange leagues, matches, tournaments and all events connected therewith In accordance with the laws of the Lawn Tennis Association, with a View to the advancement, interest and fellowship of the game.
A.2Membership shall be open to such clubs as the Executive Committee may approve.
A.3The Officers of the Association who shall be elected at the Annual General meeting, shall be:
  • Chairman
  • Deputy Chairman
  • General Secretary
  • Treasurer
A.4The Management of the Association shall be in the hands of an Executive Committee which shall have absolute power to deal with any question that may arise. This Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Association (see A3) together with a number of ordinary members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. There is an absolute requirement that any club that has entered a total of 10 league teams or more in the season just completed (Gents + Ladies + Mixed) must supply an Executive Committee member for the season to follow. Any club that does not identify this member to the committee by the November executive Committee meeting shall be entitled to enter no more than 9 teams In the following season. This rule does not stop other clubs from having representation on the committee. The committee shall appoint from within the executive committee the filling of all non-Officer roles for the season to come.

Six members (including one officer of the association) shall form a quorum at executive meetings. Executive committee members have a responsibility to attend as many of the 7 standard meetings as possible.
A.5An auditor shall be appointed at the Annual General meeting.
A.6 No new rule shall be made, or any rule altered, except at an Annual General Meeting or at an extraordinary General Meeting which shall only be called by the Executive Committee or at the instigation of not less than five member clubs.

Member clubs wishing to propose new rules, or amendments to rules, must give notice, in writing, on or before 31st July in any year, to the Secretary, who must then notify all Clubs of the details of the proposed alterations.

Any member club wishing to put forward an amendment to such proposed alterations must give notice, in writing, before 20th September to the General Secretary, who will then notify all clubs of the proposals and amendments which shall be considered at the Annual General Meeting.

Alterations to the rules proposed by the Executive Committee shall be similarly dealt with.

If an extraordinary General Meeting be called for the purpose of proposing alterations to the rules, a minimum period of three weeks shall be allowed for submission of amendments and a further two weeks shall elapse between notifications of the Agenda to all clubs and the date of the meeting.

Any change to the rules must receive two-thirds of the votes cast at the meeting to be carried.
A.7 The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held during the month of October and at least 14 days notice thereof given to Clubs, Officers and members of the Executive Committee.

All motions for consideration by the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted, in writing, before 20th September to the General Secretary who will then notify the details to all clubs.

All members of the constituent clubs shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting.
A.8 Voting at General Meetings shall be as follows:
  • All affiliated clubs - one vote plus one additional vote for every four teams (or part thereof) in the Men's, Ladies and Mixed Leagues.
  • The quorum for a General Meeting shall be 80% of the member clubs of the Association. Clubs not represented at a General Meeting shall be fined £10.00
A.9On admission to the Association, each club shall pay an annual affiliation fee agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
A.10Monies shall be placed in a bank approved by the Executive Committee. All withdrawals require signatures (or alternative approved authorisation) of 2 of the 3 signatory Officers of the Association
A.11The Treasurer shall present to the Annual General Meeting a duly audited statement of accounts for the year ended 31st August.
A.12 Any protest concerning the rules, interpretation of the rules or other affiliated clubs must be made in writing to the General Secretary within seven days of the event to which it relates.

If a third party is involved the General Secretary shall send a copy of the protest to that party.

All persons connected with a protest shall have the right to attend any meeting at which the matter is to be finalised, but shall not be entitled to be present if voting is necessary.
A.13The Executive Committee shall be responsible for determining from time to time the rules and regulations appertaining to Tournaments or other Championships (except for the League Championships and Association Cup Competition) and for the interpretation of all rules.
A.14The decision of the Executive Committee on all matters shall be final.

Rules and Regulations governing League Championships

B.1The League Championships arranged by the Association shall be known as 'The Warrington Tennis League'.
B.2The following rules and regulations shall be observed by all participating clubs. They shall be subject to amendment only in accordance with Rule A6 of the Association. The Executive Committee shall have the power to decide all matters not specifically provided for in the rules.
B.3A club wishing to compete in any of the leagues shall complete the required entry form and forward this to the General Secretary. The playing venues of new clubs requesting League entry in any category must be no more than 28 miles by road from the furthest existing member club (calculated by post code and route finder). Any exceptions to this clause must be agreed by the Executive Committee and also the existing club(s) affected by any increase in the 28 mile range clause.
B.4A club may enter any number of teams but must have at least two courts available for each home match. All venues should comprise courts of a safe and adequate standard for matchplay, access to toilet facilities, drinking water and shelter. All courts must be approved by the Executive Committee who shall also decide in which Division a team shall play. All clubs should ensure that that they have adequate liability insurance cover.
B.5Separate leagues shall be formed for Ladies’, Men's and Mixed Doubles. Each league shall consist of 1 or more divisions as required. With the exception of the Mixed league each division shall contain no more than 10 teams.
B.6Entry Fees, which should be submitted with the entry form, shall be as agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
B.7Any player representing a club in league championship matches shall be a member of that club. Players may transfer to another club during the season providing both club secretaries and the executive committee are in agreement.

Requests for transfers must be made in writing or by email to the Match Secretary by the club receiving the transferred player

A player may only transfer once in any one season.
B.8Fixtures shall be arranged by the Match Secretaries and shall generally be played on the following scheduled evenings:
Ladies Doubles - Tuesday evenings
Men's Doubles - Thursday evenings
Mixed Doubles - Tuesday evenings with some Thursday matches

Any club with teams that would have to play home games at an alternative venue as scheduled above may elect to play their home matches on Wednesday or Monday evenings at their club providing this is consistent throughout the season. The option to change to an alternative evening is also available to clubs with more than 2 courts at their home venue but which normally allocate only 2 courts per fixture when more than one fixture is scheduled at the venue on the same evening, as long as the opposing team agrees; this option is available in the Gents, Ladies and Mixed leagues. Rule B14 still applies, so no player may play for different teams in the same round of fixtures (e.g. no-one can play on Wednesday for one team and on Thursday for another team). Notice of such rearrangements from the scheduled evening should be given to the appropriate Match Secretary in advance. Any team failing to appear will forfeit the match.
B.9Senior matches shall commence at 6.30pm. If any couple is not ready to play by 6.45pm with courts available they shall forfeit one set and if not ready to play by 7.00pm they shall forfeit two sets and these shall not be played. Exceptionally, for those clubs which have use of only two courts for a match, players for the third match of the evening (that is, Home team couple 3 and Away team couple 2) should be available at the venue to commence their match at 7.00pm. If either couple is not ready to play by 7.15pm they shall forfeit one set and if not ready to play by 7.30pm they shall forfeit two sets and these shall not be played. The score card will record each forfeited set as 6-0 to the opposition and an email should be sent by the home captain to the Match Secretary indicating that the set(s) have been claimed and not played.

Where a match venue only has two courts available it is permissible for couple 2 of the away (visiting) team to be available at the venue and ready to play at the later time of 7.00pm. Where it is ambiguous as to whether the home/host club will have two or more courts available for a fixture, it is the responsibility of the home/host club to advise the opposition of the situation 24 hours in advance of the fixture; otherwise, Rule B9 applies by default.

Any player who starts a match but is unable to continue through injury shall forfeit any sets that he/she still has to play in that match.

NB: matches can start early subject to agreement by both teams .
B.10 When no play has taken place because of bad weather the match shall be rearranged and completed or, in the event of a match being unfinished due to bad light or bad weather, it shall be continued from where it was left off and completed within 2 weeks of the date of the fixture. This date should be notified to the WDLTA match secretary within 48 hours of the original fixture. If both captains can only agree on a date beyond the two weeks then they must both contact the WDLTA match secretary with the date of the rearranged fixture and an explanation for the delay, again within 48 hours of the original fixture date. The date should be as close to the two weeks as possible and normally within one month of the original date. In all cases the match secretary must be informed, by both captains, of the rearranged date and seek the prior agreement of the match secretary to this; if the captains cannot agree on a rearranged date or the match is not played on the agreed rearranged date, other than for reasons of bad weather, the match result shall be decided by the Executive Committee

If, when a rearranged fixture has been agreed, one team (other than the lowest team in that club) cannot fulfil the fixture that team will be deducted 2 points, while the other team will be awarded 2 points and 12 sets.
B.11Substitutes for absent players in an unfinished match will be allowed provided that they have not played for a higher team either on the date of the original fixture or in his/her previous two completed matches. The names of the substitutes must be entered on the score card and a note added to the card by the team captain explaining who has been substituted and why. This requirement also applies when a match has not started and has had to be rearranged.
B.12The home team shall provide 9 new balls for each match which must be chosen from the approved list of the International Tennis Federation for the coming year.
B.13A team shall consist of 3 couples who shall play in order of playing ability.

Teams shall play in order of playing ability so that the best 3 couples form the first team, the next best 3 couples the second team, and so on through all the teams within a club.
B.14For each week of the scheduled fixtures during the season a club must select players for all its teams as if all the teams were fulfilling fixtures on the same evening. Thus, if in a given week a team(s) does not have a scheduled fixture, lower teams must not be strengthened by players who would normally have played for the team(s) without a fixture.
B.15In the event of a club not having enough players available in a given week to fulfil all its scheduled fixtures, it must fulfil fixtures in order of seniority and leave fixture(s) of its lowest team(s) in the league unfulfilled.

If a team is unable to fulfil a fixture, then an electronic score card should be submitted by both teams involved; players should be named in the usual way by the captain able to field a team and 'NO PLAYER' entered by the captain without players, a score of 6-0 being entered and awarded for each set to the team with named players. If a team is short of one couple yet attempts to fulfil the fixture then each member of that 3rd couple shall be named on the e-score card as 'NO PLAYER' and the opposition awarded a score of 6-0 for all sets not played.
B.16If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, a club or team disregards the provisions of Rule B13, then the Executive Committee shall have the power to declare all or part of a fixture void or to have all or part of it replayed or to impose such penalty as they deem fit.
B.17Senior matches shall consist of six events, each of two sets maximum of 12 games each (i.e. to finish at either 6-6 or 7-5 Number 1 couple shall play the opposite numbers 1 and 2. Number 2 couple shall play the opposite numbers 1 and 3. Number 3 couple shall play the opposite numbers 2 and 3.
B.18When three courts are available for a match, after the first three rubbers have been completed the away team captain shall select from the initial allocation of courts whether the home or away team move courts. At all times the order of play on the score card shall be followed.
B.19The home team shall be responsible for submitting an electronic score card within 48 hours of completion of the match. Any delays in completing matches must be reported to the Match Secretary.

Where a match has been decided but sets remain incomplete, result cards must be submitted showing the actual scores. Sets must not be allocated by the two captains.

If the electronic score card is not received within 48 hours of completing the match - subject only to the provisions of Rule B10 - the home club shall be fined £5.00.
B.20In the event of a team withdrawing from the league before completion of all its fixtures, all fixtures for that team, whether honoured or not, shall be considered cancelled and shall not count in any league table.
B.21Matches shall be decided on sets won. A match won shall count 2 points: a match drawn shall count 1 point.

If any team in the Ladies’ or Men’s Leagues fails to fulfil its fixtures on 4 occasions during the season, or on 3 occasions in the Mixed League, it will be withdrawn from the League immediately except in the case of teams in the lower divisions where withdrawal will be at the discretion of the League Committee. The results of withdrawn teams will be expunged from the record and the clubs concerned will not be allowed to re-register those teams the following season unless successful on appeal to the Executive Committee.

Sets difference shall decide the position in the division where teams have equal number of points.

Where teams have an equal number of points and sets won, there shall be a play off if the position of either team affects promotion or relegation of the Championship. The venue and date for play-off shall be decided by the match Secretary. Any expense involved in such play-off matches shall be shared equally by both teams.
B.22 At the end of the season and at the discretion of the Executive Committee the two lowest teams of a division shall be relegated and the two highest teams from the lower division shall be promoted; as a minimum, the winner of each division SHALL be promoted.
B.23Players visiting other clubs shall wear tennis clothing appropriate to the requirements of the host club.

Rules and Regulations governing the Handicap Knock-Out Cup Competition

C.1An inter-team handicap knock-out competition for the Warrington Lawn Tennis Association Cup shall be held each season at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
C.2The following instructions shall be observed by all participating clubs. The Executive Committee shall have the power to decide all matters not specifically provided for in these rules.
C.3The Competition shall be open to all clubs which are members of the Warrington and District Lawn Tennis Association.
C.4A club wishing to compete in the Competition shall register its players on line giving name and club team for which they play.
C.5A club entering more than one team in the competition should register 10 players for each team plus additional players as reserves. If a team consists of any players who have not been registered, or should any player be registered wrongly resulting in a more favourable handicap, then any sets played by that player shall be awarded to the opposition 6-0.
C.6Additional players may be added throughout the competition provided that they have played for the club on at least 3 occasions in the current season.
C.7 Teams shall play in order of playing ability so that the best couples form the first team, the next best couples the second team, and so on through all the teams entered in the Competition by the Club. Within each team couples shall play in order of ability.
C.8In the event of a registered player or players being unable to play in a match or continued match substitutes will be allowed provided they are registered for a lower team or are registered reserves.
C.9A club having 2 or 3 courts may enter a maximum of 2 teams. A club having 4 or more courts may enter a maximum of 3 teams.
C.10Teams shall consist of 4 ladies and 6 men to be paired and played in the following order, with each couple playing 3 sets only against their opposite number:

1. 1st Men's Couple
2. 2nd Men's Couple
3. Ladies Couple
4. 1st Mixed Couple
5. 2nd Mixed Couple
C.11Players shall play for one club only in anyone competition and shall be members of that club. Players visiting other clubs shall wear approved tennis clothing appropriate to the requirements of the host club.
C.12A draw for the competition shall be made by the Executive Committee.
C.13Should all teams from one club be drawn at home then the last team drawn shall reverse venue with the opposition. Should their courts be engaged then the match shall be played the following Wednesday as the draw.
C.14The draw shall be on the basis that the team drawn first shall be the home team. In succeeding rounds teams who have played more away matches than their opponents shall earn the right to be the home team providing it does not conflict with Rule C13.
C.15Matches shall be played on Wednesday Evenings.
C.16Matches shall commence at 6.30pm. If any couple is not present to play by 6.45pm they shall forfeit 1 set by 6 games to love. If not ready to play by 7.00pm they shall forfeit a second set by 6 games to love. And if not ready to play by 7.15pm they shall forfeit the third set by 6 games to love. Sets will only be forfeited if courts are available for play. Any sets forfeited shall not be played.
C.17When no play has taken place because of bad weather the match shall be re-arranged and completed, or in the event of a match being unfinished owing to bad light or bad weather it shall be continued from where it was left off and completed on or before the following Wednesday
C.18The home team shall provide 15 new balls, which shall be of a Type approved by the Lawn Tennis Association, for each match
C.19Matches shall consist of 5 events, each of 3 sets of a maximum Of 11 games (i.e., 6-5), each couple playing their opposite number.
C.20A club shall appoint a captain for each match who shall exchange, in writing, a composition of his/her team for all events to the opposite captain before the time fixed for the start of play. A captain may not alter his team after seeing the composition of the opposing Team
C.21The home team shall be responsible for submitting an electronic score card within 24 hours of completion of the match. Any delays in completing matches must be reported to the Match Secretary. If the electronic score card is not received within 48 hours of completing the match - subject only to the provisions of Rule C17 - the home club shall be fined £5.00.
C.22Matches shall be decided on games won after adjustment for the handicap applied to each team. Each club will have a handicap in accordance with their performance in the previous year’s KO Tournament as follows:

Winner -10, Runner up -5, Semi-finalists 0, Second round losers +5, First round losers +10

The club handicap will be cumulative each year to a maximum of +/- 60 but with a difference between teams not exceeding 60, eg if Team A had a handicap of +40 and Team B -55 this would mean that the match would be won by Team B before a ball was hit since the maximum number of points is 90
C.23Each registered player will have a handicap based upon which team he/she played for in the previous season. If a player has played in more than one team his/her handicap will be based upon the team for which he/she played most matches. Handicaps will be set prior to the start of the competition by a sub group of the Executive Committee and will be based upon league positions/number of points won by the team last season. Players’ handicaps will be assigned electronically and will be available on the website
C.24If opposing couples have the same handicap they will play from scratch. Flexibility will be applied to enable other handicaps to be adjusted so that one couple plays from scratch where possible provided the difference in handicap is maintained.
C.25The home team shall have an additional handicap of 4 ½ games or where the opposing team play on the same court the home team shall have an additional handicap of ½ to be deducted from their total of games won.