TS_Captains_Book_2017_Press

wilson surrey leagues
Captain’s guide
Helping you to organise your Surrey league team.
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Introduction
Team Captains!
Welcome to the Wilson Surrey Leagues. We hope this guide will act as
a tool to help you successfully organise your team before and during
the season.
The guide was created following an increased number of queries
relating to the organising of matches, the interpretation of rules before/
during a match and the understanding of league/division structure.
Our overall aim of the Wilson Surrey Leagues is to provide competitive
tennis to club members, with the emphasis being on ‘playing tennis’. It
is vital that Team Captains make every effort to arrange and confirm
their matches as early as possible, in addition to ensuring their players
availability for their matches at the start of each season.
Thank you,
Lewis Woodham
contents
Expectations 3
Good practice: Guide to organising matches 4
How to enter results online 6
Key rules 8
Frequently asked questions 12
Useful websites 14
Contact us / Who we are 15
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expectations
Tennis Surrey will implement the following when dealing with
match queries that are forwarded to us:
All matches must be played on the fixed date or on/before the play by date. Teams
that do not manage this will risk a walkover and penalty point. If Captains are in
agreement the match can be played on an alternative date.
If a problem with a match is raised early enough between team captains and both
teams agree; a match may be played on an alternative date. Once this alternative
date is set, there is no reversal to the original date if any issues arise. The new date
must be updated via Tournament Software (preferable) or league organiser advised
by email.
PLEASE NOTE: This is only an option if both teams agree and any club wishing to do
this is advised to have the conversation as early as possible. In our experience, clubs
and team captains are in a better position to help if they are aware of any issues early.
For this season and all future seasons we will expect Team Captains, as a minimum,
to have followed the process outlined in the GOOD PRACTICE: Guide to Organising
Matches (page 4), and we will check this process has been followed in any query that
is forwarded to us.
Walkovers CANONLY be sanctioned/entered by the Surrey Office.
PLEASE REMEMBER: The following ruling:
“Club teams competing in League competitions must play the minimum number of
matches (3 matches in a league of 5 teams or 4 matches in a league of 6 teams) or
risk being omitted from that League competition for the following year.”
We will be enforcing this rule and teams that do not play the minimum number of
matches (excluding walkovers) risk being relegated 2 divisions.
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good practice:
guide to organising matches
Fixed Dates
The dates for fixed matches are set. A team not able to make a commitment to a fixed
date will be risking a walkover to the opposition and as a result will receive a penalty point.
It is extremely important that teams commit to these dates.
Once the leagues are published:
Home Team Captains must contact their opposing team captain for all of their home
matches and provide them with details of the match (time of match and details of
refreshments). In the spirit of playing tennis, we suggest a telephone call if an email has
prompted no response.
Away Team Captain must respond confirming the match and confirming they will be
staying for refreshments (if a team is not able to stay for refreshments they must inform
the home team captain).
We recommend Home Team Captains do this process for all their home matches,
during the season. This gives everyone plenty of time to organise their teams.
As mentioned previously, if a problem with a match is raised early enough between
team captains and both teams agree; a match may be played on an alternative date.
Once this alternative date is set, there is no reversal to the original date if any issues
arise. he new date must be updated via Tournament Software (preferable) or league
organiser advised by email.
Week Commencing Dates
The rules state the following when organising matches:
Home team captains must offer 3 possible match dates to the away captain. The 1st date
offered must be in the week of Round 1. The remaining 2 dates can be any weekday
(Monday-Friday) until the Round 2 commencing date.,
Once the leagues are published:
Home team captains must contact their opposing team captain and offer 3 dates in line
with the rule above. In the spirit of playing tennis, we suggest a telephone call if an email
has prompted no response.
Away Team Captain must respond confirming the match/time and confirming if they will be
staying for refreshments (if a team is not able to stay for refreshments they must inform the
home team captain)
We recommend Home Team Captains do this process for all their home matches, as early as
possible in the season. This gives everyone plenty of time to organise their teams.
As mentioned previously, if a problem with a match is raised early enough between team
captains and both teams agree; a match may be played on an alternative date. Once this
alternative date is set, there is no reversal to the original date if any issues arise. he new date
must be updated via Tournament Software (preferable) or league organiser advised by email.
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good practice:
guide to organising matches
Play by Dates
The rules state the following when organising matches:
The club drawn at home shall be responsible for making arrangements, offering to the
opposing club at least three dates, one of which shall be the round date; the others to
be prior to the round date.
Once the leagues are published:
Home Team Captains must contact their opposing team captain for all of their home
matches and provide them with three dates and the proposed start time of the match.
The 3 dates must be at least a week apart and before/on the play by date.
Away Team Captains must respond confirming the preferred date and confirm
whether they will be staying for refreshments (if a team is not able to stay for
refreshments they must inform the Home Team Captain).
We recommend Home Team Captains do this process for all their home matches in
the season. This gives everyone plenty of time to organise their teams and means
matches are set early and we are not left with team captains trying to confirm
matches within very short time periods.
It is important you gain confirmation of the date and time.
If an away captain is unable to agree to any of the 3 match dates suggested by the
home captain then they will risk conceding a walkover and receiving a penalty point.
If both teams agree; a match may be played on an alternative date, after the play by
date has passed. Once this alternative date is set, there is no reversal to the original
date if any issues arise. he new date must be updated via Tournament Software
(preferable) or league organiser advised by email.
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how To enTer resulTs online
Visit: www.lta.tournamentsoftware.com (Please note this is different to the LTA website)
In the search box type: ‘Wilson Surrey League’
Please then click ‘Login’ button located in the top-right of the page. You then type in
the username/password that was emailed to you.
IMPORTANT: Once you have logged in, do not worry if you see another person’s
name. These login details are used by your entire club, so please
do noT reset the password.
To find your team’s page please click:
1. ‘Clubs’
2. Scroll down (alphabetically) and find the name of
your club. Then click on it.
3. You are now on your clubs page. To find your
team click the ‘Teams’ tab.
4. Then scroll down and find the name of your
team. Then click on it.
5. To add your players to your squad, on your team
page click the ‘players’ tab.
6. Then click ‘Add players’.
7. Type the first 3 letters of your players’ name. Then
click on their name, and select ‘Add’.
Do this for all the player’s in your team and click
‘save’ when you have finished.
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how To enTer resulTs online
8. You are now on your team page. You can now
view the league table.
To view your matches, click the ‘matches’ tab.
9. You can now see the matches you are due
to play and also the date they are due to be
played on/by.
10. To enter match results, click the ‘modify’ button.
11. To enter the match score, click the ‘Enter rubber result’ button.
Please do noT click the ‘enter match results’ button. This is only to be used by the County office.
12. Add in the players’ names from each club.
13. Select the winning team.
14. Add in the correct score. Remember that the home team’s scores are
entered first. For example, if St George’s Hill has lost the first rubber
6-4, 6-4, the score would be entered 4-6, 4-6.
15. Championship
tie-breaks should
be entered as 1-0
or 0-1
15. Then click ‘Save’
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key rules
Play Up Rule:
(i) A player may not play for a team junior
to that for which originally selected.
(ii) If a player plays more than once for
a higher graded team than that for
which originally selected, they may not
return to any lower graded team and
will be deemed to be a permanent
member of that higher graded team.
Subsequently, the player would then
not be permitted to play further for any
other higher graded team.
(iii) If a Club has two or more teams in the
same division of a league there must
be no interchange of players between
these teams
Match day rules
Lateness of a team:
If a player is absent without good cause
when called upon to play at the expiration
of thirty minutes from the time agreed
for the commencement of the match his
opponent or opponents shall be entitled
immediately to one love set, and at the
expiration of sixty minutes to a further
love set.
Player Retirement:
If a player retires during a rubber, the
opponent shall be deemed to have won all
the remaining games and sets necessary to
win the rubber. If a player retires in the first
rubber, they shall be eligible to compete in
the second rubber.
Rain Delay:
If a match is postponed due to inclement
weather the match is decided as follows: If
two or more rubbers have been completed
at the point of cessation, the match stands.
The remaining rubbers are then halved. If
two rubbers have not been completed,
the match is replayed from scratch. You will
not require the same players to play if the
match is replayed from scratch.
Hospitality:
Options for cold or hot drinks during and
after the match should be available for
away teams. Snacks such as fruit, crisps,
biscuits etc. should be offered during and
after the match.
Result entry:
The result must be entered online by the
winning team Captain. We urge the losing
Captain to check the result has been
entered correctly a few days after. In the
result of a DRAW the HOME team must
enter the result.
Scoring formats for each league
playing order
HOME 1 vs. AWAY 1
HOME 2 vs. AWAY 2
HOME 1 vs. AWAY 2
HOME 2 vs. AWAY 1
Scoring formats
Men’s Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at 1
set all.
Women’s Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at 1
set all.
Women’s / Men’s Midweek Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at 1
set all.
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key rules
Mixed Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at 1
set all.
Sudden death at deuce. Receiver chooses
side.
Men’s Over 45, Women’s Over 50 and
Men’s Over 55:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at 1
set all.
How final league standings are
calculated
1.) Match Points
If tied…
2.) Percentage of rubbers won to rubbers
played
If tied…
3.) Percentage of sets won to sets played
If tied…
4.) Percentage of games won to games
played.
Final league positions
At the end of the season, all league
standings shown online will be final. In
incidents where the table online is shown
incorrectly, we will make all Captains aware
and issue the correct standings.
>>
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key rules
Summer / Winter differences
WINTER
Events Available:
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Men’s Midweek Doubles
- Women’s Midweek Doubles
- Women’s O50 doubles
Fixed Dates:
- Men’s & Women’s Doubles, fixed dates
apply to divisions 1-12
Scoring Formats:
Men’s Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Women’s Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Women’s/Men’s Midweek Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Women’s Over 50
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
SUMMER
Events Available:
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Men’s Midweek Doubles
- Women’s Midweek Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- Men’s O45 Doubles
- Men’s O55 Doubles
- Women’s O50 Doubles
Fixed Dates:
- Men’s & Women’s Doubles, fixed dates
apply to divisions 1-4
Scoring Formats:
Men’s Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Women’s Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Women’s Midweek Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Mixed Doubles:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
Sudden death at deuce. Receiver chooses
side
Men’s Over 45, Women’s Over 50 and
Men’s Over 55:
2 full sets with a championship (to 10) at
1 set all.
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ules on promotion
and relegation
Men’s and Women’s Doubles:
Division 1:
1st place – Winner
5th place – Relegated 1 Division
6th place – Relegated 1 Division
Divisions 2-3:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 1 Division
Division 4:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th & 6th Place – Relegated to 5 East or
5 West
Division 5 East/5 West:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
4th Place – Relegated 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 2 Divisions
Division 6 East/6 West:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 2 Divisions
Division 7 East/7 West ONWARDS….
1st Place – Promoted 2 Divisions
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 2 Divisions
Mixed Doubles (SUMMER):
Division 1:
1st place – Winner
5th place – Relegated 1 Division
6th place – Relegated 1 Division
Division 4:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th & 6th Place – Relegated to 5 East or 5 West
Division 5 East/5 West:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 1 Division
Division 6 East/6 West ONWARDS….
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 1 Division
Ladies’/Men’s Midweek Doubles:
Division 1:
1st place – Winner
5th place – Relegated 1 Division
6th place – Relegated 1 Division
Division 2 ONWARDS….
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 1 Division
Men’s O45, Men’s O55,
Ladies’ O50 Doubles:
Division 1:
1st place – Winner
5th place – Relegated 1 Division
6th place – Relegated 1 Division
Division 2 ONWARDS….
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 1 Division
Divisions 2-3:
1st Place – Promoted 1 Division
2nd Place – Promoted 1 Division
5th Place – Relegated 1 Division
6th Place – Relegated 1 Division
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frequently asked questions
1. I am the home captain and I have sent an email to the opposing captain to arrange our
fixed date match a week ago but have had no response?
- We suggest sending another email
- Have you also tried calling them?
- If you still have no response following the telephone call then please check with us that their
captain’s contact details are correct.
- If there is no response from a telephone call, send the captain a final reminder email with your
league organiser CC’d in.
- If that still doesn’t prompt a response, then let us know and we will look at awarding a
walkover on the immediate Monday after the match date.
2. I am the away captain and the home captain has not contacted me at all about our
upcoming match?
- In the spirit of playing tennis you should try and contact the captain by sending a reminder
email or phoning them.
- Please then make your league organiser aware of the situation.
- If that still doesn’t prompt a response, then let your league organiser know. The County office
will then decide if a walkover is appropriate.
3. My opposition captain has informed me that their team cannot make the match anymore
and our match is tomorrow!
- If a team pulls out of match within 96 hours of the arranged start time, then they will
immediately concede the walkover and receive the penalty point.
- If both teams agree that they would still like the match to be played, then an alternative date
can be arranged.
4. We have our fixed match arranged in 2 weeks’ time but I now know one of my players
cannot make the match?
- If the match date/time has been agreed then you must find a replacement player (in line with
the playing up ruling) to complete your team. Alternatively, you would be permitted with just
1 pair. In this instance, you would be forced to cencede the two rubbers that were not played
by a score of 6-0, 6-0. Your opposing captain must be made aware if you will be travelling
with 1 pair only.
- If you know you cannot field a team then you can contact the opposition captain in advance,
explain the situation and suggest an alternative date. If the opposition captain agrees (which
they are not obliged to do) then the fixed date can be changed.
- However, once this alternative date is set, there is no reversal to the original date if any further
issues arise.
5. I am the home team captain and the opposition captain won’t agree to any of the dates I
have suggested?
- Have you followed the GOOD PRACTICE outlined in this document?
- Have you offered 3 dates on separate weekends?
- Are 2 of the dates before the play by date (at least a week apart) and is one on the play by
date?
- Have you contacted them well in advance of the play-by date?
- If you wish to agree with the opposition captain to get the match played after the play by
date then that is fine. The new date must be updated via Tournament Software (preferable)
or league organiser advised by email. Remember though, once this alternative date is set,
there is no reversal to the original date if any issues arise.
- If you are unable to play the match after the play by date and you have followed our team
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frequently asked questions
captain’s expectations/GOOD PRACTICE guide; and the opposition can still not agree 1 of the
3 dates, we will look at awarding a walkover on the immediate Monday after the play by
date.
6. I am the away captain and have always played winter league matches on Sundays at
10:00 and the home team is asking to play in the afternoon?
- Every club has differing court times on match days. We ask captains to get in contact early to
ensure clubs have as much time as possible to arrange court space.
- Matches can be played at any time and is determined by the clubs own programme and
other events.
7. One of my players can’t play, so I won’t be able to field a team for my upcoming match. We
are a very small club so do not have many people to call upon?
OR
My opponent says they cannot field a full team. They are a massive club so surely they can
find someone to play?!
- The dates for the Winter league were sent to all clubs in August. Clubs enter these leagues
knowing when the matches need to be played and as such, should have plenty of time to
assess the size squad they need and to gain an indication on player availability early.
- We appreciate that sometimes meeting these dates can be difficult but it is not fair for clubs
to assess another clubs capability on player availability due to the varying types of clubs
and programmes we have in Surrey.
8. I would like to re-arrange a date but the opposition won’t agree, they say they do not
have the court time/space available. But they are a massive club so must have some courts
available??
OR
I would like to re-arrange a date but the opposition won’t agree, they say they do not have
the court time/space available. But they are a small club so surely don’t have much going
on??
- We ask that you be mindful of the following when arranging matches and cooperating with
alternative dates.
• We have a wide variety of clubs from park sites to one court clubs through to 15 court clubs.
• Some clubs operate 1 team and some clubs operate 23 teams.
• Some clubs operate small squads of players, other clubs have larger playing squads.
• Clubs operate differing amounts of internal competition, coaching and structured club play for
their members, all of which impact on court availability.
• Many clubs play in other local leagues which impact on court availability.
• Clubs host external competitions at different levels.
- All of the above points contribute to a team’s ability to re-arrange matches and access
court time at their club on alternative dates. We find that clubs are much more likely to
accommodate a change, for whatever reason, if they are given plenty of warning.
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useFul weBsiTes
www.lta.tournamentsoftware.com
(This is where you access the Wilson Surrey
Leagues. This is a different website to the
LTA’s website)
www.surrey.tennis
www.lta.org.uk
www.itftennis.com
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Contact us / Who we are
Surrey Tennis:
Lewis Woodham
Surrey Competitions & Social Media Manager
competitions@surrey.tennis
020 8487 7036
Lewis is your point of call for the Wilson Surrey Leagues and Surrey competition in general.
For any questions you have regarding the Wilson Surrey Leagues that are not answered in
this captain’s guide or the ‘Good Practice’ guide, please contact Lewis on the details above.
Useful contacts:
Terry Oakes
Chair of Competitions
wiltontennisclub@aol.com
07814 031931
Tim Sagar
Surrey Tennis Development Manager
tim.sagar@surrey.tennis
020 8487 7036
Chris Risebro
Surrey Tennis Manager
chris.risebro@surrey.tennis
020 8487 7036
League Organisers:
We currently have league organisers in place that deal with any issues that arise for a
specific range of divisions. Once the divisions have been finalised prior to the season
starting, a list of the organisers will be distributed to the divisions affected.
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The National Tennis Centre
100 Priory Lane
Roehampton
London SW15 5JQ
T: 020 8487 7036
Follow us on
Surrey.Tennis @surrey_tennis surrey.tennis
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