Latrobe Valley Tennis Association Incorporated

1.   COMPETITIONS
2.   TEAM ENTRY FEES
3.   TEAM COMPOSITION
4.   ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
5.   TRANSFER OF PLAYERS
6.   TEAM REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
7.   GRADING PLAYERS
8.   PLAYERS IN FINALS
9.   PLAYERS AVAILABILITY
10. NAMING OF TEAMS
11. ORDER OF MERIT
12. MATCHES
13. ORDER OF PLAY
14. HOURS OF PLAY
15. UNFINISHED MATCHES
16. POSTPONED MATCHES
17. PREMIERSHIP POINTS
18. REPLAYS
19. FORFEITS
20. WITHDRAWING TEAM FROM COMPETITION
21. BALLS
22. UMPIRING
23. MATCH RESULTS
24. PROTESTS
25. TROPHIES
26. ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
27. DRESS CODE
28. CODE OF CONDUCT

THE PURPOSE OF THE CODE
OBJECTIVES
THE SCOPE OF THE CODE
THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CODE
NOTIFICATION OF PENALTIES
CODE VIOLATION PENALTIES
CODE VIOLATIONS SPECIFIC

Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

Physical Abuse

Dress

Coaching

Spectators

Verbal Abuse

Audible Obscenity

Visible Obscenity

Abuse of Equipment/Balls

29. HONORARIUMS
30. MATCH VENUES
31. ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. COMPETITIONS
Home and Away Matches, followed by the necessary finals, shall be played as arranged by the Match and Play Committee appointed annually by the Delegates.

FINALS: -The four leading teams shall play for the premiership. In the semi-finals, first team shall play fourth and second shall play third. In the final the winners of the semi-finals shall play off.

The annual subscription for affiliated Clubs shall be fixed by the Association at the Annual General Meeting each year. These fees MUST be paid on or before the 30^th November each year.

Senior teams shall consist of four men, four women, three men and three women, two men and two women, whichever is applicable.

Junior teams shall consist of four boys, four girls, two boys and two girls, whichever is applicable.

To be eligible to play in competition, a player must be a financial Member of the Club he desires to represent and a bona-fide resident within 50km of that Club. Any non bona-fide player must obtain permission from the Match Committee before playing.

Junior Pennant, Boys and Girls Section 1 shall be restricted to those that are 17 years of age and under as at the 31^st December of the current season.

Junior Boys and Girls Sections 2 to 5 shall be restricted to those that are 15 years of age and under as at the 31^st December of the current season.

Junior Boys and Girls Section 6 shall be the lowest Section and restricted to those that are 11 years of age and under as at the 31^st December of the current season.

A player may transfer to another Club, during the current season, by first obtaining a clearance in writing from his present Club and also the approval of the Match Committee.

Players shall be automatically registered to that Club when their name appears on the score sheet.

Where a Club is represented by two or more teams in the one competition, such teams shall be registered separately after the completion of round six (6). Special permission may be granted by the Match Committee after this date.

Any player having, during the current season, played six (6) matches in a higher grade shall not play in a lower grade during that season. Special permission may be given by the Match Committee in extraordinary cases.

No player shall be eligible to play in finals matches unless that player has played three (3) matches in that team. Special permission may be given by the Match Committee in extraordinary cases.

Before commencement of each match, opposing captains shall record the names of their personnel on the score sheet in the order in which they shall play, with the home team filling out the sheet first.

In the event of a substitute player from a lower grade taking part in a match, such player shall occupy the lowest position, unless approval is given by the Match Committee to vary the playing order.

(a) In matches with singles play, each player shall play one of the opposing team. The Members of each team shall be arranged in Order of Merit by their respective captains. In every case number 1 player shall play the number 1 player of the opposing team, the number 2 shall play number 2, and so on.

In the event of any dispute arising over the playing order of the team, the match shall be played under protest, and the Match Committee shall determine the matter after receipt of a protest in writing from the Club.

The graded order of singles play shall not be changed after the completion of round 6 without first obtaining the approval of the Match Committee.

(b) In teams consisting of four men, four women, four boys or four girls with doubles play, the number 1 must always play the opposing number 1, but the playing partner can be chosen at the captains discretion (eg. 1+2 v 1+4; 3+4 v 2+3).

(c) In teams consisting of two men and two women or two boys and two girls, the mixed pairing must be played in Order of Merit with the number 1 man or boy playing in the first pairing, and shall not be changed after the completion of round 6 without first obtaining the approval of the Match Committee.

Clubs must submit Order of Merit lists for all senior and junior teams by the completion of round 6. Names must be supplied starting with the strongest at number 1 down to the weakest. Failure to submit the Order of Merit lists for all senior and junior teams by the completion of round 6 will result in that Club being fined $25.00, and for every additional round that the Club fails to supply the Order of Merit lists, the Club will be fined an additional $25.00.

If emergencies are used in a team, their names must also be nominated in what position in the Order of Merit that they are to be included.

(a) In senior matches with singles and doubles play, each match shall consist of four 6-game tie break sets of singles and four 8-game tie break sets of doubles.

(i) In the case of A Pennant and Mens A Grade, a rubber will be played for all doubles.

(b) In senior matches with doubles only, each match shall consist of nine 8-game tie break sets. No player shall play more than three sets.

(c) Junior matches shall consist of two 6-game tie break sets of doubles and four 6-game tie break sets of singles. Number 1 player must play in the first doubles pair. No player shall play more than two sets with the exception of Junior Pennant.

The visiting captain shall decide the order in which the match is to be played. In senior matches with singles, the four singles may be played at the start of the match or after two doubles in which all team members participate. In junior matches, doubles must be played first.

In finals matches, the "visiting captain" shall be decided by the toss of a coin prior to commencing the match.

Junior matches shall commence promptly at 8.30am and play in ALL junior matches shall cease promptly at 12.00pm.

Senior matches shall be from 1.00pm until 6.30pm or later depending on light conditions.

If matches are not commenced by the scheduled time, the defaulting team shall forfeit the first set.

(a) All teams shall present themselves at the home teams courts ready to play regardless of the weather conditions.

(b) In all unfinished matches points shall be allocated according to sets completed and points for uncompleted sets shall be divided equally. The bonus winning points shall only be allocated if a team has already won enough sets to win the match prior to the division of unplayed sets.

(c) Junior matches delayed by weather conditions shall not be abandoned until 10.00am. If it is obvious that conditions are such that play is not possible, an earlier decision to abandon play may be made at the discretion of the Junior Co-ordinator.

(d) In finals, the match shall be recommenced on the following day (Sunday) from the exact point at which play ceased.

(i) The names that appear on the score sheet when play is postponed are the only players that will be allowed to play when the match is continued. Teams can appeal to the Match Committee if they feel there are special circumstances.
(ii) In the event of a draw, all players will play a tie break in their singles pairings, with the team winning the most tie breaks the winner. In the event of this being a draw, the match will be decided by the total number of points won in the tie breaks, unless otherwise decided by the Match Committee.

One point shall be awarded for each set won. Two additional points shall be awarded to the winning team. In the case of a draw, the two winning points shall be shared. Teams having a bye shall be awarded 75% of maximum points.

If a match is forfeited during the last three matches, any team in that grade shall have the right of appeal.

If a team forfeits a match, that club will be fined $25.00 for each forfeit that occurs, but Clubs have the right to appeal if they feel there are extraordinary circumstances.

If a Club withdraws a team from either a junior or senior competition it will be fined $50.00 for every withdrawal that occurs.

Only balls approved by Tennis Victoria shall be used in competition matches. In competition play, the Home Team shall provide the following number of balls :-

In finals matches, each Senior and Junior Pennant team shall provide four new balls and in Junior matches each team shall provide two new balls.

Central umpire to be appointed by the Match Committee at the request of either captain. This especially applies to Sections 5 and 6 in junior matches.

Foot-fault umpires shall be appointed by the Association, and they shall announce their presence when officiating at matches.

The Home Team shall be responsible to ensure that the scores are phoned through to the Score Secretary by 10.00pm on the Saturday of the match. The Home Team shall be responsible to ensure that the score sheet reaches the Score Secretary by 4.00pm on the Wednesday following that match. Clubs may appoint one of their Members to phone the scores through and to send all the score sheets to the Score Secretary by the deadline.

If the score sheet does not reach the Score secretary by 4.00pm on the Wednesday following that match, the Home Team shall lose all points won for that match.

The Score Secretary will keep accurate records of all phone calls made in relation to tracing missing scores and score sheets, and Clubs will be obliged to reimburse the Association for the cost of all calls recorded against their Club.

All protests must be lodged with the Secretary of the Association in writing not later than 8.00pm on the Wednesday following the match in dispute. Protests must be accompanied by a fee of $25.00, such fee to be forfeited in the event of the protest being deemed frivolous.

Perpetual trophies as donated by the Association or interested bodies shall remain the property of the Association.

Any Club who participated in competitions in the previous season, and intend to take part in competitions in the current season MUST have at least one delegate present at the Annual General Meeting. Failure to comply will result in that club being fined $30.00.

The following conditions shall apply to all matches, Tournaments and Championships.

Coloured recognised tennis garments and footwear may be worn, at the discretion of the Match and Play Committee. Articles such as sweat shirts, dress shirts, tee shirts (men’s shirts must have a collar), bermuda shorts, jogging shorts, football shorts, board shorts and walk shorts shall NOT be worn by any player while competing in a match. White, skin coloured or matching (same as shorts) cycle shorts may be worn under tennis attire. Tracksuits shall not be worn during the course of a match. Suitable footwear for tennis matches shall be worn (depending on type of surface).

At the discretion of the Match and Play Committee, juniors may be given permission to wear single coloured tee shirts.

It is the responsibility of the Junior Co-ordinators and club Committee Members to ensure that the Dress Code is adhered to by their Members and all visiting players involved in competition matches held at their Home courts.

To preserve the image and integrity of tennis in the Latrobe Valley Tennis Association Incorporated.

To maintain the good name of tennis, to promote sportsmanlike conduct and to provide a framework within which the purpose and the objectives are achieved.

It shall apply to all sanctioned competition matches, Tournaments and Championships conducted by the Latrobe Valley Tennis Association Incorporated.

The Match and Play Committee is the sole authority in interpreting the Code of Conduct.

In the event of a breach of the Code of Conduct, the player will be notified immediately that a report of the incident is to be sent to the Match and Play Committee and the Club that the player belongs to will be notified within 24 hours.

Action taken by the Match and Play Committee will be sent in writing to the player and his/her Club.

Where, in the opinion of the Match and Play committee, a Code Violation has occurred, the Match and Play Committee shall impose the following penalties on the player/s involved :-

(c) For the third Code Violation issue a three match suspension.
(d) For the fourth Code Violation the player/s involved shall be expelled from the Association.

A player shall not, during any match or at anytime within the precincts of the site of a sanctioned event, engage in conduct to the prejudice of the image and integrity of tennis. Should such conduct occur, the Match and Play Committee has the right to take action in accordance with this Code, or as is necessary.

A player shall not physically abuse any official of the Association, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the site of a sanctioned event. For the purpose of this rule, physical abuse is the unauthorised touching of any official of the Association, opponent, spectator or other person.

A breach of this Code occurs if a player does not dress and present himself/herself for play in approved tennis attire (see the Dress Code in these By-Laws). Clean and customarily acceptable attire shall be worn at all times during the match. A player must be given the opportunity to change his/her clothing in order to comply with the Dress Code (particularly before a match starts) before a report is submitted to the Match and Play Committee.

A player shall not receive coaching from any person while a match is in progress.

Coaching shall be permitted where there is a ten (10) minute interruption to play caused by bad weather or light, where the players leave the court.

Where a match is disrupted or interfered with by the action of spectators known to one of the players, (eg. Coach, parents, family or friends) the Match and Play Committee may utilise this Code against the relevant player to ensure that any future disruptions are satisfactorily controlled.

A player shall not, during any sanctioned event, verbally abuse any official of the Association, opponent, spectator or other person. For the purpose of this rule, verbal abuse is defined as a statement directed to an official of the Association, opponent, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive.

A player shall not use offensive or obscene language within the precincts of any sanctioned event. For the purpose of this rule, audible obscenity is defined as the use of words commonly known and understood as profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by a person on an adjacent court or outside the fence surrounding the court on which the match is being played.

A player shall not make any offensive or obscene gestures within the precincts of any sanctioned event. For the purpose of this rule, visible obscenity is defined as the making of signs by a player with his/her hands and/or racquet or balls that commonly have an obscene meaning or improper to reasonable people.

A player shall not violently or with anger, kick or throw a ball, racquet or other equipment, or in any way unreasonably interfere with any court fixture and equipment. For the purpose of this rule, abuse is defined as intentionally hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences. In addition, abuse of racquets or equipment is defined as destroying or damaging equipment during a match out of anger or frustration.

Honorariums for the secretary/Treasurer and Score secretary shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting in each year.

All venues for Association events such as finals and Championships shall be decided at the Annual General Meting of each year. These venues will be made available at no charge and the Association shall be responsible for such events.

Clubs must nominate at the Annual General Meeting if they will play Home and Away matches anywhere other than their deemed Club courts.

Association Championships shall be conducted at a time specified at the Annual General Meeting of each year. The rules of the tournament may be decided at the Annual General Meeting or otherwise shall be the responsibility of the Officers of the Association.