Twilighters

Twilighters is a club within a club. Back in 1980 some tennis club members had the bright idea of starting an interclub social competition for the male members. Teams were selected and matches played on a Wednesday night over the summer at various members’ home courts and at the club. We were limited to daylight hours as there were only two lit courts at the club.

A round robin format allowed each team to play one another with teams selected to even up the competition. After the sun went down, we all traveled back to the club for the compulsory refreshments and BBQ with the die hards continuing to play under lights. The refreshment sessions often went fairly late and generally a great time was had by all. The season ended with a grand final night between the top two teams.

Someone suggested we should also have a trip away and these soon became legendary. Various Riverina towns, resorts and even the casino at Launceston were visited by busloads of fellows intent on a good time. The Twilighters tradition was forged and has continued for over 40 years now.The facilities and lights have changed, but the underlying culture of good sport, good fun and firm friendship has endured to this day.

The Place to Meet
The Twilighters concept is the envy of other local tennis clubs and has become stronger each season. It is established as the place to meet 90% of the male population of Park Orchards on a Wednesday night and has become an integral part of the POTC membership by providing financial and managerial support to the club.

Twilighters Summer Season 2024

Wednesday January 24 to March 27, 2024

Easter is early in 2024 so we need to start a week before school commences in order to fit in the 9 rounds
and Grand Final before the Easter break.
Looking forward to another successful year

Download the 2023 Twilighters Report

Twilighter Rules and Regulations
Players

• Players must be male, financial POTC members, out of condition and heavily mortgaged.
• Players must be allowed out on Wednesday nights.
• Players of any tennis standard will be eligible for selection.
• Players must bring sufficient funds to purchase essential refreshment and raffle tickets.

What’s New This Season?

This season, we are switching to a 10 team competition to provide more court time and less chatting between sets.

• Please turn up early, 6.15 for prompt start at 6.30 pm and enjoy playing more tennis.
• Courts will be allocated each night so come early, prepare the court and have a hit up.
• This compulsory mid evening break will be from 9.00-9.20pm and all play is suspended temporarily.
• The essential announcements, fundraising raffle winner and the odd joke will be presented then.

Teams

• Teams consist of a minimum of 6 players per night, as selected by the captain.
•  Each player limited to 2 sets/night for his own team but may fill in for other teams.
•  All players should turn up each night as emergencies are often needed for other teams.
•  Any smart alec attempts to abuse the system will result in arbitrary and severe points penalties.
•  Spare non rostered players will be able to have a social hit on a nearby court if needed.

Discipline / Code of Behaviour

• Disputes on line calls, scores, etc., will definitely be ignored.
• Boorish, pushy, arrogant and downright unpleasant players will be denied access to cold refreshments.
• Players performing above their normal skill level will be handicapped out of the finals.
• Players performing below their usual skill level will be publicly humiliated.

Social Etiquette
 Competitors will join in for snags and refreshments.</li>

•  Failure to support social activities is a serious offence and will be punished with a consequent permanent slur on one’s reputation in the Park Orchards Community.
•  Competitors who fail to enjoy themselves each night will be severely disciplined.
•  Competitors seen using mobile phones between sets will be brought before the disciplinary committee.

Play and Scoring

• Teams play 6 x 8 game sets, each player to have minimum of 2 serves per set.
• Playing order: 1 & 2’s, 3 & 4’s, 5 & 6’s, 1 & 3’s, 2 & 5’s, 4 & 6’s.
• One point is allocated for each game won; maximum score per night is thus 48 points.
• Scores to be entered on master sheet by either captain.
• In the event of a washout, all teams score zero points for the night.

Play commences at 6.30 pm. SHARP! Lights must be out by 11.00pm.

Captain’s Duty

• Roster team players each night
• arrange for emergencies if needed before starting sets.

When on duty:

• Make sure team sells fundraising tickets, manage refreshment booth and BBQ.
• Players should contact their captains prior to the night if unable to play.

Team Clubhouse Duty
Raffles, club house duty is the responsibility of the team on the top line of the draw . BBQ area & kitchen need to be cleaned, empty bottles/cans to rubbish bin, vacuum floor.

Trophies
The legendary last night gala Grand Final night dinner is fully catered and not to be missed.

A priceless perpetual trophy will be presented to the winning team and the “Golden Racquet” will be presented to the individual considered to have most contributed to the success of the season.