Below is an Abbreviated version of the COMPETITION RULES.   Download a full version of the RULES

STARTING TIME 

7.1 All matches are to commence at 7.30pm. The Host Clubs are required to have lights on (if necessary) in readiness  for play by 7.15pm.  

7.2 Teams unable to commence play at the required time will automatically lose the first set. Teams more than half an  hour late shall forfeit the match. Both these penalties apply unless otherwise decided by the Committee. 

7.3 The hit-up time MUST be limited to three (3) minutes after the scheduled starting time of the match 

2 REGISTRATIONS 
2.1 All players must have completed the Tennis Victoria Competitive player profile. 
  
2.2 To be registered, players must be a financial, honorary or life member of any Club affiliated with the Association. 

TIEING OF PLAYERS 

3.1 The Grading Committee may tie players on whose standards the grading of a team is based and grade all other players  submitted for registration 

3.2 Players will be tied to the section after playing six (6) matches in that section or higher, and cannot play down  without a permit from the Grading Committee. 

3.3 Emergency players may alternate between teams in the same section without restriction.. 

3.4 A player not on a Clubs’ registered player list, may play up to five (5) matches in the specific competition without  restriction, before being tied by the Grading Committee. 
 

FIXTURES AND FEES. 

5.1 Matches must be played on the courts as shown in the fixtures unless both captains agree to a change of venue. Undercover courts and indoor courts are not permitted to be used, except for finals matches authorised by the Committee 

5.2 Matches shall be played under “Tennis Australia Rules” - “Rules of Tennis” booklet MUST be available for reference.

5.3 Fees for Night Competition shall be $5 per player per night, payable to the HOST CLUB.

5.4 Official Fixtures and scoresheets are accessible from the matchcentre.tennis and leaguemanager.tennis websites.

TEAMS 

6.1 Teams of four men or four ladies, using a minimum of one court. Suggested order of play: 

 1 & 2 play 1 & 2  and 3 & 4 play 3 & 4 

 1 & 3 play 1 & 3 and  2 & 4 play 2 & 4 

 1 & 4 play 1 & 4 and  2 & 3 play 2 & 3 

 playing six game sets, with a tiebreak at 6 - 6 in all sets. 
 

8 WASHOUTS – HOME AND AWAY MATCHES. 

8.1 In the event of WET or INCLEMENT WEATHER the Home Club shall contact the Visiting Club before 6.30pm. If the  Club Representatives fail to agree to a cancellation by phone, and one team fails to attend the courts, the non-attending team will have the maximum score to nil awarded against them

8.2 For all washouts where matches have commenced, or both teams have attended, the home team shall submit the  completed score sheet using the webpage.

8.3 For washouts agreed by PHONE – the Home team must submit a score sheet 
 

9 RESULTS 

9.1 Matches are decided on sets, and then if required, the result is on games. 

9.2 Clubs shall retain a copy of all score sheets of matches played during the season. Scoresheets are to be downloaded and printed from Match Centre or Leaguemanager listing registered players in their playing order. 

9.3 The HOME team is responsible for submitting results of all matches within 48 hours of the completion of a match. Failure to submit scores results in maximum points to nil to the opposition team. 

9.4 Teams not submitting scores within the time frame will be subject to a fine of $20 in addition to losing match points

9.5 RESULTS OF FINALS MATCHES are to be submitted by the HOME team, by 12 noon the following day. 

9.7 Matches not completed shall be abandoned and points shared, unless one team has an unbeatable lead. Any sets and games played shall be computed by the teams concerned for percentages 

9.8 Wins count four points, ties and washouts two points. No points or scores are credited if a team fails to submit a copy. 

9.9 Teams playing any pair out of order shall lose those sets by 6 games to nil. 
 

10 FORFEITS 

10.1 Forfeiting team: A team forfeiting a match MUST advise the opposing team by 6.45pm. 

Penalty - $20 & a further $20 if the opposing team attends the venue. These fines will increase by $10, for every  subsequent offence, for any team failing to comply. 
 

11 FINALS 

11.1 The top four teams in each section shall play off under the Page system unless there are six teams in a section,  whereby the team which finishes first on the ladder at the end of the season plays the winner of the Preliminary Final played between the teams who finish second and third on the premiership ladder at the end of the season. For short seasons of only 8-9 weeks / 1 term a single finals series of 1st vs 2nd will be used.

11.2 Teams equal on points shall be separated by percentage. 

11.3 In the event of a tie, the SUPER TIEBREAK is employed. The format for play is set out on the scoresheet provided.  

11.4 Finals shall be played on neutral courts. GRAND FINALS shall be played at a Central Venue. The Association will provide the required referees.

11.5 All Club courts shall be at the disposal of the Association for all finals. The referee is required to sign the score sheet on completion of finals matches. 

11.8 Suitable pennants and trophies shall be presented to the premiers and runners-ups of each section. 

 

12 QUALIFYING FOR THE FINALS 

12.1 To qualify for the finals series a player will meet at least one of the following criteria: 

- Was registered for the original team submitted to the Association,

- has played at least 3 home and away matches with the club in the relevant competition in a lower graded team. 

- has played in 2 (two) matches with the club in the relevant competition, as an emergency during the season, 

- has played more than 50% of matches for a team which has failed to make the finals of its’ section, 

- will be not be playing lower than his/her grading or tieing allows, except where a permit has been granted by the Grading Committee. 

 

13 DUTIES OF REFEREES AT FINALS MATCHES 

13.1 Make courts available at 7pm. Ensure score sheets are filled in prior to the commencement of play. Ensure correct tennis attire is worn by players.  In the event of late attendance by players the referee must refer to the guidelines issued to clubs for the finals series. The referee is required to sign the score sheet on completion of any finals match.

14 SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS. 

14.1 A substitute shall be allowed to take the place of any player who is prevented through illness, accidental disablement or any good and sufficient reason from taking part or continuing in a match, provided that such substitute shall not take the place of any player in a set which has already commenced. 

14.2 However should a finals match be incomplete and be set down by the Grading Committee for completion on a subsequent date, a substitute, approved by that Committee may take the place of a team member from the point at which play was halted, provided such team member is unable to continue due to illness, accidental disablement or any good and sufficient reason. 

 

15 PROTESTS 

If any grounds for a protest arise, the match should or should not be played “under protest”. Protests should be noted by  endorsing the score sheet “PROTEST PENDING”, and both captains must sign the endorsement. 

 

16 WITHDRAWAL OF TEAMS. 

16.1 For teams withdrawn after the grading and before the season commences:- PENALTY: fine of  $50 

16.2 For teams withdrawn after the season commences:- PENALTY: fine of $50 

 

18 BALLS. 

18.1 For all home and away matches, the home team shall provide two pairs of new balls of approved Tennis Australia standard per match. 

18.2 Both teams shall provide two new balls for finals matches. 

 

19 ATTIRE & COURT ETIQUETTE

19.1 Regulation tennis attire must be worn at all matches. This includes tennis appropriate footwear.

19.2 Alcohol is not to be taken out on court at any time.

Abbreviated version Oct 2023.