Adopted 26th April 2023

JUNIOR COMPETITION

  1. The By-laws of the C.W.T.A. applicable, apply to the junior competition.
  1. Teams eligible for this competition must be junior teams of clubs affiliated with the Central Wimmera Tennis Association Inc. and Tennis Victoria.
  1. The competition to consist of Sections of competition based on the number of teams entered. The number of Sections and playing format will be determined at a Junior Committee Meeting after team nominations have been received.
  1.    (a) Players eligible to compete must be 17 years and under as at the 31st day of December, in which that season starts.

(b) All juniors must play at least four junior matches for their club, in the current season in C.W.T.A. to be eligible to compete in junior or senior finals matches.

  1.    (a)  That the Junior competition may consist of a separate boys and a separate girls competition – depending on numbers at a Junior Committee Meeting after team nominations have been received.

(b)  If a club has insufficient players, clubs may request permission from the Junior Committee to substitute a boy in the girl’s matches or a girl in the boy’s matches.  Permission must be gained on a weekly basis and the substitutes must play at their standard with no substitutes for finals.

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SECTION Open, 1, 2, 3, 4

i. Each boy and girl play one six (6) game set of singles and two six (6) game sets of doubles with twelve (12) point tiebreaker being played at five (5) games all. The Junior Committee will decide the number of Sections to play this format. Players to be played in order of merit and must play the following format:

        1st Round:   1 & 2 v 1 & 2 (doubles), 3 v 3 (singles)

2nd Round:  1 & 3 v 1 & 3 (doubles), 2 v 2 (singles)

3rd Round:   2 & 3 v 2 & 3 (doubles), 1 v 1 (singles)

 ii. BALLS - Open section to use new balls each week.  Section 1, 2 and 3 only very good balls may be used in all home and away matches and two(2) new balls per team for finals matches as approved by Tennis Australia.  Balls should be hard court or lawn balls as appropriate.  Section 4 to use green ball (lower compression).

iii. UMPIRES - Section Open, 1 and 2 umpire themselves during all home and away matches including finals.  The Duty Parent to resolve any disputes during home and away matches and a neutral umpire during finals.  For Sections 3 and 4, a responsible person from each club be in attendance to umpire all home and away matches and neutral umpires for all finals.

  

MATCH PLAY

  1. Match Play will be played on a modified court size with an orange ball (lower compression).  Teams to consist of (4) players and may be a combination of boys and girls.  Each player will play three sets of doubles, first to (4) games, sudden death deuce, and no tie-break.  Players to be placed in order of merit and must play the following format:

       Doubles:     1 & 2 v 1 & 2, 1 & 3 v 1 & 3

                          2 & 3 v 2 & 3, 3 & 4 v 3 & 4

                          1 & 4 v 1 & 4, 2 & 4 v 2 & 4

ii.  If insufficient players (see By-law 5 (b)

iii. UMPIRES - That a responsible person from each club be in attendance to umpire all home and away matches and neutral umpires for all finals

iv. BALLS - Must be modied balls as per the ANZTHS guidelines to the level being played, e.g. orange ball (lower compression).

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  1.    (a)   When a club has two or more teams competing in the same Section, players will be allowed to play four games with either team before being tied to one team.

(b)   Where clubs have two or more teams in the same Section, teams must be selected evenly. The junior committee have the power to change players in teams if necessary after the 30th of November.

  1.   When a club has more than one team in competition and the team in the highest Section is not competing, then the 3 boys and 3 girls who have played the most games in the higher Section shall be debarred from playing in a lower Section.
  1.   Players who compete in the junior competition shall NOT be debarred from playing with any one other club in the senior competition.
  1.   Matches shall be played on Saturday mornings unless agreed upon by both teams to play another day, and begin at 9am unless another time has been agreed upon by both teams involved. After 9.15am, if players are not present and ready to play, other sets of doubles or singles may take place. Sets may be claimed by opposing captain or person in charge if no other alternative sets can be played. In finals, all matches to begin at 9am. If players are not present and ready to play by 9.15am, the umpire/referee may call a forfeiture of that set.
  1.  If the forecast temperature on the Bureau of Meteorology website for Saturday is 38 degrees or higher at 8:00 am on the Friday morning prior to the match, a decision will be made by the Junior Executive if matches should commence at 8:30am.  Teams will be notified by Friday evening.              For Match Play Section 5 and 6, a decision to be made at 6pm Thursday evening if the matches are to be abandoned.

11. FINALS - By discretion of the club, all eligible players in a team may participate.  For example, a 4th or 5th player only, may play one or both sets of doubles (no singles).  Scoresheets with all players names to be completed prior to commencement of the match and exchanged with opposition.  

Addition – as per Senior rules:

12.  Any club who drops players to a lower Section in a deliberate attempt to improve their lower Section’s position in the top four, or gain entry to the top four, shall be called before the match committee, who would have the power to deduct any points gained.

13.  Players who compete in the junior competition shall NOT be debarred from playing with any one other club in the senior competition.

14.  The premier teams shall hold their respective shields for one year.  All winner and runner-up players be presented with medallions (maximum 5 per team) by the CWTA.  

15.  In all Sections, in the case of a draw in a finals match, 2 players from each team as nominated by the team, play a  super tie-break to 10 points with a 2 point advantage to decide the match. There is no replay of the match. 

16.  In all finals matches, opposing captains must simultaneously exchange lists of teams with the players and pairs selected in order of merit prior to the commencement of the match.

17.  The junior competition shall be controlled by a sub committee to include the association president, association secretary, junior recorder and two (2) members of each junior club. The committee should convene meetings at least twice a year and address the health and direction of the competition.

18.  These by-laws shall be subject to repeal or alteration with the concurrence of a two-thirds majority of delegates that vote.

 

 SENIOR COMPETITION

19.   (a)  Pennant grade only to consist of 3 men and 3 ladies.  All players to play one (1) eight game set of singles, and two (2) eight game sets of doubles with a 12 point tie-break being played at 7 games all. 

1st Round       Men:  1 & 2 v 1 & 2 doubles               Ladies:  1 & 2 v 1 & 2 doubles

         3 v 3 singles                                           3 v 3 singles

2nd Round      Men:  1 & 3 v 1 & 3 doubles               Ladies:  1 & 3 v 1 & 3 doubles

                                          2 v 2 singles                                           2 v 2 singles

3rd Round       Men:  2 & 3 v 2 & 3 doubles               Ladies:  2 & 3 v 2 & 3 doubles

                                          1 v 1 singles                                           1 v 1 singles

        TOTAL of 12 sets.  Penalty for infringements, refer to By-law 24 (d)

 

(b)  A Special grade to consist of 4 men and 4 ladies. Players 1 and 2 to play one (1) eight game set of singles and two (2) eight game sets of doubles. Players 3 and 4 to play three (3) eight game sets of doubles.

       1st Round - Doubles

       Men:   1 & 3 v 1 & 3              Ladies:            1 & 3 v 1 & 3

                  2 & 4 v 2 & 4                                      2 & 4 v 2 & 4

      2nd Round – Singles & Doubles

       Men:   1 v 1,   2 v 2               Ladies:            1 v 1,   2 v 2   

                  3 & 4 v 3 & 4                                      3 & 4 v 3 & 4 

     3rd Round - Doubles

       Men:   1 & 4 v 1 & 4              Ladies:            1 & 4 v 1 & 4 

                  2 & 3 v 2 & 3                                      2 & 3 v 2 & 3 

     TOTAL of 14 sets.  Penalty for infringements, refer to By-law 24(d).

 

      (c)   In A Grade, teams to consist of 4 men and 4 ladies, both to play nine eight game sets with 12-point tie-breaker being played at 7 games all.  Any sets not played to be forfeited to love by the defaulting team.

      1st Round – Mixed Doubles

1 & 1 v 1 & 1        2 & 2 v 2 & 2      3 & 3 v 3 & 3      4 & 4 v 4 & 4

     2nd Round – Doubles

Men:   1 & 2 v 1 & 2                 Ladies:       1 & 2 v 1 & 2          

                    3 & 4 v 3 & 4                                   3 & 4 v 3 & 4

      3rd Round – Doubles

Men:   1 & 3 v 1 & 3                 Ladies:      1 & 3 v 1 & 3        

                    2 & 4 v 2 & 4                                  2 & 4 v 2 & 4

     TOTAL of 12 sets.  Penalty for infringements, refer to By-law 24 (d)

    

(d)     In B Special and B Grade, teams to consist of 4 men and 4 ladies, both to play 6 game sets with 12 point tie-breaker being played at 5 sets all.  Any sets not played to be forfeited to love by the defaulting team.

1st Round - Mixed Doubles

1 & 1 V 1 & 1     2 & 2 V 2 & 2     3 & 3 V 3 & 3     4 & 4 V 4 & 4

2nd Round - Doubles

                     Men:    1 & 2 V 1 & 2                     Ladies:        1 & 2 V 1 & 2

                                 3 & 4 V 3 & 4                                        3 & 4 V 3 & 4

3rd Round – Doubles

                     MEN:     1 & 3 V 1 & 3                   LADIES:     1 & 3 V 1 & 3

                                    2 & 4 V 2 & 4                                      2 & 4 V 2 & 4

4th Round - Doubles

                     MEN:  1 & 4 V 1 & 4                     LADIES:     1 & 4 V 1 & 4

                                 2 & 3 V 2 & 3                                        2 & 3 V 2 & 3

Total of 16 sets.  Penalty for infringements, refer to by-law 24 (d)

 

20.   In Pennant, A Special and A Grade,  the twelve (12) point tie-breaker be used for all sets at 7 games all (including finals).  

In B special and B grade the twelve (12) point tie-breaker be used for all sets at 5 games all (including finals).

      

21. (a).  A win in all grades to count 4 points and a drawn match 2 points.  For a forfeited match in Pennant to count 4 points, 12 sets to love, the team forfeiting to be debited with a 0-12 loss.  For a forfeited match in A Special grade to count 4 points, 14 sets to love, the team forfeiting be debited with a 0-14 loss.  For a forfeited match in A Grade, B Special and B Grade to count 4 points, 12 sets to love, the team forfeiting be debited with a 0-12 loss.  For a bye in the draw the team with the bye in all grades be credited with 4 points.

      (b).  Team receiving a forfeit must lodge a score sheet to claim points and enter results into LEAGUE MANAGER.  Forfeiting team is not required to confirm results.  Score sheets to include names of intended players for that match.

 

22. (a)  All players to be present by 1.15pm Saturday.  Players must be on court and ready to start the matches from 1.30pm sharp.  In Pennant and A Special, men to play first with 10 minute grace, if a pair of men are not present then the equivalent pair of ladies may take the court.   If at the conclusion of this set, the pair of men are still absent, then the captain of the opposition team has the right to claim forfeiture of such set to love and any other set they are not present for.  For all other grades, mixed to play first with 10 minutes grace, if a pair of mixed are not present then a pair of men’s or ladies may take the court.

      (b)  Matches other than finals may not be played on any date except that shown in the fixture sheet, unless the club receives prior permission from the association.

      (c)  If courts within the association are unplayable as deemed by the executive committee and if other C.W.T.A. club courts are available, then clubs are obliged to use them.

      (d)   In the event of a final being interrupted by inclement weather or light, the match must continue on the following day or such other time agreed upon by the two captains from the point at which the play had ceased.

      (e)  In the event that teams agree to play a match with either three (3) men or three (3) women (ie: one team has been unable to find a 4th player for the match), then the number 4 position is required to forfeit the three sets.  All other scheduled sets involving positions 1, 2 and 3 to be played as normal.

      (f)  Team sheets to be completed and captains to exchange score sheet, prior to commencement of play.

      (g)  If a team is unable to find a 4th man and has all four (4) women playing, or is unable to find a 4th woman and has all four (4) men playing, teams may play a 5th woman as a man or 5th man as a woman, subject to approval of the CWTA and the opposition team notified before 12 midday Saturday.

     

23. (a)  If play cannot commence by 9.30am for juniors and 2.30pm for seniors, the match may be abandoned and two (2) points  allotted to each team.  When court surface is wet and considered to be unsafe, play to be suspended until courts are dry or match abandoned.  Where no result has been reached teams will receive two points each.  Both teams to submit a score sheet and enter confirm results in LEAGUE MANAGER.   For Juniors:  Rain events - at 8am, the C.W.T.A executive make a decision to call off play instead of numerous junior committees.  Notification to local radio by 8.30am.

      (b)  If a club has to forfeit prior to or during a match due to fire, the game will be abandoned and two (2) points be awarded to each team.

      (c)  On days of high temperature or inclement weather, opposing captains may agree to shorten sets at their discretion.

      (d)  At 6pm on Friday night, if the forecasted temperature for Horsham as published by the Bureau of Meteorology is 38 degrees or higher, the association has a 'Duty of Care' to abandon all matches.  No score sheets required and no points allotted.  The abandonment of play is to be advertised A.S.A.P after 6pm over radio 3WM and on CWTA facebook page.  If on the day, matches have not been abandoned at 12.30pm and the venue thermometer reaches 38 degrees in the shade during play, it is mandatory for the match to be abandoned, with teams being awarded two (2) points each.    

      (e)  On any day where play has been abandoned by Association/Executive, NO team sheets required and NO points allotted. This applies to Bye teams and matches that may have been completed prior to the Saturday  

 

24. (a)  When a club has more than one team in competition play, all the season, including finals and the higher graded team is not competing due to a BYE, FORFEITS or RECIEVES A FORFEIT, then the 3 men and 3 ladies in Pennant, and the 4 men and 4 ladies in all other grades who have played the most games in one grade shall be debarred from playing in the lower grades.

      (b)  When a club has two (2) or more teams competing in the same grade, players to be allowed to play four (4) games with either team before being tied to one team.

      (c)  Any club who drops players to a lower grade in a deliberate attempt to improve their lower grade’s position in the four, or gain entry to the four, shall be called before the match committee, who would have the power to deduct any points gained.

      (d)  Should a club infringe on By-Laws 19(a), (b), (c), 24(a), (b) they AUTOMATICALLY forfeit sets and games gained by the offending player/s for the match.  The offending player/s sets and games be awarded to the opposing team as a 8-0 win for Pennant, A Special and A Grade, and a 6-0 win for B Special and B Grade, and the offending player/s not recorded.

 

25.  If a player during a match shall become ill, or suffer an accident, and thereby be rendered unable to continue, then the captain has 10 minutes to include the emergency player for the remainder of that set or set to be forfeited.  Such player is to continue for the remainder of the match.

26.  Players are entitled to a 10-minutes interval or rest after each set; but if any player is not available to commence another set after that period if called upon, then the captain of the opposing team has the right to claim forfeiture of such rubber or set to love.

 

27. (a)  All players must play at least four matches for their club, in the current season in C.W.T.A. to be eligible to compete in senior semi or finals matches and will be ineligible to play in final matches in grades lower than which they have played the COMBINED majority of matches, without permission of the match committee.

      (b)  When a match is unable to be played but the points for it are allotted, i.e.: an abandoned match, both clubs shall send to the association recorder by 8pm Sunday the official list of their own players selected to represent the club, and accordingly entered into the records of the association.  Clubs failing to submit a score sheet will automatically forfeit two (2) premiership points with no team players being recorded.  Both teams are to enter and confirm results in LEAGUE MANAGER by the deadlines (see by-law 30a).

 

28.  Balls – For Pennant and A Special matches the home team shall provide 12 first grade tennis balls.  In all other matches the home team shall provide 8 first grade tennis balls.  All balls to be approved by Tennis Australia.  Balls should be hard court or lawn balls as appropriate.

 

CLUB SPECIFIC

29. (a)  All players must be registered with a club affiliated with the CWTA, and each club to be affiliated with Tennis Victoria to be eligible to compete for their club.

      (b)  If any club wishes to register an additional player it may do so by recording the player as an emergency on the scoresheet and placing an ‘E’ next to that person’s name.

      (c)  If any club play an unregistered player in any match, it shall forfeit only those sets played in by the unregistered player. Each set to be recorded as a love set win to the opposing team.

      (d)  Any player wishing to transfer to another club must first obtain a clearance in writing from HIS or HER present club before playing with another club, the clearance to be forwarded to the Senior/Junior Recorder.  Players who do not compete for a club in this association for two previous seasons may gain an AUTOMATIC clearance, players failing to obtain such a clearance to be regarded as an unregistered player.

      (e)  Players may obtain a clearance for one day to play for an opposing team.  The player who has obtained the clearance must play in the equivalent grade or higher then what they play for their own team.

      (f)   Junior players under 18 years of age as at 30th December will be eligible to play two senior matches in a round with approval from the CWTA executive.  A player must play in a higher grade than what they play for their own team.

 

30. (a)  Home team to provide a score book for each home and away match.  Home team’s original score sheet must be scanned by the Home team and emailed to reach the association recorder before 8pm Saturday night.  The home team are to enter the “unconfirmed” results in LEAGUE MANAGER by no later than 10am Sunday morning. Teams failing to enter results in LEAGUE MANAGER by the deadlines will be fined $20.

      (b)  For finals, BOTH scoresheets to be scanned and emailed to association recorder by 8pm Saturday night. Grand final scoresheets to be given to CWTA official on the day.  The association to enter all finals results in LEAGUE MANAGER.

      (c)  If notification is received of a change of name from Tennis Victoria in relation to the online entering of scores the association may update the by-laws accordingly without AGM approval.

 

31. (a)  Clubs entering more teams than they have courts to accommodate must make their own arrangements with regard to courts, and must notify opposing team at least 7 days prior to match.

      (b)  Clubs withdrawing teams after grading appeals have been heard will incur a $50 fine per team.

 

FINALS

32.  Final matches to be played as follows: The team in the first position to be at home to the team in the second position in the second semi-final; the team in third position to be at home to the team in fourth position in the first semi-final; the winners of the first semi-final to play the losers of the second semi-final in the preliminary final; the winners of the preliminary final to play the winners of the second semi-final in the grand final. That the preliminary and grand final venues be decided by the executive committee and the facilities be checked by them, eg. afternoon tea and toilet facilities.  The grand final is to commence at 1.30pm sharp.  If any player is not present and ready to play by the allotted time sets may be claimed by the opposing captain.  See also By-laws 9 & 22.

33.  FINALS HOSTING ROTATION - The hosting of the grand final will rotate between Central Park, Horsham Lawn and Haven Tennis Clubs, with Central Park to host in 2021, Horsham Lawn to host in 2022 and Haven to host in 2023 with the rotation to continue thereafter.  Where a club declines to host their allocated year, the opportunity will first be offered to the club due to host the next grand final.

34. Shields are competed for in all grades; the winning team to hold the shield for one year.  Clubs holding shields must return them clean and in good order to the association secretary on or before the semi-finals matches.  Clubs failing to do so will automatically be fined a MAXIMUM of $20.

35. BALLS – In final matches: For Pennant and A Special matches each team shall provide 12 first grade tennis balls.  In all other matches each team shall provide 8 first grade tennis balls.  All balls to be approved by Tennis Australia.  All teams in finals to provide afternoon tea and a score book.  Teams failing to abide by these requirements to be fined a MAXIMUM of $20.

36.  In all senior grades, in the case of a drawn finals match, 2 men and 2 women from each team (as nominated by the team) play a super tie-break, first to 10 points with a two point advantage to decide the match.  There is no replay of the match.  The team with the most points at the conclusion of the two tie-breakers will be declared the winner.  If still tied, repeat process until a result is achieved

 

 

ASSOCIATION GENERAL

1. Council – The association shall be controlled by a council consisting of two delegates from each member club, and the officers of the association.

2. Council meetings-chairman – The president, failing whom a Vice-President shall be chairman of all meetings of the council and in the event of none such being available, the delegates present shall elect by show of hands conducted by the secretary or other officer, one of their number to the chairman for the meeting.

3. Council meetings-Voting – Except amendments to these rules, all matters arising at meetings of the council shall be determined by a single majority of votes cast for and against and each delegate and officer present shall have one (1) vote except in the event of an equality of votes, for and against any matter in which hands provided that a secret ballot shall be taken instead, on any other particular matter is so required by the chairman or not less than one-third of the persons present entitled to vote.

4. Executive Committee-Powers – The Executive Committee shall be subject to direction by the council, but otherwise shall have power to do all things which it shall consider necessary or desirable, to carry out the objects of the association.

5. Executive Meeting When Held – Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held when requisitioned by any member thereof, and the rules for conduct of annual meetings shall apply thereto.

6. Match Committee-Appointment – Duties to be carried out by three independent Executive Committee members.

7. Match Committee-Powers – To settle any disputes which may arise between any of the clubs. To penalise any player or club it deems necessary in the way of suspension, forfeiture of premiership points or monetary fine, such decisions to be made in the best interest of the CWTA. A player or club has the right to be represented at such meeting by their club president or executive officer and offending player.

8. Grading Committee-Appointment – At the annual meeting of the council the council shall appoint a grading committee consisting of the previous year’s secretary and senior recorder plus three (3) other executive members.

9.  (a) Grading Committee-Powers – the duty of the grading committee is to grade the submitted teams into whichever grade they deem suitable, their decision to be subject to appeal by clubs. All appeals to be heard by the grading committee and must be made in writing within seven (7) days of the gradings being announced. The appeal to be accompanied by $10 to be returned if considered by the grading committee to be not of a frivolous nature.

      (b)  That the grading committee be empowered to increase the number of grades if it deems necessary.

10. Fees – The affiliation fee, which shall be decided at the annual meeting each year, must be paid before the first competition match; any club that has not paid its fee shall forfeit four premiership points for each match played until such fee is paid. If not paid for the current year, that club shall not be entitled to be represented at any meeting of the council.

11. Entries of teams must be accompanied by a complete list of all intending players. Clubs must also state how many courts will be available and which are to be home courts for each team.

12. Auditor – The annual meeting of the council shall appoint an auditor who shall not be a member of the Executive Committee, to audit the accounts of the association for the ensuing year and report thereto to the next annual meeting. At each annual meeting the Treasurer shall submit to the meeting the audited statement of the income and expenditure for the past year and the president shall submit a written report on the activities of the association for the past year.

13. Association Rights – The association shall have the right to the use of the courts of members clubs for the purpose of carrying out any association fixture, tournament and final.

14  (a)  That the number of competing teams in each grade be determined by the grading committee.

     (b)  That all competition matches, tournaments or other fixtures conducted by the association are to be played under the rules of the V.T.A save where altered by the BY-LAWS of the association.

      (c)  That all competing club courts shall have lines and nets in good condition and must be of the standard as approved by the C.W.T.A.

      (d)  All clubs to provide one (1) x .915m, measure per 3 courts to establish correct height of nets.

15. The Draw – for the competition matches shall be arranged by the association secretary; and unless otherwise stated shall be played on the courts of the first named club.

16. Any Disputes – between clubs must be referred to the match committee (tribunal) accompanied by a deposit of $10, which is to be returned if the decision be in favour of the club referring the dispute.  Protest must be lodged within three clear days, excluding Sundays.  Any disputes are to be handled by one person from the club, either the President or CWTA representative.

17. The By-Laws – of the association shall be subject to repeal or alteration with the concurrence of a two-thirds majority of the delegates that vote.