We sent out guidance on this on a couple of occasions last season, plus this was covered at our AGM last November where the 12 different clubs that were represented had a discussion about this and minutes were distributed to all clubs.  Everyone at the meeting, including the ADTL committee felt that the emphasis should be on the matches getting played because this is the whole point of the tennis league. 

If you have not done so already, please read the Divisional Secretary's report and the Minutes of the AGM which can be accessed HERE.

We realise that not everyone agrees and some feel that if a team cannot stick to the original date, then a walkover should be given but this seems to be a minority view.

As expressed in the AGM Div Sec report:

Our concern is consistency: it is unfair if some captains automatically refuse a walkover, even with notice from an opposition, when others in the same division allow a postponement. This will skew the division standings ultimately. Similarly when one captain at a club refuses a postponement when another captain at the same club is asking for one for the same reason. 

In the Summer season, only one walkover per team is allowed, otherwise the team will be disqualified for that season.  No one benefits when a team is disqualified as any points awarded against this team in previous matches/ walkovers will be void and it’s nearly always the smaller clubs who are affected the most.

As you will see from the AGM minutes, various suggestions were made: we are not going to prohibit walkovers being taken in the first half of a season, but we would hope that postponements for good reasons can be accommodated so that the match gets played.  This is especially relevant in the summer season where there fewer matches. We realise that later in the season this may not be possible.  Please do use us, the Divisional Secretaries, for advice as we can take an overview and will know what others have done in similar situations.  There have already been several postponements this season for non weather reasons.

We trust that no captain will abuse the sporting behaviour of the opposition captain to allow a postponement.  This should not be just because you cannot get your best players out.  Captains should play players from lower teams if necessary, or offer a one pair match.  The opposition can offer a postponement if they prefer rather than play against one pair but cannot take a walkover in that situation.  

Last season we amended RULE 15.  It no longer says that a fixture cannot be rearranged for any other reason than weather.  This was because captains were not sticking to this anyway.  

RULE 28 covers walkovers.

As ever, please see the CAPTAINS GUIDE for information on how to enter a one pair match or a walkover or mark as a match as postponed and add a note onto a match.  

Thank you for your understanding and please let us know if there are any queries.

Rebecca & Mike

adtldivisionalsec@gmail.com