(last updated March 2024)

1 Eligibility

1.1.   The league is open to all members of CPTC. It is an open league, not divided into age or gender categories.

1.2.   Players must be an LTA Advantage Play+ member. Club membership automatically entitles players to this for free. Information on signing up can be found here: https://www.lta.org.uk/advantage/

1.3.   New entries can be made by contacting the League Organiser. New players will be placed in a box with a spare place. Attempts will be made to match the level of new players with their assigned box but cannot be placed in a higher division at the expense of an existing player’s position.

1.4.   Previous players re-joining shall be placed in a box as close as possible to the one they would have been in before dropping out but cannot be placed in a higher division at the expense of an existing player’s position.

1.5.   By entering, players agree to the rules as stated here.

2 Format

2.1.   The league consists of boxes of up to 6 players each, arranged in order with box 1 being the highest level. Each season runs for 6-8 weeks during which players may play each player in their box once.

2.2.   Matches are best of 3 sets, which a match tiebreak (first to 10 and 2 points clear) in place of a third set. Match tiebreak score to be recorded in points (e.g. 10-6 rather than 1-0).

2.3.   Players enter the result of matches at this website. Results must be entered before the end of the season or will not be counted.

2.4.   One point is award for each set won.

2.5.   At the end of each season, box winners will be promoted to the box above. Players finishing fifth or sixth will be relegated to the box below. Second placed players will also be promoted if there are 2 players relegated from the box above.

2.6.   Players who do not play any matches in a season will be automatically relegated.

3 Box standings

3.1.   The order of players in a box will be determined by the number of points won (one point awarded for each set won).

3.2.   Where 2 players are tied on points, the winner of the match between the 2 players shall be ranked higher.

3.3.   If the tied players did not play each other, or 3 players are tied, the order will be determined by % matches won, followed by % games won.

4 Arranging matches

4.1.   Matches shall be arranged by mutual consent. By entering the league players consent to their contact details provided to the League Organiser being shared with other members of the league.

4.2.   Reasonable effort should be made to arrange a date for matches. If player A suggests 3 reasonable dates and times at least 7 days apart, and player B cannot play and does not offer alternative dates, then player A is entitled to claim a walkover if the match is not played by the end of the season.

4.3.   A walkover for an unarranged match cannot be claimed if both players have suggested 3 dates at least 7 days apart.

4.4.   Players who do not play any matches for 2 consecutive seasons will be removed from the following season.

5 Walkovers

5.1.   If a player cannot play an arranged match players should make reasonable efforts to rearrange the match before the end of the season. However, if a new date cannot be agreed then the player who was able to play is entitled to a walkover.

5.2.   If a player has not arrived 30 minutes after the agreed start time, their opponent is entitled to claim a walkover.

5.3.   Players cannot be expected to play in weather conditions that they reasonably believe to be unsafe or otherwise unplayable. An assessment of the weather conditions should be made at the venue unless a postponement is mutually agreed in advance. No walkover can be claimed if a player reasonably believes the weather or courts are unsafe or unplayable.

5.4.   Walkovers will count as a 6-0 6-0 win but should be recorded by setting the status of the match to walkover on the results website, rather than typing in the score.

6 Conduct

6.1.   Matches are competitive but players must always treat opponents, spectators, bystanders, and courts with respect.

6.2.   Players must act according to the CPTC code of conduct.

7 Disputes

7.1.   Matches are not umpired with players responsible for keeping score and calling lines at their end of the court.

7.2.   Any disputes, including scoring or behaviour, not resolved between players should be reported to the League Organiser who may take whatever actions or apply sanctions they deem necessary.

8 Organisation

8.1.   The league is run by the League Organiser.

8.2.   Contact details for the League Organiser are Billy White, 07581858831, cothamparkcompetitive@gmail.com

8.3.   Any decision made by the league organiser, including interpretation of rules and dispute resolution, shall be final.