From the Singles Box League starting in Jan 2025 there will be a revamp done with the emphasis on playing more matches. There will be an 'A' league only and will be reverting back to bigger groups, allowing the opportunity for more matches to be played. The expectation is that players aim to try and play as many of their matches as possible. After each round, players can move up and down the groups. See guidelines below for expected promotion and relegation. This is subject to change, as players leave and join the league, and where spaces in each group permits.

Group and Promotion/Relegation Guidelines

• There will be 4 points for a win and 1 point for a loss.
• Each group will have 13 +/- 3 players.
• New players will tend to start at the bottom group unless they are known to be of a higher standard. In this case they can be placed in a suitable group, subject to space in that group
• PROMOTION:
  - Top 5 to be promoted*
       - Top 2 up 2 groups (needs to win at least 5 matches)
       - Next 3 up 1 group (needs to play at least 3 matches)
  - Players can move up 3+ tiers in exceptional circumstances
• RELEGATION:
  - Bottom 5 to be relegated*
       - Bottom 2 down 2 groups (if played at least 5 matches, only 1 group down)
       - Next 3 down 1 group
       - However any player playing 0 or 1 matches will go down 2 groups
  - Players playing 0 or 1 matches in 2 successive rounds will be removed from the next group

Box League Rules

1. There will be a WhatsApp group chat for each box, where players arrange their matches and post their results. The organiser will regularly update a large group chat with details of group leaders etc. After initial contact ideally using the poll function, recommended that players pm each other if they are trying to agree on a date etc, so there are less messages in the chat.

2. Matches will be played at DL Renfrew indoor carpet courts. However if players agree then matches can be played on our hard courts, outdoor or even at another venue.

3. Match format to be agreed by players at start of match. Default format will be 2 full sets, and if 1 set all, then 3rd set will be a Championship tie break (first to 10 points, 2 points clear). Other formats can be:  

• 3 full sets (only to be done at off-peak time and when courts are generally quiet)
• 3 short sets
• 2 short sets and a Champs tie break at 1 set all.
• All of the above formats can be played with normal deuce, sudden death deuce or sudden death on a 2nd deuce.
• Recommend a shorter set format and/or sudden death deuce format if the match is unlikely to be completed due to time or court availability.

4. There will be 3 points for a win and 1 point for a loss.

• If a match starts and a player/pair has to retire, then points will be allocated.
• If a match is not played for whatever reason then no points will be allocated. Under no circumstances, log a match as 'Walkover' or 'Not Played'. It can be frustrating when this happens but purpose of box league is to play matches. If unplayed matches were to be logged then it would just open up a can of worms!

5. Players have to enter their own results in the LTA website. See the instructions page.

6. Players that decide to miss out a round and wish to return at a later round, may not rejoin in the same group. If there are spaces, then it will likely be 1 group below the group that they would have been in for the missed round.

7. Fair play and good court etiquette to be adhered to at all times. Please at all times treat your opponent(s) with respect, both on court and in any group chat.

8. Any player(s) found to be reporting a result of a match that was unplayed, will be removed from the box leagues.

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