Court Etiquette and Code of Conduct 

( To be read in conjunction with the LTA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Code as of 1 April 2022, see Policies Page).

We are all keen to enjoy our sport so we have just a simple Ground Rule to make the playing experience more enjoyable for all and that is ‘Keep it clean!’. The ‘it’ being:

• the courts,

• your language and

• your play.

Leave the courts free of litter, collect in tennis balls for other players to use and don’t let the frustrations of the game make you an unpleasant person to play with. 

Please make sure all wear appropriate clothing and shoes (non marking)

Court Etiquette

The following is an extract from British Tennis website on court etiquette which reflects our approach.

Please do not walk behind players whilst a game, a rally or coaching is in progress, this is to avoid distracting other members and most importantly to avoid any potential accidents on court.

If you are trying to cross a court please wait until you are invited to and it is safe to do so.

If a stray ball comes onto your court don’t knock it back immediately, wait until the owners are ready and then hit it to the server’s end.

During play and particularly between games, keep the amount and volume of conversation down to a minimum necessary to play and enjoy your own games. Too much chatter can be disturbing to those playing nearby and, in between games, can hold up play for people waiting.

Line calls can be a problem and we recommend the use of what the Americans call the ‘honour system’.

Only call the lines on your side of the net.

Call clearly and firmly what you see and what you honestly believe to be correct.

If you are not absolutely certain or didn’t see the ball clearly, the ball was IN and must be given in the opponents favour.

If occasionally you have serious doubts as to your opponent’s eye-sight, ask politely if they are certain as to the accuracy of their call. If they say that they are, get on with the next point.

If you feel your opponents regularly have difficulties making correct calls, start looking for different opponents!

If in social friendly matches there is some doubt over a line call, offer to play the point again rather than cause undue aggravation and time wasting.

Do not criticise your partner or opponent, be positive and offer encouragement instead.

Overall, use your best judgement and we all want to be competitive but don’t let your emotions get on top of you!

Thanks for reading and enjoy playing

Respect and Behaviour

All Club members and Club officials must show tolerance, courtesy, good manners, fairness, honesty and integrity in their dealings with Club members, officials, Club members’ guests, playing and social visitors. (See Code of Conduct for Players, Parents & coaches below).

Equality

The Club is opposed to discrimination in any form. All Club members have a responsibility to make everyone feel welcome and to ensure that membership of the club is a positive experience.

Safety and Responsibility

All Club members will act responsibly and look to protect and ensure the safety of everyone at the Club at all times and particularly to consider the well-being and care of junior players and visitors.

Fair Play

All Club members will respect the rules of the sport of tennis and address disputes with dignity and appropriate language.

Club Reputation

All Club members should endeavour to protect and further the Club’s good reputation at all times. When representing the Club, all players and officials will observe the principles in this Code of Conduct.

Resolving Difference.

All club members will endeavour to resolve differences in the following order.

Between the parties involved.

By reference to the Club Secretary, Club  Welfare Officer who will determine the course of action to be followed.

By reference to the Club Committee.

The Committee shall have the power to censure any of the members or suspend playing or membership rights and may suspend such rights for up to four weeks. Suspension beyond four weeks or recommendations as to expulsion must be approved by the Club General Committee.

Removal of a Club, Officer or Committee Member shall require an EGM of the Club

All disciplinary action pursuant to this code shall be subject to a right of appeal to an Appeals Committee. This Appeals Committee shall comprise of three individuals appointed by the General Committee. The majority verdict of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding.

Suspension

The Committee may suspend a member for such period as they consider necessary, if they consider that it would be in the interests of the Game or the Club to do so.

Expulsion

The Management Committee shall have power to refuse membership or expel a Member if it in its sole discretion determines that it would be in the interests of the Game or of the Club to do so.

A Member shall not be expelled unless he is given [14] days' written notice of the meeting of the Management Committee at which his expulsion shall be considered and written details of the complaint made against him.

The Member shall be given an opportunity to appear before the Management Committee to answer complaints made against him. The member must not be expelled unless at least [two-thirds] of the Management Committee then present vote in favour of his expulsion.

The Management Committee may exclude the Member from the Club's premises until the meeting considering his expulsion has been held. For the avoidance of doubt, the member shall be entitled to attend that meeting for the purpose of making his representations.

The Member may appeal against the Management Committee's decision by notifying the Management Committee who shall put the matter to the Club's members in general meeting and decided by a majority vote of members present and voting at such meting.