COMPETITIONS
Lisvane Tennis Club Box Leagues – How It Works?
Overview
Our singles and doubles Leagues for Men, Ladies & U18 Juniors are divided into divisions called groups (e.g., Group 1, Group 2, Group 3). Each term normally lasts 6–9 weeks and runs in Spring, Summer & Autumn (dates indicated online).
Players can arrange matches at their convenience:
Write your contact details on the Club notice board (sheet provided), or
Log in online and find your opponent’s email by clicking their name.
Note: Admin cannot give out contact details directly.
At the end of each term (round):
Points are reset for the next term.
Players who have played at least 1 match are automatically entered into the next round.
Doubles players can change partners, take a term off, or withdraw. Requests must be made within 1 week of the next term’s start; otherwise, you will be automatically included.
Goal: Stay active and play regularly—this is key to improving your tennis and enjoying the Leagues.
Promotions & Demotions
Singles: play each opponent once per term.
Doubles: play each other twice (home and away i.e. once on clay, once on hard court).
Aim for at least 3 matches against different opponents.
On the term end date:
Top 2 players/teams in each division are promoted.
Bottom 2 players/teams are demoted.
Groups with ≤5 players/teams: only 1 promotion/demotion applies.
Scoring
Points are awarded for just playing, with a bonus for winning.
Inactive Players
Players who do not play at least one match during a term are considered inactive.
Inactive players (other than those 'on hold') are removed automatically at the end of the term.
Players who withdraw after the round/draw has started must pay a £10 rejoin fee to participate in the next term. Players 'on hold' do not pay to return.
Staying active ensures you remain in your division, continue to accumulate points, and avoid unnecessary demotion.
Unable to Play next round?
If you cannot play next term, email within 1 week of the term start to be put 'on hold'. You can rejoin the next term and do not need to pay again.
If the round has already started:
Withdraw via your LTA account to notify opponents.
Rejoining costs £10, whether due to inactivity or withdrawal after the draw.
Note: Leagues are free if you play at least 1 match per term.
Match Rules
Warm-up: 5 minutes
Score Format: Any agreed format. Default = FAST4 with sudden-death deuce. Examples:
6-0 = 4-0
6-1 = 4-1
6-3 = 4-2
7-5 = 4-3
Final set = match tiebreak to 10 points (2 points clear)
Shorter option: 3 tiebreak sets (2 x first to 4, sudden death at 3-3; final tiebreak to 10 if 1 set all)
Balls: Yellow and as new as possible
Court Duties: Winner sweeps clay courts and records score ASAP
No-shows:
15 minutes late = forfeit points to winner only; no-show player gets no points
Cancelling <24 hours before = forfeit
Both players cancel = reschedule
Fair Play: Call lines and score honestly (see ITF Clay Court rules on notice board)
Complaints: 3 written complaints against the same player/team may result in removal
Administration
Admin: Tony Symons-Hicks – tonysymonshicks@gmail.com
Volunteer-run; no payment from Club or LTA
Main issue: non-active players → removed automatically
Suggestions welcome via email (rules are non-negotiable and may be updated to improve League participation)
Key Takeaways
Play regularly (at least 3 matches per term, minimum of 1 match)
Arrange matches directly with opponents
Stay active to avoid demotion or removal
Rejoining after inactivity or post-draw withdrawal costs £10
Enjoy your tennis and aim to improve while having fun
We also enter a number of teams into local tennis leagues:
Ladies First and Second teams
Mens First and Second teams
Mixed teams
Vets teams
Please get in contact for more details.