Team Selection Protocol
Penallt Tennis Club – Team Selection Protocol
The opportunity to play in organised, competitive league Tennis is an important part of most Tennis clubs and one that many members appreciate.
Team Tennis, despite its competitive nature, is great fun and allows us to improve our Matchplay and test ourselves against players we don’t normally play. It is also great to be part of a team.
What leagues do Penallt enter and how are they organised?
We currently have the following teams entered in league Tennis, all 2-pair evening weekday league unless stated otherwise:
Summer
a. Men (National League) Dan Cassidy/Sean Jones
b. Men’s A (Cymru Kitchens Gwent) Dan Cassidy
c. Men’s B (Cymru Kitchens Gwent) Adam Clarke
d. Ladies (South Wales 3 pair league w/end) Ginni Higgins
e. Ladies A (Cymru Kitchens Gwent) Bev Leaf
f. Ladies B (Cymru Kitchens Gwent) Adrienne Mitchell
g. Mixed A (Cymru Kitchens Gwent) Liz Clarke
h. Mixed B (Cymru Kitchens Gwent) Nikki Scarr
Winter
a. Ladies South Wales vets league (age 40+) - w/end Ginni
b. Ladies South Wales open league - weekend matches Adrienne
c. Ladies Newport indoor (Spytty Park) – Mon/Tue 8-10pm Emma Kemble
d. Men’s Newport Indoor – Friday 8-10pm/Sunday 6-8pm. Dan Cassidy
e. Men’s South Wales Open league - weekend matches Adam Clarke
For Cymru Kitchens leagues, the opponents are locally based. The South Wales leagues can involve travelling to any part of South Wales (as far as Haverfordwest).
Team Organisation
· A team captain will run each team. The captain may or may not be a playing member but will be responsible for selecting the team and the pairings, organising the matches, communicating with team members, oppositions’ captains and league officials. This will enable the smooth running of the team and represent the club in its best light as part of the tennis community.
· Each team will have a squad of players from which the captain will select the team for each match. These squads will be determined amongst captains at the beginning of each season’s competitions. The squad composition will be communicated to all team players ahead of the first match in each competition.
· The purpose of the teams is to compete to win matches, league or cup competitions, therefore the captains will select the best standard players available to them.
· Captains may at their discretion introduce less experienced or capable players into their teams to develop those who are reaching the standard of play required for team tennis.
· Each captain may organise training and coaching sessions, or any other form of preparation as they see fit for their squads. They may only invite members of other squads by agreement with other captains. These sessions are for team members where they are organised and are not for all club members to attend.
· Only paid-up members are eligible for selection.
· If you are a member of other clubs you will only be selected if you comply with the rules of each competition we enter.
· The Chair of the Club will write to all members inviting them to put themselves forward for team tennis each year.
What we need from Team Members
1. The Club welcomes and encourages members with enthusiasm and ability to represent the club in competitive league tennis.
2. Team members should make themselves available for matches and communicate clearly and quickly with Captains regarding all matters involving the team.
3. Team members are required to respect the decision of the captain regarding selection and pairings.
4. Any person who wishes to play in a team must be prepared to play with whomever the captain allocates as their partner.
5. Be a team player, support your teammates, your captain and be as flexible as you can be on availability. Be prepared to drive your team mates to away matches, it helps if we all share the burden on travel costs. Travel can be a challenge which we understand but if you are not prepared to travel to further away clubs and others are, you may find those people get some of the home fixtures as well.
6. Some of our teams have a well-deserved reputation for the quality of the hospitality offered to guests after matches. Please be prepared to do your bit on this front.
I want to play in a team but haven’t been selected for the squad, how can I be considered?
1. We are delighted you want to play for a team, stick with it.
2. Work on your game, practice more, get some coaching, watch videos online, play box leagues, play matches against other members, including those who play in teams and enter club tournaments.
3. Talk to the team captains about how they see your game and what you need to do to get into the team.
4. Talk to our coaches, get an assessment of your level and things you need to work on. Then work on it and keep going.
Finally, most of all have fun and enjoy the Team Sport.
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