This page explains how club-organised doubles sessions operate at RTC across Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. It applies only to organised club doubles; informal and private play is unaffected.

The Club Doubles Sessions aim to:

• Provide enjoyable doubles at an appropriate standard while remaining inclusive and welcoming
• Use courts effectively at busy times and encourage fair mixing with a range of partners

Playing Groups (Club-Organised Doubles Only)

Players sit within one of three broad groups based on doubles standard only:

• Performance – highest standard regularly played at the club
• Competitive – strong, fast-paced club doubles
• Club – social-competitive doubles

Monday – Open Club Night

• Open to all members
• All courts available
• No booking or selection – turn up and play

• Sessions overseen by a club member to help organise play
• Usual start-time 6.30pm, often 6pm on warmer, lighter evenings

Tuesday – Performance-Focused Doubles

• Primarily for Performance players
• Competitive players may be invited; one court reserved for Competitive standard play
• Managed by Stuart Lawrence
• Usual start time: 6.30pm

Wednesday – Competitive-Focused Doubles

• Primarily for Competitive players
• Performance players may be invited where needed
• Club players may occasionally be invited where courts allow or as part of progression
• Managed by Paul Wrightman
• Usual start time: 7.30pm

Session timings may change and will be clearly communicated.

How Club Sessions Operate

• Doubles only, except if numbers are wrong for doubles and volunteers are required to play some singles
• Rotation and mixing to avoid fixed pairings
• Courtesy, communication and good sportsmanship are expected

Communication for Monday Club Night

Attendance is informally organised through a ‘Social Tennis’ WhatsApp group. This enables messages to be sent out to group members in the event of uncertain weather: rain, ice, etc. Monday night are very much about, ‘the more the merrier’, and all standards are welcome.

Please contact a committee member to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Communication & Selection for Tuesday & Wednesday Sessions

WhatsApp groups are used for information and availability polls. Responding to a poll shows availability but does not guarantee selection.

Review & Progression

Group positions are reviewed periodically and players may move between groups over time.