The following information relates to proposed changes in the format of the Berkshire Seniors League competition. Please email cavparktennisclub@aol.co.uk if you have any major objections to these proposals, before the changes become effective in 2024:

Following the annual Berkshire LTA’s Leagues Committee review held recently, the following changes to the format of the Berkshire Seniors Leagues are proposed:

It is proposed to change to the following age groups for both Ladies and Men – 40 and over, 50 and over, and 60 and over, rather than Ladies playing 40 and over and 50 and over whilst men play at 45 and over, 55 and over and 65 and over.  Ther reason behind this is primarily that all the men’s teams often run into problems with a shortage of players due to illness, injury and holiday absence by August, and many more ladies in the 50 and over age bracket work full time and therefore are unable to take part in their age-group league.
 

It is also proposed to shorten the format for matches slightly to that used in most professional doubles’ tournaments with:
 
•                          Deciding points at deuce in all games; in addition to continuing with
•                          Tiebreak at 6-6 and 10 point/2point difference MTB if one set all;

This is proposed as it will make it easier for clubs without lights or with early lighting curfews due to planning restrictions to take part and complete matches before we lose the light in the evenings.  It will also hopefully encourage a few more less fit players to take part, by shortening matches slightly.

We will also be offering a ladies 60 and over tournament to be played during the day; and we would also propose to run two Ladies 50s and Over leagues, one to be played during the day, and another being played in the evening, to encourage more working ladies aged 50 and above to take part.
 
To summarise overall, the leagues would then comprise:

·      Ladies 40 and over (all played in the evenings)
·      Men’s 40 and over (all played in the evenings) – this replaces the Men’s 45s league.
·      Ladies 50 and over played in the daytime.
·      NEW Ladies 50 and over played in the evening.
·      Men’s 50 and over (all played in the evenings) – this replaces the Men’s 55s league.
·      NEW Ladies 60 and over played in the daytime.
·      Men’s 60 and over played in the daytime – this replaces the Men’s 65s league.
·      Mixed 60 and over, played in the daytime.