2019 ANNUAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

This year’s club championships are very different. They will run over two weeks from Saturday June 1 to Sunday June 16.   There will be nothing but tournament matches:

A two-week tennis extravaganza. Eat, sleep and play tennis.............

All 11 courts will be available for matches from 7-10pm, Monday to Friday, which means no social tennis, team training or coaching over these two weeks.  The intent is to keep tournament weekends be free of any League matches or social play, although the junior programme will continue on two or three courts on Saturday morning.

We set out a guide from our head coach and tournament supremo Sebastien Blanchon in the form of a Q&A to help you get to grips with the new competition format

WHY THE NEW FORMAT?

We see multiple benefits - We want lots of activity at the club – this format will generate a lot of activity over a short period at the club and get more people to interact with each other (and watch).  Players will no longer have to organize themselves, which has often resulted in the events lasting too long, becoming too diluted and with too many withdrawals.  This is meant to be the time of the year when all members come to the club to enjoy quality tennis, a meal and a drink together and this format encourages that.

WHAT EVENTS WILL BE INCLUDED?

There will be all of the usual events: Singles and Doubles for Men and Women and a mixed competition.  Provided there are sufficient numbers, we will also be looking to run additional events such as Veteran’s events (for +55s), Under 25s events and multiple junior events will also be played over the same two-week period (albeit earlier in weekday evenings (between 4.00 and 7.00pm).    

HOW WILL IT WORK?

Every player will be sent the link to the tournament once the draw has been completed. It will be his or her responsibility to check matches, dates and times - Results and the scheduling of the next round will be on the same link.   It’s a bit like Wimbledon!

WHAT FORMAT WILL THE MATCHES BE?

It will depend on which category you are in.  Every adult match will be two full sets with a championship tie break in the third. It will be the same for the 14s and under, 16s and under and 18s and under).   Veterans will only play one full-set match.

Juniors for 10 and under will stick to the LTA guidelines for their scoring format (this will be explained to all parents).  Entrants for the 12 and under tournament will play two short sets (first to four games) with a championship tie-break if needed.

WON’T THERE BE A LOT OF GAMES TO FIT IN?

Yes, but this is the point. A vibrant club has many matches in its club championships. It is challenging, but challenges are meant to be overcome. Sebastien probably won’t have any hair left by the end of it though!  This format has been done before by Sebastien at another club very, very successfully.   It will work! 

HOW MANY EVENTS CAN I ENTER?

To manage demands on people’s time, the present intent is to limit the number of events you can enter to three (3).   So, if you enter the open singles and vet’s singles, you have only one event left! At present this means you cannot enter singles, doubles and mixed in the open and veterans’ parts of the draw.  We may revisit this depending on the size of entries in each event.   Juniors however can enter more events as they will be playing at different times. 

HOW MANY MATCHES MIGHT I PLAY IN ONE DAY?

If you enter multiple events (e.g. singles, doubles and mixed) and are successful – you will inevitably have a volume of matches to play.  We will try to schedule a maximum of two matches per day per player. If you keep winning in several categories, you have to expect to play a lot towards the end of the two weeks.  Your competitive spirits and adrenalin will keep you going!

IS THERE A PLATE EVENT?

Yes, there will be plate events when appropriate.  Plate events will only be run if the size of entries for an event exceeds 32 entrants. And players don’t have to enter the plate event it if you don’t want to do so.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANNOT MAKE THE MATCH WHEN SCHEDULED?

If you cannot make the day / time schedule, you must let the tournament organiser (that’s Sebastien) know as soon as you can.  He will try to be as helpful as possible, but he will not be able to accommodate everyone and everything.    To be clear, we will try to be as flexible as possible. but chopping and changing will be difficult as it has a knock-on effect on other matches, especially in doubles.  This will require people to be committed and flexible in so far as they can be – we want people to play matches, so we also will be as flexible as we can.  We recognize certain situations can arise such as getting held up at work without notice and communication is key. We will try where we can to rearrange rather cause forfeits but in entering the competition there is a level of commitment required and on occasions forfeits may be the result.  

HOW DO I LET THE ORGANISER KNOW MY AVAILABILITIES?

When opening up the subscription, we will ask you to submit the days and times you WON’T be available to play as we will try to schedule your matches around.  Sadly, anybody who is away for a number of days, including the finals’ weekend, WILL NOT be able to enter the tournament.

CAN I ARRANGE MY OWN MATCHES?

Again, communication is key.  If you can arrange your match for daytime as more convenient then yes, you can – but must ensure that Sebastien is informed as he will be organizing many things so timely communication is key.

WILL EACH ROUND HAVE TO BE PLAYED BY A CERTAIN DAY

Yes, there will be a lot of matches to fit in and we are aiming at getting each round done by a certain day to ease organization and ensure it all fits in.

HOW DO I COMMUNICATE THE MATCH RESULT?

Firstly, you speak to, or failing that e-mail the organiser (Sebastien again) with the result.  You can additionally put the result on the printed noticeboard.   The organiser will let you know your next opponent – if you have won!

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

We can be like Wimbledon too.  The matches will be rescheduled for the earliest possible opportunity.  Any changes to times and draws will be updated on the website as promptly as possible.   However, in light rain the clay court may be playable. If you’re due to play on that surface, it will be up to you whether you play or not.

DO I HAVE A CHOICE ON WHAT SURFACE I PLAY?

No, the tournament organiser (Sebastien again) will allocate the courts randomly. You might have to play different matches on different surfaces.

DO I HAVE TO PROVIDE MY OWN TENNIS BALLS?

You must provide your own tennis balls for the matches. The club will only provide balls for finals day.

HOW DO I ENTER?

There will be various ways to enter.  Emailing, sign-up sheets in the clubhouse and online entry will all be available.   We expect to open up tournament entries from the start of the new tennis season so from a date (yet to be determined) in April

WHAT IS THE COST OF ENTERING?

Each event will cost £5, with a discount if entering three events (£12 for three).  All the money will go to the club.

WHEN WILL THE DRAW BE MADE?

The draw will be made one week before the tournament starts – so around end of May.  The draw will then be posted on the web and printed on the notice board in the club house.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD and DRINKS?

We are aiming at having a catering service running for the two weeks, starting every weekday evening from 7pm and weekends from 12-1pm.  The bar will be open every evening.  There will also be a mid-tournament barbecue in the middle weekend.