Dunlop Northumberland & Durham Tennis League

2022 Season

Proposals by the Executive for the restructuring of League tennis in 2022 were circulated to clubs for their consideration late last year. A summary of the major responses from clubs received by email before the AGM and in person or via zoom at the AGM are as follows:

(i) No support for Senior matches to be played on a Home and Away basis, though a small increase would be accepted.

(ii) General support for shortening Senior matches by using the 1,1,2 format.

(iii) General support for equalising the male and female age qualification in the Veterans section.

(iv) General support for fixtures being centrally generated and not allowing the arbitrary rearranging of fixtures.

(v) Substantial support for entering League match results into the WTN system, even for making it compulsory for all those involved in matches becoming LTA Advantage members.

As a result, the Executive have now formulated the following plans and procedures for the 2022 season.

Open Section

1. The Senior section will now be referred to as the Open section, in line with LTA nomenclature.

2. Teams in the Open section will consist of six players, each playing two sets against their opposing level pair and one set against the other opposing pairs. The third round will consist of the level rubbers. Tie breaks will be at 6-6.

3. All sets should be played unless inclement weather prevents. For a match result to count nine sets must have been completed or a team to have won seven sets.

4. An Under 40/45 Mixed competition due to be introduced in 2020 was cancelled, so an Under 45 Mixed will be played in 2022. As this an experiment, teams will consist of four players aged under 45 at the beginning of 2022. Older players should only be included when matches would otherwise be forfeited. The format will be the same as used in Veterans matches.

5. Matches will be played on weekday evenings starting at 6.30pm.

6. Groupings will be based initially on the proposed 2020 groupings.

Veterans Section

1. To equalise the age qualifications of male and female players and to better balance the fixtures between the Open and Veteran sections, the current Over 55 competition will be discontinued. Players in these teams could, and often have played in the Open, Over 40/45 and Over 65 competitions. The Veterans Section will consist of:

(i) an Over 45 competition for those who are over 45 including those reaching the age of 45 during the year, and

(ii) an Over 65 competition for those who are over 65 including those reaching the age of 65 during the year.

2. The size of teams and the format of play will remain as in previous years.

3. Over 45 matches will be played on weekday evenings starting at 6.30 and on Sundays starting at 10.30. Over 65 matches will be played on during the day.

4. Groupings will be based initially on the proposed 2020 Over 40/45 and Over 65 groupings.

Fixtures

1. Fixtures between 25th April and 28th August will be generated by League Active Software.

2. A number of facilities will be available on League Active for clubs to specify the availability of their courts for League matches. These will be notified later.

3. The proposed 2020 groupings are viewable at the 2020 Season page using the table links. Entries are to be made on League Active and will close on 26th February. Revised Groupings and Fixtures will be published by 5th March.

4. Entry fees for 2022 remain unchanged at £5 per team.

5. Following the publication of the fixtures on 6th March clubs will have until 3rd April to rearrange fixtures. Such rearrangements will allow changes of date within two weeks of the original, and change of the starting times. Following that date no rearrangements will be permitted unless inclement weather or county representation is the cause.

6. Refreshments should continue to be provided at matches. If not, it is essential that visiting teams are in agreement and informed in advance.

7. Dunlop Fort All Court tennis balls must be provided for all League matches. These balls are available to League clubs at McPeak Performance Sports at £14 per dozen.

8. Clubs are strongly advised to ensure that all their members playing in League matches this year join the LTA Advantage scheme as membership may become mandatory in 2023. Guidance on membership will be circulated at a later date.

Other

1. All clubs should update their Club and Team Contact details on League Active as soon as possible.

2. We will examine the existing League Rules and produce a proposed updated version reflecting the changes.

3. To provide the opportunity of match tennis for junior players in our clubs a series of Northumberland & Durham Youth Fun Festivals of Tennis will held at eight clubs during the Easter and Spring Half-Term break. Further details will be distributed later.

We have endeavoured to provide a framework which will encourage more of your members to participate in League matches, while reducing the pressure on court usage, and to make fairer the organisation of matches.

We hope you find these arrangements to your overall satisfaction and will enjoy what we hope will be the first full year of competitive tennis for three years.