Victorian Catholic Lawn Tennis Association

VCLTA.com

Junior Pennant Rules

Contents

Pennant Rules

1.Composition of Teams

2.Starting Times of matches

3.Balls

4.Length of Matches - Home and Away, Semi Finals and Finals

5.Order of Play - Home and Away Matches, Semi Finals and Finals

6.Ranking of Singles Players

7.Winning Team

8.Premiership Points

9.Positions on the Ladder

10.Late Starts, Forfeits, Walkovers

11.Abandoned and Incomplete Matches

12.Supervision of Matches

13.Results of Matches

14.Visiting Teams

15.Registration of new players

16.Players competing in more than one team

17.Teams qualifying for the finals

18.Team Withdrawals

19.Awarding the Pennant

20.Protests

21.Appeals

22.Drawn Semi-finals & Grand Finals

23.Delegates Meetings

24.Team Entries

25.Summary listing of fees and fines

Code of Conduct

26.The Purpose of the Code

27.Objectives

28.The Interpretation of the Code

29.Multiple Referees

30.Notification of Penalties

31.Definitive Reference

32.Doubles Events

33.Code Violations – Short Titles

34.Code Violation Penalties

35.Tournament Suspension, Resulting from Code Violations

36.Code Violations – Specific

37.Spectators

38.Time Violations

39.Injury Time

Dress Code

40.General and Competitive Play

Tennis Etiquette

41.Rules for Non-Umpired Matches

42.Etiquette

Pennant Rules

1.Composition of Teams

  1. The upper age limit for pennant players shall be 18 and under, during the current season.
  2. Finals eligible players are those who have played at least two home and away matches with this or a lower team. For semi and grand finals, up to three (3) additional eligible players may participate. The only requirement for the doubles is that the 1st ranked singles player must play in the first doubles pair as well as the first ranked singles.
  3. All teams shall consist of 4 players. These players, together with any emergencies, shall be nominated on the appropriate entry forms. This may be varied at the discretion of the relevant pennant secretary and permission must be obtained prior to the finals match where there are problems with the team.

2.Starting Times of matches

  1. Matches will commence at either 8:30am, 9:00am, 9:30am, 10:30am, as indicated in the Draw.
  2. The home team must make available at least one court for 10.30 am starting matches, within 15 minutes of that starting time.

3.Balls

  1. 2 pair of balls, either new or good used quality, are to be supplied by the home teams.

4.Length of Matches - Home and Away, Semi Finals and Finals

  1. All matches shall consist of six 6 game, non-advantage sets with each player playing the opposing player of the same ranking. Followed by two doubles. The only requirement for the doubles is that the 1st ranked singles player must play in the first doubles pair. In all sections of any season, a twelve-point tiebreaker shall be played a five (5) all.

5.Order of Play - Home and Away Matches, Semi Finals and Finals

  1. Prior to the commencement of play for all matches, the names of all players are to be entered on the scorecard in the relevant playing positions. Unless illness, injury or other reason of pressing necessity arises, player substitution is not permitted once play has commenced.
  2. The order of play shall be as follows:

Singles/Doubles / Home team / Vs / Visiting Team
Doubles 1st pair / Doubles 1st pair
Refer rule 4(a) above
Doubles 2nd pair / Vs / Doubles 2nd pair
Refer rule 4(a) above
Singles 4th player / Vs / Singles 4th player
Singles 3rd player / Vs / Singles 3rd player
Singles 2nd player / Vs / Singles 2nd player
Singles 1st player / Vs / Singles 1st player
  1. Sequence of matches should follow the above format unless varied by mutual agreement of the captains.

6.Ranking of Singles Players

  1. All emergencies brought in subsequent to the start of the season shall play in the correct position based on their standard to maintain a fair competition, and in the spirit of the game
  2. In a singles competition, no player shall be allowed to play at a lower ranking than he /she was originally nominated for except as in Clause (a) above, but any player can play at a higher ranking. Failure to comply with this rule following one (1) warning will result in the forfeiture of all points, rubbers, sets and games.
  3. Rankings of singles players may be changed once within the first 5 weeks of competition. Changes in rankings need to be submitted through the record keeper for the section.

7.Winning Team

  1. Matches are decided on the number of sets won, and if they should be equal, the number of games won will decide the result.

8.Premiership Points

  1. Four (4) premiership points are awarded to the winners of each match.
  2. In the event of a draw Two (2) points are awarded to each team.
  3. In addition One (1) point is awarded for each set won.
  4. No points, sets or games are awarded for a bye.
  5. Where a walkover is granted, the team receiving the walkover shall be awarded all the sets and games (i.e.) 6 sets and 36 games for singles / doubles as well as the premiership points (i.e.) 4 points plus 6 points for sets not played.

9.Positions on the Ladder

  1. A team’s position on the premiership ladder is decided firstly by its number of premiership points. If premiership points are equal then by its total number of sets won. If still equal, by the percentage of games won against games lost.

10.Late Starts, Forfeits, Walkovers

  1. Any team not ready to commence a match within 30 minutes of the scheduled starting time (and every effort has been made to contact opposition) shall forfeit the first set of the match, 6 games to nil, and in the event of a team not being ready to commence within one (1) hour of the scheduled starting time a walkover shall be granted to the opposing team subject to the provision of the following rule 11 (b)
  2. Once a match has commenced all members of each team shall remain in attendance until such time as all the sets they are involved in have been completed. If a team member is not available to play within 5 minutes of being called, the team shall forfeit the set due to be played.
  3. Any team against whom a walkover is granted shall be liable for a fine of $25.00 unless.
  4. The opposing team was given notice of the walkover.
  5. A satisfactory reason for the walkover is given to the pennant secretary by no later than 2 days after the date on which the match was due to be played. The pennant secretary shall decide whether the reason given is satisfactory and, where extenuating circumstances exist
  6. A match cannot be won or drawn by a team comprising less than (4) players as defined in rule (1). An incomplete team (home or visiting) is encouraged to turn up, and play the match as far as possible. The incomplete team shall be credited with any games and sets won
  1. Should a team play an incorrect team; the match shall be declared a draw. Should the imposition of this rule result in a team missing out on the finals, whether as a direct result or as a result of some earlier or later occurrence e.g. A wash out, then the position/ result shall stand, i.e. Any team so affected shall miss out on the finals
  2. Should two (2) teams each claim a walkover, the match shall be declared a draw.

11.Abandoned and Incomplete Matches

  1. In the event of a match not being commenced because of inclement weather, the match shall be regarded as a draw. The points and games shall be shared
  2. In the event of a match having commenced but becoming washed out subsequent to a result having been achieved the result shall stand and all points, completed sets and games shall be credited to the appropriate teams. In addition, half the incomplete sets shall be awarded to each team.
  3. In the event of a match having commenced but becoming washed out prior to a result having been achieved each team shall be awarded (2) three points plus the sets and games won, plus half of each incomplete set.
  4. Any team which fails to arrive for a match without the permission of the opposition shall be penalised by the loss of its share of the points and sets normally awarded under Rule 11 A. In such cases, the non-offending team shall be granted points, sets and games as per rule 8 (4).
  5. The decision to cancel a match on a day of inclement weather lies solely with the home club convenor and he/she may unilaterally decide whether play is or is not to proceed. In the absence of the convenor, responsibility is to be delegated to another home club representative.
  6. If the temperature should reach 30 degrees or more, both captains can agree mutually to call the match a draw. As a safety to all junior players should the temperature reach 32 degrees as notified on the Bureau of Meteorology ( at any time after the start of play, the match must be stopped.
  7. In the event of injury occurring, play may cease for a maximum of ten (10) minutes. In the event of the injured player not being able to resume play, the remainder of that set is forfeited and a fifth player may be introduced for any subsequent set. (The introduction of the fifth player does not apply in singles). An additional twenty (20) minutes will be allowed to obtain the fifth player should a fifth player not be present.

12.Supervision of Matches

  1. All clubs are required to provide adult supervision for all their matches at each location at which these matches are played. Failure to provide an adult supervisor will result in a $25.00 fine. And may also result in the match being forfeit.
  2. The visiting team must provide an adult representative for the duration of the match. Failure to provide an adult supervisor will result in a $25.00 fine. And may also result in the match being forfeit.
  3. Clubs teams are required to provide adult supervision for any semi-final or final in which they participate.

13.Results of Matches

  1. The scores for the home and away matches must be entered into the website by 5pm Wednesday following the match.
  2. The onus of responsibility for compliance with Rule 13a lies entirely with the home team or as required by Rule 13 c.
  3. The final home and away game of the season, the home team must enter results into the website by 5pm on the same day of the match. Failure to do so will result in a $25 fine.
  4. Semi-final matches, it is the responsibility of the first listed team on finals draw to enter the results into the website by 5 pm on the Wednesday following the match. Failure to do so will incur a financial penalty as set by the pennant committee.
  5. In the case of a walkover the home team is still to enter the scores.
  6. In the event of a wash out, the home team is to enter the scores informing of the wash out.
  7. If the scores are not entered in accordance with Rule 13 a, the away team shall be awarded all points, sets and games.

14.Visiting Teams

  1. Visiting teams are expected to comply with the rules of the home club relating to care of the courts, behaviour and attire.

15.Registration of new players

  1. A new player may be introduced into any team after the season begins without prior nomination, but full particulars (i.e. Name and date of birth) regarding the player should be recorded at the foot of the score card submitted for the first match in which he / she plays.
  2. Players coming into a team, as emergencies must be of a similar standard of that section that the team is competing in.
  3. Singles players are also bound by Rule 6 relating to ranking.

16.Players competing in more than one team

  1. In the event of a club playing two or more teams, no player shall be eligible to play in a lower section after having played more than two matches in a higher section or sections. The pennant secretary shall have the power to vary this rule in exceptional circumstances.
  2. Once the season has commenced, no player is permitted to play for another club without the pennant secretary’s permission.

17.Teams qualifying for the finals

  1. The following rules shall apply for final round matches
  2. The first four teams in each section shall contest the finals.
  3. The draw for final round matches shall be:

Semi Final / Match 1 / 1st Vs 4th
Match 2 / 2nd Vs 3rd
Grand Final / Winner Match 1 Vs Winner Match 2
  1. The Pennant Secretary will decide the venue of finals matches.
  2. All clubs playing in the competition are expected to make their courts available. Failure to open the courts will result in a $50 fine

18.Team Withdrawals

  1. Any Team which is withdrawn from a competition after the draw has been published shall forfeit the entry fee and in addition shall incur a fine of $50.00.

19.Awarding the Pennant

  1. Pennants and trophies/medals are awarded to Premiers and runners up in each section.

20.Protests

  1. All protests must be lodged with the pennant secretary within four (4) days of the alleged breach of rules occurring. The pennant committee will consider such protests.

21.Appeals

  1. Any decision of the pennant committee shall be subject to appeal to the general committee, provided that the appeal is lodged in writing with the general secretary within seven (7) days of receipt of the pennant secretary’s notification of the pennant committee’s decision.

22.Drawn Semi-finals & Grand Finals

  1. Drawn semi-finals and grand finals shall be decided by playing a super tie break. A maximum break of ten (10) minutes is allowed before the additional set.
  2. A super tie break is played with any two players to play a doubles tie break first to ten (10) points with a two (2) point advantage to decide the winner of the match.

23.Delegates Meetings

  1. It is compulsory for a delegate from each club to be in attendance at each delegate meeting and annual general. Failure to do so will incur a fine of $50

24.Team Entries

  1. Team entries will only be accepted.
  2. By entering online via the VCLTA web site
  3. Entry only accepted when the entry fee of $25 per team – payable by credit card or bank transfer or cheque payable to “VCLTA” is received
  4. Accompanied by the completed “club information and player details” form online.
  5. Prior to specified closing date.
  6. If any outstanding monies owed to the VCLTA have been settled.

25.Summary listing of fees and fines

  1. Courts not open for finals $50.00 refer Rule (17 c)
  2. Supervisor not in attendance $25 refer Rule (12)
  3. Non-attendance at delegates meeting $50 refer Rule (23)
  4. Team entry $25 refer Rule (24 a (ii))
  5. Withdrawal of team after grading $50 refer Rule (18)
  6. Team forfeits $25. Refer Rule (10 c)
  7. Late entry of results $25 refer Rule (13 c)

Code of Conduct

26.The Purpose of the Code

  1. To preserve the image and integrity of tennis in Australia.

27.Objectives

  1. To maintain the good name of tennis to promote sportsmanlike conduct and to provide a framework within which the purpose and objectives are achieved.

28.The Interpretation of the Code

  1. Unless otherwise indicated, the Referee is the sole authority, in interpreting the Code of Conduct.

29.Multiple Referees

  1. Events may appoint one or more Deputy Referees and, particularly in the case of junior tournaments, are encouraged to do so.

30.Notification of Penalties

  1. Any official Warning, Final Warning or Default shall be given immediately the offence occurs. In the case of a non-umpired match, this should occur as quickly as possible e.g. Within a few minutes.

31.Definitive Reference

  1. In the Code, unless consistent with the context or subject matter, the singular shall include the plural.
  2. In the Code, reference to "during any tournament or match" shall be interpreted to include any other time within the precincts of the site of the sanctioned event. In addition, within the Code a “suspension” can be applied after a player’s last match of the tournament.

32.Doubles Events

  1. In a doubles match, penalties, if assessed for a violation of the Code, shall be assessed against the team. Following the match, any further action required shall be taken against the individual player(s).

33.Code Violations – Short Titles

  1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
  2. Best Efforts
  3. Physical Abuse
  4. Leaving the Court
  5. Commencement of Play
  6. Rest Period
  7. Dress and Equipment
  8. Unreasonable Delays
  9. Coaching
  10. Verbal Abuse
  11. Audible Obscenity
  12. Visible Obscenity
  13. Abuse of Equipment/Balls

34.Code Violation Penalties

  1. Where in the opinion of the adult supervisors (in consultation with each other) or where only one supervisor is present:
  2. For the first Code Violation issue a warning.
  3. For the second Code Violation issue a final warning.
  4. For the third Code Violation, in any one match, default the player
  5. Notwithstanding paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above, where a Referee, deputy Referee or umpire is of the opinion that the Code Violation is of a particularly serious nature, he/she may for any single Code Violation default without prior penalty. Prior to any default, the Referee must be consulted, if possible.

35.Tournament Suspension, Resulting from Code Violations

  1. A suspension from the tournament shall be given if approved by the tournament or competition committee. This shall also apply to suspension for any off-court offences.

36.Code Violations – Specific

  1. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

A player shall not, during any match or at any time within the precincts of the site of a sanctioned event, engage in image and integrity of tennis. Should such conduct occur, the Referee has the right to take action in accordance with this Code, or as is necessary.

  1. Best Efforts

A player does not use his/her best efforts to complete and win a match.

  1. Physical Abuse (Likely to be default)

A player physically abuses any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament or competition site. In addition, if approved by the Tournament or Competition Committee, the penalty may be SUSPENSION from the tournament or competition in which the player is competing for any period considered appropriate. For the purpose of this rule, physical abuse is the unauthorised touching of an official, opponent, and spectator or another person.