Aegon Team Tennis 2015 Pre Season Captains’ Meeting March 2015

Meeting Format 7.30pm – 7.45pm Arrival From 7:45pm Introduction Aegon Team Tennis Competition Overview Your League Details Organising Matches / Pre Match Checklist On Match Day – Resolving On Court Issues / Rules Queries Post Match – The Online Results Process / Feedback Process Review / Questions / Conversations with other Captains Approx 9:00pm Depart

What is Aegon Team Tennis? Team Tennis is a singles based team competition for registered places to play It aims to provide players of all ages (8&U – Open) with regular league matches, against similar standard players in a competitive team environment The majority of teams play at the County Tier, with the opportunity for stronger teams to compete regionally and nationally

Events & Match Formats 8&U (Red Ball) is a mixed competition with 4 players - 16 singles rubbers 9&U (Orange Ball) is a mixed competition with 4 players – 8 singles, 2 doubles 10&U (Green Ball) is a mixed competition with 4 players – 4 singles, 2 doubles - 12&U – 18&U events run for both Boys and Girls. Division 1 format is 4 singles and 2 doubles. In Warwickshire, a 2 singles, 1 doubles format is used in Division 2. Open (adult) events for Men and Women with 4 singles and 2 doubles rubbers. Promotion/Relegation structure from year to year (structure can be seen online)

Premier 12&U – 18&U The Premier 12&U-18&U event is in place for highly rated 12&U, 14&U and 18&U teams. Acceptance year to year based on the British Tennis ratings of the 6 nominated players for that team 4 Regions - Grade 3 Ranking event A second and third tier exists in some regions to allow for more appropriate matches for these teams and for County Tier teams National Finals in July

National/Regional Open (adult) The National/Regional Open offers regional & national competition to the top players (aged 14+) and teams in the country Top 160 Men’s and Women’s Teams Promotion/Relegation Structure Professionally organised teams and players Playoffs & National Open Finals with prize money awarded

Your Team Tennis League Aegon Team Tennis is a competition that takes place in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands. Each county run their own Team Tennis league. Your league name: Aegon Team Tennis Warwickshire 2015 Number of Clubs:37 Number of Teams: 281 Your league organiser: Tony Pillinger Contact Details:T: E:

Competition Timeline (post entry stage) Late February – Draws & Fixtures ed to team captains 6th March – Captains Guide (including rules and scorecards) posted to club main contacts to distribute. Delivery approx. 6 th March w/b 23 March – Direct from your league organiser detailing the ‘Online Results Process’ with a club login/password. This is shared among all teams – do not change the name/password From 12 April – Season begins 27/28 June – End of league season (rain date weekend) Late August – All division winners receive a personalised pennant in recognition of their success (also badges for 8&U, 9&U and 10&U) FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG

Key Changes & Messages Feedback - Key Information Commitment & Walkovers – Most teams will require 6 or more players to complete all matches during the season. Regular and clear communication with players and parents during the season is essential. Sharing match dates as early as possible is very important Match Day Hospitality – Welcoming teams to your tennis venue and providing refreshments during and after the match is something the organisers strongly encourage. This is a unique aspect of team competition. Minimum requirements are set out in the Captains’ Guide Fair Play – All players, parents and team captains must understand and respect the LTA Fair Play Values at each Team Tennis fixture. Team Captains have the responsibility to maintain regular contact with each other during the fixture to help make sure these are maintained. Team Captains only must resolve any issues or disputes that happen on match day.

Organising Matches - Pre Match Checklist The recommended pre-match timeline (Page 5) for organising matches will enhance the experience for everyone involved. Make use of the Captains’ Planner PDF to help you organise your team - Confirming the match date & venue - Communication with your players/parents - Make sure your players are linked to your club through their BTM - Booking Courts early - Making team selections - Reminder to your players & opposition in the week before the match - Check equipment is available

Avoiding Walkovers

Aegon Team Tennis 2015 Season From 12 April 2015 – 28 June 2015 (new 13 week season)

Online Captains’ Area / A5 Captains’ Guide

Captains’ Guide The Captains’ Guide is an essential item for team captains for before, during and after matches Updates for The Captains Guide is now A5 -The Captains Guide includes scorecards for 4 singles, 2 doubles and 2 singles, 1 doubles formats. 8&U and 9&U team captains will need to print scorecards from the website

Captains’ Role on Match Day (Home Team) The Captains Guide offers support for home and away teams on match day: - Rules & Scorecard (essential). Check your players’ BTM number and rating on the day - Arrival Time: collect equipment including net winders, singles sticks and scoreboards if available - Welcome your opposition - Stay close to the court (page 22 will help you resolve on court issues) / Fair Play - Match day hospitality

Captains’ Role on Match Day (Away Team) - Have a copy of the Rules & Scorecard (Captains’ Guide). Rules and scorecards can also be printed from the website - Meeting Point (factor in journey time) - Respect your opposition and their club - Stay close to the court (page 22 will help you resolve on court issues) - Sign the scorecard before you leave

Match Day Hospitality

Captains’ Post Match Tasks Winning team captain must enter the rubber results online within 48 hours. IMPORTANT – All players must be linked to their venue through British Tennis Membership. This is required for players to appear when entering results online. BTM’s can log in to their BTM area of the LTA website and update their ‘My Tennis Venue’

Online Draw / Fixtures – Sent in late Feb All leagues are located on the LTA’s Tournament Software website You can also find your league on the Draws & Fixtures tab at -Rubber results available to view online -Updated league tables -League Standings calculated by the team with the most points. If points are level, the team with the most rubber points

Media & Promotion Some great ways to promote your team and club during the season include: Let people at your venue know about the match Send in your photos to copying in me and Alison at the Warwickshire Office: Send photos & reports to your local newspaper Promote your team(s) through your club notice board and website Social events and evenings at your club

End of Season Players, captains and parents will be able to feedback through an online survey from 1 May 2015 until 31 July 2015 at Personalised Pennants will be sent out as prizes to all Division Winners. Pennants will be sent to the Main Contact at your Place to Play in late August

Good luck to you and your team (s) during the Team Tennis 2015 season Your league name: Team Tennis Warwickshire Your league organiser: Tony Pillinger Contact Details:T: E: Questions