The Laws of Tennis as adopted by the Victorian Tennis Association shall apply to all matches except where hereafter modified.

Competing teams shall consist of:
No.  1  (Deleted)
No.  2  MIXED RUBBERS -  Two Ladies and Two Men
No.  3  (Deleted)
No.  4  MENS/LADIES RUBBERS -  Four a side
No.  5  MENS/LADIES (SATURDAY) -  Ten game sets, Four a side
No.  6  (Deleted)
No.  7  MENS/LADIES MID WEEK -  Doubles Rubbers, Four a side
No.  8  MENS/LADIES (MID WEEK) - Ten game sets, Four a side
No.  9  JUNIOR BOYS/GIRLS - Saturday/Sunday, Sets, Four a side
No. 10 NIGHT TENNIS MIXED  -  Six game sets, Two Ladies & Two Men
No. 11 NIGHT TENNIS MENS/LADIES  -  Six game sets, Four a side
No. 12 MENS/LADIES - Singles/Doubles, Four a side

3.

a.

(Deleted)

b.

(i) Rubbers - Rule 2 Nos. 2 and 4
Matches shall consist of four rubbers; the best of three six-game sets. In each rubber, a 12 point tie breaker shall be played in all sets at 6 games all. If both team captains agree prior to the start of the match, the third set can be played as a 12 point tie breaker. In all matches, the majority of rubbers shall decide the match; rubbers being equal sets to decide; rubbers and sets being equal games to decide.

(ii) Rubbers - Rule 2 No. 7
Matches shall consist of four rubbers; the best of three six-game sets. In each rubber, a 12 point tie breaker shall be played at six games all in the first two sets, with the third set played as a 12 point tie breaker. A ten (10) minute break between rubbers will be allowed. In all matches, the majority of rubbers shall decide the match; rubbers being equal sets to decide; rubbers and sets being equal games to decide. Two courts shall be required for such matches except when otherwise sanctioned.

 c.

d.

Ten Game Sets - Rule 2 No. 5
Matches shall consist of four straight ten game sets in which each pair shall play each of the opposing pairs. In all matches, the majority of games shall decide the match, games being equal sets to decide.

e.

(Deleted)

f.

Ten Game Sets - Rule 2 No. 8
Matches shall consist of four straight ten game sets in which each pair shall play each of the opposing pairs. In all matches, the majority of games shall decide the match. Games being equal, sets shall decide.

g.

Juniors - Boys/Girls - Rule 2 No. 9
Players must be 18 years or under for the duration of each competition/season.

Matches shall consist of six game sets in which a 12 point tie breaker shall be played if the score reaches six games all. Each pair shall play one opposing pair and each player shall play one opposing player in a singles match. Singles matches are to be played in order of merit as nominated on entry forms. In all matches, the majority of sets shall decide the match; sets being equal games to decide.

h.

Night Tennis - Mixed - Rule 2 No. 10
Matches shall consist of six six-game sets, i.e. each mixed pair shall play each opposing pair and there shall be a men's set and a ladies' set. In all matches, the majority of games shall decide the match, games being equal sets to decide.

i.

Night Tennis - Mens/Ladies - Rule 2 No. 11
Matches shall consist of six six-game sets in which each player shall play with each other member of the team against corresponding pairs from the opposing team.

j.

Singles/Doubles - Rule 2 No. 12
Matches shall consist of four eight game sets of singles in which each player shall play an opposing player in order of merit, followed by a rubber of doubles in which each pair shall play an opposing pair.

Doubles rubbers shall consist of the best of three six game sets in which a 12 point tie breaker shall be played in all sets at six games all. Singles sets shall be the first to eight games in which a 12 point tie breaker shall be played at seven games all. Matches shall be decided on rubbers over sets over games (singles to count first as a rubber, then as a set).

4.

a.

Clubs shall be awarded four points for a win and two points for a drawn/undecided match, and in addition will be awarded one point for each set won and half a point for each set not completed, except that for rubber matches one point shall be awarded for each rubber won and half a point for each rubber not completed.

b.

If, by reason of stress of weather or other good and sufficient cause a match has not been commenced or if commenced has not been decided on the date laid down, there shall be no further play and the details of any games played shall be recorded for the purpose of percentage.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary of this rule, all semi-finals shall be continued at a time and date to be fixed by the Committee until a result has been reached.

c.

In the event of teams being equal on points for a win on completion of the home and away matches, their position on the premiership list shall be determined by the percentage of games for and against.

d.

In the event of a forfeit, the team receiving the forfeit shall be awarded all rubbers sets and games as applicable to nil.

Midweek and Weekend Senior Competitions: 8-Team Sections
At the completion of the home and away matches, the four leading teams shall play off in the semi-final matches.

For Midweek and Weekend competitions (Rule 2 Nos. 1-8, 12): The first team shall play the fourth team, and the second team shall play the third team. The winners of these two matches will play off  in the Grand Final.

Where clubs have multiple surfaces, teams are to be scheduled to play on the same surface for the duration of the match. In the event of wet weather, a change of surface can be made with the approval of both team captains.

Semi-final matches shall be played at the home venue of the teams finishing first and second at the conclusion of the home and away fixtures. If the home venue is not available, then a nearby venue will be appointed by the Association. All grand final matches shall be played on neutralcourts. In the event of a draw, both pairs shall play a 12 point tie break game and points added to determine the winner. In the event of a further draw, the procedure is to be repeated until a result is determined. The tie break pairs and opponents can be played in any combination by those players who have participated in the match, mixed rubbers matches must be mixed pairings.

In the event of a match not being decided, the appropriate Rcord Secretary shall be informed of the position and of any mutual agreement made regarding completion.

In Singles/Doubles, singles players may be different from doubles players, provided all players have qualified through the home and away season to be part of the finals series (refer to By-Law 8 c). 

Finals  matches  delayed due  to  stress  of  weather  must  be  played  on  the  next  “match”  day  (ie: for  Saturday  Competition  on  the  very  next  Saturday)  or  earlier  by mutual  agreement. The  only  exception  to  be  gazetted  public  holidays, not  school  holidays.  Any  mutually  agreed  time  must  be  adhered  to. If  a  team  cannot  play  it  is  considered  a  forfeit. 

If  the  season  has  not  been  concluded  within  three  weeks  of  the  scheduled  grand  final  date, then  the  highest  ranked  remaining  team  shall  be  declared  the  winner.

6.

Trophies
Other than for Junior competitions, the premier team and runner-up in each section shall be awarded a pennant. In addition, the No. 1 Mixed Section in the Winter Competition shall hold the Maison de Luxe Perpetual Cup. The "A" Premiers in the Summer Mixed Competition shall hold the Hartley Perpetual Cup. The Jack Butterworth Perpetual Cup will be held bi-annually by the team with the best percentage of games for and against at the end of the home and away matches. The Daryl Cox Memorial Shield will be awarded bi-annually to the Saturday/Sunday Junior team with the best aggregate.

7.

Registration of Players
At the commencement of each Season, each team entry must be accompanied by a list of players on the prescribed form, to be registered for the season, such form shall be lodged with the Association, and thereafter shall not play with any other Club without the sanction of the Executive. Additional registrations may be made in writing or by telephone prior to play or may be made on the result form on the day of play witnessed by captain / team member of the opposing team. Both the player and the Club shall be held responsible for the action of any player already registered who signs another registration and shall be dealt with as the Executive may think fit. The Executive shall have the power to enquire into the absence of registrations of any Club, and such Club proved in default shall forfeit the match and shall be fined. All games pertaining to an unregistered player shall be forfeited, and the scores as adjusted shall be recorded for the purpose of percentage.

8.

a.

No player having participated in a total of four (4) matches in higher grades during one season shall be eligible to play thereafter in lower grade fixtures during that season without the sanction of the Executive.

b.

In the event of a Club being represented by more than one team in any grade, no player who has participated in four (4) matches in one team shall be eligible to play thereafter in the other.

c.

No player excepting with special permission of the Executive shall be eligible to play in the semi-finals or final matches unless he or she shall have played in three (3) matches during the current season, two (2) of which must be played prior to the last three (3) home and away matches.

d.

The Association has the right to grade players and no player shall participate in matches in a section lower than approved by the Association. No emergency after grading can strengthen a team.

e.

No player shall compete in more than one Association fixture listed in the same round. Matches shall be deemed to be played on the date of the original fixture.

9.

Transfers
Applications by players desirous of playing with another Club after the grading of teams shall be made on the prescribed form. Any player who is refused a clearance shall have the right of appeal to the Executive.

  .

Details of Play

10.

a.

The time for commencing Mixed and Mens/Ladies matches Rule 2 Nos. 2, 4, 5, and 12 or for continuing adjourned matches shall be 1.00 pm.

Ladies Mid Week matches Rule 2 Nos.7 and 8 shall be 9.30 am, 

Junior matches Rule 2 No. 9 shall be 9.00 am unless otherwise stated on the fixture

Night tennis matches Rule 2 Nos. 10 and 11 shall be 7.00 pm.

b.

For Mixed matches Rule 2 No.1, a Mens pair shall be in attendance at the appointed starting time.

For other Rule 2 teams, the playing order of pairs shall be decided by the visiting team.

c.

If play on any day does not commence within fifteen (15) minutes of the time appointed (but can be commenced within thirty (30) minutes of the appointed time) the match shall start as soon as possible and be played under protest which shall be endorsed by an Executive Member of the protesting Club in writing and the Executive, on receipt of the protest from the Club not in default, shall determine the winner of the match and the fine (if any) to be imposed.

d.

In the event of the non-appearance of a team, or one or more members of a team, after 30 minutes of the appointed starting time, the match shall be declared lost by the team in default, and the defaulting team shall be fined unless good and sufficient cause to the contrary be shown to the Executive. All remaining rubbers or sets must be played for the awarding of points and percentage.

e.

If both teams are in default, the match shall be cancelled and both teams fined unless good and sufficient cause to the contrary be shown to the Executive.

11.

The home team shall provide four new balls of a brand approved by Tennis Victoria, except Junior matches where good used balls shall be used and morning drinks provided. For the completion of any adjourned match, new balls need not necessarily be provided, it being deemed sufficient for the home team to provide the same balls used in the previous days play providing they have not been further used.

12.

If, at the time of commencing play, or any time during the match, the opposing captains are in disagreement as to the fitness of the court for play, both teams shall remain in attendance until the opposing captains are agreed that no further play is possible for the day.

For Winter Competition, play shall cease at Lights on Time; for Summer Competition, play shall cease at 7.00 pm. In all situations, if the match has not been decided there shall be no further play and the details of games played shall be recorded for the purpose of points and percentage.

If the temperature should reach 32 degrees C (Rule 2, Numbers 4 and 5 Ladies only, Numbers 6, 7 and 8), or 35 degrees C (all other numbers), at the appointed starting time or thereafter, play may be stopped at the option of either captain. Any postponement must NOT be arranged before the appointed starting time.

In the case of wet days, the away team Captain may contact the home team Captain or authorised representative of the home club, to determine if their courts are playable that day. If both Captains agree to abandon play for the day, the home team will advise the Association that the game was a washout and points will be divided equally between both teams.

13.

(Deleted)

14.

Scores

a.

Each Club shall record the scores, and at the conclusion of the match each captain shall sign the Result Sheet. The match result must be entered online by the home team, and online entry closes two (2) business days after the scheduled match. If the match result has not been received by the Record Secretary within five (5) business days after the scheduled match, all points for the match will be awarded to the visiting team.

In the case of junior matches, each home club shall have an adult supervisor in attendance during the match and who shall sign the scoresheet with the opposing captains.

b.

Matches shall be played as per fixture and the dates strictly observed.

Penalties for non-observance of a and b above shall be a fine for each offence.

15.

An approved substitute shall be allowed to take the place of any player who is prevented through illness or injury sustained during play, provided that such substitute shall not take the place of any player in a set that has commenced. Such substitute shall be in attendance within 30 minutes. A player shall play only for the team in which he/she has been nominated.

16.

Any team making default by failing to play any three matches without good and sufficient cause, to be judged by the Executive, or any Club having been disqualified by the Executive, shall be deemed to have retired from the competition, and all points or scores for or against any Club deemed to have retired from the competitions, shall be deleted from the records.

17.

Disputes

a.

The Executive shall have the power to inquire into all disputes arising out of or in connection with Fixture Matches, and its decision shall be final.

b.

Any Club with a dispute shall within three days after the completion of the match in dispute, forward a statement in writing by a Club Executive on the matter to the Association Secretary. It shall also, within the same time, forward a copy of such statement to the Secretary of the other affected Club. The Association Secretary shall if deemed necessary call on the disputing Clubs to appear before the Executive, who shall, after hearing the evidence, decide thereon.

c.

The Executive shall have the power to decide all questions arising out of Association matches and tournaments not provided for in these By-Laws.

d.

A Club failing to respond to correspondence from the Secretary of the Association within 30 days shall be liable to a fine.

18.

Power to Amend etc.
None of these By-Laws shall be revoked, or altered or amended except at a General meeting specially called for the purpose, and only then by a two-thirds majority of affiliated Clubs present. Notice of any alteration in these By-Laws must be lodged in writing with the Association Secretary at least twenty-eight (28) days prior to the meeting and shall appear on the notice paper of the same.

19.

Regulation Tennis attire shall be worn in all matches. Clubs offending shall be fined.