Aegon Team Tennis 2014

Pre Season Captains’ Meeting

March 2014

Meeting Format

6.30pm – 6.45pm Arrival (light refreshments available)

From 6.50 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 8.30 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 some leagues a 2 singles, 1 doubles format is used in Division 2 onwards

• 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&UThe 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

£100,000 in Prize Money with £10,500 awarded to an unbeaten team

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 <County Name> 2014

Number of Clubs:

Number of Teams:

Your league organiser:

Contact Details:

Competition Timeline (post entry stage)

• By 28 February – Draws & Fixtures emailed to team captains

• w/b 3 March – Combined captains guide/rule book posted to club main contacts to distribute. Delivery approx. 7th March

• 14 March – Direct email 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

• 5 April – Season begins

• 22 June – End of league season (rain date weekend)

• 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 2013-142013-14 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

County Tier Match Dates – Matches will continue to be played on fixed match dates to help all those involved plan their player & court availability in advance. Matches can be played before the match date if both team captains agree or at any time between 10am and 4pm on match day to help ease court pressure

New for 2014 - Matches scheduled on Saturday can be played on the immediate Sunday following the match date (next day) if both team captains agree

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 NEW 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

Online Captains’ Area / A6 Captains’ Guide

www.LTA.org.uk/Aegon-Team-Tennis

Aegon Team Tennis 2014 Season 5 April 2014 – 22 June 2014

Captains’ Role on Match Day (Home Team)

Page 6 of 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 31 will help

you resolve on court issues) / Fair Play

- Match day hospitality

Captains’ Role on Match Day (Away Team)

Page 6 of the Captains’ Guide offers support for home and away teams on match day:

- Have a copy of the Rules (Captains’ Guide) & Scorecard

- Meeting Point (factor in journey time)

- Respect your opposition and their club

- Stay close to the court (page 31 will help you resolve on court issues)

- Sign the scorecard before you leave

Captains’ Post Match Tasks (Page 7)

Online Draw / Fixtures – Sent in late Feb

http://LTA.tournamentsoftware.com

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 teamtennis@LTA.org.uk copying in your league organiser

Send photos and reports to

your local newspaper

Promote 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 2014 until 31 July 2014 at www.LTA.org.uk/Aegon-Team-Tennis

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 August

Good luck to you and your team (s) during the Team Tennis 2014 season!

Your league name: Team Tennis <County>

Your league organiser: Contact Details:

Questions