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ELIGIBILITY
SCHEDULING
a. It is expected that all away teams will play at each home team’s designated day and time, except as provided in b).
b. Change of day if travelling exceeds two hours: if the normal weeknight travelling time from the visiting team to an away fixture starting at 18:30 exceeds 2 hours, this fixture may be re-scheduled for a weekend. It is the responsibility of any home team that requires a re-schedule under this rule to notify the National League Organiser within 2 weeks of receiving the fixtures list. The home team must then offer a range of dates (weeknights and weekends) that do not conflict with any of the away team’s other NL fixtures. The away team cannot unreasonably refuse all of these dates.
All teams please bear in mind that with the hopefully shorter structure to matches, teams can be more flexible with their timings for matches on weekends and weekdays. National League is built on teams helping each other out so please honour this.
a. courts are unplayable due to dangerous playing conditions on court (but please note ADMINISTRATION 3 Weather Rule), or
b. where travelling conditions due to the weather are deemed to be unreasonable by both teams.
a. All Divisions will have both players play a best of 3 set (to 6 games) singles match against their opposite number off level except where ELIGIBILITY 2 a) applies and will then team up to play 1 set (to 8 games) level doubles off scratch.
b. All doubles matches no matter of an improved player will be played off level
c. All matches for an NL fixture must be played on the same court.
d. All results must be emailed to the National League Organiser within 48 hours of the match being completed by the home captain. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a 1 point deduction from the home team’s points total.
a. If a team does not field a full complement of players, the team shall still play in order and shall forfeit any matches for which the team does not field a player. (Teams shall forfeit the 3rdsingles first then the 2nd).
b. The home team will forfeit any match played which does not comply with ORDER below (i.e. it is for the home team to double check the details).
ORDER
a. Replacement players may be any player that falls within the handicap range of that division.
b. Replacement players will not be eligible for any final unless they have played at least two matches for the team they are representing.
c. Nominated players in a division may not play for another team in that same division. At the discretion of the National League Organiser for injury or exceptional circumstances in another team may allow certain replacements in handicap brackets lacking players.
d. Nominated players can though play in higher divisions at the discretion of the National League Organiser.
e. Nominated players must play a minimum of 2 matches during the season to be eligible for the final and or play-offs.
f. A team may re-nominate players:
i) up to 31st December due to injury or relocation,
ii) at any time to replace a player who has become ineligible under ELIGIBILITY 2 c) or iii) in exceptional circumstances with the agreement of the National League Organiser.
FEES
An entry fee of £185 per team is payable for all divisions. All payments to be made as one by the club and must be received by the IRTPA with entry forms. Entry fees are the responsibility of the club being represented.
SCORING
ADMINISTRATION
a. An absolute minimum of four hours court time should be booked.
b. In all divisions home teams will bear the cost of hosting all matches UNLESS the away side cancels the match within 72 hours of the fixture’s start time. In this instance the away team will be liable for the cost of any unsold courts.
Should any court have a propensity to become dangerous or unplayable due to adverse weather conditions, it is the responsibility of this court’s professional staff to take every reasonable measure to make the court playable, and contact the away team and the National League Organiser with 24 hours (previous day) notice of likely difficult conditions. The National League Committee supports the decision of health and safety responsibilities at any National League venue.
4. Marking
a. In all divisions Singles matches must be marked. For Doubles matches the home team should arrange to have a competent person to keep score whilst players do their own calling, if no marker is available.
b. Home teams shall be responsible for the marking whether they mark it themselves or employ a marker.
c. All league finals must be marked by a qualified marker, subsidised by the league if that marker is a professional.
5. Supper or hospitality relevant to the time of the match is expected to be offered by the home side.
When arranging the match the Captain of the visiting team should let the home team know how many will wish to eat, otherwise the home team are under no obligation.
6. A photograph of the final in each division and a report should be emailed to the National League Organiser by the home team within 1 week of the final being played.
The decision of the National League Committee is final on any dispute. All queries or new information on teams and matches should be sent to the National League Organiser, Alex Machin