Family Championships Rules 2008
1. The Championship shall be competed for in accordance with the following regulations, the Rules of Tennis and the Rules & Regulations of The Lawn Tennis Association.
2. The Tournament shall be open to all Fathers & Sons (Open, 14&U & 10&U, see paragraph 5) and Mothers & Daughters (Open, 14&U & 10&U, see paragraph 5) in England, Scotland) and Wales. Step parents, step children, and parents with legally adopted children, are eligible to enter on the basis that their age gap is a natural one, i.e. not less than 20 years. Ex-professional players are eligible on the basis that they have not appeared on the ATP or WTA computer ranking list for the five years prior to the entry deadline. All entries will be accepted on these terms -- however, should the rules be found to have been abused, the entrants will be disqualified immediately. Should the discovery be made during the Regional Finals stage or the week of the National Finals, the entrants will be requested to reimburse the cost of the weekend or week.
2a. Father & Daughter (Open & 14&U only) and Mother & Son (Open & 14&U only) events are proposed for the 2008 Championships and the same entry rules apply as 2 above and 5 below. This is being treated as a trial and run at the discretion of the organizers.
3. Depending on the number of entries, the competition will consist of 3 stages:
Round robin groups organised on an area basis Regional KO draws for area group winners. Draw national finals
The group matches and the regional knockout matches (up to and including semi finals) will be played on a postal basis. The two regional finalists will play off for the regional title over one weekend to be organized by the Tournament Director and the 8 regional champions of the male and female teams (and possibly the mixed teams) will contest the national title at a venue and date to be decided. If any team qualifies for the National Finals but has to withdraw, a Lucky Loser will be invited to replace them.
4. A team will consist of a parent and child and the match will comprise of a parent/child doubles over the best of three tie break sets. A player may only play in one team in any event – i.e. a parent may not play with two or more children in the same event and the same team must play throughout the competition.
5. For the 14&U and 10&U competitions, the child must be 14 or under or 10 and under on the last day of December 2007.
6. The tie break will operate at 6 games all in all sets throughout the competition.
7. If any player should be absent 30 minutes after the scheduled time for the start of play that match shall be forfeit.
8. Depending on the number of entries, it is the home team’s responsibility to provide balls for the postal matches. Wilson balls are recommended.
9. The dates by which all area round robin matches and each round of stage 2 must be played, shall be fixed by the Tournament Office. The responsibility for arranging a match shall devolve on the home team, but the opposing team must take steps to ensure that the match be played within the time limit. The home team should give their opponents at least three possible dates.
10. Should play be interrupted by rain or bad weather, the result may be decided on the basis of sets or games won should the teams not be able to arrange another match within the time left for the match to be played.
11. Any matter relating to rules and regulations that cannot be decided by the opposing parents shall be referred to the Tournament Office (01491 612042) who, in consultation with the referee, will adjudicate. That decision is final.
12. The match may be played on any surface, the home team having the choice.
13. The parent of the winning team shall ensure the Tournament Office receives the result within 48 hours of completion of the match.
14. A Trophy will be awarded to the winning pairs, and prizes as organized.
16. Entries must be submitted on or before April 1st 2008 to Tournament Director, Family Championships, AMS, Cedar Lodge, Howe Road, Watlington, Oxon OX49 5ER
17. The event is supported by The Lawn Tennis Association and subject to the normal rules of tennis and competition rules outlined above. Competition sponsors have no responsibility for matters relating to play, adjudication or interpretation of the rules in the competition.
The following Conditions from the LTA also apply
LTA Supported Tournaments are conducted in strict accordance with the ITF Rules of Tennis, the Rules of the LTA and the LTA Tournament Regulations including the LTA Code of Conduct (as each may be amended from time to time).
Every player that competes in an LTA Supported Tournament must have a valid British Tennis membership number and rating. Players are eligible for a rating on the 15th June in the year in which they turn 9 years of age.
“This tournament will be run in strict accordance with the ITF Rules of Tennis, the Rules of the LTA and the LTA Tournament Regulations, including the LTA Code of Conduct (as each may be amended from time to time).”
Doping Statement: “I consent to him/her participating in doping control procedures if selected, undertaken by an independent sampling officer (“ISO”) appointed by UK Sport.”
Disciplinary Statement: “I acknowledge and agree that I am subject to the Rules of the LTA (including, without limitation, the LTA’s Anti-Doping Programme, the Disciplinary and Dispute Resolution Procedures and the Regulations Concerning Match Fixing, Financial Speculation and Betting) and hereby fully and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and authority of the LTA.”
Media Statement: “I consent to him/her being involved in any publicity connected with LTA Supported Tournaments, including media interviews, photographs and TV footage. Please inform the tournament organiser if you do not wish him/her to be involved in publicity.”
LTA Membership record: “I consent to the details provided on this entry form to be used to update the LTA’s Membership record of the person identified.”
Data Usage Statement: “I consent to the LTA and/or the organisers of LTA tournaments, from my geographical area, using the details provided on the entry form to communicate information about this and future tournaments, in my geographical area, via post/email or SMS.”
Competition Framework
The LTA introduced the National Competition Framework (the “Framework”) in 2008 http://www.lta.org.uk/PlayAndCompete/FeaturedCompetition/MiniU10/ArielMini.
As stated in the Framework: ALL sanctioned 10 & under events MUST be played with a green ball; ALL sanctioned 9 & under events MUST be played with an orange ball on an orange size court; and ALL sanctioned 8 & under events MUST be played with a red ball on a red size court.
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