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Stay in Bounds: Tennis Brisbane’s Playbook for Fair Play

Tennis Brisbane ensures fair and enjoyable matches with a clear set of rules and guidelines. From aces to tiebreakers, it’s important to follow the regulations that keep the game competitive and respectful. Dive into our essential rules and make sure you’re always playing at your best, while respecting your opponents and the court.

General

Semi-finals and finals

Southside Ladies Rules

Brisbane Tennis League Rules

Supervision Policy

Safeguarding Children

General

1. Introduction

  • These rules govern all Tennis Brisbane programs. Any matter which is not specifically covered in these rules shall be resolved by the Committee or a duly elected sub-committee. All Committee decisions shall be final.

2. Registration of Teams

  • A team shall be registered with the Association for a particular season upon receipt of a team registration form by the due date.
  • The Committee reserves the right to refuse the registration of any team or player.
  • All prescribed fees must be paid to your Tennis Centre or Tennis Club together with your individual or team registration form, prior to the commencement of the season.

3. Cancellation of Team Registration

    • The Committee may cancel the registration of any team that:

a. forfeits three consecutive matches; or

b. plays a disqualified player, or

c. commits a serious breach of the code of conduct or any other rule of the Association.

    • No refund shall be allowed where team registration has been cancelled.

4. Responsibilities of Players

It shall be the responsibility of each players to:

    • abide by the rules of Tennis, the rules of this Association as described herein and the Tennis Australia Code of Conduct (please see link here); and
    • pay all prescribed registration/entry fees by the required date; and
    • collect or determine from the Association Office, Tennis Centre or a Committee member all matters relating to match dates, draws, venues, rules, conditions, result slips, nomination forms, trophies, etc.
    • Team withdrawal after draw schedule printing - Centre is responsible to pay for ALL away matches as a forfeit match.

5. Grading of Teams

    • Teams shall be graded into divisions of similar standard by the Committee or a duly elected sub-committee known as the Grading Committee.
    • No guarantee can be given to ANY player to be graded into a certain division.

6. Registration of Players in Teams

    • A player is deemed a registered player in a team once they have participated in 5 matches during the regular season and upon receipt of all player registration fees to the relevant centre.
    • Adults playing in Junior League- adults are not permitted to register for a Junior League team. However, adults are permitted to fill in no more than twice a season (to ensure matches are played where possible)

7. Disqualification of Players

    • When a declaration is made in accordance with this rule the Association’s General Manager shall forthwith advise the operators of all affiliated teams in the relevant division of the particulars of the declaration.
    • A player declared to be a disqualified player as provided herein may, where the period of disqualification is more than three months, after a period of not less than three months from the date of disqualification, appeal to the committee to have his or her position reviewed. Procedures similar to those prescribed for the hearing of a show cause action shall apply in respect of such approval. On good cause being shown for the reinstatement of the appellant the Committee shall direct that -

a. the declaration of disqualification made against the appellant be revoked; and

b. the appellant and the secretaries of all affiliated teams in the relevant divisions be forthwith advised in writing of such revocation.

8. Protests

    • A team may protest to the Committee on any matter affecting it. The protest shall be in writing, accompanied by a fee of $50.00, and shall be lodged with the Tennis Brisbane Head Office within three days of the occasion of the dispute. Protests shall only be received from the team secretary/captain.
    • It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to acknowledge receipt of the protest and to fully investigate the surrounding circumstances.(c) The protest fee shall be placed to the funds of the Association.

9. Home Court

    • Each registered team shall utilise a suitable court to be used for home matches. The standard of this court and associated facilities shall be consistent with the general standard of courts being used by other teams in the Association and must be located at an affiliated Tennis Brisbane court location.
    • The Committee reserves the right to refuse the use of any court it considers unsuitable for fixture play.

10. Cancellation of Matches Due to Bad Weather

    • The decision to cancel matches in such cases shall be made by the Tennis Centre where the match is being played. The decision to cancel a match cannot be made before 1 hour to the start of play.
    • In the event of rain interrupting play during or before a match, players should make every effort to dry the court in order to continue or commence play. If the court remains unplayable for longer than 40 minutes for daytime matches and 30 minutes for evening matches, the match may be abandoned by either team captain after duly notifying the captain of the other team. Players are not obliged to play on courts where the conditions are judged by either captain to be unsafe due to water.
    • If both captains agree to play in wet conditions, the Tennis Centre owner/manager has the ultimate authority to refuse play, if playing conditions are deemed unsafe.
    • Tennis Centre owner/manager/supervisor must be informed of any such decision If an entire centre is rained out, NO forfeit fee is payable to rained out centre and ALL matches shall receive wet points, even when a team has forfeited prior.
    • Extreme Heat Policy – Please refer to the Tennis Australia Extreme Heat Policy (click link).

11. Wet Matches

    • Where 70% or more of matches not played due to rain, the Points Keeper must still be advised of points to be awarded. ie. Winning Team - average of points up to date provided that one full round has been played (eg 8 team draw - 7 matches played) , only if greater than points awarded for bye, otherwise points for bye awarded. Losing Team - points won for the match or BYE points (whichever is greater). NB. This rule applies only when 70% or more of matches not played due to wash out.
    • If an entire centre is rained out, NO forfeit fee is payable to the rained out Centre and ALL matches receive wet points - even when a team has forfeited prior.
    • Contact your host centre to determine any wet weather refunds.

12. Reporting Results to the Association

    • Upon arrival at the centre you must collect your score sheet and three balls from the pro-shop and at the same time, pay your fees for the day/evening play.
    • At the end of play, return your completed score sheet and balls to the pro-shop where your results will be sent to the Tennis Brisbane office on your behalf. NOTE: Both first and surnames are required to be clearly printed on the scorecard for all players - this is required for player statistics and averages, and to ensure eligibility for semi-finals and finals. The initial responsibility for the first and surname of players playing the match rests with the players to complete the match sheet, however, it is the Centre Operators’ responsibility to ensure that the players are being educated in regards to this rule. Before faxing the result cards to Tennis Brisbane, Centre Operators need to ensure that the scorecard has been correctly completed with full names for both home and away teams.

13. Match Format

    • Please refer to the Match Format page (click link)

14. Order of Play

    • Players shall be listed by each team for all sets purposes prior to commencement of the match. (Additional players must also be listed for the doubles prior to commencement of the match).
    • Disputed Order of Play - where teams dispute playing order, the venue supervisor will request both teams write their playing order down on separate sheets of paper, and then the supervisor will collect each teams’ playing order and copy this order onto the official match score sheet prior to commencement of play.

15. Substitution of Players

    • If a player is injured during a set, this player cannot be substituted for the remainder of that set. Unless additional players were nominated prior to the start of the match, this player must also forfeit their remaining sets. NOTE: An injured player who is unable to continue to finish off a set currently being played must forfeit the remainder of the set if play cannot recommence within 5 minutes of the injury. However, the injured player may return and play the remaining sets in the normal order.
    • Substitution of players already listed to play shall be allowed under exceptional circumstances, providing the original player has not commenced a set and the substitute player is ready to play within the time constraints.

16. Umpiring and Ball Collection- Junior League Programs Only

    • Teams shall alternate in providing umpires for each set and ball persons for the singles sets.
    • The team receiving first in each set shall provide the umpire.
    • For the singles sets, the team not umpiring shall provide the ball person.
    • Only one person is allowed on the umpire stand. All remaining persons, other than those playing a set and one ball person for singles, should leave the court area. Spectators, other players and parents should not interfere with umpiring decisions. The umpire shall have total control of the set. Where parents, especially in the case of young children, feel that younger children are being intimidated or players are not behaving in the correct manner, they may approach the Tennis Centre Supervisor who will take control of the situation.

17. Balls

    • Three new balls approved by Tennis Brisbane shall be used for each match and returned to the court supervisor/owner at the end of the day’s play.

18. Team Composition - Home and Away

    • For the 2 player competition format, it is not acceptable for any centre operator to send 1 player only. A team that arrives and finds through unforeseen circumstances or accident that they are one player short, must forfeit the entire match. No points shall be awarded for any set won by the forfeited team and THAT TEAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF COURT HIRE FOR BOTH HOME AND AWAY TEAMS. (ie at least 50 % of sets must be played for sets to be counted).
    • Fill-in players may be made up of any combination of the following:       a. player/s from the same division; or

      b. player/s from the division below or two divisions     below; (except for Super Grades - same division or one division lower only); or

    • Fill-in Players: (i.e. players not registered on team sheet at grading or advised for rest of season of team change) - CENTRE REFUNDS COURT FEES to other team’s Centre Operator if fill-in     player wins 1 game per set average or less or defeats members of the other team where other team member collectively won on average 1 game per set or less and ALL sets forfeited by offending player.
    • A player may only represent one team on a given afternoon.
    • A player may play up to FOUR matches in a higher section during the season. If more than four matches are played in a higher section, the player shall become registered as a member of the team in the higher section and shall be ineligible to play in the original team.

19. Match Decisions - Home and Away

    • Every attempt shall be made by each team to complete all sets.
    • A match shall NOT continue beyond the end of the game being played if the scheduled finishing time has elapsed.
    • If a fixture match is terminated by rain, the result shall be determined on the completed sets and any additional completed games, provided that at least three sets have been played. If three sets have not been completed, the match shall be classed as a draw and points awarded.

20. Points

Points shall be awarded as follows:

Super Grade/2 Player Saturday North/Saturday South:

2 for win (on sets then games)

1 for draw (if sets and games are even)

0 for loss

0.1 per game won regardless of win or lose

Max points/forfeit points – 2 + 3.0 (30 games for 5 sets) = 5.0

BYE/wet – 3

Evening programs (north and south):

2 for win (on sets then games)

1 for draw (if sets and games are even)

0 for loss

0.1 per game won regardless of win or lose

Max points/forfeit points – 2 + 2.4 (24 games for 4 sets) = 4.4

BYE/wet – 2.0

Sunday North:

2 for win (on sets then games)

1 for draw (if sets and games are even)

0 for loss

0.1 per game won regardless of win or lose

Max points/forfeit points – 2 + 2.4 (24 games for 3 sets) = 4.4

BYE/wet – 2.0

21. Postponements

    • Postponements of home and away matches from the scheduled dates are not permitted.

Semi-finals and finals

1. Position of Teams at End of Home and Away Rounds

The position of teams in each division at the end of home and away rounds shall be determined on points awarded during the rounds.

2. Semi-Finals Format

Semi-Final matches shall be knockout in format. No right of challenge shall be available to losing teams. Teams in the following positions shall play off in semi-final matches:

Team No. 1 v Team No. 4
Team No. 2 v Team No. 3

3. Finals Format

The semi-final winners shall play off in the final. The team which wins the final shall be declared premiers of that division. No right of challenge shall be available to the losing team.

4. Eligibility of Teams for Semi-Finals and Finals

Each team shall be responsible for ascertaining the following from their Tennis Centre/Club during the week prior to the scheduled date of the semi-final or final:

whether it is eligible for the event, and
the location, time and any other information relating to the match.

5. Court Draw

Semi-final and final matches may be drawn on any surface or court within the precincts of the Brisbane Northside or Southside Metropolitan area.

6. Match Decisions - Semi-Finals and Finals

In Semi-finals and finals, a match shall be decided on SETS, or if sets are equal, on games. If games and sets are equal then a tie break will be played between the last players on court to decide the match.

Semi-finals and finals must be completed at the scheduled finishing time for evening programs. For day programs, matches must be played where one team is in an unbeatable position. Matches must cease play 1 hour after the finishing time. At which point the team leading will be awarded the tie.

Where a semi-final or final cannot be completed due to wet weather or any other circumstances beyond the control of the teams involved, the following provisions shall apply:

Where less than three sets have been completed, the entire match shall be replayed at a time and place determined by the committee.

Where three or more sets have been completed, a result is achieved in any evening program. Saturday programs are to be replayed unless a result is achieved where a team cannot be beaten. (iii) If finals cannot be played on the dates published on the draw schedule due to rain, trophies are presented according to highest overall points.

7. Postponements of Semi-Finals and Finals

Postponements for semi-finals or finals shall not be allowed. (unless deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee).

8. Eligibility of Players for Semi-Finals and Finals

Except as provided for in Rule 38, only registered financial players of the team are eligible to play in semi-finals and finals. Each player competing in semi-finals and finals must also have physically played in at least four matches with the team during the season, except in the case of the highest section where it shall be necessary for players to have physically played in at least five matches with the team during the season. For the purpose of this rule, “physically played” shall mean completion of at least one set in a match, or names listed on result sheet and sent to points keeper prior to the following week’s match.

Upon written request from a team at least five days prior to the scheduled date of the semi-final, the Committee may vary this rule under exceptional circumstances.

9. Substitutions of Players for Semi-Finals and Finals

Where a team cannot field sufficient players for a semi-final or final as defined under Rule 9, the following provisions shall apply:

Except in the case of the lowest division, teams may substitute registered players (who have played 4 matches) from the division below or lower with the prior approval of the Grading Committee.

Approval for all such substitutions should be sought from the Executive Committee/Officer at least two days prior to the scheduled date of the match and shall be subject to the Grading Committee’s judgment that the substitute player(s) will not significantly improve the standard of the original team.

10. Forfeit

Should a forfeit occur due to non-attendance which is not the fault of the management of the Tennis Centre, then that team will be responsible for the payment of the TOTAL court hire charge for that match. If a team forfeits, both centre owners must be advised prior to commencement of play. Three (3) forfeits by any one team during the season is to show cause. In the case of a team forfeiting prior to semi final or final being cancelled due to rain, power failure or other reasons unknown, the forfeit will still stand. For normal round matches - Refer rule 15b General Rules.

Southside Ladies Rules

1. All matches must commence by 9.15am.

2. It is the responsibility of all team members to ensure 3 players are available for each match. If a team does not have 2 players on court ready to play by 9.30am that team forfeits the 1st set. If 2 players are not ready to play by 9.45am the 2nd set is forfeited and if 2 players are not on court by 10am, the match is forfeited and forfeiting costs apply - any forfeiting teams are responsible for the full cost of both teams.

3. Players will change ends on the odd game.

4. A match is deemed complete at the conclusion of the 5th set. (Semi-finals, finals and best of the rest - all sets must be completed) OR if a team is in an unbeatable position when play is suspended due to rain.

5. Team members may borrow a player from their own division or a division lower.

6. Any player who has physically played all matches for a team.

7. The winning team will be the team with the most games or in the event of games being even, the one with the most sets. If a semi-final or final match results in games and sets being even the last four players remain on court to play a deciding 12 point tie breaker.

8. Wet matches - 6 points for an unplayed match and bye.

9. Should rain interrupt play during a match, teams must wait 30 minutes and then check with the court owner to determine whether play can be resumed.

Points to be awarded as follows:

  • Teams 6 points for a win plus 0.1 of a point for every game won
  • Teams 5 points for a tie plus 0.1 of a point for every game won
  • Teams 3 points for a loss plus 0.1 of a point for every game won
  • Teams 9 points for a forfeited match - (winning team)
  • Unregistered replacement players must become registered and have physically played four matches with the same team to be allowed to substitute for that team. No more than one replacement player is allowed in semi finals and finals. Tennis Brisbane must approve of any such replacements.

Brisbane Tennis League Rules

General

  1. The Brisbane Tennis League (BTL) and Brisbane Junior Tennis League (BJTL) is centrally governed by Tennis Brisbane (TB).
  2. All participants in the BTL, including players, coaches and officials (Participants) are bound by these rules and regulations, ITF Rules of Play and TA’s national Policies including, without limitations, the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, the TA Code of Behaviour (including its reference to spectator behaviour and interference), the TA Member Protection Policy and the TA Anti-Doping Policy (each a Policy).
  3. In addition all Participants must at all times act in the best interested of the BTL, BJTL and TB and not at any time engage in conduct which brings or has the potential to bring a participant, the BTL, BJTL, TB or the sport of tennis into disrepute or which is or would have the tendency to be contrary to or prejudicial to the best interests, image or values of the BTL, BJTL or TB.

Team Entry in an BTL or BJTL Conference

  1. A team wishing to enter the BTL or BJTL conference must submit a nomination form to TB. The form must include the names of the proposed players and specify a team captain, a team coach and a team manager. Once a team list has been submitted it cannot be changed.
  2. The BTL nomination form must also specify a contact person who will be responsible for communicating with TB on all related issues including payments of funds to teams winning.
  3. Teams must be comprised of one coach and at least four (4) players. One player must be female. Players are only permitted to play in one team per season.
  4. A team may not be accepted if a team’s member club has outstanding fines or owes other monies to TB.

TB has the sole discretion in the final selection of teams for each BTL Conference.

Match Formalities

  1. Each BTL Conference Match is comprised of four (4) singles and two (2) doubles rubbers.
  2. A maximum of eight (8) players can play in a Match, meaning that four (4) players that have not played any of the singles rubbers may be brought in to play doubles. A player is only permitted to play in a maximum of one (1) singles rubber and one (1) doubles rubber in each match.
  3. Team coaches/managers are required to fill in the official Match nomination form and hand it to the Match referee no later than five (5) minutes prior to the to the singles Rubbers commencing. All singles players must be nominated in their order for the round, with no change to this order permitted during that round. All potential reserves or doubles players must also be nominated on the Match Nomination Form although there is no obligation for these players to play that round. All players must be onsite at the time of nomination.
  4. There is no restriction in the order of singles players and doubles pairing. Once the team order has been nominated to the Referee, it may not be altered for the Match.
  5. Doubles pairings do not have to be nominated until the conclusion of the singles rubbers but must have been nominated on the Match Nomination Form. Teams will have a maximum of five (5) minutes from the conclusion of the final singles rubber to nominate doubles pairings and their order.

Match Format

  1. Each Match will be played in the following order:
    Rubber Court 1 Court 2
    No. 1 No. 1 Singles No. 3 Singles (Ladies Match)
    No. 2 No. 2 Singles No. 4 Singles
    No. 3 No. 1 Doubles (Male) No. 2 Doubles (Mixed)
  2. Singles rubbers will be played as the best of 3 short sets (first to 4 games) with a ‘traditional’ tiebreak (first to 5 points, sudden death at 4 point all) played at 3 games all.
  3. Doubles rubbers will be played as the ‘best of 2 short sets (first to 4 games) with a 9 point tiebreak (first to 5 points, sudden death at 4 point all) played at 3 games all. If sets are even at the conclusion of the second set, a Match Tiebreak (first to 10 with an advantage of 2 points) will be played to determine the outcome of the rubber.
  4. If due to inclement weather or any other reason deemed appropriate by the BTL Conference referee or BTL Conference management, the referee has the power to reduce the scoring format to one that is more conducive to the amount of time available.
  5. All rubbers will be played using no-ad scoring, with the receiver choosing the service side.
  6. When the players change ends at the end of a game and during a tiebreak game, play shall be continuous and the players shall change ends with players having to be ready to play within 60 seconds of the previous games completion. Players are not permitted to sit down during the change of ends.
  7. At the end of each set there shall be a set break of a maximum of ninety seconds. The maximum time starts from the moment that one point finishes until the first service is struck for the next point. Players are permitted to sit down at the end of a set.
  8. There is no restriction in the order of doubles pairings.
  9. No break is permitted between the conclusion of the first singles rubbers and the following singles rubbers. A maximum of five minutes is permitted between the conclusion of the second singles rubber and the commencement of the warm-up of the doubles rubbers. A player will receive one warning for any time violation. Following this warning, each time violation caused by that player will be issued with a point penalty.
  10. If a code violation is issued after the final point of the match has concluded, this penalty (point, game, set or match) will be transferred to the adjacent court and team member or the following match for the offenders team (whichever is closer).
  11. If a player is injured and subsequently forced to retire, the team has the option of a lower ranked player in the order of merit coming in to complete the match; however, the injured retiring player cannot come back in and play any rubber (including doubles) for the remainder of that fixtured team match. The match will be credited to the retiring player for results records and consequently all statistics and ratings impacts.

Method of scoring complete and incomplete matches

  1. For each rubber win, one (1) point will be awarded to the team winning the rubber. At the conclusion of the Match, the winning team will be awarded with four (4) bonus points. There is a mamimum of ten (10) points available for each match.
  2. If at the conclusion of the team match, teams are equal on points, the winner will be the team with the greater number of:
  3. Completed rubbers; however, if the number of rubbers won be equal, then
  4. Sets; however, if the number of sets won be equal, then
  5. Games; however, if the number of games won be equal, then the match shall be a draw and all outstanding points will be shared equally
  6. Where, prior to match day in the opinion of the BTL Conference management or on the match day in the opinion of the Referee by reason of weather or other good and sufficient reason a match cannot be commenced, each team shall be awarded four points.
  7. Where, in the opinion of the Referee, by reason of weather or other good and sufficient reason a match after being commenced cannot be completed then:
  8. For each singles rubber win, 2 points will be awarded to the team winning the rubber. For each doubles rubber win, 2 points will be awarded to the team winning the rubber.
  9. For any incomplete singles rubber, 1 point will be awarded to each team and for any incomplete doubles rubber, 1 points will be awarded to each team.
  10. At the completion of the round robin matches, the top two ranked teams will be determined. If teams have the same number of points then the higher placed team shall be decided on the percentage of rubbers won over rubbers played, if equal on rubbers percentage, then it shall be decided on the percentage of sets won over sets played, if equal on sets percentage, then it shall be decided on the percentage of games won over games played, if equal on games percentage, then it shall be decided on the team with higher number of games won. If still equal, the team that won the match between the two teams in the round robin pool match shall be placed higher. If still equal, the Referee will arrange for a coin toss to take place to determine the higher team placing. A representative of each team may be present at the coin toss if they wish.

Results of matches

    1. Immediately after the completion of all rubbers whether or not a result is determined, the Tennis Brisbane approved score sheet shall be completed and signed by the Captains of each team.
    2. In the event of a match not being commenced or being incomplete, the score sheet shall as far as practicable be completed and must include each nominated player’s name and the score (if any) of each completed or incomplete rubber and state the reasons for the match not being commenced or completed. In the event of a match not being commenced, the Referee will be responsible for the score sheet administration.

Match time and location

  1. All matches will be played at the time and court specified in the BTL Conference fixture. No alteration will be made to this without the approval of the BTL Conference management and Referee.

Match times

  1. Matches shall be commenced and completed, unless otherwise approved by the Referee, as follows:
  2. In order for teams to achieve a match result, the Referee may change the courts
  3. Any player of a team not in attendance within ten minutes of being called to play, shall have his/her rubber defaulted but the remaining rubbers of the match must be played and shall be commenced as soon as practicable.
  4. In the event that a match cannot commence or continue by reason of inclement weather, the Referee has the power to reschedule the match time and/or reduce the format to one that is more conducive for the time available. In the event that the match cannot be completed in the remaining time in the event as decided by the BTL Conference referee, the referee shall declare a draw. All players must attend at the courts unless the Referee has declared a draw prior to the match. However the Referee shall have the power to abandon play earlier than this if in their opinion the courts will not become playable in the available time and there are no other courts available to transfer to. This power is only to be used as a last resort where all reasonable efforts would be unlikely to make the courts playable. In the event a player fails to arrive at the venue as required, that player’s rubbers shall be in default, even though the courts are not ready for play.

Rubber warm up

  1. The maximum time permitted for a hit-up before commencement of each rubber is three minutes, including serves from each player. Following the rubber warm up, players are not permitted to sit down. They may go back to their chair for a drink and conference with their coach; however, the player must be ready to play within 30 seconds of the conclusion of the warm-up.

Defaults by teams/players

  1. Where a team fails to appear for a match, it shall be deemed defaulted and the team not in default shall be awarded all rubbers, sets and games and all the points for the match.
  2. Where a player is defaulted during a rubber for reasons other than punctuality that player shall also be defaulted from any further rubbers that he/she was originally nominated to play in that match, the result shall be recorded in the same way as a retirement due to injury where all games played shall be retained and the remaining games will be forfeited.

Match Balls

  1. Three (3) new Head ATP Tennis Balls will be made available for each rubber.

Player eligibility

  1. To be eligible to play in the BTL Conference Final, the player must have participated in at least one BTL conference match for the same team unless otherwise approved by BTL Conference management for the greater good of the competition.

Players uniform

  1. Each team must have a tennis uniform for the following clothing items – playing tennis shirt, shorts, skirt, dress, skort.
  2. All squad members must be in team uniform when in attendance of their teams match.
  3. No player, coach or team manager is permitted on-court if they are not in team uniform
  4. Team uniforms are not allowed to be predominantly white, as judged by the respective BTL Conference management.
  5. All team uniforms must be approved by the respective BTL Conference management.

On-court coach

  1. Each team can have one on court coach courtside for each singles and doubles rubber. The on court coach must be nominated on the team entry form and approved by the respective BTL Conference Management.
  2. As only one official on court coach is permitted, a separate player from that team may act as the on court coach for the second court. All coaches must be in team uniform.
  3. There can only be one on court coach for each team courtside for each rubber in progress.
  4. Once courtside, an on court coach may do the following:
    • Enter the court during a rubber either before the commencement of the rubber, at a change of ends or at the completion of a set;
    • Provide support and mentoring to his/her player(s);
    • Sit courtside next to the player’s chair or as directed by an official on a chair or similar whilst a rubber is in progress;
    • Only talk directly to his/her player(s) at the change of ends or the completion of a set (communication at other times shall be subject to the provisions of the Tennis Australia Code of Behaviour);
    • While courtside, coaches must comply with the player uniform conditions
  5. The on court coach cannot under any circumstances communicate with the opposing team player(s) or the opposing player’s on court coach or any official. Any dispute in relation to a question of fact or question of law may only be made to the chair umpire and/or Referee (as permitted by the rules of tennis) by the players involved in the rubber in question and the on-court coach may not participate in these discussions.
  6. The Referee and the Chair Umpire shall have the power to give the on-court coach two formal warnings and thereafter the Referee may remove him/her from the rubber in progress and/or from further rubbers of the match. The Referee may also remove an on-court coach without formal warning for a single incident of misconduct.
  7. If an on-court coach is removed from a rubber they may be replaced by another on-court coach from the squad nomination form.
  8. On-court coaches will remain subject to the Tennis Australia Code of Behaviour and may also be awarded an on-site code violation if their behaviour breaches the code. Any violation of the Tennis Australia code of behaviour will result in the penalty being applied to the player on court.

Protests

  1. The Referee will act as final on-site authority ensuring that the BTL Conference is conducted fairly in accordance with the BTL Conference Rules and Regulations as to all matters arising that require immediate resolution at the league site. No protests will be accepted for on-court or result issues.

Powers of the BTL Conference Commission

  1. The BTL Conference Commission shall have the widest and most absolute power and discretion relating to their respective BTL Conference or any matter or thing arising from or in connection with the BTL Conference and without limiting the foregoing it shall have the power and discretion at any time without giving or assigning any reasons therefore to:
  • Demand from any team any information of any nature relating to any matter or thing arising from any match.
  • Demand the replay of any match wholly or in part, and to alter or extend the place, day or time for the playing of any match.
  • Suspend or disqualify a player from the BTL as a result of a player’s conduct or behaviour arising from or in connection with a match.
  • Impose penalties whether by fine, suspension or disqualification or by forfeiture of points for any non-compliance or breach of any of these By Laws and Conditions.

Interpretation of by-laws and conditions

  1. Any question arising from or in connection with the respective BTL Conference or as to the interpretation or construction of these Conditions shall be determined by the relevant Member Association and their BTL Conference Commission in their absolute discretion.

Conditions of play – TA Code of Behaviour policy

  1. All matches shall be played under the ITF Rules of Tennis as adopted by Tennis Australia's and the Tennis Australia Code of Behaviour Policy as applicable to weekly competitions.

Supervision Policy

Supervision Policy

Each of our member centres have a responsibility to provide a safe and welcoming environment for players to participate.

Centres are requested to adhere to the following in 2021:

Each centre are encouraged to have all supervisors sit the online Tennis Australia Court Monitor course. As well as attend the Tennis Brisbane Orientation Course.

Saturday Supervision

Supervision at our largest program is of the utmost importance. To ensure a greater presence, centres are advised of the following Supervision Policy

1.30pm – 2.30pm – Player Registration at the Pro Shop

3pm – Supervisor walk around and attend to all courts

4pm – Supervisor walk around and attend to all courts

5pm – Supervisor walk around and ensure scorecards are signed and matches finish on time

Night Time Super League

7.30pm – Player Registration at the Pro Shop

Supervisor to then walk around the centre before closing and leaving for the night. Please ensure a contact number is available for all players should an incident arise while the centre is not supervised.

Safeguarding Children (Member Protection)

As an Affiliated Club with Tennis Queensland, Tennis Brisbane has adopted the Member Protection Policy (MPP)  and committ to ensuring children are safe when participating in tennis activities and that our services are delivered with the best interests of our young participants as a key focus.  As part of this we have a responsibility to:

  • adopt the practices and behaviours set by Tennis Australiaas the expected standard when carrying out their roles (including the MPP).
  • implement screening measures to ensure only appropriate persons work with children.
  • report any abuse or neglect of which they become aware to Tennis Australia or the Officials of Tennis Brisbane and where necessary to external authorities responsibilities for child protection or to police, regardless of whether that abuse is being perpetrated by personal  within their organisation, or by others within the wider community, including members of a child's family, their extended network or strangers, and
  • deal with alleged offending behaviour of harassment, abuse and discrimination.

In the event of a Player, Parent or Official becoming aware of a matter or incident that needs to be reported, the Tennis Brisbane Member Protection Officer is Mr Warwick Nicol.  A matter or incident can also be reported to the Secretary of Tennis Brisbane.

Mr Warwick Nicol
wnicol@tennisbrisbane.com.au
0421 045 908

If you wish to read the Safeguarding Children Code of Conduct please click here.