Court Availability and Priorities

In general we rely on member’s common sense, good manners and courtesy regarding the use of courts. However there have been a number of recent instances when certain members have tried to assert their rights regarding which courts they want to use.

For the avoidance of doubt the following shall apply.

League Matches

The centre two grass courts are reserved for Fylde League matches and Tournament Finals. No other play is allowed unless sanctioned by the Committee.

Scheduled and re-arranged Fylde League matches take preference on the other grass courts as required.

Fylde League matches may move to the carpet courts after 9pm only if the courts are not being used by members. They have no priority over any specific court(s) and members should not be asked to move to another court to accommodate matches being moved.

Ribble League matches have priority on carpet courts 1 & 2 on Wednesday evenings and very occasionally on other nights if matches have to be re-arranged. If other carpet courts are available then they may use other courts for their match only if there are no members wishing to play. In that event the members have priority and should not be asked to move to another court to accommodate the Ribble League match.

Tournament Matches (Open. Handicap & Winter League)

These matches have no priority over general club play in any circumstances and players should not ask other members to move from a specific court because, for whatever reason, they wish to play on it.

Once they have started their match they are entitled to complete it.

Tournament matches must not be played during times designated for ‘social tennis’ (Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings in the summer) even if courts are available. In extreme circumstances such matches may be sanctioned by the Committee in advance.

Occasionally the Committee may organise ‘American tournaments’. These will be well publicised and may mean that no courts will be available for general play.

Juniors

Juniors may play at any time subject to court availability. However after 6pm Senior members shall have priority.

Juniors have priority on Sunday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm on Courts 5 and 6

General Club Play

Subject to the restrictions above Senior members may play at any time providing that the courts are fit. However they must mix-in during designated social times.

In the event that the courts are fully occupied it should be noted that doubles play takes preference over singles. If members wishing to play doubles (all 4 present) are waiting because there are no courts available then the singles players should complete the set and move off court and join those waiting to play on other courts as they become free.

Summary

We are fortunate that we have 12 courts for summer use, but of course we also have a thriving membership which means that on rare occasions there are more members wishing to play than available courts.

On such times we hope that all members will be courteous to each other, recognise that ‘all members are equal’ and be prepared to join in or wait for a little time whilst others enjoy a set of tennis.

And finally whilst you are reading this….

Please remember that only tennis clothing and footwear is allowed on court.

Please lower the nets and lock the gates after play.

Pay for any visitors before or as soon after you play as possible (sorry Juniors may not introduce visitors without prior Committee approval)

Enjoy your tennis and recognise that all other members have the same rights (and responsibilities) as you do.

Lytham Tennis Committee
July 2019