JUNIOR INTERCLUB LEAGUE RULES

1. A team will consist of either six boys or six girls (See rule 3 f. for exception). The categories are:

Ages are as prior of January 1st of the current year (see note on last page).

Six different players must make up a team - i.e. a player may NOT play two different matches. A player from a younger category may play in a higher category.

Eligibility

3. a) A player who played twice in an "A" division may not play in the "B" division for the remainder of the season (including playoffs).

b) Players may play for only one STF club in any one season.

c) An individual may represent only one team in the junior STF league, however, they may sub up once. If they play up twice, they are "locked" on the higher team.

d) If a club operates two teams within the same division, the club will have to number their teams #1 and #2 (the #1 team being the stronger of the two).

e) Individuals who have been given senior privileges by their representative club may play in the adult STF league.

f) In order to be eligible for playoff a player must have played at least two regular season matches.

g) Team players shall be paid-up members of the clubs involved, and may play only one event per match.

h) Age categories are strictly adhered to. Players must NOT play in a lower age category.

i) An individual ranked in the top ten in Ontario in the previous year by the Ontario Tennis Association is not eligible to play in his or her age category. (Note, this includes a player who just changed age category. For example, a player U12 ranked last year but who has turned 12, is now an Under 14, must play U16 or U18).

j) Violation of rule 3 a), b), c), d), e), f), g), h), and i), results in an automatic default.

k) A club which does not have a Girls team but has one or two strong or keen girls may play them on the club's Boy's team.

Matches and Scoring

4. a) Each meeting with another club shall consist of the matches listed above. Each player may play in only ONE category per match as listed above. (Player may not play in U12 and U14 on the same day).

b) The matches are to be played as follows:

Under 18 Singles (Boys & Girls League) plays 2 sets to 6 games*
Under 18 Doubles (Boys & Girls League) plays 2 sets to 6 games*
Under 16 Singles (Boys League) plays 2 sets to 6 games*
Under 15 Singles (Girls League) plays 2 sets to 6 games*
Under 14 Singles (Boys League) plays first player to reach 10 games*
Under 12 Doubles (Girls League) plays first player to reach 8 games*
Under 12 Singles (Boys League) plays first player to reach 8 games*

* Each set shall be won by the first player(s) to reach 6, 8, or 10 games - NO tiebreakers are to be played.

Scorecards
5. a) Scorecards will be made up in advance by team captains and exchanged simultaneously prior to start of the match. PRINT in BLOCK letters and give FULL NAMES (first and last).

Rained Out Matches
6. Matches are to be played within 15 days but may be played on any day. Matches between individual players may be arranged. The home team is responsible for notifying the league convener of rescheduled dates. If the teams cannot agree on a date within the 15 days, the league convener will assign a date, time and courts (if necessary). Any court rental costs (if incurred) will be divided between the two clubs involved.

Pre-Match Contact
7. Visiting captain must contact home captain one or two nights prior to the scheduled match to confirm the meeting and arrange the order of play and report defaults.

Team Drop-Out
8. In the event that a team drops out, the scores for all matches played against that team will be cancelled. Any team which defaults two (2) complete meetings will be dropped out.

Tennis Balls
9. New or good used balls are to be supplied by the home team.

Start Time
10. Matches are to start at 9 am Saturdays unless otherwise arranged between two teams.

Court Arrangements
11.a) The home team club must provide courts for scheduled home matches. Other arrangements may be made for extenuating circumstances and the date and time must be mutually agreed upon.
b) A minimum of 2 courts per team meeting must be provided.

Refreshments
12. Refreshments are to be provided by the home team. The minimum expected is pop or fruit juice.

Note: Age Limit of Eligibility.
The year of completion is January 1 - December 31. In order to play in a particular age category a player must NOT have reached the upper age limit prior to January 1st of the current year. For example, if a boy turned 16 on or before December 31, 2005, he would be ineligible for play in the Under 16 Category in 2006.

Note: Transportation
The Junior Convener for each club should ensure that adequate arrangements are made for transportation for the team(s).

The Home Captain is responsible for entering the scores into the STF Webleague Site. For further information email the VP Leagues at vpleagues@scarboroughtennis.com.

STF Code of Conduct
Ontario Tennis Association

The highest type of ethical behaviour is expected from every player! Players are under an obligation to avoid acts which are unethical or detrimental to the game of tennis.

1. Loud, abusive, or profane language, racquet throwing, or hitting balls indiscriminately is prohibited.

2. The Rules of Tennis allow a maximum of 90 seconds for changing ends of court on odd games and 25 seconds between points and between games when there is no changeover.

3. Intentional waving of a racquet or arm or making distracting noises is prohibited.

4. Coaching, except during the break between the 2^nd and 3^rd sets, is prohibited. (Spectators, including parents, friends and coaches, should not interfere with or participate in on-court matters.)

5. Do not attempt to make a mockery of a match, whether winning or losing.

6. Do not withdraw from a tournament after the draw has been made or default in a tournament (whether during the course of a match or prior to its commencement) except for illness, injury or personal emergency.

Tennis Etiquette

1. Wait until a point is over before walking behind a court where a match is in progress.

2. To retrieve a ball from another court or to return a ball to another court, wait until the players have completed a point.

3. Players should present a neat appearance and abide by local dress regulations.

On-Court Rules

1. If you have any doubt as to whether a ball is out or good, you must give your opponent the benefit of the doubt and play the ball as good.

2. It is your obligation to call all balls on your side, to help your opponent make calls when the opponent requests it, and call against yourself any ball that you clearly see out on your opponent’s side of the net.

3. Any “out” or “let” call must be made instantaneously (i.e., made before either an opponent has hit the return or the return has gone out of play); otherwise, the ball continues in play.

4. Do not enlist the aid of spectators in making line calls.

5. If you call a ball out and then realize it was good, you should correct your call.

6. To avoid controversy over the score, the Server should announce the set score (e.g., 5-4) before starting a game and the game score (e.g., thirty-forty) prior to serving each point.

7. If players cannot agree on the score, they may go back to the last score on which there was agreement and resume play from that point.

8. Foot faults are not allowed. If an opponent persists in foot faulting after being warned not to do so, the Referee should be informed.

9. Do not stall, sulk, complain, or engage in un-ethical behaviour.