Rules of Kintbury Tennis Club

The following club rules were agreed by committee in 2007 (updated 2016) and apply to all members.

The courts are for the use of members and guests only, visitors may play with a member and pay £5 per session to a Committee member up to 3 times in a year.

Players may be asked to vacate the court if membership cannot be proven.

Please wear appropriate tennis clothing, footwear must be non-marking, rubber soled, without raised heels, spikes, studs, cleats, bars or deep ribbing to prevent damage to the courts. There is no restriction on colour of clothing.

Please ensure the courts are free of leaves, dirt and pollen BEFORE playing. Do not tread this debris into the playing surface. The club's leaf blower and Billy Goat are available to all members to use to clean the courts prior to play. Please help us keep the courts in good condition.

Please lower the nets after play.

When using the club house facilities, please leave them how you would wish to find them i.e. clean and tidy (we do not have a cleaner).

Wash up your mugs and cups after use, and don't leave items soaking in the sink.

The ball machine is to be used by over 16s only unless supervised by an adult.

Etiquette

For the benefit of all, please respect your fellow players:

Talk quietly when standing near tennis courts that are in use.

Never walk behind a court when a point is still in play. Wait until the point is over and then cross as quickly as possible.

When balls from other courts have rolled onto your court return them at the end of the next point.

When sending balls back to a neighboring court, roll them on to the back of the Court. Never send them back while play is in progress.

Retrieve balls for your partner and your opponent.

Don't criticise your partner. Do offer encouragement.

Call your own lines and let your opponent hear the call. Always respect the line calls of your opponent.

If there is a disagreement, replay the point.

Switch off or silence and do not use your mobile phone on court.

Be aware of other members waiting to use the courts. If all courts are in use, please complete your set as quickly as possible, or limit your time to a 40 minute session, then vacate the court to allow others to play. Acknowledge the people who are waiting and give them some indication of when they will be able to get onto a court.

Enjoy your tennis!



We have also adopted the LTA's Code of practice for parents and guardians

Kintbury Tennis Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents/guardians associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the chairperson or any other member of the management committee.

As parent or guardian of a member of Kintbury Tennis Club you are expected to abide by the following code of practice:

Encourage your child to learn the rules of tennis and play within them.

Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.

Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.

Never force your child to take part in sport.

Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.

Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.

Publicly accept judgements made by officials.

Support your childs involvement and help them to enjoy their sport.

Use correct and proper language at all times.

Allow your child to play in the Mini Tennis colour stage that is appropriate to them. This will ensure they enjoy playing the game, develop their skills and gain confidence.

Purchase balls and rackets that match the stage your child is in.

Be patient. Steady progression is unusual in children; peaks and plateaus are common.

Your first question following any match should be: Did you enjoy it? not Did you win?

At no stage should you communicate with your child or interfere with the on-court helpers and referees during a match just enjoy the game and let officials take care of the rules!



We have also adopted the LTA's Code of practice for young people

Kintbury Tennis Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members. The club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, members are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with the chairperson or any other member of the management committee.

As a junior member of Kintbury Tennis Club you are expected to abide by the following code of practice:

All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.

All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background, religious beliefs or sexual identity.

Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions, or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.

Members must wear suitable kit for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach.

Members must pay any fees for training or events promptly.

Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.

Junior members are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs of any kind on the club premises or whilst representing the club.