Matchplay/Tournament Information
Tennis Solutions matchplays are under 18 events for all ratings. The David Lloyd sponsored matchplays will played mostly on indoor carpet courts at David Lloyd although if there is a large entry outdoor astro courts will be used. Tarka matches in Barnstaple are played on indoor hard courts which are Plexicushion. For BLTSC sponsored events outdoors hard courts will be used, although an overspill at David Lloyd is a possibility and will mostly be played on indoor courts.
David Lloyd first match start times are typically between 11.30am and 5.30pm (although on certain dates we may need to start as early as 9.00 am). In the past most matches at David Lloyd have been on the indoor courts but currently there is a huge demand so some matches may be played outdoors although we will keep that to the minimum. Either way it would be safer to be prepared to have to face the elements. First Tarka matches start from 9 am. BLTSC matchplays are generally intended to be outdoors events and will commence from 9.00am onwards and the courts are considered to be all-weather. You will be informed of your precise start time and venue nearer the tournament date by e-mail. Entry can be made by phone on 07710 402715 or text or by e-mail at dbudd1023@aol.com or online through the LTA website.
Remember that tennis matches are not timed events, so whilst every attempt is made to finish as early as possible, boxes of an uneven number of players will result in extended times between matches for some players. Entry into these matchplays means that in some circumstance you could be in the club for 6 hours or more.
You will be scheduled matches against players of the same rating but not necessarily the same age. If possible we will attempt to avoid players playing against a player from the same County. In certain circumstances the referee may on the day change the draw or revert some matches to short sets. Generally division 10 and 9.2 players may expect to play short sets.
The entry fee is £18 for David Lloyd and Tarka events and £15 for BLTSC events and is payable through PayPal. If you haven't already paid we will generally e-mail you asking for payment on the Friday of the week before the event and prompt payment (within 24 hours) will secure your place (subject to sufficient entries at that rating). We can generally entertain late entries but in such circumstances we will ask for immediate payment by PayPal.
Start times are generally announced by e-mail (unless you specify otherwise) on the Tuesday evening before the event. So please ensure that you have access to that e-mail facility and that you if it begs a reply you do so promptly so that we know you have received it. If you don't reply it simply means that our costs are increased in trying to make contact with you. Things can go astray so if you have entered but you haven't had a call or an e-mail about your start time by the Wednesday immediately before the matchplay date then don’t just assume matches have been arranged, please ring on 07710 402715. Please be aware that scheduling can sometimes be thrown by late withdrawals, so it may be that once having given you a start time we may have to make some late adjustments to it.
If a player withdraws after the withdrawal date I'm afraid the entry fee is forfeited. If however we have been unable to arrange matches for you or they are cancelled by ourselves we will of course issue a full refund.
We generally feel we have a good relationship with our players and parents with whom we frequently have repeat business. To preserve that relationship and so as not to disappoint other players we expect withdrawals after the withdrawal date to be restricted in the main to those relating to injury. Please be aware that all players results can be tracked using the LTA website – entry into another event is not an acceptable reason for a withdrawal and is likely to result in the computer recognising this and automatic penalty points being issued.
The David Lloyd Club asks you not to consume your own refreshments on the premises - there is a wide selection available for purchase at the club or use any facilities with the exception of the changing rooms. BLTSC have no restrictions on food and drink.
In certain circumstances at the end of one rating period and the start of a new one, it is conceivable if the referee isn't made aware of a players potential to go up to the next rating players may play either one higher or one lower than their potential rating. To avoid this happening it is up to the entrants to forewarn the referee and provide evidence where they think they will be going up to the next rating. A screen shot of a players personal record will normally suffice as evidence of going up to the next rating.
