Tennis Bye-laws

The Avenue Lawn Tennis Squash and Fitness Club Tennis Bylaws

1. Introduction

1.1 The grass courts (nos 1-10) are open in the summer months with the order of play managed on the Court Management Board (CMB). This defines opening times and court usage and is placed in front of court 10. It is updated regularly by the Grounds Chairman or the groundsmen.

1.2 The all-weather courts (nos 11-17) are open all year round.

1.3 Block-bookings All-weather courts are ‘block-booked’ (ie pre-booked by the office staff more than one week in advance) on the Club’s online booking system for the following play:

a) Tournaments sanctioned by the Tennis Committee (see Note d).

b) Inter-Club Team matches.

c) Junior Tournaments.

d) Group coaching as advertised on The Avenue Tennis website.

e) Team Practice.

f) Mix-ins.

1.4 Team matches are normally played on the grass courts during the summer. If bad weather prevents (or stops) play – matches may only be switched to the all-weather courts if there are sufficient free courts available.

1.5 Mix-ins are defined as block-booked sessions at designated days and times where members in the appropriate categories can turn up and play. They must hold appropriate membership or are paid guests. Doubles matches are formed from those members who have waited longest. Players must ‘mix in’ after playing one short set.

2. Grass Courts

2.1 Team Practice / Mix-ins Unless required for matches, the following courts are reserved. Note:
grass courts cannot be booked on the Club’s online booking system.

*See CMB for variations.

2.2 Juniors Priority is given to Juniors to play on court 6 and 7 on weekdays from 12.00am to 6.00pm and on Saturdays and Sundays after 5.00pm.

3. All-weather courts

3.1 Booking System: Any tennis member (including juniors) or coach can book courts up to a maximum of 4 consecutive half-hour sessions in one day. If persons who have booked a court fail to turn up within 10 minutes of scheduled start time other members waiting may play on that court.

3.2 Floodlights: Courts should be paid for by cash or fob at the kiosk in the clubhouse by squash court 1.

3.3 Mix-ins in Summer when grass closed: When grass courts are closed in summer due to wet weather, mix-ins can take place on any all-weather courts that are not already booked. Times are the same as winter play.

3.4 Winter Play The following courts are block-booked:

3.5 All-year-round Daytime Play: The following courts are block-booked:

4. Coaching

4.1 Courts 11 and 12 are block-booked for coaching (group lessons) in accordance with the agreed coaching programme.

4.2 Additional coaching requirements (ie private individual coaching) must be booked as per all-weather court booking.

4.3 Paid coaching, other than that provided by Avenue Tennis, is prohibited.

5. Guests

5.1 Guests may play only if accompanied by a member. The member is responsible for payment of the appropriate fee, and for signing in the guest before play. The guest book is located under the balcony adjacent to the office.

5.2 Guests are allowed a maximum of three playing visits to the club per year unless by invitation from the Tennis Committee.

5.3 Guests may attend coaching sessions (individual or group) but must pay the appropriate fee.

Additional Notes

a. Guidance on using the online booking system can be found here.

b. At all times members and their guests must observe the general principles of ‘tennis etiquette’ i.e. respecting the privacy of our neighbours, avoiding foul and abusive language and avoiding walking behind or shouting across a court whilst a rally is in progress.

c. Regular spot checks will be made by Tennis Committee members to check that players are entitled to play on the Grass / all-weather courts. Notice of this will be announced in advance in the weekly newsletter.

d. Seniors Open Tournament in late June (ten grass courts); County Cup Week in late July (ten grass courts) and Club’s summer and winter closed tournaments. For the Seniors and County Cup tournaments the all-weather courts (nos 11 to 17) are reserved as back up in case bad weather prevents (or stops) play.

e. Players exiting the clay courts are politely requested to use the water bath and brushes provided to clean their shoes of sand.