NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Handbook
Amended 2020
4.23 Tennis
4.23.1 Tennis State-wide competitions:
Stan Jones Trophy (state-wide boys) and the Floris Conway Cup (state-wide girls)
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook “state-wide competitions" –
(a) Entry
The competitions are run on a school basis. Each team is to consist of four players plus reserves as required. These players may be selected from any age group so that the best four players represent the school.
(b) Conditions of play
(i) Players retain their singles rank 1 to 4 and so on based on ability, as declared in all preceding knockout rounds.
(ii) Doubles pairs are to be ranked 1 and 2, and can consist of any combination of team members for each match.
(iii) If a reserve is played, they must come into the team in a position based on their order of ability for singles consistent with team rankings in previous knockout rounds.
(vi). Doubles pairings and/or rankings may be altered from match to match but singles rankings cannot be changed.
(v) A match will be played over eight (8) sets, in the following order:
Two sets of doubles
Four sets of singles
Two sets of doubles
(vi) Each set will be a normal advantage set with a tiebreaker played at six games all.
(vii) The winner of the toss at the beginning of the match shall have the right to nominate which pair will play the first doubles. The loser will nominate which pair will oppose them.
Nominations of sets for the remainder of the match will alternate between the captains (keeping to the order as indicated in rule 4.23.1 (v)).
(viii) The right to serve or receive in each set will be determined by a toss at the beginning of each set.
(ix) The winner of the match will be determined as follows:
The team winning the most sets
If sets are equal, games will be counted
If both sets and games are equal, each singles player will play one tiebreaker game
The team that wins the most tiebreak games will be the winner
If equal at 2-2, the team that has won the most points wins
If still equal, the team that won the number one singles wins
(x) Finals
Each team will play a minimum of three matches over the two days of competition.
Attendance of all players and teams is compulsory for the duration of the final series – including the presentation ceremony after the finals.
It is compulsory for all schools to play in team uniform, in conjunction with the Tennis Australia dress code.
Two new balls will be used on each court for main draw events.
Used balls may be utilised for consolation matches.
Note:
The winning school will be invited to play in the Australian School Team Event, and in a match against the winner of the Independent/Catholic Schools Competition.
4.23.2 Tennis State Championships
Girls: The Linabury Shield
Boys: The Basford Shield (Open Age )
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook “State Championships" –
(a) Teams
(i) A team shall consist of a minimum of eight (8) players to a maximum of nine (9) players for each association.
(ii) Each player must be ranked 1 to 9 for singles. These rankings are to be declared at the team manager's meeting prior to the commencement of the championships and must remain the same for the duration of the tournament.
(iii) All players must play in every match throughout the championship.
(iv) The number nine (9) player must play at position eight (8) in the singles.
(v) Any combination of doubles pairings can be played. Pairings can be altered prior to the commencement of each match. Doubles pairs will be ranked by combining the singles rankings (1-9) of each player. The combination with the lowest total will be the number one (1) doubles pair and so on. If two or more combinations have equal totals, the pair with the player ranked highest for singles is ranked higher for doubles.
(vi) In the event of illness or injury during a doubles set, the team’s reserve player at that time may substitute for the injured player. However, on the result sheet the remainder of that doubles set is forfeited. In singles, the reserve player must play in their own seeded position or the next highest available position. If this cannot be fulfilled, the singles set is also forfeited on the results sheet.
(vii) In the case where a team has fewer than eight (8) players, the team must forfeit the sets for the missing player(s). However, a substitute player(s) from the host association may fill in for the missing player(s), but note that the team still forfeits the points for these sets.
(b) Draw structure
The competition will be held as a ten (10) team round robin event (every team plays each other once).
The order of the round robin matches will be determined by the final placings from the previous year. One (1), ten (10), five (5), nine (9), four (4), eight (8),three (3), seven (7), two (2), six (6) and/or at the state conveners discretion.
(c) Matches
(i) Each match consists of four (4) doubles sets and eight (8) singles sets
(ii) Each singles set will be one (1) advantage set with a twelve (12) point tiebreaker played at five (5) games all. Each doubles set will be one (1) advantage set with a twelve (12) point tiebreaker played at five (5) games all with no advantage scoring
(iii) The right to serve or receive first will be decided by the toss of a coin or spin of a racquet at the beginning of each set
(iv) A team manager is not permitted on the court during play, except in the case of illness or injury disrupting play.
(d) Order of play
(i) The order of sets in all matches including pool rounds, semi-finals and finals shall be doubles first, then the singles as available. The toss of a coin will determine which team puts on the first of the available singles – the choice will then alternate for the remaining singles matches.
(ii) There will be no umpires or ball persons for the duration of the championship unless requested by one or both players during a set. In such a case, each team manager involved will provide one player to act together as umpires for the remainder of that set.
(e) Determining winner and placings
Each match
(i) At the completion of a match, the team winning the most sets is the winner and will receive two (2) points. If sets won are equal, the match will be decided on most games won. When both sets and games are equal, the match will be declared a tied match and both teams will receive one (1) point.
Pool placings
(ii) At the completion of all the round robin matches the team with the most points, if points are equal the results will be determined by:
a. The result(s) of the match(s) between the teams involved
b. If still tied, then on differences of sets won and sets lost in the matches between the teams that are tied
c. If still tied, then on differences of games won and games lost
d. If still tied, then the higher placing shall be determined by the result of the number one (1) singles set when the teams played each other
If still undetermined, placing will be drawn out of a hat at random.
Note: If at any step in this countback process between (a) and (d) above, there are only two (2) teams remaining to be separated, their placings will be decided by the result of the match when they played each other.
(f) Wet weather/interrupted matches
In the event that the championship is interrupted by wet weather or other circumstance:
(i) If further play is possible, a determination on format for the remaining pool matches will be made by the state convener and championship manager.
1. A ten (10) point match ti-break in the remaining doubles, then
- Short Deuce scoring for all the remaining single, then
- A ten (10) point match tiebreak in the remaining matches
(ii) Where positions within the pool are undecided, they will be determined by:
The result(s) of the match(es) between the team(s) in question, or if necessary,
The results of matches against team(s) played in common.
(iii) If the championship is not completed, the pools will remain the same as the previous year
(iv) In exceptional circumstances, the format may be altered at the discretion of the championship manager after consultation with the team managers and the state convener.
(g) Disputes
(i) Prior to commencement of the championship, where possible a tournament referee will be appointed to adjudicate on the "Rules of Tennis".
(ii) If a dispute occurs, a committee comprising:
The championship manager
Referee (if appointed) and
Two team managers not directly involved in the dispute, will convene to settle the matter.
(iii) All disputes must be in writing and lodged with the championship manager within half an hour of the incident.
(iv) The decision of the disputes committee is final.
(h) Dress code
All players must wear regional team uniform, in conjunction with the Tennis Australia Dress Code.