All matches to be played under Tennis Victoria rules except where such rules are altered herein.

1. The type, condition and surroundings of the courts of each competing club shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. All courts must be clearly lined. Use of indoor courts is not permitted.
2. One court must be provided by the home team at the agreed starting time. Failure to do so will result in the home team forfeiting the first set 0-8. If captains agree, two courts may be used.
3. If two courts are made available by the host club for the home and away matches, and during the finals series, both courts are to be used continuously, unless both captains mutually agree, prior to the commencement of the match to use courts separately.
4. All clubs are required to provide courts for Final Series Matches if needed.
5. Mobile telephones must be turned off while any matches are in progress. An infringement of this rule will incur a $10 fine.

1. Four new first grade yellow tennis balls shall be provided by the home team.
2. The Committee has the power to fix a make and colour of balls for Semi-final and Final matches, and each team is required to provide two new balls of approved make.

1. Approved white or coloured tennis garments, tracksuits and footwear may be worn. Prominent advertising or lettering in any form on tennis dress is not permitted. However, a small company logo or a motif measuring not more than 5 square centimetres is approved. This rule is for play in fixtures arranged by M.E.M.R.L.T.A. Inc. only. Incorrect dress means a player is not ready to commence play, and sets may be claimed as per By-Law 8 (a).
2. On days when weather conditions are extreme, the Captains of opposing teams may, by mutual agreement, give permission to their team members to play in track suit pants.

1. All clubs applying for entry must get approval of the Executive Committee.
2. Players participating in matches must be financial members of clubs registering them.
3. Prior to the commencement of each Pennant Season, each team entry must be accompanied by a graded list of players, on the prescribed form for registration for that season, together with previous seasons gradings recorded individually.
4. The teams are to be divided into as many grades or sections as may be considered necessary, and the format of competition play be varied, by the Executive Committee.
5. The Executive Committee shall have the right to grade team members, and no team member shall participate in matches in a grade, or section, lower than that approved by the Executive Committee.
6. In the event of a team playing an unregistered, or ineligible player, that team, if it wins, shall forfeit the points for the match to the offended team. Games won and lost by the offending player shall not count in the team's total. Offended team shall be awarded all sets in which the offending player participated. (Eight games to nil).
7. No player registered to play with a club shall be allowed to change to another club in the Association, during the course of the season, unless with the sanction of the Executive Committee. In the event of a player being nominated for registration by more than one club, the player concerned shall have the right to say which nomination shall stand. The Executive Committee shall have the right to reject any registration.
8. Any player who within the past two years has played Tennis Victoria State Grade or equivalent standard will be permitted to play both Winter and Summer Competition Grade A1 only. To be eligible for finals, same player must play a minimum of five (5) matches.
9. Players who have played the number of matches to qualify in a lower grade, shall be eligible for a higher grade. Once having played four (4) matches in a higher grade, the player may not return to the lower grade.
10. In the event of a club being represented by more than one team in any one grade or section, no player having participated in four (4) matches in one team, shall be eligible to play thereafter in the other.
11. No player shall play in more than one team on any one fixture day.
12. Any permanent alteration to the original team graded in any grade or section, must have permission of the Executive Committee or Sub-Committee.
13. In order to be eligible to play in Semi-final and Grand Final matches, where there is a 10-team draw, players must have played in three (3) matches during the current season. Where there is an 8-team draw, players must have played in two (2) matches during the current season.

1. Where both teams infringe any By-Laws, the match may be cancelled by the Executive Committee.
2. Outstanding fines will be doubled if not paid within two (2) months of date of infringement.

1. Emergencies for the current season must be registered on the back of the result card on the day of their first match. Details and Grade to be Registered MUST be completed. EMERGENCIES PARTICIPATING IN MATCHES MUST BE FINANCIAL MEMBERS OF CLUBS REGISTERING THEM.
2. The Executive Committee or Sub-committee shall have the right to grade or re-grade emergencies, and no emergency shall participate below her approved grading without prior permission of the Executive Committee or Sub-committee. Once having played four (4) matches in a higher grade, the emergency may not return to a lower grade.
3. In order to be eligible to play in Semi-final and Grand Final matches, where there is a 10-team draw, emergencies must have played in three (3) matches during the current season. Where there is an 8-team draw, emergencies must have played in two (2) matches during the current season.
4. The standard of all emergencies must be acceptable to the Executive Committee or Sub-committee. Should any emergency be proven unacceptable, said emergency would be deemed ineligible, and lose her sets to love. That team if it draws, will lose its premiership point. Two (2) points for the match will be awarded to the offended team.

1. Matches shall commence at 12 o'clock, or at time mutually agreed upon. Agreed starting time cannot be altered after 12 midday of the day prior to match unless mutually convenient. If a team is not represented by a minimum of two players (i.e. any pair combination) and ready to play by 12 o'clock, or time mutually agreed upon, then the first set shall be forfeited by the offending team.
2. If a complete team is not in attendance at the courts listed for the match within 45 minutes of agreed starting time, the offending team shall be deemed as giving a forfeit. Penalty as per By-Law 10 (b).

1. Each team shall consist of four (4) ladies.
2. Prior to commencement of a match the respective captains will exchange lists of their teams showing the order in which the members play. Such classification shall be entered on the result card, and is to be adhered to throughout the match. Failure to adhere to such classification will result in a forfeit of incorrect sets.
3. A match shall consist of six sets of Ladies' doubles in the following order: 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 1st and 3rd, 2nd and 4th, 1st and 4th, 2nd and 3rd. The order of sets may be varied by agreement between the two captains.
4. Each team shall play two rounds of home and away matches unless otherwise specified by the Executive Committee, on Tuesday of each week.
5. If a team has to be withdrawn after grading, and/or during the season, a $20 fine shall be imposed.

1. A club unable to arrange a team for any match must notify the opposing captain or Club contact on the day the match is scheduled to be played, and notify the appropriate Record Secretary in writing of such forfeit, by Thursday following the match. Penalty for each forfeit will be $5.00. Late notification by a forfeiting team will incur a further $10.00 fine.
2. The team not forfeiting will be awarded premiership points and a score of 48-24, with no points and a corresponding loss to the team forfeiting.
3. In the event of a complete Association washout or heatout the team gaining a forfeit will receive one (1) point and no score. The forfeiting team will receive neither points nor score.

1. Sets shall be eight (8) game sets with no advantage.
2. Matches shall be determined on games, but in the event of games being equal, then on sets, and two (2) points shall be awarded to the winning team in each match. One point shall be awarded to each team for a draw.
3. Both teams to assist in preparation of courts between sets, and when courts need mopping all players are to assist.
4. 1. In the event of WET WEATHER, individual matches may be cancelled with or without teams attending courts, provided such cancellation is mutually acceptable to opposing team captains.
   2. In the case of teams NOT ATTENDING COURTS, written confirmation of mutual agreement to such cancellation shall be forwarded to appropriate Record Secretary by the home team.
   3. In the case of teams ATTENDING COURTS, teams shall wait a minimum of one and a half hours after agreed starting time before cancellation of match, providing such cancellation is mutually acceptable to opposing captains. The result card shall be forwarded to the appropriate Record Secretary by the home team.
   4. Any match NOT COMMENCED prior to 1.30 p.m. due to wet weather shall be abandoned and each team shall receive one point.
   5. If play HAS COMMENCED and is interrupted by rain, match will be cancelled one and a half hours after all play has ceased unless both captains agree to continue.
5. No set shall be commenced after 4 p.m. unless agreed to by both captains.
6. If the temperature reaches 32°C at the appointed starting time or at any time thereafter, play may be stopped at the option of either captain (temperature to be confirmed by Weather Bureau Phone 1196). Any cancellation must not be arranged before the appointed starting time.
7. In the event of matches being abandoned because of weather conditions, unless one team at the time play ceased had such a lead as would have entitled it to claim the match, the match shall be declared a draw and each team shall receive one point.
8. All games played in a round of matches shall be counted when computing percentage.

1. 1. The result of each home and away match shall be recorded in detail by the home captain on the result card, which will be signed by both captains.
   2. It will be the responsibility of the home team to ensure the completed result card is in the possession of the appropriate Record Secretary not later than the Thursday following the match.
   3. Failure to have the result card/s in by the designated time will mean a fine of $10.00 per envelope. Duplicate card/s must be received by the appropriate Record Secretary within 24 hours of notification or the offending team/s will lose the applicable number of premiership points for that/those match/es, or face a further fine of $5.00 per team if the losing team/s.
   4. Failure of either captain to correctly complete the result card will mean a fine of $5.00 to the home team.
2. In the event of the points being equal at the end of the home and away matches, the team’s position will be determined by the percentage of games won and lost.
3. In the event of a team falling out of the competition during the season, all premiership points and percentage scored in respect of the matches against that team shall be cancelled.

1. If because of illness, accident or other emergency, a player cannot continue in a match, an emergency player may take her place and play shall resume where left off.
2. A 10 minute injury time per player-per match is permitted in the case of illness, accident or other emergency.
3. If an emergency player is not available immediately after such illness, accident or other emergency, the sets shall be continued in order of 9 (c), postponing those for which the emergency is awaited.
4. A substitute should be at the court ready to play within one hour of cessation of play. A three (3) minute hit up is permissible.
5. Any emergency player taking part in a match must in no way contravene any Section of By-Law 7.

1. All protests shall be made at the courts, prior to the teams separating, and such protest shall be in writing on result card, and signed by captain of protesting team and a witness. The General Secretary shall be advised within 48 hours of the match, and a $5 deposit shall accompany each protest.
2. All protests shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee, and its decision shall be final.
3. If the Executive Committee deems a protest frivolous, the accompanying deposit shall be forfeited.

1. Unless otherwise designated by the Executive Committee, at the end of home and away matches the four leading teams shall play in the following order:
   1st Semi-Final: 1st team versus 4th team
   2nd Semi-Final: 2nd team versus 3rd team
   The first team listed is regarded as the “home” team.
2. Grand Final: Winner of 1st Semi-Final versus winner of 2nd Semi-Final.
3. The result of last home and away, Semi-Final and Grand Final matches, must be telephoned to the Secretary on the day of the match, by the home team. Failure to telephone the Secretary during the allotted time as stated on Final notices, will result in the offending team being fined $10.00. Result cards must also be forwarded to the appropriate Record Secretary as usual, by the home team, so that they are received not later than Thursday following the match.
4. Prior to the commencement of the match, captains will hand lists of players in playing order to umpires.
5. Semi and Grand Final matches to commence at 10.00 a.m. in the Winter and 9.30 a.m. in the Summer.
6. In the event of postponement due to wet weather or heat during Finals series, play shall be continued from where left off at a time and venue mutually agreed to by both teams and shall be completed before the following Tuesday. A team unable to play on any day must forfeit. If players cannot mutually agree on a time to complete an unfinished Grand Final match, no pennants will be awarded. For postponed finals, eligible emergencies may take the court from where play ceased. Where teams elect to play at an alternative venue any costs incurred must be met by the teams concerned. The use of indoor courts is not permitted.
7. In the event of drawn Semi-Final and Grand Final matches, the last four players concerned in the match, shall then play a twelve (12) point tie break to decide the winners.
8. The Executive Committee reserves the right if necessary to cancel finals.

1. The last two clubs represented in each grade or section, shall provide a minimum of four umpires for the semi-finals in their grade or section. The defeated clubs in the Semi-Final matches, 1 versus 4, and 2 versus 3, shall each provide a minimum of two umpires, for the Grand Final.
2. In the event of postponement due to inclement weather during final series, the clubs originally responsible must provide umpires to officiate.
3. Clubs failing to supply umpires as outlined shall be fined $10.00 per umpire not in attendance.
4. Umpires officiating at Finals to wear tennis shoes and suitable attire. Infringement of this rule will incur a fine of $5.00.

1. Pennants will be presented to the premiers and runners-up in each section, for both Winter and Summer Competition.
2. A Perpetual Trophy will be presented to the winner of Section 1 for both Winter and Summer Competitions. These perpetual trophies will remain the property of the Association, but may be held by the winning club for twelve (12) months.
3. A perpetual trophy to be known as “The Anne Hubbard Trophy” will be presented annually after the Summer Season to the club whose teams have achieved the best all round performance. To be eligible, a club must enter a minimum of three teams per season. This trophy will be held by the winning club for the following 12 months.