1. PURPOSE

The purpose of VicTennis Monday Competition is to provide an enjoyable, inclusive and competitive doubles competition for LGBTQIA+ players and allies.

These rules and expectations outline requirements to ensure matches are played fairly, consistently and in the spirit of good sportsmanship and create the fun, welcoming atmosphere that makes the competition unique.

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2. SEASON OVERVIEW

• There are two seasons each year:

  • Summer season from February to May (combined A and B grade)

  • Spring season from September to November (split A and B grade)

• The season will take place over 10 rounds plus a semi-final and final

• The semi-finals will be played between the top 4 finishing teams

  • 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 

  • The team finishing in 1st place on the ladder will select their preferred semi-final venue first, followed by the team finishing in 2nd place. Venue selection is subject to availability.

  • The winners of each Semi-Final will progress to the Final.

• The Final will be played at Royal Park Tennis Club.

• There will not be no play on public holidays that fall on a Monday unless otherwise agreed by the Committee and the teams involved

• The venues will be:

  • Dendy Park Tennis Club, Brighton East - European Clay

  • Royal Park Tennis Club, Parkville - en-tout-cas

  • Tennis World Albert Reserve, Melbourne - Hardcourt

• Team formation and grading​

  • ​Our organising sub-committee forms teams to ensure fair and balanced competition using Sunday Social levels, tournament results, and past performance. Player pools and format structures (like A and B comps) vary each season so decisions combine performance with committee judgment to place players where they best fit. All effort has been made to make this a fun and competitive competition. 

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3. MATCH FORMAT

Match Format

• Matches are one set.

• The first pair to six games wins.

• If the score reaches 5–5, a standard tie-break is played (first to 7 points, win by 2).

Short Deuce (Golden Point)

• To keep matches moving, a deciding point (short deuce) will be used.

• The receiving player is determined by on-court player rankings:

  • If the server is the higher-ranked player on court, they must serve to the higher-ranked receiver.

  • If the server is the lower-ranked player on court, they must serve to the lower-ranked receiver.

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4. FOUR PLAYER COMPETITION (SPRING SEASON)

Team Format

• Teams consist of five registered players. Four play each night

• Competition is divided up into ‘A’ grade and ‘B’ grade

• Teams should nominate a team captain, or one will be assigned by the Committee

• Teams must list players in playing-strength order.

• Player 1 must be the strongest available player, followed by Players 2, 3 and so on.

• These rankings determine match pairings and receiving positions during deciding points.

• Two courts are used at each venue.

Night Format

• Each competition night consists of three rounds.

• Each round contains two doubles matches, for a total of six matches.

Pairings

• Round 1

  • Player 1 & Player 3

  • Player 2 & Player 4

• Round 2

  • Player 1 & Player 2

  • Player 3 & Player 4

• Round 3

  • Player 1 & Player 4

  • Player 2 & Player 3

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5. EIGHT PLAYER COMPETITION (SUMMER SEASON)

Team Format

• Teams consist of ten registered players. Eight play each night.

• Teams are a combination of ‘A’ & ‘B’ grade players

• Teams should nominate two co-captains, or they will be assigned by the Committee

• Teams must list players in playing-strength order.

• Player 1 should be the strongest available player, followed by Players 2, 3 and so on.

• These rankings determine match pairings and receiving positions during deciding points.

• Four courts are used at each venue.

Night Format

• Each competition night consists of three rounds.

• Each round contains four doubles matches, for a total of twelve matches.

Pairings​

• Round 1

  • Two pairings must come from the team's top four players.

  • Two pairings must come from the team's bottom four players.

• Round 2

  • Teams may choose any four doubles pairings.

• Round 3

  • Each doubles pair must consist of one player from the top four and one player from the bottom four.

NOTE: No doubles pairing may be repeated during the same competition night. Pairings in each round do not need to directly align with the player number on the opposing side

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Captains are encouraged to decide pairings for the next round while matches are still being played to minimise delays between rounds.

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6. ROUND SCORING

• Each match won is worth one competition point.

• At the conclusion of the night, the team that has won the most matches will receive two bonus competition points.

If teams finish equal on matches won:

• The team that has won the greater number of games across all matches will be declared the winner of the night and awarded the two bonus competition points.

If both matches and games are equal:

• The night will be recorded as a draw.

• Each team will receive one bonus competition point.

Maximum points available:

• Four Player Competition: 8 competition points

• Eight Player Competition: 14 competition points

The competition ladder will be determined by:

1. Competition points

2. Percentage of matches won 

3. Percentage of games won

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7. FINALS

• The semi-finals will be contested between the top four finishing teams.

• The winners of each semi-final will progress to the Final.

• If a semi-final or final is tied after all matches have been completed (with both teams having won the same number of matches and games), the result will be decided by a 10-point Super Tie-break.

• Each team may nominate any two players from their team to contest the Super Tie-break.

• The first team to reach ten points, with a two-point advantage, will be declared the winner.

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8. FILL-IN PLAYERS

The overarching principle is fairness. Fill-ins must be the same level or lower than the player they're replacing.

Source fill-ins in this order:

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1. Swap within your own team (rostered-off player)

2. Someone from the approved fill-in list of a similar or lower standard

3. Rostered-off player from another team of a similar or lower standard

4. Any other VicTennis player of a similar or lower standard

5. A non-VicTennis player last resort only. They must be of a similar or lower standard and must have Monday Competition Organiser approval before being listed. 

 

Semi-finals and finals requirements: any fill-ins must have played at least twice during the regular season

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9. WET WEATHER

• Wet weather prior to play:  the competition organisers will decide whether play proceeds in the event of wet weather after consulting with the venues. This will be communicated to Team Captains as soon as possible. Where possible, cancelled rounds will be rescheduled

• Washouts during play: if play is abandoned due to wet weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the results already completed will stand.

  • If a clear winner can be determined based on completed matches, that team will be declared the winner of the night and awarded the two bonus competition points. Any remaining undecided match points will be shared equally between the two teams.

  • If a clear winner cannot be determined from the completed matches, all remaining undecided match points will be shared equally between the two teams, and the two bonus competition points will also be shared, with each team receiving one bonus competition point.​

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10. GENERAL RULES & FAIR PLAY

• Warm up begins at 7:30 pm sharp and is limited to 5 minutes

• A team can bring all its members to the round, but only 4 (four player competition) or 8 (eight player competition) of the members can play during a group of matches. For example, this means that you can sub out one of the players from the first group of matches if you want to play your 5th member (four player competition) 9th or 10th member (8 player competition). This is particularly encouraged during semi-finals and finals to foster a whole team approach. 

• For the first group of matches, if a team has any late comers the opposing team can choose to award themselves a game advantage:; 

• 10-15 min = 1 games 

• 16-20 min = 2 games 

• 21-25 min = 3 games 

• Game penalties are at the discretion of the opposing team and not mandatory. 

• Teams are encouraged to get behind their own players and support them during their matches to create a supportive environment. 

• Matching colours and outfits are also encouraged, but not mandatory. 

• Code of Conduct: players are expected to play in the spirit of good sportsmanship. VicTennis have adopted the Victorian Government's Fair Play Code Guidelines which is based on five principles - Integrity; Respect; Responsibility; Fairness and Safety. 

• If any issues or disagreements arise, players and captains must work together to resolve them respectfully and fairly on the night.

• If an issue can't be resolved on the night, or further guidance is needed, please contact the Competition Organisers or the VicTennis Committee for a decision.

• Above all, be kind, patient and respectful. This competition is first and foremost about creating a fun, inclusive and social environment for everyone.

 

These rules cannot cover every situation that may arise. Where a matter is not specifically addressed, the Competition Organisers or VicTennis Committee may make a decision based on fairness, common sense and the spirit of the competition.

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