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Rules and Regulations

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TFIM HANDBOOK

SEASON 2003-2004

Web site: www.members.tripod.com/tfim/

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR

WE AT WILSON ARE PLEASED TO BE

THE  "OFFICIAL BALL" OF

TENNIS FÉMININ INTERCLUB MONTREAL

WE WISH YOU ALL ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON

BEST OF LUCK

CONTENT

THANKS TO WILSON......................................................................................................................... 1

SALUTE TO OUR HONORARY PRESIDENTS.......................................................................................... 2

1.      ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE................................................................................................ 3

2.      PARTICIPANT CLUBS

2.1.LIST OF CLUBS AND CAPTAINS.............................................................................................. 4

2.2.FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE CLUBS ..................................................................................... 8

2.3.TENNIS CLUB DIRECTIONS.................................................................................................... 9

3.      GENERAL INFORMATION.........................................................................................................12

3.1.LEVELS................................................................................................................................ 12

3.2.EXCLUSIONS....................................................................................................................... 12

3.3.FEES................................................................................................................................... 12

3.4.INSCRIPTIONS AND CLASSIFICATION ................................................................................ 13

3.5.TEAM CAPTAIN'S RESPONSIBILITIES................................................................................... 13

3.6.CALCULATION OF AVERAGE................................................................................................ 14

3.7.CHANGE OF LEVEL.............................................................................................................. 14

4.      COMPETITION RULES

4.1.REPLACING......................................................................................................................... 15

4.2.TARDINESS, DEFAULT AND INJURIES................................................................................... 15

4.3.SCORE................................................................................................................................ 16

4.4.GENERALITIES.................................................................................................................... 16

5.                  PLAYOFFS AND FINALS................................................................................................... 18

5.1.PLAYOFFS........................................................................................................................... 18

5.2.FINALS............................................................................................................................... 18

6.                  ETIQUETTE AND BEHAVIOUR.......................................................................................... 19

CALENDAR..................................................................................................................................... 20

SCHEDULE LEVEL I........................................................................................................................ 21

SCHEDULE LEVEL  II...................................................................................................................... 22

SCHEDULE LEVEL III...................................................................................................................... 24

SCHEDULE LEVEL IV...................................................................................................................... 26

ANNEX 1: CLUB AND RECREATIONAL PLAY;

            A CODE OF ETHICS........................................................................................................... 28

ANNEX 2: GENERAL REGULATIONS............................................................................................. 35

INDEX.................................................................................................................................46

A SALUTE TO OUR HONORARY PRESIDENTS

"MANY THANKS TO ALL COLLABORATORS"

THE LOGO OF TFIM IS

THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF

MRS CLAUDINE D'HOLLANDER.

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE CLUBS

CLUBS                                     TOWELS         NURSERY

BOUCHERVILLE                      1,00$                2,50$

BROSSARD                             1,00$                2,50$

CARREFOUR                            2,00$                 no

CÔTE DE LIESSE                     1,85$                 no

NUNS’ ISLAND                       free                    no

LONGUEUIL                            no                     no

MIRABEL                                 free                   t.b.c.

RÉCRÉATHÈQUE                     free                    no

REPENTIGNY                          1,80$                free

SANCTUAIRE                          free               3,75$/h           (reserv.)

ST-HILAIRE                            2,00$                 no

TENNIS 13                              2,30$                 no

WEST ISLAND                        1,00$              4,00$/h

NURSERY AND TOWELS

§          Subject to each club's ruling.

§          When towels are available you are requested to leave your member card as a deposit.

§          We suggest that visiting teams bring their own towels to  avoid any misunderstanding; furthermore, it would be wise to check for nursery facilities the night before.

2.3       TENNIS CLUB DIRECTIONS

            ABBREVIATIONS:

AR = Autoroute     E = East         dir. = direction                               W = West

N= North                S = South

BOUCHERVILLE: Metropolitain E. (AR40 E), Tunnel L.H.Lafontaine,  Ar. 20 dir. Quebec, exit 95 (Montarville). * At the light, turn right, and at the second light turn left; the club is on your left.

From West: Champlain Bridge, rd 132, AR 20 dir. Quebec, exit 95, see *...

BROSSARD: Décarie S., Champlain Bridge, exit (just before bridge end) Laprairie/N.Y., stay on service road, * turn left under overpass (boul. Rome).

From East: AR 40 W. (Metropolitain), Tunnel L.H. Lafontaine, exit Laprairie/N.Y., exit boul. Rome, stay on service road, see*...

CARREFOUR MULTISPORTS: The club is located on Aut. Laval (440), behind Carrefour Laval Shopping Center.

Boul. Metropolitain E/W. *Aut. des Laurentides N.(AR.15), exit Aut. . Laval 440 West. The club is on your right.

From South: AR. Decarie N., Metropolitain E., see *…

From West: (AR 13) to 440 E., exit Chomedey Blvd. Nord (lights), turn left up to the stop sign, turn right on St Elzeard Blvd, continue up to Daniel Johnson Blvd, turn right and continue to the next stop sign, the Center is to your left.

            CÔTE DE LIESSE: Champlain Bridge, Decarie N., Metropolitain W., exit Dorval, stay on service road, pass Laurentian Lanes Bowling. The club in ou your right.

From Aut. 13: Transcanada E. (AR 40 E.) dir. Montreal, exit Côte Vertu W., Montée de Liesse, at the first light turn left on Montée de Liesse, direction Dorval W., turn right the club is there.

NUNS’ ISLAND: Decarie S., dir. Champlain Bridge, exit Ile des Soeurs. * On the Island, turn right at Chemin du Golf.  The club is on your right

            From South: Champlain Bridge, exit Ile des Sœurs, see*…

COMPLEXE SPORTIF LONGUEUIL: Metropolitain blvd., Decarie S., Champlain Bridge,. Taschereau blvd. E., Curé Poirier for 2 miles, the club is on your right.

From East:  Metropolitain blvd., L.H. Lafontaine tunnel, exit Laprairie U.S.A., the 132 , exit Rolland Therrien, turn right at Frontenac St. (it becomes Curé Poirier); the club is on your right.

CLUB DE RAQUETTE MIRABEL:  AR 13 S., exit 6 ( AR 40 W.) *until exit St-Jean, stay on service road, in front of Shopping Center turn right; the club is behind the Shopping Center.

From South: Champlain Bridge, Decarie N., Metropolitain W., exit. St-Jean,

see *...

From Repentigny: AR. 40 E., AR. 640 W., AR 13 S., exit 6 (AR. 40 W.) exit. St-Jean, see *...

RÉCRÉATHÈQUE: From South: Champlain Bridge, Decarie N., Metropolitain E., AR. des Laurentides N., exit Cartier W. which becomes *Labelle; turn left on Notre-Dame, then first right on Jarry; the entrance is in the back.

From the West: AR 13 N., exit Samson E., to blvd. (curé) Labelle turn left then see *...

From the East: AR 440 W., exit boul. (curé) Labelle S., to Notre-Dame, turn right on N.-D., then right on Jarry; the entrance is in the back.

REPENTIGNY (GRAND CHELEM):. Metropolitain E. (AR. 40), until exit 100. * Stay on service road until exit Industriel boul., turn left, cross overpass until Pontbriand street; the club is on your left.

From Laval: AR 13 N., AR 440 E., 25 N., exit 25, 640 E.., dir. Repentigny, AR 40 E., exit 100, see *...

SANCTUAIRE (LE SPORTING CLUB): From Metropolitain boul.: exit L'Acadie S., turn right on Beaumont, then turn left on Rockland overpass, turn right on VanHorne and turn left on Ave. Du Boisé. The club is at 6105 du Boisé.

From South: Decarie, exit Queen Mary/ Côte St-Luc, stay on service road until Van Horne. Turn right on Van Horne continue until du Boisé and turn right again. The club is at  6105 du Boisé.

ST-HILAIRE: Metropolitain boul., L. H. Lafontaine Tunnel, dir. Quebec (AR 20) exit 115 St-Hilaire/ St-Jean-Baptiste. At the stop sign, turn right and keep going to 116 rd., turn right for 1 km. The club is on your right.

From Champlain bridge: AR 10 Eastern Township, exit 11 dir. Sorel (AR 30 E), exit Beloeil-St-Hyacinthe (rd 116), 1.5 km after the Rivière Richelieu bridge, turn left at Nadeau st. and right at Joliette st..  The club is on your right.                                                   

TENNIS 13: Metropolitain W, AR 13 N. dir. Mirabel, exit  Samson boul., stay on service road, dir. St-Martin boul., the club is right after the 2nd overpass.

From AR 440 W.: AR 13 S., exit Samson E. boul., cross 9/10^th of overpass, turn right on service road dir. Mirabel; the club is immediately after the 2^nd overpass.

WEST ISLAND: From Champlain Bridge: Decarie N., exit Dorval/Toronto,(AR 20), continue on AR 20 past Dorval to exit St-Charles N.,turn right at the first street (Amherst), * continue to the end, the club is on your right. or: Decarie N., Trancanada W.. (AR 40 W.) exit St-Charles S., (follow the autoroute 13 instructions next:

From autoroute 13:  Transcanada W. (AR 40 W.), exit. St-Charles

S., turn right on Evergreen (after lights on Sherbrooke), then turn left on  Brown Owl Lane, and left again on Elm. The club in on your left after the train station.

          GENERAL INFORMATION

3.1       LEVELS

There are four (4) levels within Interclub: I, II, III and IV. Players are classified according to their ability, level I being the strongest.

The minimum age to participate in the league is 19 years old during the current year i.e. between June 1st and May 31st. The player must be registered by October 31st and she will not be allowed to play until she reaches the designated age.

3.2       EXCLUSIONS

Junior players are excluded from the league.

3.3             FEES

1.  The participation fees for each match is fixed by the Association des clubs de tennis intérieur du Québec (ACTIQ).

2.  Each team must assume the cost of the balls. The balls provided by the league must be used.

3.  Each club pays a contribution to the league for each registered team, every year. The contribution is determined by TFIM.

4.  All players (regular or substitute) must be a TFIM member.

3.4       INSCRIPTIONS AND CLASSIFICATION

1.  It is the club pro's responsibility to direct the new players to their level according to their calibre of play.  The Administrative Committee has the right to change the level of a player if it is damaging to the level concerned.

2.    The Elite players are classified by the Ad hoc Committee of TFIM.

3.    To register a team, each club must send, when requested, a list of minimum ten (10) players. A revised list of players must be presented at the first captains' meeting along with a cheque for the players’ membership to confirm this team for the season. The non-confirmation will result in the cancellation of the team for the season. The deadline to add a name to the interclub players' list is October 31st of the current season.

4.  Any player (including Elite Players) not registered on the official list of interclub players sent by the club pro will not be allowed to play unless she has the permission of the statistician of her level.

5.  A player who has played once for a team cannot play for  another team during the same season.

6. Players nominate a captain as their representative at the captains’ meetings.

3.4             CAPTAINS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Must send the player's typewritten list within the specific time limit, approved and signed by the responsible pro.

2.  Must submit a cheque that corresponds to the number of players listed to the statistician at the same time as the list of the member players. The cheque made to the order of "TENNIS FÉMININ INTERCLUB MONTREAL".

3.  Must attend all captains' meetings and inform her team of all changes or new rules. In the impossibility to attend, she must be replaced by one of the team's players (with a proxy to vote).

4.  Must verify her schedule and make the necessary court reservations. Attention: if a team appears on the visiting schedule or receives a number corresponding to a "bye", it means that the team does not play that morning. The captain must also be aware of the playing time of other teams and advise her members accordingly.

5.  Must provide the balls when her team is the host team and use the balls provided by the league.

6.  Must see that her players are aware that they must remain on the court and conduct themselves quietly during all the matches.

7.  Must complete the official score sheet when she is the host team. Must fax sheet the same day before 3 pm to the statistician of her level and to the Result Coordinator.

8. Must see that her team is eligible for the playoffs/finals as  per the rules of the league: 30% of the season.

3.6             CALCULATION OF AVERAGE

1.  Any player registered with an Interclub team will be assigned an average. A player who does not play at all will be assigned an average of 0%. Playoffs and finals are not counted in the player’s average.

2.  The following points are attributed:

            Victory: 100%              Defeat:  0%

3.  A player who plays 15 matches and more can withdraw one of her defeats.

4.  A player that plays 20 matches and more can withdraw 2 of her defeats .

3.7             CHANGING LEVEL

1.  To move up from level II to level I, a player must (during the regular season):

           have an average of 84,5 % and over;

           have played at least 8 matches;

           have won  5 times on court #1;

           have played at least 60% of her matches on courts #1 and #2.

2.  To move up from level III and level II, a player must (during the regular season):

           have an average of 79,5 % and over;

           have played at least 8 matches;

           have won 5 times on court #1;

           have played at least 60% of her matches on courts #1 and #2.

When a player achieves a high average for two consecutive years, the Committee and Ad Hoc Committee may decide to move up the player.

3. To move down:

The Committee, after study of a player's file, might decide in consultation with the club pro, to move down the player that has not achieved an average of at least 30% for two consecutive years.

COMPETITION RULES

4.1       REPLACING

1.  A player of a higher level cannot replace at a lower level.

2.  A player of a lower level can replace in a higher level on the third court a maximum of three (3) times and it can only be done on one team of the higher level.

3.  Clubs having two teams of the same level cannot exchange players.

4.2       TARDINESS, DEFAULT AND INJURIES

1.  The warming up period is 15 minutes. If the event is scheduled for 10:00, the match will start at 10:15. A player arriving at 10:10 will only have 5 minutes to warm up.

2.  Tardiness:

After a delay of 15 minutes (10:15 or 10:45), the team loses automatically the first set.

3.  Default:

When the entire team doesn't show up, the other team automatically wins 3 matches and 6 sets.

If only one of the three doubles is missing, the third court is automatically lost by default and the other players will play on the first and second courts (keeping in mind the "Elite" regulations for level I).

If only one team shows up, they will have to play on court #1.

When the alignment is written and completed and the match has started, no change can be made even in the case of injury or absence of  a player. The team at fault automatically loses the double in which the problem occurred.

When there is default, the players of the winning team will cumulate the points for their average.

4.    If a team is not complete when scheduled, it will have to defray its part of the reserved court cost. Also, the absentee cannot play again in the league until she has paid her share of the said costs.

5.      When a team does not present itself for a game, it must pay its share for the courts; unless the receiving club decides otherwise.

6.    Injuries:

In case of injury or discomfort during the regular season, one period of 5 minutes will be allowed to the injured player, and if she wants to leave the court, she must have the agreement of the opponents. After said period, if she  cannot resume play, the match is lost by default.

4.3       SCORE

1.    Two of three sets are played (doubles only). Each set gives one point to the winner. If a match is won by default, the winner gets two points for those two sets and 1 point for the match.

2.    When a team has a "bye", 2 matches and 4 sets are added to its weekly results.

3.    For levels II – III – IV: a closed alignment prevails.

4.    The official score sheet is the responsibility of the host team's captain. The two captains must sign the official score sheet which must be sent or faxed the same day to the statistician of her level.

5.    If the match cannot be completed within the tiebreaker begins at the same score (in games) as the set in progress (third set) except in the following case:

Ex: Whatever the score (5/5, 4/2, 1/2, 0/3) the tiebreaker shall begin, starting with the existing score.  Only, when the score is already at 6/5 may an additional game be played, in order to yield to a victory of 7/5 or a 6/6 draw. In this latter case the tiebreaker shall then start from 0/0.

6.  The same rules followed during the current season apply for the playoffs.

4.4      GENERALITIES

1.      Cancellation of a match will be subjected to the approval of the Executive Committee. The Committee decides on the cancellation of a match due to stormy weather. Under no

            circumstances can the team captain call the postponement of a match. The President must be notified of every cancelled match and with the approval of the Committee, a new date will be scheduled. All cancelled matches will be played at the end of the season at a date already scheduled.

            If, through an emergency (such as power failure) play has to be called before the end of a game, the points scored should be kept and the replay of the match will be resumed from there with the same teams. If a server has served one fault this will be annulled, and the server will have two serves. The new date will be scheduled with the approval of the Committee.

2.    A draw for the service will be held before each match.  Players change sides when the total number of games in the set is an odd number. When changing sides, players have 1 minute  and 30 seconds to rest. After the first game of each set , players are not authorised to take that rest when changing sides; the play continues. At the end of each set, players can take a rest of 2 minutes. If the set ends with a number of games adding up to an odd number, players change sides after the rest. If the set ends with a number of games adding up to an even number, players will not change sides after the rest. In case of error, the players change sides as soon as the error is discovered.

3.  A player is considered a "new" player when she  has never played in the league or has not been playing in the league for at least two (2) consecutive years (for level I players, read article 4b page 16). Any new player must complete the registration form. However, players who have left the league for at least two consecutive years must present a request to the Committee in order to obtain a ranking (level).

4. Level I:

a)  New player:

Definition: Any player in level I who has left the league for one year or more; or who has never played in the league. The application form properly filled out should be forwarded to the Committee as soon as possible.

Any new player is obliged to  play on the first court pending her official classification by the Committee.

The Ad hoc Committee of TFIM, headed by the Consulting Pro and according to the pre-established criteria of TFIM, will make the classification of new elite players.

b)  Participation of the Elite players: (on first court  only)

§          If the 2 clubs present 2 Elite players each, the 4 Elite players shall play on the first court only.

§          If one team has 1 Elite player and the other team 2 Elite players, the 2 teams shall play 1 Elite player each on the first court only.

§          If one team has 1 or 2 Elite players and the other team has none, 1 Elite player shall play on the first court only.

c) Teams on 2nd and 3rd courts may be chosen, as it is strategically advantageous.

d) No protest  will be accepted.

5.  To become a member of the TFIM league, it is necessary to already be a paying member of the club she represents.

6.  The same rules followed during the current season apply for the playoffs.

PLAYOFFS AND FINALS

5.1       PLAYOFFS

1.  The teams will be listed according to the results obtained during the season. The team with the highest standing will be the host team.

2.  All players from levels I, II, III and IV registered in the league must have played 30% of the scheduled matches of the season to qualify for the playoffs. The seeded (elite) players in level I must have played at least 5 matches to qualify.

3.  In case of injury: An injured player is not replaced except for an injury occurring during the warm up period.

5.2       FINALS

1.  The host club for the finals will be chosen by the Committee according to the proposals received.   

2.  The host club for the finals must allow the finalists one round of practice of two hours during the preceding week. The time must be set by the host club.

3.  For the Finals TFIM will employ professional referees for each court. In case of need, any player whose team does not compete in the finals can be a referee.

          ETIQUETTE AND BEHAVIOUR

1.    Read attentively the "extract " of the YARDSTICK book: The Rules and Regulations of Tennis, Section IV "Club and Recreational Play" (Annex 1).

2.    The captains will settle all arguments occurring during play. If disagreement persists the problem should be referred to the club pro.

3.    All complaints must be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee for the President's attention. All letters must be signed.

4.    After a written complaint received by the Committee on rule infringements or the Code of Ethics (p.28), a case study will be made and sanctions against the offending player or team could result.

2003-2004 SCHEDULE

1.         REGULAR SCHEDULE

            I:         Sept. 19. to Dec. 12.and  Jan. 16 to March 26

            II:        Sept. 19. to Dec. 12 and  Jan.   9 to March 12

            III:      Sept. 18. to Dec. 11 and Jan.    8 to March 11

            IV:       Sept. 18. to Dec. 11 and Jan.    8 to March 11

            (Levels III and IV matches are played on Thursday)

2.         SCHOOL BREAK

            Levels I and II:             March 5

            Levels III and IV:          March 4

3.         REPLAY OF MATCHES POSTPONED FOR SNOW STORMS:

            Levels I and II:                        March 19

            Levels III and IV:         March 18

4.         PLAYOFFS

            Levels I and II                                   Levels III and IV

            March 26                      Round of 32                March 25

            April 2                          Round of 16                April 1

                                                     EASTER                  

April 16                        Quarter Final              April 15                       April 23                                    Semi finals                        April 22

            April 29                                 Bronze Medals               April 29

5.         FINALS FOR ALL LEVELS:      Friday April 30

For the playoffs, the host team is the one which has had the highest standing during the season.

The finals will be presented on the same day, at  the same club, for all levels. This club will be chosen, by draw, during captains' meeting.

Verify the rules to know which players are eligible for the playoffs and finals.

6.         CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS

            Meetings:  September 15, January 12 and March 22

            Annual General Meeting:  June 7

Schedules for all levels, see Schedules

ANNEX 1

CLUB AND RECREATIONAL PLAY

A CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Conduct given in Section III (previous chapter) is valid for all games of tennis whether the occasion is a garden party and a private court, or the finals of a major tournament.

Most of the Code of Conduct is pertinent to matches played in club tournament, league competition and local tournaments, where officials are very much the exception rather than the rule. There are other situations not formally covered by the Code of conduct or the Rules of Tennis, which can cause difficulty in matches, regulated solely by the contestants themselves.

Firstly, it is the obligation of every player to know and understand the rules. Ignorance of the rules is inexcusable at any level of play and is the principal cause of most of the difficulties, which can spoil an otherwise fine match.

Questions of hitting the net while making the shot, volleying the ball on the opponent's side of the net, foot faulting, etc., are all clearly set forth in the Rules, and should never cause problems when both sides know and respect them. There are, however, a number of situations not so covered and understanding of the customs and traditions of the game is important to the fait outcome of a match.

The principles, which underlie the whole concept of the game, are: when in any doubt, give the point to your opponent and do not give yourself a "second chance". An example of the first is when a ball falls close to the line, and the player is honestly not sure whether it touched or not. The striker must be given the benefit of the doubt and either awarded the point or the rally continued. Offering to play a let is not an answer. The concept of not giving you a "second chance" means refusing to use any situation to gain an unfair benefit. For example, a player moves to the net to volley a simple put away, a ball rolls across his opponent's court but continues and hits the balls out, immediately claiming a "let" on the grounds that the rolling ball distracted him. This would be valid if he had claimed a "let" before hitting the ball. But having struck and missed he wants another chance. It is extremely unlikely that he would have asked for a "let" had he made a winning placement.

Let us deal with some other common situations.

LINE CALLS

If the ball is out, indicate or call clearly. Don't waffle. Be clear and firm. If you are vague it probably means you are not really sure and thus the point really belongs to your opponent.

It is the prerogative and the duty of a player to:

a)         call all balls in his court

b)         assist his opponent to make calls when requested to do so

c)                   volunteer a call against himself which he clearly sees in his opponent's court

To offer an opponent a "let" on a ball you are unsure of is quite possibly giving the opportunity to win again a point he has just won. Not a generous gesture. So the cry "I am not sure, have two more", should not be heard. If in any doubt, give the point to your opponent. It may be that a player keeps in play balls he is unsure of and which he realised too late are actually out. It is still better to play this way.

            A spectator should never be asked to assist in making a line decision. A spectator has nothing to do with the match, may not have been paying attention, may be totally unqualified or prejudiced but may still be willing to volunteer a call.. Never question a call by an opponent but always ask his help when he is in a better position to see the ball he has hit and is looking down the line while you are across the court. When he gives a firm opinion, do not question it.

            Remember that with perfect vision (20/20), it is not possible to discern a spatial separation of less than1 inch at 80 feet or ½ at 40 feet so that making positive and close decisions along the side lines for the full length of the court is virtually impossible and making them across a line, baseline to baseline is a player's ability to call accurately. The aim of all line calling is objective accuracy. A player who calls his opponent's shots out when they are in or doubtful is cheating. A player who clearly sees his own shot and does not call it is also cheating.

CALLING

All calls, fault, let, or out must be made immediately before the opponent has the opportunity to hit the return or it has gone out of play. This is particularly important when returning the service. Failing an immediate call, the ball is presumed to be still in play. Calling immediately eliminates the second chance option referred to before.

Never call "I don't know". If the ball is not surely out, it is in. "I don't know" indicates doubt. When in doubt give the point to your opponent.

A ball is in if it cannot be called out. A player cannot claim a let on the ground that he could not see the ball, or did not see it land. Remember if one hundredth of the ball touches one hundredth of the line, the ball is in.

SERVICE AND SERVICE RETURNS

A player, who steps three feet into the court, strikes the ball and rushes to the net, is clearly foot faulting. A player who just touches the line and does not rush to the net is also foot faulting. To foot fault is to cheat just as surely as to deliberately call balls, which are in, out. The service starts when the player takes up his position. If he is touching or over the baseline, then he is foot faulting even though he may subsequently moves his front foot back and not be violating the line whence strikes the ball.

            An opponent (or his partner) may properly call foot faults against the server provided the caller is absolutely certain. Only in the most flagrant cases could the receiver be quite certain. In doubles, the receiver's partner will usually be in a better position to see. When an opponent persists in foot faulting, a better solution is quietly and firmly requests an umpire.

            A foot fault is committed by stepping forward with the front foot or walking through with the back foot. Both are technically unsound, detract from the quality of the service and are difficult habits to shake when allowed to persist. When called in an officiated match the player often becomes so upset that his whole game is destroyed. A player who is foot faulted, often asks the official "which foot", or "what am I doing". These questions should never be answered. To do so constitute "coaching"; no part of any official's duties. The foot fault rule is simple and clear.  Some servers discard the second ball when the first service is good.

If this distracts the receiver he may properly request the server to dispose of the ball in some way other than discarding it on the court. The server must comply.

Other servers like to hold the three balls when serving. Receivers should do their best to accommodate them but not to the extent of holding up play to retrieve a distant third ball. Only two balls are required for the service and retrieving a third ball before the end of the game could violate the continuous play rule. At the beginning of each game ensure that all balls are at the server's end.

PROBLEMS WITH SERVICE RETURNS

            Returning the serve can present some special problems. Never return a service that is obviously out. This is rude, unnecessary and when persistent is gamesmanship. It is justifiable only when dealing with a fast service falling close to the line. The out call, as the ball is returned almost as a reflex, should be loud, clear and instant.

            Many players return the serve by blocking it into the net rather than letting the ball go past and perhaps hit the stonetting and return underfoot. This is fair but if the block is misjudged and the ball has to be cleared from the service court, you must offer the server a let and he is entitled to do two serves. However, if the first service is a fault and is properly allowed to pass the receiver and then rolls back into the court, the receiver may remove it without delay and the server would not be entitled to a let.

            If the receiver returns a fast service either into play or out of play without calling out or fault instantly, then he must accept the result. He cannot have a "second chance" by making a belated call if he missed the return and remaining silent when the return is good. When a ball is returned without a call being made, the rally continues until the point is won or lost. Returning a service that is obviously out and surprising the server is cheating. However, when a close service is honestly returned the server is not entitled to refuse what amounts to being given the benefit of the doubt. If you feel you are being "quick-served" make no attempt to return the shot but signal that you are not ready instantly, that is before the service is struck or while the ball is in the air. Do not wait until you are "aced". If you attempt to strike the ball you were ready. On the other hand, some receivers, apparently well set, suddenly become "unready", as the server winds up. This is gamesmanship. In doubles, only the receiver has to be ready. His partner cannot claim after a serve that

he was not ready. The server can in reason only be expected to take his cue from the receiver, who on turn should ensure that his partner is ready.

DOUBLES

            The receiver's partner should call the service line, while the receiver calls the side and centre lines bounding the service area. The server's net partner should not assist the receiver to call his partner's first service. This is the prerogative of the receiver. He should however, volunteer a call on the second service which he sees clearly out.

DOUBLE HITS - NOT-UPS, ETC

            It is the player's responsibility to volunteer the infraction if he consciously made a second attempt to strike the ball.

Similarly, it is the player's responsibility to volunteer not ups, double bounces, touching the ball with the racquet or being hit or lightly touched by the ball on its way out of the court, striking the ball before it passes the net, hitting or touching the net.

            The player concerned has both the responsibilities to call the violation and the right to decide whether it did, in fact, takes place.

INTERFERENCE

            Interference takes many forms, ranging from subtle to gross. It is fair for a player to make movements or to move his position on the court at any time even when the server is preparing to serve. It is not fair to shout, talk, make a noise, wave a racquet or arm or attempt to distract an opponent. Movements made for a player's own convenience are permitted, those made for the purpose of adversely affecting an opponent's shot are not. Noisy exclamations calculated to distract an opponent even though ostensibly directed towards oneself or one's partner amount to gamesmanship. If hindered by the distraction, the opponent is entitled to a let.

            However, the request for a let should be made instantly and is possible before the outcome of the shot is seen. Otherwise there is a possibility of a "second chance" situation. In doubles, conversation between partners should be minimal and only when the ball is moving towards them. Shouts of "out", "up", are permissible when

the ball is in the partner's court but would constitute interference if made in other circumstances.

THE WARM UP

            The warm up period is just that. A time to warm up. Five minutes is always adequate. It is not a practice session.

The service warm up must be taken at the same time and not when it is the player's turn to serve. Practising serves or any strokes after the match has begun violates the continuous play rule.

THE COURTESIES

            A stray ball coming into your court during a rally usually calls for a let. In returning the ball to the court from whence it strayed, wait until the rally ends and direct it to one of the players so that it reaches him on the first bounce. Do not flip it back without caring where it goes.

            Do not retrieve a ball from another court while play is in progress. Don't ask for a ball until play stops.

Avoid arguments about the score by calling the game before your first serve and calling the point score each time you serve thereafter.

            Always clearly signal out balls even if you see them as obviously out. It may not be so obvious to your opponent and eliminates any possibility of misunderstanding.

Never call "good or in" during a rally. Say nothing unless the ball is out.

            Never stall. Play with deliberation but at your normal speed. All forms of stalling are gamesmanship and add nothing to the game, can spoil a match and hurt a player's reputation.

In a tournament played with officials, the Referee will default the player who arrives late for his match and the Chair Umpire will ensure that the staller does not take more than 90 seconds at end changes or ten minutes at the end of two or three sets. Ball boys collect balls from the most distant corners and it is difficult to sustain a really useful "stall".

In a "friendly " game it is much easier. The slow walk, the unnecessary

clearing of balls which lie a few inches from the net of the back stop, especially after a first service fault. Extra towelling on even games or during a game. All are unethical and in the final analysis, cheating. If your opponent persists after being spoken to, refuse to continue without an official.

            When playing League matches there are certain formalities and courtesies which when observed, materially add to the enjoyment of the occasion.

            As a visitor to the club, behave as a guest, as a member of the home team behaves as a host.  Arrive in good time, but do not rush uninvited on to a free court and "hit some" … Quite often these are not the courts on which the match will be played and you are merely annoying other members who may not approve of league matches anyway.

            As host, always arrive first, ensure that the courts are in good shape, that the height of the net is correct and the balls ready.

            Call the lines fairly and generously. Volunteer not ups and do not take prolonged rests or time to recuperate, just because it is a friendly league match. Play scrupulously within the rules of tennis and in the spirit of the rules.

            To conclude, a match without officials can be played in two ways. By taking advantage of every close call, every doubtful situation and every tacky routine in the book or it can be played generously and within the spirit of the best traditions. It is best played aggressively but without hostility, flat out without abrasion. Funnily enough, either way the result will be the same. The better player will win, but there can be more satisfaction in doing the right way.

IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF EVERY PLAYER TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

TENNIS FÉMININ INTERCLUB MONTREAL

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY DISPOSITIONS

ARTICLE 1:     CLUB'S NAME

The club's name is Tennis Féminin Interclub Montreal (TFIM).

ARTICLE 2:     HEAD OFFICE

The head office of the TFIM is located at an address specified by the administration committee.

ARTICLE 3:     SEAL

The TFIM seal is the one which is shown in the margin on the original copy of the actual regulations.

ARTICLE 4:     MANDATE

The TFIM has the following mandates:

§          promote tennis for women on an amateur basis

§          allow social and interesting games on Thursday and Friday

§          offer competitive games for women of all ages on an amateur basis

CHAPTER II

MEMBERS

ARTICLE 5:     TYPE OF MEMBERS

The corporation has two (2) types of members : the individual members and the honorary members.

            a) Individual members:

The persons who are interested by the objectives and activities of the TFIM and abide by the following requirement:

           be an affiliated member if the TFIM.

b)      Honorary members:

            The persons that the league wants to honour (past president)

ARTICLE 6:     ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

During the last meeting before the Annual General Meeting, the committee establishes:

a)                  the list of individual members

b)                  the list of honorary members

ARTICLE 7:     SUSPENSION AND EVICTION

Any member can be suspended or evicted by the TFIM by a vote of at least 2/3 of the administrators present at an Executive meeting convened to this effect. Any member who does not abide by the regulations of the TFIM, or whose behaviour or activities are judged detrimental to the TFIM could be suspended or evicted. However, before suspension or eviction of a member, the Committee should advise her by registered mail of the date, time and place of the meeting and give her the possibility to defend herself.

ARTICLE 8:     ANNUAL FEE

The Committee fixes the annual fees for the individual member and the date on which the fee  is due.

CHAPTER III

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE 9:     COMPOSITION

The General Assembly for the annual meeting or special meeting is composed of:

§          the captains of levels I, II, III and IV

§          the administration committee

ARTICLE 10:   APPOINTMENT

Members interested in becoming an executive on the Committee should send their demand to the secretary of the TFIM five (5) working days before  the date of the Annual General Meeting. In case there are not enough appointments for the available posts, the Annual General Meeting will accept the demands presented during the Annual General Meeting at the time of voting.

ARTICLE 11:   CONVOCATION

11.1     The Annual General Meeting should be held within the hundred and eighty (180) days of the financial year of TFIM. The committee sets the date and the place where this General Meeting will be held.

11.2     a) The committee can summon a Special General Meeting while         taking into account the delays previously set.

b) On a written demand of at least twenty percent (20%) of the members mentioning the reason for the meeting, the Committee has to summon and hold a Special General Meeting within 30 days following this demand.

11.3     All General Meetings should be summoned by a written notice, addressed to the delegates indicating the day, time and place where the meeting is held. An agenda of the meeting should be mailed by ordinary post at least ten (10) days before the meeting.

ARTICLE 12:   QUORUM

At the Annual General Meeting, the quorum is composed of the members present.

ARTICLE 13:   VOTING

13.1     Each captain is entitled to one vote that she exercises personally on the subjects concerning her level only. She can also send her representative with a proxy.

13.2     The president of the TFIM casts her vote in case of equality of ballots.

13.3     Voting is counted by raising hands unless one third (1/3) of themembers present ask for a secret ballot or nominal voting.

13.4          Elections are held by secret ballot.

13.5          When electing a Committee member, all captains have the right to vote.

ARTICLE 14:   AGENDA OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1.      Adoption of the agenda

2.      Roll-call of the delegates

3.      Putting in order the advice note

4.      Adoption of the minutes of the minutes of the last General Meeting

5.      The President's report

6.      The Secretary's report

7.      Financial statements

8.      Reports of the different committees and commissions

9.      Ratification of the actions taken by the Committee

10.  Ratification of changes on general regulation (if needed)

11.  Appointment of an auditor

12.  Appointment of the President and the Secretary in charge of the election of the Committee members

13.  Election of the Committee members

14.  Suspension of the Meeting (election of the officers)

15.  Address by the new President

16.  New business

17.  End of the Meeting

ARTICLE 15:   DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE GENERAL MEETING

The General Meeting is the main body of TFIM.

The following subjects are of its jurisdiction:

§          Adoption of its financial statement

§          Appointment of an auditor

§          Adoption of the annual reports

§          Election of the administrators

§          Study of any question regarding the mandates and orientation of TFIM

§          Delegation of all power to the Committee

CHAPTER IV

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

ARTICLE 16:   COMPOSITION

The Administration Committee is formed by ten (10) members:

§          The President

§          The Vice-President

§          The Secretary

§          The Treasurer

§          The Statistician – level I

§          The Statistician – level II

§          The Statistician – level III

§          The Statistician – level IV

§          The out-going president (ex-officio member)

Eight (8) members should come from the individual members. The Consulting Professional (club pro) and the Result Coordinator are appointed by the Committee. A maximum of two (2) players from the same club can sit on the Committee.

ARTICLE 17:   MANDATE

The term of the mandate for the individual members is two (2) years, two of which are the even years and two on odd years. The term of the Consulting Professional and of the Result Coordinator is of one year.

ARTICLE 18:   RESIGNATION, VACATION AND REPLACEMENT

18.1     Any administrator can give her resignation to the committee by sending a written notice to the committee. This resignation is effective as soon as the Committee has taken note of it during the first regular meeting after receiving it and have accepted it.

18.2     If a vacancy occurs on the Committee, the Committee decides who the substitute will be in order to abide to Article 16 regarding the allowed seat.

18.3          Any administrator who loses her status of individual member during her term, will lose her administrative post at TFIM at the next Annual General Meeting.

18.4     Any administrator not attending three (3) consecutive meetings without good reason will be considered as having given her resignation; this question will be submitted to the Committee and a notice will be written to the said administrator.

ARTICLE 19:   FREQUENCY OF MEETING

The Committee will hold meetings as necessary.

ARTICLE 20:   QUORUM

A minimum of four (4) active administrators should be present at every meeting of the Committee so as to have the required quorum.

ARTICLE 21:   CONVOCATIONS

21.1     When asked by the President, the Secretary convenes the administrators of the Committee to a meeting by mailing a notice or calling indicating the date, time and place of the meeting.

21.2     This notice must be sent or arrive at least five (5) working days before the meeting.

21.3     An administrator can renounce the notice by attending the meeting or by sending a written note.

ARTICLE 22:   VOTING

22.1          Every administrator, including the President, is entitled to vote at every meeting of the Committee.

22.2          All questions will be decided at the simple majority of the vote. In case of equality, the President will cast her vote.

ARTICLE 23:   RENUMERATION

The administrators are not paid for their services. However, any administrator can be compensated for expenses incurred during her term with the approval of the Committee or the President.

CHAPTER V

THE OFFICERS

ARTICLE 24:   DUTIES AND POWERS

The Committee has the following functions:

§          Carry out decisions taken by the General Meeting

§          Manage the business of TFIM

§          Elect the officers of TFIM

ARTICLE 25:   THE OFFICERS

The officers of TFIM are : the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

ARTICLE 26:   ELECTION

The officers are elected by and among the members of the Committee at the time of the first meeting of the Committee, this election is held when the Annual General Meeting is being suspended.

ARTICLE 27:   DUTIES AND POWERS

27.1     The officers make a decision on all emergencies at the league level.

27.2     The President:

§          The President presides all meetings of the Committee

§          She sees that the decisions of the Committee are applied

§          She is the official spokeswoman of TFIM

§          She signs documents that require her signature

27.3     The Vice-President:

§          The Vice-President replaces the president when the latter is not available

27.4     The Secretary:

§          The Secretary keeps documents and files of TFIM

§          She signs the minutes jointly with the President

§          She summons the administrators to the Committee meetings

27.5     The Treasurer:

§          She makes sure the accounts of TFIM  are in order

§          She allows the administrators to examine the account book of TFIM

§          She prepares budget estimates

§          She prepares the financial report of TFIM at the end of each year.

CHAPTER VI

THE COMMITTEES

ARTICLE 28:   TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

The Committee can form temporary committees and decide on their mandate and duration.

CHAPTER VII

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

ARTICLE 29:   FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of TFIM ends on the 31^st of May of every year.

ARTICLE 30:   AUDITOR

The auditor appointed every year by the Annual General Meeting audits the books and financial statements of TFIM.

ARTICLE 31:   REGISTERS AND ACCOUNT BOOK

The Committee will have bookkeeping recorded in the registers and account books in which all the money received and spent by TFIM, the goods and expenditures of TFIM, and any other financial transactions performed by TFIM.

These account books and registers will be kept at the head office of TFIM and will be opened at any time to be scrutinised by the President of the Committee.

ARTICLE 32:   BANKING ACCOUNTS

Cheques, notes and other bank orders must be signed by two persons designated by the Committee.

ARTICLE 33:   CONTRACTS

Contracts and other documents requiring the signature of TFIM will have to be approved previously by the Committee, and when approved, will be signed by the President or her proxy.

ARTICLE 34:   LOANS

When necessary, the Committee may borrow money on the credit of TFIM and give all necessary guarantees by law to insure the payment of these loans and other obligations of TFIM.

CHAPTER VIII

FINAL DISPOSITIONS

ARTICLE 35:   AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS

35.1     Except when the law forbNuns’ Island, the Committee can modify the actual general regulation or any other regulation of TFIM.

35.2          These modifications take effect until the next Annual General Meeting, except when in the meantime a Special General Meeting has sanctioned them.

35.3          Any modification of the general regulation which occurred during the course of the year should be transmitted to the members who would be notified in the thirty (30) days following the modification sanctioned by the Committee.

35.4          For the purpose of ratification by the General Meeting, the delegates should receive the proposition for modification at least ten (10) days before the said meeting.

35.5          If the Annual General Meeting does not sanction the modifications, they cease, as of that date only, to be effective.

2002-2003 RESULTS

BEST SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

St-Hilaire, level II

Monique Doré, captain

CAPTAINS OF THE YEAR

               Level I :   Carole Déry, Mirabel

               Level II : Joan Stadelman, Mirabel

               Level III:  Nathalie Dumais, Longueuil

               Level IV: Claudine Forgues, Brossard B

CHAMPIONS OF THE SEASON

               Level I:    Nuns’ Island B

                        Level II:   St-Hilaire

               Level III:  Longueuil      

               Level IV:  Boucherville A

GOLD MEDALS

               Level I:    Nuns’ Island A

               Level II:   Brossard B

               Level III:  Longueuil

               Level IV:  Boucherville A

                    SILVER MEDALS

     Level I:    Tennis 13

               Level II:   Tennis 13 B

               Level III:  West Island

               Level IV:  Sanctuaire A

BRONZE MEDALS

                        Level I :     Brossard

                              Level II :    Tennis 13 C

                              Level III :   Nuns’ Island A

                  Level IV :   Sanctuaire B

PLEASE NOTE

TIE BREAKER

IF THE MATCH IS NOT OVER AT

11H50 OR 12H20, YOU MUST PLAY A

TIE BREAKER AT 6-5:

An additional game is played, in order to yield to a

victory of 7/5 or a 6/6 draw.

In this latter(AND ONLY) case the tie breaker

shall then start from 0/0.

ALL OTHER SCORES:

The tie breaker shall begin, starting

with the existing score

(2-1, 3-0, 5-5, etc).

EXAMPLES:

AT 2-2 (EVEN SCORE),

THE SERVER HAS ONE SERVE ON THE DEUCE SIDE.

THE NEXT SERVER SERVES 2 SERVES

BEGINNING ON THE AD SIDE.

AT 2-3 (ODD SCORE),

THE SERVER HAS TWO SERVES BEGINNING

ON THE AD SIDE.

INDEX

Subject......................................................... Page, Art.

Age.................................................................. 12, 3.1

Alignment............................... 16, 4.3#3, p.17, 4.4 #4

Average.................................................. 14, 3.6 – 3.7

Balls............................................................ 12, 3.3#2

Bye.............................................................. 13, 3.5#4

Cancellation of matches.............................. 16, 4.4#1

Change of club/team................................... 13, 3.4#5

Changing sides........................................... 16, 4.4#2

Classification of player...... 13, 3.4#4 and 17, 4.4#3-4

Default........................................................ 15, 4.2#3

Eligibility for playoffs.................. 16, 4.2#6; 18, 5.1#2

Elite player.............................. 12, 3.4#2; 17, 4.4#4b

Finals............................................................... 18, 5.2

Injury......................................... 16, 4.2#6; 18, 5.1#3

Junior............................................................... 12, 3.2

Membership................................................. 12, 3.3#4

Moving up/down.............................................. 14, 3.7

New player...................... 16, 4.3#3-4b; 17, 4.4#3-4a

Playoffs............................................................ 18, 5.1

Protest...................................................... 18, 4.4#4d

Registration deadline............... 12, 3.1 and 13, 3.4#4

Replacing......................................................... 15, 4.1

Rest period.................................................. 16, 4.4#2

Service........................................................ 17, 4.4#2

Tardiness................................................. 15, 4.2#1-2

Tiebreaker................................................... 16, 4.3#5

Warm up..................................................... 15, 4.2#1

Copyright © 2000-2006  by  Alex Diab.  All rights reserved.