Thank you for agreeing to organise an LRTA match.  Your efforts are essential to the Association, and the Executive Committee greatly appreciates your help.  These guidelines will assist you in managing your match.  For any further questions, please contact the LRTA Fixtures Secretary.

Determine the following details about the match you are managing

  • Home or away match?
    • Most LRTA matches are considered “away” since we don’t have a home court.
    • Sometimes, by arrangement with the host club, the LRTA is the “home” team, taking on additional responsibilities.
    • We also hold “home” matches at Hardwick House.
    • If you’re unsure, check the fixtures list or contact the LRTA Fixtures Secretary.
  • Opposing team manager?
    • Contact the professional at the host club.
    • If there is no professional, a club contact may be listed in the T&RA Annual Report.  Your club professional can help you find this.
  • Match format?
    • Most matches have a standard format (eg singles, doubles, or a mix; off handicap or level).
    • If there is no convention, the format depends on the number and skill level of the players and time available.
    • If there is no convention, the format depends on the number and skill level of the players and time available.
    • Advise the range of handicap levels the LRTA team can field.
    • Clarify that the opposing team can include men.

Responsibilities

For the away team manager

  • Build your team and send the details to the home team manager as soon as possible.
  • Provide the home team manager with the number of people for lunch or other catering, including any special dietary requirements.
  • While catering is the home team’s responsibility, offer to help if the host club lacks professional catering facilities.

For the home team manager

  • Book the court(s).
  • Arranges for markers.
    • Professional markers are not compulsory, but if professional not available, confirm that the opposing team and club are comfortable with volunteer markers from the teams.
    • Professional markers are not compulsory, but if professional not available, confirm that the opposing team and club are comfortable with volunteer markers from the teams.
  • Lead the agreement on the match format with the away team manager.
  • Politely remind the away team manager to provide their team selection in a timely manner.  The away team manager should always select their team first.
  • Organise catering.
    • At most courts, this means providing homemade food.  Get your team to help.
    • If the court has catering facilities, coordinate with the staff and confirm costs.
    • If using club facilities to self-cater, clean up afterward and leave the space as you found it.
  • Determine the number of people for catering.  Supporters are welcome to join meals at the same cost as players, so ensure everyone is aware of this.
  • At Hardwick House, ensure match balls are available. Contact the Hardwick Fixtures Secretary for details.

LRTA Team Members

  • Some matches are open to all LRTA members, while others are by invitation only. Check the Fixtures List for details.
  • You may need to contact potential players directly rather than waiting for volunteers, even for “open” matches.
  • All players must be a full or junior member of the LRTA. Social members are not eligible.
  • You can get an up-to-date email list from the Members-Only area of the website to contact players.  If a circulation email is required to recruit players, contact the LRTA Chair and Website/Social Media Editor.
  • Lady professionals may play if the opposing team agrees.

Child Protection

  • If a player is under 18, child protection issues must be considered.
  • Confirm with the LRTA Membership Secretary that the LRTA has written parental consent for the player. If not, a consent form must be completed online before they can play.
  • Identify the Child Protection Officer at the venue (the professional should know) to ensure all club requirements are met.
  • Hardwick House: As an unsupervised private court, all minors must be accompanied by their own qualified chaperone (parent, legal guardian, etc.). The LRTA and the opposing team must arrange for the protection of any minors.

Finalising and circulating match details

  • Encourage players to stay and support the team.  When possible, consider time constraints when planning the day’s schedule.
  • Check handicaps on RTO for accuracy.
  • Check handicaps on RTO for accuracy.
  • If a professional will be marking, copy them in on the details so they know when to be on duty and can calculate handicaps.  If no professional is involved, you must calculate handicaps yourself or use the RTO calculator.

Match Fees

  • Home team managers should determine court, marking, and catering fees.  Be ready to collect payments from players and settle up with the club.
  • Away team managers should be notified of fees by the home manager and collect them from your team.
  • LRTA U30 Match Fee Scheme: The LRTA covers the match fees (including catering) for up to two players under the age of 30 per match.  If you have qualifying players, encourage them to join the team, pay their fees on the day, and claim reimbursement from the LRTA Treasurer.
  • The LRTA pays for professionals playing in matches, but they must pay for their own lunches and drinks.  Pay their fees on the day and claim reimbursement from the LRTA Treasurer.
  • Lunches for marking professionals are free.

Reporting the results

  • Record results on RTO as ‘Social’. The club professional will typically do this.
  • For Hardwick, record results in the Results Binder.
  • Submit the results, including handicaps, to the LRTA Website/Social Media Editor as soon as possible after the match.
  • If possible, include a brief match report (150-250 words) and any photos.  This will be published on the website and may appear in the newsletter and social media.
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