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Liverpool League v Wirral League Challenge 2023

All clubs were advised and asked to nominate any potential players.

Captains are: Men- Crain Longman (Hoylake) Ladies Julia Bond (Thorndale) Over 50's - Matt Webb

Blundellsands LTC

• Food & drink available
• All welcome
• Monday 1 May
• Open & Over 50
• Open - 11am     Over 50 - 2pm
• Qualification: Bone fide member of club in league
• Open - players can play in 2 matches:
• 6 Mens Singleso
• 6 Ladies Singles
• 3 Mens Doubles
• 3 Ladies Doubles
• Over 50 - players can play in 2 matches
• 3 Mens Doubles
• 3 Ladies Doubles
• 6 Mixed Doubles

Congratulations to HeswallAF on winning the inaugural WTL Floodlit League and thanks to all clubs that entered.

If enough interest next Winter perhaps we may make 2 divisions which would probably make for closer competition.

27 Jan 2023 - emailed to all Summer & Winter Contacts on system

Summer: -  Clubs/Teams/Divisions/Constraints/Requests - closing date for applications/resignations/changes 28 Feb 2023

Winter 2022-2023: - problems & committee decisions

Summer & Winter: - Location of all trophies & Full list of contacts highlighting missing data

Bohemians have moved (from 1 Jan) and now play at Vagabonds (a few hundred yards north on same side of Queens Drive)

4 January 2021

Hi Everyone,

Sadly, following yesterday’s announcement by the Government, the Wirral Tennis Winter League is now suspended, no matches can be played until further notice.

A full list of the Covid-19 LTA guidance and updates can be accessed from the following link:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Latest advice December 2020 | LTA

The Wirral Tennis Committee wish you and your families well during this latest lockdown and we look forward a time when the easing of restrictions means we can all enjoy inter-club competitive tennis once again.

Best wishes,

Matt Webb Chairman WTL

On behalf of the WTL CommitteeNew paragraph

01 January 2021

Hi Everyone,

I’m writing ahead of the next round of fixtures to update you on the committee’s response following the most recent government announcement that moved Wirral/Liverpool up into tier 3 and Cheshire into tier 4.

Sadly, all fixtures with any team in a tier 4 area (Cheshire Oaks, Chester, Glan Aber, Helsby, Hoole, Hooton, Kelsall, Neston, Tarvin and University of Chester) are no longer permitted and these fixtures will need to be rearranged at a later date when restrictions allow.

As an organisation, the Wirral Tennis League only exists to provide our participating Clubs and their teams/members with a structure to play organised competitive tennis in a safe and fair environment. It’s fair to say that Covid and the constantly evolving situation which changes laws, rules and guidance is making this an extremely challenging endeavour.

The Wirral Tennis League, where possible, aims to complete a full winter season and to help achieve this we have already relaxed several rules and provided alternatives for clubs to rearrange or complete their matches, a reminder of which is below:

• Teams may take a sabbatical year (this may still mean the team is relegated at the end of the season)
• Teams may agree not to play a match and the result being declared 0-0
• Teams may agree to a walkover 24/0
• If a team has any problems/concerns relating to COVID they can postpone the match without penalty
• Postponed matches can be rearranged at a later date
• Removal of the requirement to agree a rearranged match with 24 hours of original fixture
• A team will not have their record expunged if they fail to fulfil 3 fixtures
• Ladies division 5 will now only play each other once

We encourage Clubs/Teams in tiers that are still permitted to play fixtures:

• If possible, arrange to play matches earlier than scheduled - for example if a scheduled fixture date becomes available because of a postponement try and arrange any outstanding fixture or bring a future fixture forwards to fill that date
• Matches can be played at any time, not just a Sunday at 10am, if you can arrange a fixture on another day/time or even midweek under lights, go for it!
• Where a match is rearranged or agreed to be played earlier than scheduled please email the fixture secretary Geoff, so he can update the online system

Further, the committee recognise that the recent tier changes have made things increasingly difficult for clubs trying their best to fulfil fixtures in tier 3 and clearly impossible for those in tier 4 who can no longer play at all. To this end the committee have agreed to the following additional points to help achieve our goal of completing a full season and provide additional flexibility to Clubs:

• The league was originally planned to end in April however, if required it will be extended to complete the season
• For this Winter Seasons fixtures only, to make team selection easier when rearranging matches a player may now play in more than one match in the same match number but not for a lower team. For example – If in match number 7 your ‘A’ team match is postponed for a Covid reason, but your B/C and D team played, any player that hadn’t played or played in teams B/C or D of match number 7 could play up in the rearranged ‘A’ team fixture.  The relaxation of this rule doesn’t work in reverse – If your ‘A’ team played their match number 7 fixture but your ‘B’ team was postponed, no player that played in the ‘A’ team match could play in the ‘B’ teams rearranged fixture, only players from the B, C & D teams could be considered in addition to any player that hadn’t played in that match number.

The Committee are working hard to do everything we can to continue to support clubs wherever possible to keep competitive tennis available for their members, but we recognise that every club, depending on location, demographics and individual members personal situations will have a unique set of circumstances that make fulfilling fixtures challenging. By relaxing some rules, introducing new flexibility, and being prepared to extend the season if required, the Committee are doing our upmost to ease the burden and pressure on clubs which we hope will result in us achieving together the completion of the full winter season in a safe and fair way.

The Wirral Tennis League Committee will of course continue reviewing the circumstances as they evolve and advise club contacts accordingly - as such please ensure your clubs contacts are correct and up to date.

Wirral Tennis League continues to follow both LTA and Government advice for dealing with Covid-19 and Clubs are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure their venues and players are following the latest LTA Covid-19 secure guidelines. During matches players should be advised to remain outside and adhere to social distancing guidelines with socialising with people outside households before, during and after matches avoided, this includes travelling to and from matches. Spectating is not permitted in tier 3 areas however, one parent/guardian supervision per player is permitted.

Very best wishes,

Matt Webb

Chairman Wirral Tennis LeagueNew paragraph

30 November 2020

Hi  Everyone,

Due to Covid-19 restrictions on indoor gathering the WTL Committee have decided to hold the AGM (normally due on or before 30^th Nov every year) in the new year ahead of the 2021 summer season. This will allow us to take account of any playing restrictions in place at that time and make more informed decisions on how best to proceed.

The Chairman, Fixture Secretary and Treasurer have prepared still their reports for the period in question (01^st Nov 2019 to 31^st Oct 2020) and they are attached to this email.  Please note the Fixture Secretary report was produced before the recent decisions taken around recommencing the Winter league and the updated relaxation of rules to help clubs complete the season safely with more flexibility. Please refer to the emails Geoff has sent to all contacts confirming matters.

As in previous years, I attach below a Dropbox link to the Wirral Tennis League accounts, corresponding bank statement and all documented expenditure for the Wirral Tennis League accounting period 01^st Nov 2019 to 31^st Oct 2020, these accounts will remain provisional until they can be agreed and ratified by the AGM in 2021. By emailing all contacts this information, every club is free and encouraged to audit the accounts. I will be happy to answer any questions at the AGM.

Subscriptions to enter league competitions for Summer 2021, Wirral Tankard 2021 and Winter 2021/22 will be deferred until the AGM.

Finally, to everyone playing league tennis again on 06^th Dec - I wish you all well, hope the weather is kind, you all enjoy your matches and stay safe.

Very best wishes,

Matt Webb

Chairman & Treasurer Wirral Tennis League

13 October 2020

To all Clubs, Captains & Players,

In light of the latest government guidance and with Merseyside being put into tier 3 Covid alert level, very high risk, the WTL has tonight held a virtual meeting and have regretfully agreed to suspend the league and therefore stop all league fixtures with immediate effect.

The Committee hope this is a temporary measure and will continue to follow the guidance from the LTA and the government with a view to recommencing the 20/21 Winter league as soon as it’s deemed appropriate to do so, but the safety of our players and their families remains paramount in these very difficult times.

Best wishes to all.

Matt Webb

Chairman WTL on behalf of the WTL Committee