updated 02/07/2020
The Canberra Heavy Hitters has been created to provide flexibility and a competitive environment. Players are urged to respect these R&R’s, other players and provide every possible courtesy to each other.
This entire organisation is run by one volunteer who works outside of his work and family time, by following the Rules and Regulations you reduce administrative workload and this keeps registration costs down and prizemoney up.
Players agree to comply by the below rules and regulations on registration to all CHH bs.
1. League Registration Fee
a. Players are only registered for an CHH league once they have paid the registration fee.
b. By registering for CHH Leagues, players agree that they can commit to at least 50% of their league matches.
i. If players are unable to complete 50% league matches during a league, feedback will be required as to why in order to help improve future CHH leagues, a key component of CHH leagues is for players to have the opportunity to play as many matches as possible, an unavailable player impacts on the rest of the players in their group. Failure to provide suitable feedback will result in penalties as per part 22.
2. Withdrawals, Refunds and League Groupings
a. If a player withdraws before registration closes they will receive a refund which will take 2-5 business days to process. If a player withdraws following the withdrawal deadline they will receive no refund, regardless of whether it’s due to illness/injury, however if they withdrawal before the league officially commences (usually 3 days after registration ends) they can have a 50% discount towards the next league.
b. Players will be placed in groups based on previous performance/seedings or on reported NTRP level. Players will not be able to placed in a group of their own choosing unless there is a specific reason. If players wish to be moved or not be in same group as other players they must notify CHH before the League Registration deadline, nothing will be considered after. If players don’t with so play in their assigned group they can withdraw before the withdrawal date (see 2a).
3. Match Format
a. CHH Leagues are best of 3 tiebreak sets (normal scoring). Please be aware matchplay duration can be anywhere from 40mins to 2-3hrs, book your court for 2hours at least.
b. CHH NextGen Leagues are best of 2 tiebreak sets (normal scoring), with a match super tiebreak (first to 10points, win by 2) if sets are 1-1.
4. CHH League Schedules – Who contacts who, how and when. When to play out of order.
a. League draws are organized into rounds (one round/week). Players will have a set opponent for that round/week as listed in the league draw.
b. The scheduling of the match against that opponent for that week/round takes priority over other opponent from other weeks/rounds.
c. Players must contact an opponent via SMS.
d. The ‘home’ player (the player on the top in the draw) must initiate contact with their listed opponent the week before the round is scheduled. However, the ‘away’ player is encouraged to take the initiative anyway and make contact as well.
i. If the ‘away’ player does not hear from the scheduled ‘home’ player before the Monday of that round/week, the ‘away’ player can be awarded a forfeit.
ii. If the league match remains unplayed by the end of the league and:
1. neither player had contacted each other, this will result in a match (1game/1set) forfeit to the ‘away’ player when matches are finalised at the end of the league main draw.
2. the ‘home’ had player contacted their opponent at least once before their scheduled round, this will result in a match (1game/1set) forfeit to the ‘home’ player when matches are finalised at the end of the league main draw.
iii. For round 1, it can be difficult for the ‘home’ player to initiate contact in a timely manner so the ‘home’ player must contact their opponent by the Wednesday of round 1.
e. If players are unable to organise a time for their round, they may contact other players. Players are not to accept an invitation to play a match outside of their round unless they are certain their listed opponent for that round is not available.
f. If players are away, sick or injured >2 weeks of the draw, they must notify the CHH. Their set matches during the rounds they are away will be forfeited.
5. Player is unable to be contacted – The ‘No-Contact Forfeit’
a. If a player is not contactable and you have sent an SMS to a player and have also called them at least once, and haven't heard back within a week of the last contact, you win the match by forfeit, this is called the ‘No-Contact Forfeit’.
b. It will be up to the discretion of CHH organizer(s) to determine each forfeit.
c. It is up to players to ensure that their contact details (mobile number and email address) are up to date when the Players Details are sent out for each league. Incorrect details resulting in inability to be contacted will result in a forfeit as per (4b).
d. It is up to players to advise the CHH organizer if they will be away or will be injured requiring >2 weeks off during the league. Players must also contact their opponents from the rounds that they are away to let them know. Failure to do so can result in a forfeit at the discretion of the CHH organizer(s).
e. Finals – No Contact. Finals are conducted over a restricted schedule. Players must be extra vigilant in checking any SMSs or messages from opponents and responding. If players send an SMS and don’t hear anything back, they are to send another one 24hrs later. If they do not hear anything from 48hours after the first text, they are to call the player. If the other player does not answer the phone or fails to reply via SMS by 72 hours from the first SMS, they forfeit their match.
f. Finals – Match unable to be played. If a finals match is unable to be played and an extension is not available (provided by the CHH on a case-by-case basis), the match will be forfeited to the player with the higher standing during the Main Draw of the league, based on matches won, sets won, games won, games won/lost %.
6. Player forfeits the match before playing
a. If a player forfeits a match, they most contact their opponent, the opponent will be awarded the match win, the opponent enters the score as a 1 set win, 1-0.
b. If a court is booked online in advance and the player forfeits >24hrs before the booked time, whoever made the booking can cancel the court booking and get a refund from the club if made via Tennis Australia’s online bookings system.
c. If a court is booked online in advance and the player forfeits <24hrs before the booked time, both players will share the court booking fee as there is no refund available for cancelled court bookings on the same day as the booking.
7. Player retires with injury
a. If a player retires during a match with an injury, the match is awarded to the opponent.
b. If a player is injured during the league and is unable to play for the remainder of the league, they are to advise the CHH via email, all remaining matches will be forfeited, and a ‘win’ will be awarded to the opponents.
c. If players are injured for >2weeks, they forfeit the matches during those scheduled rounds in favour of their opponent. Players must use the honesty system and advise CHH if they are out >2weeks with injury/illness.
8. Players are unable to play due to lack of availability
a. If league players have been unable to find time to play each other throughout the length of the main draw, the match will be a tie and no points will be awarded
b. If Player A has offered at least 2 timings for their match and player B hasn’t provided at least 2 timings for their match, player A will get the match points. The league organizer must be notified of this at least 48hours before the end of the main draw.
c. If both players have provided at least 2 timings for their match and still have been unable to organize a time, the match will be tied, and no points will be awarded.
d. If a player has played less than 50% of their matches by the main draw deadline, the remaining matches will be awarded as a 1-set win for the remaining players, if each respective opponent has played >50% of their main draw matches.
9. Match Discontinued due to Poor Weather/Lighting
a. A match should be discontinued if any player feels unsafe on a surface due to wet weather or poor/no lighting. A match should also be discontinued if there is storms with lightening in the area. Both players should wait 15-20mins to see if the weather abates. If a match cannot be continued due to poor weather or poor lighting, the match should be resumed and completed within 2 weeks. The players should let the CHH organizer know about the rescheduling of the match and the score. The CHH organiser will enter the score in the system but not finalise it. Players will continue their match at the start of the game that they left off.
b. If the sets are 1-1 when play discontinues and it is the start of the 3rd set, players may choose to play a super tie breaker (first to 10) to decide the match if the weather/lighting allows it. The tiebreaker will be entered online as a 1-0 game win in the 3rd set.
c. If the match is discontinued due to lighting issues (lighting failure, poor light) and players can’t resume their match at another time, completed and incomplete sets will be counted to the final match (set) score, unless it was a booking error (eg: only booking for 2hrs and the match is going overtime), then the match should be resumed at another time.
d. Air Quality - Canberra Heavy Hitters recommends monitoring of Air Quality Index when scheduling league matches, particularly PM2.5 levels as inhalation of pollutants that are less than 2.5ug can remain permanently in your lungs as they are too small for airway clearance, whereas bigger particles have better potential to be removed from your lungs in health respiratory systems.
10. Replay Points, Line Calling Etiquette
a. At this is a competitive competition, replay points only occur when disruptions to the point in progress occur.
b. There are no replays for line calls where a player calls a ball ‘out’ but the decision is reversed by that player or they are unsure. When in doubt, the ball is in and the point continues. An incorrect ‘out’ call results in the point being awarded to the player that hit the ball due to ‘audible disruption’.
c. Players can only ask their opponent to see the ball mark for line calls on clay courts. There is no ‘ball mark checks’ on Hard courts and Synthetic Grass and players must use integrity and honesty with their line calls on these surfaces. If in doubt, the ball is in.
d. Players are to only call a ball “out” once it has landed out. If the ball hasn’t yet crossed the net and the “out” call occurs by the opponent, the player who hit the ball will be awarded the point for ‘audible disruption’.
e. Players can elect to point their index finger instead of calling “out”, or show a flat palm facing down for “in” if they wish to clarify their line calls.
11. Matches played at Tennis NSW/ACT clubs
a. CHH players must abide by the respective court booking regulations of the club they are playing at. If guest fees are required, the home player must collect these and pay the club.
b. It is up to the ‘home’ player to ensure that there is a court availability at the chosen location of play.
i. If there is no court available at a club on arrival within 30mins of arrival, the ‘home’ player forfeits the match.
12. Balls
a. The home player (the player on the top in Challonge) must supply balls.
b. Balls must be new out of the can.
c. If the home player has balls that are less than a week out of the can, they can ask the away player if it’s ok if they used them whilst organizing the match (not at the match), if approved then balls < 1week old can be used.
13 In-Match Disputes
a. Players abide by ‘Tennis Australia’s Rules for Matches without a chair umpire’ (). These should cover all scenarios of on-court debate:
i. E.g. If players can’t agree on game score, they replay from previously agreed score. If players can’t agree on set score, they replay from previously agreed set score.
b. The player serving is encouraged to call the score once points reach 30 in each game in order to avoid any score disputes. After change of ends, the server is encouraged to call the set score before serving, in order to avoid any disputes.
14 Player is late to match
a. If a player is going to be late to a match, they must contact the other player to let them know.
b. If a player is late and arrives >10 minutes without contacting the other player, they forfeit the first set.
c. If a player is >30mins late, they forfeit the first set, regardless of the situation. This is due to court availability.
15. Player does not show up
a. If a player doesn’t show up within 30mins of the agreed start time, and they haven’t contacted the other player, they forfeit the match.
b. Proof of agreed time must be provided by the other player before they are awarded the win, this can be an email or a screenshot of a text message.
16. Time limit of breaks
a. Players have 25seconds between points (ball goes out of play, next ball served).
b. Players have no seated break after the first game of each set, players can have a quick drink of water and then must change ends.
c. Players have 90seconds (1min 30secs) at change of ends during sets.
d. Players have 120seconds (2mins) between sets.
e. Players are allowed one-bathroom break (5mins) between sets.
i. Maximum of two total breaks in a 3-set match.
f. If players do not comply with the above, they receive one warning from the other player.
g. If players do not comply following the warning, and the other player has evidence (stopwatch on phone/watch), please notify CHH and it will be logged on that players profile to monitor for repeat offences.
17. Submitting Scores
a. Following matches, the ‘home’ player must enter the score online on the Challonge website. Step by step guides on how to do this are found on the CHH website in the Resources & Support section.
b. The opponent who doesn’t enter the scores must check the scores by the deadline of the main draw, once the deadline has passed the main draw scores are final.
c. It is up to all players to ensure the scores for all their matches are correct and contact the League Organiser before the main-draw deadline date if they are not.
d. CHH organiser(s) will not accept SMS/email scores, players must ensure they can access the Challonge website to enter their own scores.
18. Qualifying for Finals in the case of a Tie
a. The number of top players (eg: Top 2, Top 3) advancing from each round robin group to the final knockout stage will be determined and announced by CHH after the leagues registration period as concluded.
b. At the end of the main draw, the qualifying players will be determined by
i. Matches Won
ii. Sets Won
iii. Games Won
iv. Game % Won
c. For 2 players who have won an equally amount of matches, the Challonge system incorrectly puts a player who has lost more matches lower. This is not used by CHH to determine which player advances, it will still be based on matches/sets/games/games% won as described above.
19. Finals
a. Players who have played <50% of their round robin matches cannot advance to finals, the next player in their round robin group will take their place.
b. Each finals knockout stage must be played on the week scheduled, this is to ensure that the league is finalized before the start of the next league.
c. If one player is not available for their week of the finals, they must try and play the match early if possible, if not possible they forfeit their match.
d. If both players are unavailable, the player with the highest ranking during the main draw will advance in the finals.
e. CHH organiser(s) can use discretion to reschedule matches outside of the schedule.
f. CHH organiser(s) can organise the finals draw to avoid players repeating matches from their round robin group.
20. Poor behaviour & audible obscenities
a. Poor behaviour or audible obscenities in the presence of non-CHH members, particularly within sight and earshot of children, should be avoided or limited.
i. We all have our bad days, repetitive occurrences over the league will result in an official warning by the league organizer.
ii. Following one warning, further occurrences of the above will result in suspension from the league, without refund.
iii. Further occurrences in the calendar year will result in an CHH player ban from all CHH events.
21. Players must be respectful and nice to each other, always.
Misunderstandings and mistakes happen. Own up to any errors you make. If you’re unsure of a line call, it’s in. Don’t be rude, hostile, aggressive, or forceful towards other players whilst communicating. If a situation arises where players feel they must be rude, hostile, aggressive or forceful towards other players, it must be directed via the CHH organizer as a mediator.
22. Players seeking a forfeit must contact the opposition before contacting the CHH to seek the forfeit. If CHH finds the other player did not know a forfeit was being sought, a forfeit will not be awarded.
23. Players who fail to follow the above
Players who fail to follow any of the above rules and regulations will be provided one warning by the Canberra Heavy Hitters. Following which they will be face suspension, followed by a ban.
24. The above rules and regulations can be changed during the league season and players will be notified of change via email.
25. Players agree to adhere by these rules and regulations upon registration to any CHH Leagues.
League R&R Updates:
17/08/2020 - Replay points
24/06/2020 - NextGen incorporated
13/1/2020 - air quality index advice
10/6/2019 – part 5f, match unable to be played during finals
5/6/2019 – part 5e, contact during finals
2/6/2019 – part 7, challenge error in sorting players
27/5/2019 – part 4c, SMS before WhatsApp
11/4/2019 – part 5 updated for clarity
25/3/2019 – part 5c iii
10/3/2019 – Finals part 18a – players with <50% round robin matches cannot get into finals
5/3/2019 – Part 1c – players commit to 50% of matches.
28/2/2019 – Part 5c