Seniors

Senior Interclub

Senior interclub competitions are where senior and top junior club members compete in teams against teams from other tennis clubs in the Wellington/Kapi Mana region (or greater Wellington region for premier grade and winter competitions) in a series of round-robin contests.

Competitions

The interclub competions are differentiated by grades, whether singles/doubles matches are played at each contest, gender of players within the competing teams, and the time period of year contests are held. Teams may be promoted or relegated from one grade to another, within a competition set, at the end of each competition according to their wins and losses within the competition.

Competitions are held within three distinct time periods per year: pre-Xmas (mid Oct - early Dec), post-Xmas (early Feb - mid/late Mar), and Winter (Jun-Aug).

The following identifies the senior interclub competitions available to Kilbirnie Tennis Club members. See section on Competition Sets below for more details. Club members can complete in multiple competitions if they wish (eligibility criteria restricts this to a maximum of five competitions at any one time period; few people however enter more than three competitions in one time period due to time and fitness constraints).

  • Premier Mens, grades 3 or 4
  • Premier Womens, grades 3
  • Tecnifibre Mens, grades 6 or 7
  • Tecnifibre Womens, grades 2 or 3
  • Tecnifibre Mixed Doubles, grades 5
  • Tecnifibre Mens Monday Night, grades 2
  • Tecnifibre Womens Tuesday Night, grades 3
  • Midweek Womens Doubles,  grades  3
  • Midweek Mixed Doubles, grades 1
  • TCR Winter Mixed Doubles, grades 8

Teams

Kilbirnie Tennis Club teams are formed by the Club Captain. Players are generally grouped into mens, womens, or mixed teams with others of similar skill levels. Other factors, such as keeping established teams together from one competition to the next and requests from team captains, may also come into play. Talk to the Club Captain if you wish to form a new team.

The Club Captain usually aims to have five players in each mens or womens team and five or six players in each mixed team, even though only four play at each contest. The number assigned to a team may vary depending on the availability of reserve players and whether some reserve players can be shared among teams (as may be permitted by competition rules). The additional players provide cover for injuries and unavailability of team members. Team captains will try to ensure each team member plays a similar number of matches during each competition.

Each team is assigned a team captain. This is usually one of the team members (or a parent of a team member for teams of top juniors only). The duties of the team captain are outlined below.

The Club Captain submits final teams for each competition to Tennis Central for preparation of draws.

Draws and results

The draws are prepared by Tennis Central and published around two weeks before the start of each competition. Competition draws and results are published on TennisNZ's MatchHub (Tennis Central may publish some draws on their Senior Interclub page instead of MatchHub). Each draw includes the dates, times, and venues of all contests in the competition.

Umpiring

All matches are self-umpired, unless an adjudicator is requested. Self-umpired means the players call the lines on their side of the court only. Balls must be called in if there is any doubt. If a player feels he/she is being unfairly treated, they may be able to ask for an adjudicator (see competition rules). Adjudicating responsibilities are then usually shared equally by opposing teams.

Player rankings

The results of each contest are recorded in the Tennis NZ Match Hub system. The wins and losses of every player are used to derive his/her grade (separate from competition grade) and NZ ranking (with respect to all other NZ interclub and tournament players). The club may use these rankings to help place club members into teams. You can see player rankings here.

Costs

There are additional fees for club members to play in interclub competitions. Costs vary for each competition, usually between $25 and $50 per team member for each competition (pre-Xmas and post-Xmas competitions are usually billed together). The fees cover Tennis Central team registration fees and ball costs. The Club Treasurer will send payment requests to interclub players before the start of competitions. The fees are payable once teams have been registered. The club is not able to issue refunds after registration.

How to sign up

Around 2 months prior to the start of a senior interclub competition, the Club Captain will e-mail all senior club members and top junior members inviting them to sign up to play interclub.  Sign-up instructions will be included in the e-mail. E-mail the Club Captain if you do not receive a sign-up e-mail.

Closing dates for entry into Kilbirnie interclub teams are usually around these dates. Actual dates may vary a little from year to year - see emails each year from club captain requesting registration for interclub for actual closing dates.

  • Pre-Xmas competitions: 1 September
  • Post-Xmas competitions: 1 January
  • Winter competitions: 1 May

The Club Captain will confirm teams with team captains about two weeks before the start of each competition. Your team captain will be in touch with you to arrange a schedule of play during the competition.

Competition Set Features

The following outlines the features of the competition sets. Full details of each competition set, including competition rules, can be found at clubspark.kiwi/renouftenniscentre/Play/Senior.

  • Premier Mens
    Grades: 1-3 (4th may be added post-Xmas)
    Gender: Men only, 4 men per contest
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 4 singles and 2 doubles (each player plays one singles and one doubles match)
    Match format: First to 2 sets - see Note 1(A)
    Promotion/relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Saturdays from 1pm, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Premier Womens
    Grades: 1-3
    Gender: Women only, 4 women per contest
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 4 singles and 2 doubles (each player plays one singles and one doubles match)
    Match format: First to 2 sets - see Note 1(A)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Saturdays from 1pm, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Tecnifibre Mens
    Grades: 1-6
    Gender: Men only, 4 men per contest, 5th and 6th men may be added to play doubles only
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 4 singles and 2 doubles (each player usually plays one singles and one doubles match)
    Match format: First to 2 sets - see Note 1(B)
    Promotion/relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Saturdays from 8:30am, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Tecnifibre Womens
    Grades: 1-2
    Gender: Women only, 4 women per contest, 5th and 6th women may be added to play doubles only
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 4 singles and 2 doubles (each player usually plays one singles and one doubles match)
    Match format: First to 2 sets - see Note 1(B)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Saturdays from 8:30am
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Tecnifibre Mixed Doubles
    Grades: A-F
    Gender: Mixed, 2 men and 2 women per contest
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 6 doubles (each player plays three doubles matches)
    Match format: First to 9 games - see Note 1(C)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Saturdays from 1pm, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Tecnifibre Mens Monday Night
    Grades: A-B
    Gender: Men only, 4 men per contest, 5th and 6th men may be added to play doubles only
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 4 singles and 2 doubles (each player usually plays one singles and one doubles match)
    Match format: First to 2 sets - see Note 1(B). 
    Promotion/Relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Mondays from 6pm, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Tecnifibre Womens Tuesday Night
    Grades: A-C
    Gender: Women only, 4 women per contest
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 4 doubles (each player plays two doubles matches)
    Match format: First to 2 sets - see Note 1(B)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: 2 up/2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Tuesdays from 6pm, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Midweek Womens Doubles
    Grades: 1-3
    Gender: Women only, 4 women per contest
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Nov) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 6 doubles (each player usually plays three doubles matches)
    Match format: First to 7 games - see Note 1(D)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: 1 or 2 up/1 or 2 down - see competition rules
    Contest times: Mondays from 9:30am, weekly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • Midweek Mixed Doubles
    Grades: 1
    Gender: Mixed, at least one man and at least one woman (may be 1 man & 3 women, 2 men & 2 women,  or 3 men & 1 woman)
    Competitions per year: 2 - one pre-Xmas (Oct-Dec) and one post-Xmas (Feb-Mar)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    or 3 men & 1 women)
    Matches per contest: 6 doubles (each player usually plays three doubles matches)
    Match format: First to 7 games - see Note 1(D)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: None - one grade only
    Contest times: Fridays from 9:30am, weekly
    Venues: Renouf Tennis Centre.
  • TCR Winter Mixed Doubles
    Grades: A-H
    Gender: Mixed, 2 men and 2 women per contest
    Competitions per year: 1 - Winter (Jun-Aug)
    Contests per competition: 7 (usually)
    Matches per contest: 6 doubles (each player plays three doubles matches)
    Match format: First to 9 games - see Note 1(C)
    Promotion/Relegation principle: None - teams are graded for each competition
    Contest times: Sundays from 1pm, fortnightly
    Venues: Kilbirnie Tennis Club, home club of opposing team, or Renouf Tennis Centre.

Notes:

  1. Match formats:
    (A) Singles - best of 3 conventional sets; Doubles - see (B)
    (B) First to win 2 sets; first two are standard sets, third is super-tiebreak.
    (C) First to win 1 set and first to win 9 games in that set.
    (D) First to win 1 set and first to win 7 games in that set.

 

Are you ready for interclub tennis?

Talk to our coaches and Club Captain if you are not sure if you are ready to play senior interclub.  The coaches will be able to assess your skill levels and recommend competition grades for you.

We encourage all senior club members to play interclub when they can can sustain a short rally with other players of similar ability and can serve a ball most of the time.

 

Team Member Responsibilities

Arrival time. Your team captain will advise of start times for each contest and required arrival time for warm-up. Please support your team captain by arriving on or before the requested time. If you are unavoidably delayed, be sure to let your team manager know in advance to avoid stressing them out. If not able to attend, please give your team manager a minimum of 48 hours notice (preferrably a week) so that an alternative player can be found. Make sure you help your team manager to find alternative players if requested.

Commitment for competition.  Support your team captain by making yourself available to play as much as possible during the competition, barring injuries and illness. Finding fill-ins can be difficult.

Health and Safety Guidelines. Make sure you familiarise yourself with and abide by the club's health and safety policies, especially the sections on General Visitor Responsibilities, Court Safety, Clubhouse Safety, and Wellbeing.

Tennis NZ Code of Conduct and Dress Code. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with and abide by the Tennis New Zealand Participant Protection Policy and Tennis New Zealand Dress Code as required by the rules of your competition - see Rules for the various senior competitions under TCR Senior Interclub.

Encourage and support your teammates.

Be ready to step into the team captain role if requested. Avoid leaving all the administrative work to the team captain. Be ready to help out if required.

 

Team Captain Responsibilities

The club hugely appreciates the time and effort team captains put in to make interclub enjoyable for all participants. We hope team captains also find it rewarding and fun. Here is some information to help team captains with team management.


TEAM

Team contact details. The Club Captain will e-mail you contact details of all the team captains and all interclub team members around the same time the draw is published.

Team schedule. It is a good idea to prepare a schedule before the first contest based on everyone’s availability. Each full team member should play a similar number of games during the competition.

Reserve Players. Occasionally you may not have enough team members to make a set of four players for a contest. This is when you can call on reserves. The team contact details e-mailed by the Club Captain will also include people who are able to play as reserves, as well as contact details of other team captains. You can use any club member*, including spare players from other teams or player playing in different competitions. However, make sure you comply with your competition's rules (e.g. players cannot play for two teams at the same grade; players cannot play in lower grades once they have played a certain number of times at a higher grade; players must be on the club ranking list for premier teams). *For joint club teams, players may be a member of either club.

Playing order. On each match day, team members should be played in graded order, order of merit, or club ranking list (according to the competition rules). If two players are of similar grade, their playing order is not important (where order is based on grade). If any dispute however, team captains can use player ranking points to decide player order. The team captain has the final say on the team order.

Team communication. As people are increasingly giving e-mails low priority, we recommend that you don't rely on this for team communication. Txts usually get a better response and a Whatsapp group for your team may be even better.

Team names. These are assigned by the Club Captain.

Player eligibility. Please ensure that all team members are Kilbirnie Tennis Club members, unless your team is registered as a joint club team (in which case you may also call on players from the other club). For joint club teams, if you do use players from other clubs, please ensure those players have an active and fully paid club membership.


COMPETITION

Draw. Tennis Central will e-mail team captains when draws are published. This will usually be a couple of weeks before the first contest. The draw will include the dates and venues of all contests.

Competition Rules. You should familiarise yourself with the competition rules. These can be found here.

Warm-up time. As with all sports, tennis players need time to increase body temperature to allow muscles to work more efficiently, get the heart and lungs ready for vigorous activity, actively stetch muscles, ingrain proper movement patterns and coordination, and wake up the nervous system. It is therefore recommended that you ask your team to arrive at least 20-30 minutes before each contest.

Warm-up drills. Drills usually start with short service box rallys/volleys and progress to baseline rallys (with slowly increasing power), baseline-service box volleys, overhead slams, and serves. Control and accurate ball placement are key features to be ingrained during warm-up.

Tennis balls. The Club Captain will arrange balls for you before the first contest. The balls will be placed in the clubrooms for you to pick up.  Sufficient balls will be provided for the season. If you would like extra cans of balls, you will need to purchase these. Since interclub fees are kept as low as possible, the club is not able to provide extra cans for free.  To help manage your supply of new balls, substitute good used balls from previous matches if you lose any or decide to play in wet conditions. 

Marking tennis balls. To ensure return of your balls at the end of each match, it is suggested that you mark your balls when you open a can. This will help distinguish your balls from those of the opposing team.

Club courts. The Club Captain will book courts for scheduled Kilbirnie Tennis Club home games. For Tecnifibre Mens and Womens competitions, even if the draw references courts 4&5 only, courts 3-5 will be booked so you can spread matches over the three courts. This means you can play one doubles and two singles matches at the same time.

Magnetic scoreboard discs and overlays can be found in the cupboard next to the womens bathroom in the clubrooms. Remember to return them at the end of your contest.

Access to clubrooms. Use your access card to open the clubrooms on arrival. If you do not have an access card, you can apply for one - see Access Cards under Club Services. Be sure to lock up before leaving.

Rescheduling games. If you need to reschedule a home game (perhaps because the scheduled game has been rained off), you will need to make your own arrangements for courts. You can book courts at Kilbirnie Tennis Club here. You can also re-schedule rained-off games at The Renouf Tennis Centre (outdoor courts only). This may allow you to get a time that better suits you (the Kilbirnie courts are heavily booked over the weekend during the summer interclub competitions). There is no charge for re-scheduled interclub games at The Renouf. You can book courts at the Renouf by calling the Pro Shop at the Renouf (04 384 6294) and stating that you wish to book courts for a rescheduled interclub game. You will need to state the competition (including grade) and the names of the clubs competing. Let your Club Captain know if you have any problems with this.

Results sheets and entry of results. Results sheets and instructions on how to enter results into Match Hub can also be found in the competition rules here. If you have any problems or need to make a correction to scores, please contact the Club Captain for assistance.


MATCH DAY

Availability. Team managers (or their stand-in) must be available for contact on match days by the opposing team captain (see competition rules) in case matches need to be deferred because of wet weather.

Stand-ins. Advise opposing team manager if a different person (stand in manager) is managing your team for any contest. Be sure to provide a contact number for this person.

Reschedule matches. Arrange alternative match times in coordination with the opposing team captain if scheduled matches are rained off (see competition rules).

 

Rules of Tennis.  Latest rules of tennis from the Internation Tennis Federation (ITF).