WHERE CAN I FIND SUPPORT FOR RUNNING THE TEAM CHALLENGE? Further details and resources can be found on the website: www.lta.org.uk/teamchallenge Support is on offer for each cluster organiser from the LTA centrally as well as on a more local level through your LTA regional team. For general support regarding the delivery of your Team Challenge event(s) including pack contents and delivery or for general queries about the hallenge please email teamchallenge@lta.org.uk For support on a more local level wtih regards to engaging clubs in your cluster or for advise regarding competition formats please contact your LTA Competition Coordinator in your region which can be seen below: local team fun Sam Kemp South West Region Sam.Kemp@LTA.org.uk Christine Randall-Klee North Region Christine.Klee@LTA.org.uk Rory McCutcheon Midlands Region Rory.McCutcheon@LTA.org.uk Jess Downs South East Region Jess.Downs@LTA.org.uk Mark Padfield East Region Mark.Padfield@LTA.org.uk Mark Lewis Tennis Wales Mark.Lewis@tenniswales.org.uk Linda Gordon Tennis Scotland info@tenniscotland.org
Welcome to the hallenge Cluster Organiser Guide. This guide outlines a new local team competition aimed at recreational mini and junior players who are new or inexperienced competition players. The competition aims to provide a quality competitive experience which is local, fun and team based Key Features The format of the hallenge has key features to maximise player enjoyment: Competition is closely linked to a local venue and coaching programme Time friendly for families, with a start/finish time within 3 hours Competition to be local to ensure minimal drive times (max 30 minutes) Multiple teams to compete at one venue Format to include singles & doubles or doubles only Team scores based on games/points won, not rubbers won Matches will usually not count towards ratings or rankings (we suggest a rating cap of 9.1) These aspects are important so that tennis has a greater chance of transitioning players from their coaching programmes into the competitive team tennis environment at their local clubs, centres, parks and schools. hallenge can be run by a county, venue, volunteer or coach on the basis that at least two or more venues participate to form a cluster. Each event organiser determines the entry fee for an event which in most cases is between 5-10 per player. This can be a payment per team or payment per player to cover costs such as balls, prizes and organiser time. Please note that indoor venues running a hallenge event between 1 November and 28 February are able to receive a 100 indoor court grant. Exception: 50 for Red Ball Events. When We expect each Cluster Organiser to operate at least one hallenge event per school half term. The time and date is set by the event organiser based on court availability and in communication with the other local clubs and coaches. The LTA Competitions Team do have suggested dates and big weekends where events are recommended to take place Please factor in existing junior competitions in your area to avoid clashes, for example winter junior leagues in your district or county Where The notion is for 2+ local venues to form one cluster and to run hallenge events for different age groups & genders each term It is recommended the Cluster Organiser organises venues to submit a team(s) to compete at each event. At each event the notion is to facilitate a good social scene to create a fun and exciting environment for each of the teams to enjoy. Cluster Organisers are encouraged to run at least 1 event per school term and may at their discretion use more than one venue in the cluster for different events. Ideally each cluster is providing 2 events per ball colour per academic term. I.e. 2x Red, 2x Orange, 2x Green and 2x Yellow events in the Autumn Term. Cluster organiser Role: Each Cluster will need an Event Organiser who organises and coordinates the event. This person could be a coach, junior club organiser, volunteer, parent. It will involve the following tasks: Administering the competition deciding on age group(s), date(s), clubs Promote the hallenge to local venues, coaches and players. Resources and electronic template emails are available to support with this Collate entries and fees Hosting the day, including set up of equipment and balls Arrange scorers / supervisors if running Mini Red or Mini Orange Provide feedback to the LTA including the number of players who competed. Cluster Organiser Support: For every venue involved in 2018, the LTA will provide: Some new Tennis Balls to help support the event Relevant promotional items for age group (e.g. bunting or banners) Empty Belly Poster to promote the next hallenge day. An editable online version of the Poster will also be provided to all organisers Hooded Top for the Organiser (limited to one per organiser) Optional Player Passes & Lanyards Prizes and giveaways Certificates to provide to the top placed teams or to use for Special Awards such as Team Hero, Shot of the day, Fairplay and MVP Scorecards and score grids Medals for most successful teams 2 3
AGE GROUPS & EVENTS Cluster Organisers are able to sign up for organiser packs for each event you run. The following events are advised which each have their own organiser packs you can sign up for: Red / Orange / Green ball no specific age bands 11-14 (green or yellow ball) 15-18 (yellow ball) Girls Only (aimed at Girls aged 10-14) Cluster Organisers can choose to deliver events for one or more age groups one ore more age groups during each school term based on availability of players in each cluster. Match Format Team sizes can be anything from 2 players upwards Events can be boys, girls or mixed The most common draw format is round robin so teams get to play against lots of different players Many events try to play singles & doubles matches. However, a number have ran doubles only Matches to be determined by number of games/points won rather than number of rubbers won scoring Formats Two scoring formats for the Cluster Organiser to choose from for Green, 11-14 and 15-18 age groups FAST4 Each rubber to be one FAST4 set Timed Tennis Each rubber to be an extended tiebreak lasting 5 to 10 minutes (Organisers time choice based on courts and number of teams attending) For Red ball and Orange ball events timed tennis should be used with tie-break scoring TIMED TENNIS A fun exciting format which makes it easier for Cluster Organisers to schedule their event as the length of each match is known and all matches start and finish at the same time. The length of time should be decided based on the number of players, matches and courts. Timed Tiebreaks: Works best when matches are between 5 to 10 minutes long Each point won counts for one point Each match is an extended tiebreak, e.g. 8-4, 12-6, 15-3 The player with the most points after the time period wins If scores are equal at the end of the time a deciding point is played If players are mid-way through a point when the time ends they should finish the point After the first point, players serve for two consecutive points then swap, like in a tiebreak Top Tips for Cluster Organisers: Matches should start and finish with a whistle or similar Players should be encouraged to be as quick as possible between points No need to change ends if playing indoors Consider using music, with the match finishing when the music stops FAST 4 TENNIS What is FAST4 Tennis? FAST4 Tennis provides a simple, exciting way of speeding up a conventional tennis match. The fundamentals of tennis remain the same, but there are four innovative rules that ensure matches are fast, competitive, exciting and can be completed in a reasonable period of time. The differences: 1. First to 4 games wins Hence the name FAST4. It doesn t matter how you get there, just make sure you get to four before your opponent does. No advantage games 2. Play lets if the serve clips the net and lands in the service box, there s no let, it s game on. What s more, if you re playing double either the receiver or their partner can take the return 3. No-ad scoring as soon as a game gets to deuce it s a sudden death point. The receiver chooses which side will take the serve. This applies to doubles too with the receiving pair deciding who returns the point 4. Tiebreak at 3 games all at 3 games all a tiebreak is played, first to 5 points 4 5
Scheduling Examples Example 1 4 teams and 3 courts. 3 rubbers 2 singles and 1 doubles Court Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 1 2 3 six matches Example 2 3 teams and 2 courts. 3 rubbers 2 singles and 1 doubles v v v v v v Court Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 How to create Team Spirit? Team colours e.g. arrange for all your players to wear red shirts Team Names how about the Sutton Scorpions or the Hackney Heroes Team Song does your team have a favourite song to get them motivated Team Mascot / Teddy often popular with younger players ORGANISER TIMELINE - WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? Organising your hallenge event can be a simple, enjoyable experience for you. Our aim is to make the process as simple as possible for you and as such we recommend following the timeline below when planning, organising and delivering each of your hallenge events: InITIAL PLANNING Confirm time, date and venue We recommend you have at least 3 courts available for a 3 hour time period at your venue or another venue within your local cluster Confirm age group and team size Link with local clubs and coaches as well as considering your own programme. For example, teams of 2 players aged 11-14 year olds that can be mixed gender Confirm Entry fee and Event organiser(s) Most organisers charge between 5-10 per event. This is your decision as event organiser. Also ensure you have sufficient helpers to deliver a great event on the day 1 2 three matches v v v PROMOTING YOUR EVENT Sign Up for your FREE Organiser Pack The LTA provide a free organiser pack for each event. Links are available through ClubSpark Event Signup to do this. If you re not using ClubSpark, visit the survey link provided in emails from teamchallenge@lta.org.uk Add your event to ClubSpark ClubSpark is a free tool for LTA Registered Venues and Accredited Coaches. This allows you to have a URL for your event, take bookings online, manage your entries and print registers. All events will be available for players and/or parents to book on to at www.teamchallenge.org.uk 6 7
Contact your players & parents Share details of your event with local players, those within your programme and those who played in previous events and how they can book Contact local clubs and coaches Share the details of your event with local coaches. There are many ways to do this. We recommend a WhatsApp group, Facebook group, Email, Face to face conversations or phone calls. Often a combination of these is required PRE EVENT PLANNING EVENT DAY Receive your Organiser Pack Ensure you look through your organiser pack as soon as it arrives. At this time you can think about what prizes you will hand out at your event and make provision for what else you will need. For example, you may choose to award additional prizes. Prepare Equipment Note down what equipment you will need on the day. The most important thing is tennis balls. We recommend using used tennis balls from coaching baskets to keep costs low. Also think about a results table and seating for parents. Finalise your entries & format Based on entries you ve received, finalise your format for the day. This involves outlining your intended draw format (e.g. 2x round robin groups) and the scoring format (e.g. 7 minute Timed Tennis matches). You may start to draft you order of play for the day at this time. At this time you can also prepare your welcome speech (see within organiser guide) Contact Your Players We strongly recommend you email (from ClubSpark or personal email) or text (if using WhatsApp) all teams & players 3-5 days. before your event with confirmation of the event and final reminders for the day. This should include confirmation of arrival time, outline of the format, finish time, entry fee reminder, information on parking, food and drink Before you leave home! Before you leave, make sure you have your event pack, you have printed the player register & teams attending and that you have all the equipment you need. If you re taking entry fees by cash, think about having some spare change Prepare the courts and check in area Arrive early to put up the bunting, balloons and other signage so that it s easy for players & parents when they arrive and that the site is looking its best Check in Desk Ensure you have a clear check in table so people know where to go on arrival. Tick players off on your register when they arrive, take entry fees and let them know if they can warm up on court or where to wait. Ask the teams for team names at this time if they haven t let you know already. We advise you are ready to check in players for 20mins before the event so that you can start on time. Welcome Speech This is a very important part of the day. A high quality welcome speech is important to make the experience positive for everyone involved including players, parents and spectators. See template on next page for tips. Event Underway Stay close to the courts to watch matches and to record scores. Speak to players and teams regularly so they know what courts they re playing on next and when that will be. Think about having music playing, hand out stickers from the pack and keep it fun for everyone involved! This is also a good time to complete certificates for each team or for each player while the tennis is being played Photos & Social Media Take photos of the action on and off court. We certainly recommend taking a photo of all of your players with the banner and bunting in view to help promote your future events. Share on social media using #TeamChallenge and email in the photos to teamchallenge@lta.org.uk after the event Recording Results Ensure all the results are accurate so that it s fair for everyone involved. Finalise your results and let everyone know how they have fared Presentation A presentation is a great way to bring your event to a conclusion. We recommend using our presentation speech template later in the guide. At this time you can hand our certificates and prizes of course! Finish Your event is complete. This is a good time to let players & parents know your plans for future events for the age group. 8 9
Welcome Speech The following bullet points are in place to help you deliver a high quality welcome speech to your players and parents attending your event. Feel free to add or remove to this list where necessary: Welcome to the event! Aim of the day Fun, enjoyable ompetition Introductions of organisers & helpers Refreshments, Toilets/Changing, Seating Estimated start and finish times Entry Fee Reminder Size of Team / Team Names Format of the fixtures (e.g. Singles//Both) Draw Format (e.g. Round Robin) Scoring Format (e.g. Timed Tennis) How winners will be calculated Social Media & Photos Presentation at the end (approx. time) Any questions? Presentation Speech The following bullet points are in place to help you deliver a high quality presentation to your players and parents attending your event. Feel free to add or remove to this list where necessary: Congratulate all participants Thank you to helpers, the venue, coaches, parents etc. Read out results Present certificates and prizes Possibly hand out prizes for fair play, best shot of the day etc. Take a photo of all teams and photo of winners Thank everyone for attending Mention any planned events upcoming 10 11