Changes by the LTA From the 1 April 2020, a new competition age group system for players 18 and under will be implemented based on their year of birth, making it much simpler and easier to use and understand. The move will provide more flexibility than the current system, with players able to ‘play up’ earlier between red, orange and green ball tennis. An 11U age group is being introduced to aid the transition from Green Ball to Yellow Ball tennis and mitigate any relative age effect. It will also bring national domestic competitions in line with the system used at an international level and with the LTA’s Player Pathway, as well as matching the system already used for in seniors’ tennis to deliver a standardised approach across all age groups. The change is one of a number of priority improvements to competitions being implemented by the LTA during 2019 and 2020 as part of our desire to make competitions more relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for all players. It follows an extensive review of the competitive landscape and review of our systems which highlighted that players, parents, coaches and officials want an age group system that is straightforward, easy to explain and simple to calculate, and this change delivers that. The table below shows which age group players will compete in from April 1 to 31 December 2020:
A key advantage of the new competition age group system is that it will provide more flexibility. Red, orange and green ball will remain within certain age groups, although broader than before and without play up rules such as reaching a certain mini tennis rating. Players within the yellow ball age groups will also be able to compete in older age groups. Parents and players are advised to work with their coach to determine when a player should start to compete in the next age group above. It is still vitally important that young players compete in the appropriate age group, to: enable game based development that can be better achieved on a smaller court with lower compression balls, minimise the risk of injury and have a balanced competition programme. Benefits of the new competition age group system include:
Introduction of an 11U age group An 11U age group will be introduced at all levels of competition. This will support players with making the transition from Green to Yellow ball. The 11U age group will compete using a yellow ball, however at some levels we may stipulate the use of a green ball. Players will be able to play in the 11U age group when their tennis age is 10 or 11. In 2020, players born in 2009 or 2010 will be eligible to compete at 11U. Competitive opportunities will exist at all grades of competition in both a team and individual format. Players competing in the 11U age group will earn 11U ranking points and the 11U ranking points table will be published in February 2020. Summer Junior Supervision sessions for Club Members Full details will be published in March. ROAD TO WIMBLEDON 2020 The Road to Wimbledon supported by Slazenger 14U Challenge is a unique competition providing an opportunity for venues to engage and inspire their 14U pupils/players. The first stage of the competition takes place in a club/park/school and we will choose a format relevant to us to deliver a fun, sociable competition for players rated 7.1-10.2 or un-rated. The winners of these events will then progress to their County Finals. County Final winners are then invited to compete in the National Finals at Wimbledon in August. There will be separate events for boys and girls. Players must be 14 & under (born 1 September 2005 – 31 December 2009) and must be rated 10.2 – 7.1 or have no rating at all. The events will take place on one afternoon in May/June. All club members who meet the age parameters will be invited to take part. If you would like your son/daughter to play then please contact Jane Doyle. TEAM TENNIS 2019 Teams played in the Bucks Team Tennis League this summer. We came 1st in 4 leagues and 2nd also in 4 leagues. VERY GOOD. Congratulations to all players. The results were,
9U Mixed Division 1
9U Mixed Division 2
10U Mixed Division 1
10U Mixed Division 2
12U Boys Division 1
12U Boys Div 2
12U Boys Division 2
12U Girls Division 2
12U Girls Division 2
14U Boys Division 1
14U Girls Div 2
16U Boys Div 2
16U Girls Div 2
18U Boys Div 1
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