Senior League Rules
As constituted at the AGM held on 11th March, 1999 and by various amendments since that date. Latest amendment at AGM 2017
1. Title
The Association shall be called the SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION.
2. The objects of the Association
The objects of the Association shall be:
(a) To uphold the Laws of the Game of Lawn Tennis.
(b) To arrange and manage inter-club Competitions.
(c) To arrange matches in which the Association shall be represented by teams selected from Full Member clubs.
(d) To arrange and manage a Tournament or Tournaments.
(e) To promote the interests of Lawn Tennis generally.
3. The officers of the Association to S & D Members
The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice- Presidents, a General Secretary, a deputy General Secretary, a Treasurer, a League Secretary, a Deputy League Secretary, a Website Coordinator, plus up to three co-opted member and the Sheffield representative to the Yorkshire Tennis Limited and LTA. All officers, excepting the League Secretary and assistant League Secretary (who will be appointed at the half-yearly meeting in October) shall retire at the Annual General Meeting held each year, but are eligible for re-election. Nominations shall be made to the General Secretary 14 days before the Annual General Meeting. Any Life Vice Presidents are entitled to attend and vote at all General and Council Meetings.
4. The Council of the Association
The Council of the Association shall consist of up to three representatives from each Full and Associate member clubs, who shall be entitled to attend all General and Council meetings and speak at all such meetings. Only representatives from Full Member clubs will be entitled to vote at all General and Council meetings. The President, Past Presidents, Vice-Presidents, the General Secretary, the Deputy General Secretary, the Treasurer, the League Secretary, the Deputy League Secretary, the Website Coordinator, the LTA Participation Manager and the Sheffield representatives to Yorkshire Tennis Limited shall be ex-officio members of the Council.
5. Team entries and club details
a) Each year, no later than the 15th December, the General Secretary will request each club to inform him/her of the number of teams wishing to participate in the league competitions for the next season. Clubs must reply to the General Secretary no later than the 15th January.
b) Each year, by the 31st March, each club must update the Club Details section of the Association's website, giving the current names, addresses and telephone numbers of the the Club Tennis Secretary, all contacts all contacts for senior teams and Junior Organiser or Representatives.
c) Failure to comply with a) or b) will incur a fine not exceeding £10 in respect of each breach..
6. Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year, when a Report, and audited Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts for the previous year ending the last day in December shall be presented, and the officers for the ensuing year elected.
7. The business of the Association
The Council shall conduct the business of the Association and shall appoint a Management Committee and any other such Committees they deem necessary from their number to assist with the day-to-day decision making. The Management Committee shall comprise the President, Senior Vice-President, Immediate Past President, General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary, Treasurer, League Secretary, Deputy League Secretary, the Website Coordinator, the LTA Regional Participation Manager, the Sheffield representative to Yorkshire Tennis Limited and one elected member appointed at the Annual General Meeting. The committee will have the power to co-opt as appropriate.
8. Special General Meeting
The Council may cause a Special General Meeting to be summoned at any time, and a Special General meeting shall be called at the request of five of the Full Member or Associate Member clubs, or the Management Committee.
9. Notice of all General Meetings
The General Secretary shall give not less than seven clear days notice of all General Meetings to the Secretaries of the Clubs forming the Association, and seven clear days' notice of meeting of the Council shall be given to all members of the Council. Notices of either General or Council Meetings shall, as far as possible, specify the business to be transacted, but this shall not preclude the transaction of other business if the chairperson thinks fit.
10. Quorum
At all General and Council Meetings twenty four members, who must represent at least fourteen separate Clubs, shall form a quorum.
11. Annual Subscription
The annual subscription for Full Member and Associate Member clubs and the fees for teams competing in the league competitions will be fixed at the Annual General Meeting. The subscription and fees shall be payable in advance no later than the first day of May each year. Clubs failing to pay by 1st May will be subject to fine of £10 and will be liable to exclusion if payment is not received by 1st June.
12. Club Eligibility
Any bona-fide LTA registered Lawn Tennis Club having access to the required number of courts situated within 25 miles' radius of Sheffield Town Hall shall be eligible for election to the Association, provided that such courts, equipment and accommodation shall, in the opinion of the Management Committee, be suitable for match play.
13. Membership
There are two categories of membership of the Association:
Full member - i.e: a tennis club that:
- pays an affiliation fee
- has a team or teams playing in any of the Association's senior or junior leagues
- has full voting rights at the AGM and Council meetings
Associate member - i.e. a tennis club or other organisation that:
- pays a reduced affiliation fee but takes no part in any of the Association's senior or junior leagues
- can attend the AGM and Council Meetings but has no voting rights at any meeting
14. Admissions and withdrawals
Applications from Clubs for admission to and notices of withdrawal from the Association shall be given in writing to the General Secretary, before the AGM. Clubs failing to give notice of withdrawal by such date shall be liable for the following year s subscriptions.
15. Rule Changes
Alteration or addition to these rules can only be made at the Annual General Meeting. Particulars of any proposed alteration or addition to be given in writing and sent by post or e-mail to the General Secretary no later than the first day of February, prior to the meeting at which they are to be proposed. The particulars must include the proposed rule as the submitting club intends it to read. Club Secretaries will receive particulars of proposed alterations or additions no later than ten days prior to the date of the meeting.
16. Non attendance
Any club not represented at the Annual General Meeting or Council Meetings shall be fined a sum of £10 for each meeting not attended.
17. Other matters
All matters not dealt with in these Rules shall be dealt with and decided by the Management Committee