2016 Sydney Badge Tennis
Competition Details & Rule Changes
Introduction
Sydney Badge is the oldest tennis competition in the Sydney metropolitan area. With multiple grades on
offer, the competition caters to 1200+ players of all ages, levels and abilities. Games are played home and
away at Tennis NSW Member Clubs and Facilities across the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area. Sydney Badge
conducts two seasons of play with the primary competition running in autumn.
In 2016, the competition is undergoing some changes as part of the new Tennis Sydney 2020 Blueprint for
Competition Tennis. The Premier League division will be a much shorter competition run in Term 3 attracting
some of Sydney’s best male and female players. The bulk of the competition, divisions 1, 2 and 3, will move
to commence in Term 2 with less breaks and more continuous competition play. We hope you enjoy the
competition in 2016!
2016 Badge Competition
Common Terms
Format
4 players, each pair to play four sets of doubles, tiebreak at 5-5, regular deuce
Team composition
Minimum 5 players per team (all men OR all ladies) Max. 10 players registered
Wet weather
Wet weather back-up dates to be advised for all competitions
Entry deadline
Midnight – Sunday, 3 April 2016 (All Divisions)
Premier League Division
Start date
Saturday, 16 July 2016
Duration
10 rounds, plus Finals (No Semi-Finals or Grand Finals)
Time/Day
Saturdays, 12-2:45pm (OR) 2:50-5:35pm
Saturday Badge Divisions 1, 2 and 3
Start date
Saturday, 30 April 2016
Duration
14 rounds, plus Semi-Finals, Finals (No Grand Finals)
Time/Day
Saturdays, 12-2:45pm (OR) 2:50-5:35pm
Thursday Ladies Badge – All Divisions
Start date
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Duration
14 rounds, plus Semi-Finals, Finals (No Grand Finals)
Time/Day
Thursdays, 10 am until finish (or 10:30 am for grass courts)
Changes to the 2016 Sydney Badge Competition
Following a survey to 2015 Sydney Autumn Badge participants and then subsequent focus groups
representing a cross section of Badge grades (men’s and ladies), the following changes have been approved
by Tennis Sydney and Tennis NSW and will be made to the competition in 2016.
Changes to all grades – 2016 Autumn Badge
1. Competition Software - Move from XPoint to Tennis Australia League Manager to ensure best possible
admin support and integration with national ratings and systems in the future.
2. National Ratings - Adopt the national ratings to ensure equal standard of play and ease of grading
3. Completed matches – Matches will be scheduled an additional 15 minutes of playing time to enable
more matches to be completed ie: 12pm-2:45pm and 2:50pm-5:35pm. For all matches playing at a
venue with lights, these matches shall be allowed to use lights and continue past the regular cut-off
time in order to achieve a result. Matches held on natural grass or at clubs with no lights, start times
will be adjusted and advised on all draws at the commencement of the competition ie: 11:30am –
2:15pm and 2:20pm – 5:05pm.
4. Balls – Wilson tennis balls must be used for the competition and can be purchased at competitive
rates via Tennis NSW. Each court to be allocated 3 balls to speed up play.
5. Finals –Semi-Final & Final only to be played. Removal of the Grand Final in 2016 and going forward.
6. Team Composition - Teams be allowed to register up to 10 players on their team card – an increase
from the current 8 players.
7. There will be a full review of the Rules of Sydney Badge in the lead up to the 2016 competition.
Changes to Premier League – 2016 Autumn Badge
1. Length of season - Reduce the Premier League season to an 11 week competition – each team to play
each other twice, one week of finals
2. Teams - Reduce the number of teams in premier division to 6 teams, down from the current 8
3. Finals - All teams to feature in the finals week, in playoffs, at the one venue (i.e. 1v2, 3v4, 5v6)
4. Reserves - Remove any restriction on the strength of reserves throughout the entire length of the
Premier League season (Applicable for Premier League only)
How to Enter the 2016 Competition
Teams are required to enter on-line via the following link - http://goo.gl/forms/UK32xzm2HM
A separate team entry form must be filled out for all participating club teams.
Entries for all divisions, including Premier, close at midnight on Sunday, 3 April 2016.
Payment Methods
Team Entry fees will be unchanged. Early Bird entries lodged by 20 March 2016: $120 per team.
Entries Lodged after 20 March 2016 and by the closing date of 3 April 2016: $130 per team.
Note that entry fees paid after the closing date of 3 April 2016 will attract a $50 late fee.
Payment methods include – Cheque; Credit Card; or Direct deposit payment. Please advise your preferred
method of payment on the online entry form.
Questions
For any questions on 2016 Sydney Badge please contact Robert Howe, Tournaments & Competitions
Administrator at Tennis NSW on (02) 9024 7737 or [email protected].
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