RAF TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - MON 20 JUL TO SAT 25 JUL 09

The RAF Tennis Championships will be held at the RAF Tennis Centre, RAF Halton from Mon 20 Jul to Sat 25 Jul 09. The main points of note are included further down this page..

Additionally, specific information is available as follows:

Conditions of Entry are available here.

Championships Admin Arrangements / Timings are available here.

Open Singles Details are available here.

All completed Entry Forms are to be returned to the address at the top of the form by the entry date.

MAIN POINTS

Coaching

Since 2004 the RAFLTA made provision for Novice players (Men’s 1st Tableau and some Ladies) to receive free coaching during the RAF Championships; this initiative will be repeated in 2009. The coaching will be split into 90-minute sessions scheduled for Thu 23 and Fri 24 Jul. Players wishing to participate in these coaching sessions are to tick the appropriate box on the Entry Form.

Accommodation

As requested by RAF Halton ‘Home for Sport’, all accommodation bookings are to be made by Sports Secretaries only. Therefore, requests for accommodation must reach the Asst Hon Sec by Mon 6 Jul. Personnel must not book their own accommodation. Competitors being accommodated other than at RAF Halton will be advised of the arrangements before the Championships commence, but it is anticipated that all will be accommodated in the Home for Sport Block, in which case all meals will be taken in the JR Maitland (or Groves) Mess, regardless of rank. OICs are requested to ensure all players requiring accommodation are made aware of this point.

Closing Date

To allow sufficient time for the tournament draw, Entry Forms must be received by the Asst Hon Sec by Mon 6 Jul. All competitors are to note that the draw for the main events will take place on this closing date and entries received after that will be placed on a reserve list and only included if a vacancy arises.

Entry Fees

The appropriate entry fee must accompany all entries; a rule of 'no pay - no play' will be strictly enforced due to previous difficulties with late payment after the competition by some competitors. Payment is not to be brought on the day without prior agreement with Asst Hon Sec.

Entertainments

Various social activities will take place during the week, which will include a barbecue on the evening of Tue 21 Jul, and an event hosted by Halton Village Tennis Club on the evening of Thu 23 Jul. The traditional Cocktail party held to mark the end of the Competition is open to spouses and will also be followed by a disco late into the night of Final’s Day.

Travel

The rules governing duty status travel are covered under the terms of JSP 752 and the reference to be quoted is DSB(RAF)/299000/1/18/3 dated 19 Dec 08.

Timings

Finally, all players are to note that unless they are advised otherwise they will be expected to be available to play from 0930 hrs (Men) or 1000 hrs (Ladies Novices) on Mon 20 Jul 09. The following players will be advised of timings separately:

a. RAF players seeded into Tableaux 2 and 3.

b. Those not playing singles.

c. Ladies not playing in the Novices Singles event.

Therefore, unless informed otherwise, then please assume that you are required for play on Mon 20 Jul at 0930 hrs (Men) or 1000 hrs (Ladies Novices). Veterans players are expected to be available to play as detailed within the Championship Arrangements.

Publicity

In recent years the RAF Championships have attracted almost 80 competitors. In order to maintain these high numbers, Unit P Ed Staff and OICs Tennis are requested to give maximum publicity to the Championships and it is requested that particular effort is made to inform parented personnel off Unit; a suggested SRO is available on the OIC Resources Page here. Match and Command Secretaries are requested to distribute copies at forthcoming matches and at the Inter-Station Festival.