2024 Leagues: LTA – Tennis for Britain – Yorkshire Doubles League 2024 – Organization

Yorkshire Doubles League 2023 Report

I would like to thank all the clubs and the players that took part in the 2023 competition which saw a very good turnout from clubs throughout Yorkshire, with 15 men’s and 18 ladies’ teams competing across two divisions. In addition, I would like to extend my thanks to Christine Randall-Klee, the LTA Competition Development Partner, who provided invaluable support throughout the season. Thank you, too, to our sponsor, Babolat, who for a second year has kindly sponsored the Yorkshire Doubles League.

At the start of the season, it was decided that the ladies’ teams would be reduced to four players in light of the fact that a number of clubs have dropped out over the past few years or had to concede matches due to difficulties in organising six players for a match. In addition, several ladies’ captains suggested that it might be easier to reduce player numbers to four in the ladies’ teams going forward. However, this decision was revoked just before the season started, as a number of captains in the first division expressed a wish to continue with six players – a vote was taken via email with the overwhelming majority preferring six players. It was decided to leave the ladies’ second division with four players per team. Participating clubs continued with four players in the men’s teams, which has continued to work well.

Some of the feedback related to this year’s league does indicate that the ladies’ captains would like another vote on the number of players to be included in both the first and second divisions, before we commence with the 2024 league; as such, I will be asking every captain for their vote before the draw takes place in March 2024.
In respect of players, I would ask that the captains ensure that they obtain a BTM number for each player, as this will reduce the number of ‘unknowns’ noted in the league table. Additionally, and most importantly, only bonafide members of a club should be playing in the league matches!

I would like to extend my thanks to all the captains who have been really great at uploading results and arranging or rearranging matches, when necessary, thereby ensuring that the league ran smoothly – a real improvement on last year!

As I noted in my report last year, in respect of match teas, there still seems to be a disparity between clubs, with some offering sandwiches, teas & coffees and others just offering a biscuit. Please bear in mind that the visiting team may have travelled some distance, so really at a minimum, sandwiches and or cakes should be offered with teas & coffee.

Congratulations to the winning clubs and runners-up detailed in the table below:

Event	Winner	Runner-up	Relegated
Men’s Div 1	David Lloyd York 1	Yorkshire Tennis Club 1	Mexborough 1 and David Lloyd York 2
Men’s Div 2	Ecclesall (Promoted)	Rotherham Moorgate (Promoted)
Women’s Div 1	Huddersfield A	Roundhay  1	Rawdon 2 and Batley ITI
Women’s Div 2	Wheatley Hills (Promoted)	Rastrick (Promoted)

Thank you very much to all those of you that have sent through feedback – your comments are really helpful. As mentioned in previous reports, the Competitions Committee continues to discuss ways to improve the Yorkshire Doubles League with the aim of making it an attractive competition for clubs and players alike; as such, we are always happy to receive your comments.

For further information or to submit an entry, please contact me via mobile (07976 358264) or email heidi.wragg@me.com

Kind regards

Heidi Wragg
Yorkshire Tennis League Organiser (Volunteer)

2019: http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/league?id=1B8B689F-CE04-4C30-9BBA-D034E817BE86

2018: http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/events.aspx?id=35A855EC-4957-4F1A-80A2-F10CBC539885

2017: http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/events.aspx?id=A902262E-BF01-4EBF-AF99-0F85978E1904

2016: http://lta.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/events.aspx?id=575D29FB-53D0-4E83-BA57-53EF7B69B693