Rules and Regulations

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our new Club Rules of Play override some of the regular Rules and Regulations described below.

To be more specific, please disregard rules 3, 4, 5, 6, 8b, 9, 10, and 11. The equivalent updated statements are described in our new Club Rules of Play.

Revised October 24, 2013
Effective October 24, 2013
Proposed October 24, 2013

1. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

a) Senior Member: 18 years of age or over as of January 1st of the current B.V.T.C. tennis season.
b) Intermediate Member: 16 or 17 years of age but not 18 years of age as of January 1st of the current B.V.T.C. tennis season.
c) Junior Member: 4 years of age but under 16 years of age as of January 1st of the current B.V.T.C. tennis season.

2. DRESS CODE RULE

a) Proper tennis attire, including shoes must be worn on the courts at all times.
b) Non-tennis related printing in bold print is not allowed.
c) No shoes with sole protrusions (ribs), cleats or heals may be worn.
d) Members are responsible for ensuring that their guests conform with these regulations.
e) The managers represent the EXECUTIVE in the interpretation and enforcement of the rules.
f) Complaints regarding interpretation of the rules must be directed in writing to the EXECUTIVE of the Bayview Village Tennis Club

3. MEMBER IDENTIFICATION

Member identification will be issued to each member. Member identification must be presented to the attendant on duty. Members not displaying their membership identification may not book a court to play (except as a guest or during public hours). Should a member lose his/her membership identification, a replacement will be available for a fee. Requests for replacement membership identification must be made in writing to the Membership Director.

4. HOURS OF PLAY

a) Public Hours: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sundays
b) Junior Priority Hours: i. 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday ii. 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 4.00 p.m. on Saturday
c) Senior Priority Hours: i. 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. ii. 8.00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(noon) Saturdays . iii. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(noon). Sundays
d) Equal Priority Hours: i. 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 4.00 p.m. on Sundays ii. All statutory holidays and all other times not listed above
e) Prime Time Hours: i. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. weeknights. ii. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Saturdays and Sunday.
f) Exceptions: At the discretion of the Executive, the priority hours listed above may be changed for special events.

5. INTERMEDIATE PLAYING PRIVILEGES

An intermediate member has the same booking priority and booking privileges as a senior member (i.e. does not have priority during junior priority hours) but will not be allowed to play in senior events such as house leagues, round robins & tournaments (Open Tournament excluded).

6. COURT USAGE AND BOOKINGS

a) Manager: During the hours that the Clubhouse is open and the manager is present, all bookings will be made via use of the “Pegboard” system, overseen by the manager. During Public Court hours, the chalkboard outside the Clubhouse will be used for the booking of courts.
b) Playing Period: Only forty-minute periods may be booked at a time. Courts 4, 5 and 6 will be booked for the time period beginning twenty minutes after the start of the period for courts 1, 2 and 3. Players currently on court may not reserve a court for the next immediate playing period. At the end of their current playing period, players may book a court for the next available playing time period.
c) Booking Procedures: Each playing member is responsible for the placement of his/her tag (and of their guest(s) when applicable) on the Pegboard. Once a court is booked, players must remain on the premises to await their reserved time period.
d) Rotation: The manager will normally book the courts on a rotational basis; that is, the first court booked will be court 1, then 2, etc. If court 3 is not booked at this time, the next playing period will commence with court 3 being booked first, then court 1, etc. Courts 4, 5 and 6 will be booked on the same rotational basis.
e) Balls in Play & Hoppers: No more than 3 balls in play per court. No hoppers permitted on the Courts. The exception to this is the for the Tennis Instructional staff who may have more than 3 balls in play & may use hoppers.
f) Priorities: Players coming off a court may not remove by booking, players who commenced play at the same time that they did. For example, if court 1, 2 and 3 are booked at 4:00 and at 4:40 only court 1 and 2 are booked, players coming off courts 1 and 2 must wait for the next playing period. Players on court 3 may continue to play until 5:20.
g) Court Changes: All players must leave the court immediately upon being replaced by players booked for the next playing period.
h) Night Play: The lights will be turned off at 11:00 p.m. Therefore, the last booking will be 10:00 to 10:40 p.m. on courts 1, 2 and 3 and 10:20 to 11:00 p.m. on courts 4, 5 and 6.
j) Guests: Members may introduce guests to Bayview Village Tennis Club, as long as these guests are not former members who have had their memberships suspended or terminated. A non-member may play as a guest a maximum of three times during the tennis season. All guests must sign the guest book and pay the daily fee to the manager prior to play. In the absence of the manager, sponsors of guests are to collect the fee and pass it to the manager at their earliest convenience, along with the guest's name. During court play, guests must be accompanied by their sponsoring member. Non-members may play without fee during public hours.
k) Miscellaneous:

i. A player who has properly booked a court for a full playing period may take advantage of a vacant court or the invitation to join a match in progress prior to using his/her booked court provided that this additional time does not exceed twenty minutes. Otherwise, it will be regarded as a booking for that playing period and his/her booking for the full playing period shall be forfeited and available for booking by others.
ii. Juniors may not book courts in advance during senior priority times nor may seniors book in advance during junior priority times. Any court which is not booked five minutes after court change may be booked by juniors or seniors. Seniors or intermediates may not invite a junior to play during senior priority hours unless there are no other seniors or intermediates waiting to play. Similarly, juniors may not invite seniors or intermediates to play during junior priority times unless there are no juniors waiting to play.
iii. No pets allowed in our club.

7. ETIQUETTE

All members are requested to act in an acceptable manner at all times on Club premises. Members must refrain from making loud noises which may disturb other members or neighbouring residents. Players who do not comply will be asked to leave the premises and will be reported to the Executive for disciplinary action. All complaints regarding misconduct must be submitted in writing to the Executive and signed by a member, teaching professional or manager.

8. COURTS AND COURT MAINTENANCE

a) It is the responsibility of each member to share in the upkeep and maintenance of the courts. It is essential that the playing surface be kept clean, dry and free from dust, dirt and other debris which could cause damage to the court surface. Accordingly, the manager or a member of the Executive may declare the surface unplayable until a specific situation is rectified. The nets will be lowered until the courts are playable. Members wishing to play must rectify the situation prior to using the court.
b) When courts are wet, players arriving to play must first dry a court making it suitable for play. This rule will remain in force until all courts have been dried. Players will not be allowed to play on wet courts. Players who have dried a court and are playing on that court may not be replaced by other players if there are still courts which have not been dried.

9. PRACTICE COURTS

a) Empty courts may be used for individual practice and members must book these courts in the usual manner. If other players arrive prior to the end of the playing period, the practising player must invite the waiting player(s) to make up a game, or vacate the court. If the time remaining exceeds 20 minutes, those players who wish to join the practising player or wish to take over the court must book for that playing period. Any other bookings that they may already have will be cancelled. Such bookings may not be made during prime times.
b) The enclosed practice court is for members and guests only and must be booked in the usual manner. Practice time is limited to 15 minutes.

10. TOURNAMENT AND LEAGUE PLAY

Occasional tournaments or scheduled league play may necessitate the use of five courts.

11. CLUBHOUSE

a) Helping maintain a clean, orderly Clubhouse is the responsibility of each member. Accordingly, litter should be disposed of and furniture arranged in the customary manner.
b) Any group using the kitchen facilities or equipment is responsible for cleaning up afterwards.
c) When visiting teams are being entertained in the Clubhouse, as a gesture of courtesy, other groups should socialize outside.
d) Neither active play, including ball play, nor excessive noise is permitted in the Clubhouse.
e) Players should remove all belongings from the Clubhouse by 10:45 p.m. as the Clubhouse will be locked overnight.

Revised March 1, 2023

1. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

  1. Adult members are over 18 years old as of January 1st of the current BVTC tennis season.
  2. Junior members are 18 or under as of January 1st of the current BVTC tennis season.

2. DRESS CODE

  1. Proper and appropriate tennis attire must be worn at BVTC all the time. Shirts must be worn on the tennis courts, in the clubhouse, and on tennis club property; no exceptions.
  2. Only non-marking shoes are allowed on the tennis courts.
  3. For the protection of players and the court surface, shoes with sole protrusions (ribs), cleats, heals, jogging, and running shoes are not permitted on the tennis courts.
  4. Casual shoes and sandals are not permitted on the courts.

3. MEMBERSHIP IDENTIFICATION

  1. Only paid-up members are allowed on the tennis courts. Executive directors/attendants on duty may ask for player identification to ensure membership compliance.
  2. Guests are not allowed on tennis courts or BVTC property.

4. HOURS OF PLAY

  1. As per the city of Toronto permit, the tennis club opens at 8 am and closes at 11 pm. Anyone playing prior to 8 am is in violation of the city of Toronto permit and will be in violation of membership status.
  2. Public Hours: will be posted on the front gate.

5. COURT BOOKING

  1. The club uses an online booking system.
  2. Members are required to book courts and to ensure that the names on their bookings match the players on the court.
  3. Singles and doubles play have the same priority.
  4. A booked court is held for 15 minutes. If the members do not arrive on the court within 15 minutes of their court start time, the booking is forfeited, and the court becomes available to other players.
  5. Members who do not show up to play on courts they booked will be recorded as “no-shows." Multiple no-shows may result in the temporary suspension of the booking and therefore playing privileges.
  6. The club attendant on duty will ensure that members abide by court bookings and rotation rules.
  7. Members may book 7 days in advance beginning @ 7:30 am.
  8. Members are allowed to book up to 2hrs at any given time.

6. COURTS

  1. For safety and insurance reasons, only three balls are permitted on a court, except for lessons conducted by the club professionals.
  2. Members are asked not to walk behind players while a game is in progress. To retrieve a ball from another court, wait until the players have completed the point and ask them to return your ball.
  3. To return a ball to another court, wait for a break in play or roll it to the back of their court along the fence. NEVER roll a ball onto a court while play is in progress.
  4. The ringing of cell phones during play is annoying and distracting. Cell phones on the court should be turned off.
  5. Players may play only on dry courts. In the case of inclement weather, players must exit the courts when directed to do so by the Club Staff.

7. CLUB PROPERTY/CLUBHOUSE

  1. The tennis club or the City of Toronto does not provide full-time maintenance staff.
  2. BVTC attendants continuously monitor court usage while providing essential housekeeping duties and maintenance.
  3. Members are asked for their cooperation in helping to keep courts safe from vandalism and unauthorized use of courts.
  4. When leaving, members are asked to remove any garbage, food, drinks, clothes, towels, cans, or balls from the courts to ensure a safe and clean environment.

8. ETIQUETTE

  1. The highest level of sportsmanship, courtesy, and fair play is expected at BVTC. Aggressive or intimidating behaviour toward other members, executive directors, or attendants will not be tolerated and will be a violation of club membership.
  2. Abusive language is strictly prohibited at BVTC. Members who participate in organized games, e.g., round robins and tournaments, do so by choice and are therefore expected to play with and be respectful to all players.
  3. Smoking/vaping is not permitted on club property or surrounding grounds. Smokers are asked to show consideration by smoking away from the entrance to the club.
  4. Food is not permitted on the courts, but beverages in spill-proof, non-glass containers are permitted.
  5. The City of Toronto Parks and Recreation prohibits alcohol consumption on tennis club property.
  6. Non-tennis activities, including but not limited to the following, are not permitted on the courts: skateboards, scooters, roller blades, balls other than tennis & pickle balls.
  7. Animals and pets are not permitted on BVTC property, including the clubhouse or the courts.

9. TENNIS LESSONS

  1. For insurance reasons and tennis club policy, only members of the club are eligible to receive lessons. Individuals must be fully paid members prior to receiving tennis lessons.
  2. Only the club tennis pro, his/her assistants, or instructors approved by the executives are authorized to conduct tennis lessons at BVTC.
  3. Court 6 is used for members' lessons and clinics and must be released if asked by the tennis pro or his/her staff.

10. PROGRAMS

HOUSE LEAGUE

  1. All good-standing adult members may participate in the house league and play matches.
  2. Members who choose to sign up for the house league are expected to play as assigned by team captains.
  3. Failure to do so constitutes a breach of courtesy and can result in revoking house league privileges.
  4. All members must follow House League Rules.

INTERCOUNTY TEAMS

  1. All adult members in good standing may try out for a spot on an intercounty team by contacting the intercounty captains.
  2. Only members in good standing can play intercounty matches.

TOURNAMENTS

  1. Only adult members in good standing are eligible to participate in tournaments.

SOCIAL ROUND ROBINS

  1. Only adult members in good standing are eligible to participate in Club Round Robins.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

  1. All complaints are to be put in writing and sent to askbvtc@gmail.com.
  2. BVTC will respond to the complaint within 21 days by initially contacting the complainant.
  3. If the discussion with the complainant resolves the matter, the file is to be closed, but the record is kept.
  4. If the matter warrants more than closing the file, a written warning, or a playing privilege suspension of up to one week, BVTC is to call a hearing if necessary.
  5. The Executive Board will make its decision within 7 days of the hearing.
  6. The decision will be in writing. The decision is final. There is no appeal.
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