27 Oct Tennis Ireland Board Approves Calendar Year Change and Transition Calendar from 2017/18 Season
Following a period of consultation with key stakeholders, the Board of Tennis Ireland has approved a proposal from the Tennis Ireland Competition’s Committee to change the current Tennis Ireland Calendar from its current September 1st – August 31st season to a January 1st – December 31st calendar season from 2019.
This change will come into effect for all affiliates and competitions operating under the jurisdiction of Tennis Ireland.
In order to facilitate this new policy, the current 2017 / 18 Calendar which began on 1st September last will operate for a 16-month season that will end on 31st December 2018.
What is the purpose of this?
This change will align the Tennis Ireland Calendar with international norms including both the International Tennis Federation and Tennis Europe’s Calendar. The change will also align the Tennis Ireland calendar with the calendar year thereby simplifying the age eligibility rule.
What effect will this change have?
The main change resulting from this new policy is that all players will be able to play in their respective age group through to the end of December each year as opposed to moving to a new age group from September 1st. Players will still have the option to play up an age group if they so wish.
For Example; Brian plays tennis in Munster and is 11 years old. He will not turn 12 until 2nd December. In the current calendar, Brian will play his last 4 months of competitive tennis as an 11 year old in the u14 age group. Under the new rule Brian will be able to play u12 until the 31st December.
Will this change have an effect on ranking points?
Ranking points have a life span of one year regardless of when they begin so there will be no impact on the current ranking points rule.