Minutes of the Bolton Tennis League Committee meeting held at 7pm on Wednesday 12th February 2025 at St Margaret’s Church, Lonsdale Road, Bolton.

Present: Messrs. Cashmore, Caswell, Maslivec, Pearson, Prince, Saunders, Ms L Cartwright, Ms K Caldwell, Ms S Francis, Ms J Holmes, Ms B Holmes & Ms Morley.

Apologies for absence: Messrs. Al-Chalabi, Nuttall, Taylor, Ms Perry & Mrs Browne.

The Chairman welcomed Ms B Holmes as Junior Match Secretary and Mr Cashmore and Mrs J Holmes to their first meeting as voted members.

Minutes of the last meeting: These had been circulated and were agreed.

Matters Arising: Clubs had rejected the Committee’s suggestion of better sponsorship from Head in favour of retaining Dunlop tennis balls.

General Secretary: A list was read out of those clubs that had not yet paid their guarantee fees.

League Set-Up:

Mens: Two options had been put forward. Option 1 was a straightforward 8 divisions two up and two down. Option 2 was having 7 full divisions resulting in further movement of teams. Option 2 was agreed as it had the benefit of giving all teams more tennis in the season and the no-match rule would never apply.

Mixed: Three options were put forward. Option 1 was agreed as the simplest with one minor adjustment.

Ladies: This would be a straightforward two up, two down.

Juniors: A provisional set-up was put forward but was subject to consultation with the team secretaries.

Calendar: A few alterations were made to the version that had been circulated.

Treasurer: Team fees are coming in and any that have not come in by mid Feb will be chased.

Winter League: The winter league is now halfway through the second half of the season. All is running smoothly. There was only one unfulfilled fixture before Christmas. The bubble at David Lloyd is not being used, it is kept in reserve in case needed, as Jonny Shacklady has been very helpful in accommodating all our matches indoors.

Tournament: There is a meeting scheduled for Monday.

Presentation Evening: This will be at the new venue, Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel, Manchester Road, Blackrod, Bolton BL6 5RU. If the name of a presenter comes to mind, please retain it for later.

Dunlop: The new Dunlop contract is in place we get 96doz balls (I have received this year’s) and £450.

LTA Network: Affiliated Clubs will get details of the grant scheme for 2025 before the end of February. The Tennis Lancs AGM is on the 2nd March at Hightown Tennis Club, Hightown, Liverpool.

AOB: Mr Cashmore outlined the improvements to the system he had made which makes the job of Match Secretaries easier in identifying rule breaches and also makes things easier for players. There will be a meeting on Monday 3rd March at Lostock when more details will be given to those who need it.

Date and Time of Next Meeting: Wednesday 12th March 2025 7.30pm. Lostock A are still in the cup so there is a 50% chance they may be drawn at home and that is only if they win the next round. It could be Lostock, otherwise St Margaret's Church. We won't know until nearer the time.

Footnote: If they win Lostock A are drawn away in the March round.