CODE OF CONDUCT 

The Purpose of the Code

We are committed to protecting the integrity of tennis and ensuring that we provide a safe, healthy, and positive environment to all members of our MEMRLTA community.

All MEMRLTA participants are bound by the Code of Conduct.

Expected Behaviours 

It is expected that participants at all times will:

• Act with honesty, integrity and respect the worth of others, and always maintain high personal behaviour standards.
• Compete to the best of their ability and use their best efforts during a match. 
• Be a good sport. Respect all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
• Treat all participants as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
• Respect the rights and dignity of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Read, understand and comply with all of tennis’ standards, rules, regulations and policies and by-laws as amended from time to time. If you have queries, please ask for clarification. 

Standard Code Violations

Standard code violations include but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse. Defined as the unauthorised touching of a player, spectator or other person.
• Verbal abuse. Defined as a statement about a person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting, racially or otherwise abusive.
• Audible obscenity. Defined as the use of words commonly known and understood to be profane and uttered clearly and loudly enough to be heard by other players or spectators.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct. Defined as any misconduct by a player, prior to, during or subsequent to a match that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport. This includes blatant cheating or any other violation that does not specifically fall within other violation categories.
• Visible obscenity. Defined as the making of signs by a player with their hands, body and/or racquet/balls that commonly have an obscene meaning.
• Abuse of racquet / equipment / balls. Defined as when a player violently or with anger, hits, kicks or throws a racquet or other equipment; or dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball within the precinct except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up).

Grievance Procedure

All grievances must be in writing to the MEMRLTA Secretary ( ), via the Club Contact, clearly stating the date, time and nature of the alleged breach of this Code.

MEMRLTA will notify the Club Contact of the club of which the alleged offending participant is a member that a grievance has been lodged.

The grievance will be considered within a reasonable timeframe by the Committee who will investigate the claim using whatever methods are deemed appropriate.

The Committee will decide what penalty will be imposed, if any. Should the participant be found to have committed a breach, the Committee will impose a penalty consistent with the severity and circumstances (for example, multiple infringements) which may result in a suspension or ban from MEMRLTA activities. 

If deemed appropriate at any stage during the process, MEMRLTA will notify the President of the club of which the offending participant is a member.

The decision of the Committee is final.