Tennis Team
Frequently Asked Questions
March 20, 2009

What is the difference between tennis lessons and the tennis A and B teams?
1. Tennis lessons are held 2 times per week for members who sign up for them. These are typically Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday at a time specified for your child’s age bracket. Members may check the tennis section of the Russell Mill web site for additional information.
2. Parents are encouraged to register their children for either Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday only. Then after the class sizes by age group are filled in, members may register for additional open lessons.
3. RMSTC has a boys and girls A tennis team. The A Tennis Teams have practice 2 times a week. As an example, during the 2008 season, boys practice was held at 2 pm on Mondays & Wednesday and girls practice was held at 3 pm on Mondays & Wednesdays. Please check the schedule to determine the correct day and time.
4. The B Tennis Team consists of both boys and girls. They practice once a week. During the 2008 summer season the B team practice was held at 10:30 on Fridays. B team matches are held Friday afternoons, starting the second week in July. Matches alternate between RMSTC and at Chelmsford Swim and Tennis. Please check the schedule to determine the correct day and time.
5. The B Team matches are typically set up as a round robin with team members playing in a guided match.
6. Typically tennis players become more skilled by participating on either the A or B Tennis Teams as they have more opportunity to practice and become competitive. The tennis team also provides the child with a sense of team spirit and commitment.

What are the commitments and expectations associated with being a tennis team member?
1. Review Tennis Code of Conduct and Expectations (also located in the RMSTC Handbook)
2. Practices are twice a week for A team members and once a week for B team members.
3. There are approximately eight home or away tennis matches that members are expected to participate in. Local transportation to away match is required. 
4. RMSTC understands that summer time is family time. Participation in the team does not in any way preclude a family from being away and missing a match or practice(s). The coaches require however that notice is provided to them when a team member will not be at practice or a match.

What are the commitments associated with being a tennis team parent?
1. Review Tennis Code of Conduct and Expectations (also located in the RMSTC Handbook)
2. Attend team member & parent meetings when appropriate.
3. Ensure children are at practices and matches, ready to play. Travel to away match is required.
4. Volunteerism helps the team succeed. Parents are encouraged to assist during a minimum of 2 matches per season. Sign up to help! It is a fun way to meet people.

What is the difference in the A and B tennis teams? 
1. The A team is a more competitive atmosphere. Team lineups are determined by ability. More advance match play strategies are addressed. The A team has a tennis ladder with the top 7 seated positions typically playing in the A team tennis matches. Depending on the member’s seat, members of the A team can also play on the B team.
2. The B Team is geared toward players with little or no competitive experience. Basic match play skills are addressed. 

How does the tennis ladder work? 
1. Players are initially placed on the ladder by the tennis staff based upon their ability. After being placed on the ladder, players may challenge other players with higher rankings. 
2. Players that win their challenge matches move up the ladder.

Are there tennis team tryouts?
1. The A team members have tryouts.
2. Tennis tryouts are typically held toward the end of June for players that wish to join either the boys or girls A Team.
3. Check the online calendar for specific dates.
4. All members are welcome to join the B team, without trying out.

How do the A team members get to the away matches?
1. Designated parents drive the children to the A team tennis matches. Many groups of children travel together.
2. There is a sign up sheet on the tennis bulletin board for parents to volunteer to drive the A team to the matches.
3. Please sign up and volunteer. Remember, driving is a roundtrip commitment!

How do the B team members get to the away matches?
1. The B team plays alternating home and away matches against Chelmsford Swim & Tennis Club. 
2. Parents are required to provide rides to and from the away matches for their B Team players.
3. Carpooling is encouraged.

What if I cannot drive my child to a match?
1. RMSTC parents provide transportation for the boys and girls A tennis team members to away matches. 
2. Parents are encouraged to volunteer when available to help. 
3. Members of the B team are not required to attend away matches if they do not have transportation.

How long are the matches?
1. The tennis matches typically starts around 1:00 pm and end around 3:30 pm.
2. The A Team Tennis matches are approximately 2 – 3 hours long.
3. The B Team Tennis matches are approximately 2 hours long.

What equipment is required?
1. Members are required to have their own tennis equipment and athletic shoes. Members are expected to be attired in their RMSTC team apparel for matches.
2. Team tennis apparel will be available for purchase directly through the RMSTC web site at designated times of the year. Emails are sent to members letting them know when apparel maybe ordered.
3. Orders must be picked up at EmbroidMe, Chelmsford, MA.

Why does it matter if my child does no show up for a match when she/he says she/he will?
1. The RMSTC coaches and volunteers spend considerable time putting together the tennis match schedules. 
2. If your child does not attend the match and does not inform the coach that he/she will not be there he/she is taking away an opportunity for another child to play and potentially impact the competitiveness of the team.
3. The RMSTC tennis teams are designed to be competitive. Team line ups are based upon the team’s ability to win. Coaches need to know who is going to be at the matches in order to design an appropriate and competitive lineup.

How can parents help/volunteer?
1. The RMSTC A and B Tennis teams typically have 8 – 14 boys and girls’ tennis matches at home and away.
2. Parents are required to volunteer 2 times per year at tennis matches.
3. The Tennis Team members typically need assistance in driving to and from away matches and in providing the hospitality at home matches.
4. Hospitality includes snacks and drinks for team members and their competitors.

Is there a Banquet? Where? When?
1. RMSTC typically hosts a Team Banquet for the Swim-Dive and Tennis Teams the 2nd Sunday in August at RMSTC. It is a lot of fun and team members and their families are encouraged to attend.
2. Awards, trophies and recognition for the team members are provided.
3. There is also music, food and refreshments.