Spring 2023

Dear Ladies,

Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit and the Spring 2023 Session of the HKLTL’s 40th Anniversary season! I would just like to take this opportunity to briefly reflect on our progress over the last six months and to let you know the Committee’s plans for end of season team movements.

A return to business as usual!
I am delighted to report that social activities and fundraising have now resumed, kicking off with an incredible Christmas 2022 tournament at the American Club. A huge thanks to our Social Coordinator Ildi Fecser and her support team who did an incredible job. The HK$46,000 proceeds were donated to Angels For Children and went towards their annual Secret Santa gift drive for disadvantaged children. This is a wonderful cause for the HKLTL to support.

It has also been pleasing to see so many teams enjoying the social aspect of our league and post-match lunches continue to be strongly encouraged. We also have plans to resume the Captains Cocktail event, details of which will be sent out soon. Additionally, preparations are well in hand for a return to our fabulous end of season Annual Luncheon where we celebrate the women in our league and raise money for a worthwhile cause.

Maximizing our enjoyment of the on-court experience
At the start of the season, I discussed the importance of weekly league matches being a celebration of tennis where we all do our utmost to promote good sportsmanship, collegiality within our teams and fellowship with our competitors. Additionally, Captains were encouraged to ensure the sportsmanlike behaviour of their teammates and to bring calm and common-sense resolution to any incidents which arise.

Ladies, you must have taken this to heart as for the first time in my own recollection, the HKLTL has received absolutely no protests during the Fall 2022 Session! Whilst the avenue to protest is important and there for a reason, it has been pleasing to see that any incidents which may have arisen were handled without the need to escalate the issue to a formal protest.

Given the success of this initiative, I am pleased to once again attach the Guide to Managing and Avoiding Disputes for your reference.

Bringing fun and competitive league tennis to the maximum number of ladies in Hong Kong
As previously communicated, it is at the heart of the HKLTL core values to bring the opportunity to play league tennis to as many ladies as possible in Hong Kong, thereby swelling our numbers of teams and players. I am delighted to report that two new teams have contacted us to let us know they are keen to join us for the 2023/24 season. I am also pleased to report that a sub-committee has been formed to actively review how we can swell our ranks.

Additionally, the Committee appreciates that the HKLTL season is long compared to many tennis leagues and moving only one team up and down at the end of each season may not be enough to balance the grading of teams within divisions over time. A review of the Fall 2022 Session results shows there is strong competition at the top of all divisions and in an effort to keep the league fresh and competitive, the Committee will discuss the potential for additional promotions and demotions at the end of the season, where these are warranted. With this in mind, all teams are encouraged to play competitively right up until their last matches. I would be interested to hear Captains’ thoughts on this matter at the upcoming Captains Cocktails.

Finally, a huge thank you to the talented and tireless ladies of the HKLTL Committee for their commitment and time to assist as volunteers to run the league. Once again, you can be assured of my commitment to the continued smooth running of the HKLTL and to keep a watchful eye on the need for any improvements. Wishing you all a wonderful Spring 2023 Session!

Kind regards
Alison Whalley