1. New Players

New players who do not have a recognised UTR rating, or who do not clearly fit within a CHH division, must complete a CHH Player Grading & Suitability Assessment before registering for events.

CHH reviews players to ensure they meet both:

• Competitive standards (appropriate level for the division), and

• Community standards (sportsmanship, reliability, and respect for opponents).

Canberra Heavy Hitters is designed for existing competitive tennis players and is not intended as a first competitive league.

2. Current Players

Current CHH players who believe they are ready to move up a division may request a grading review based on:

• Recent match results

• Performance trends

• Demonstrated competitiveness within their current division

All grading changes are assessed relative to the wider playing group, not individual results in isolation.

3. Grading Decisions

Since 2023, CHH has not operated on the Universal Tennis platform. However, UTR and historical results are still used as reference points when organising divisions.

Final grading decisions are guided by the CHH Mission, with a focus on:

• Creating balanced, competitive divisions

• Supporting player development

• Maintaining fair and enjoyable match play for all participants

Special consideration is given to unusual or unorthodox playing styles that may inflate a rating but do not consistently translate to fair or competitive match outcomes within the CHH environment.

4. Junior Players

CHH carefully manages the participation of Junior players in Open Age (adult) divisions to ensure safety, fairness, and appropriate competitive exposure.

Junior players are integrated into age-capped divisions as follows:

• Division 1: 14 years and older

• Division 2: 13 years and older

• Division 3: 12 years and older

Where required, under-age players may be asked to complete a grading match to assess their suitability for higher divisions or open-age competition.

This process helps ensure:

• A fair competitive experience for all players

• Compliance with Tennis Australia Safeguarding Children Guidelines

Further information is available on the Juniors Policy page.

5. Conditional Approvals & Exemptions

All grading approvals or exemptions are conditional and apply to one league only, unless otherwise stated.

Ongoing participation is reviewed based on:

• Match competitiveness

• Conduct and reliability

• Alignment with CHH standards and mission

Further details can be found on the Division Exemptions webpage.

6. Grading Practice Matches

In cases where a player’s appropriate division remains unclear, CHH may organise a grading practice match at its discretion.

Grading matches are used to:

• Clarify playing level

• Assist with accurate division placement

• Protect competitive balance across divisions

To enquire about a grading match, please contact CHH:
📞 0474 228 745
📧 canberra@heavyhitters.com.au