REQUIREMENTS FOR SKILL LEVEL ADVANCEMENT
IN NORTH CAROLINA

The criteria to determine when someone must advance a skill level in Singles Play in NC are as follows:

1- The player wins 2 tournaments in a 12 month period with 8 or more in the division. (The 12 month period is from State Singles to State Singles)
OR
2- The player wins a State Championship with 8 or more in the division.

In the case of #1 above, after winning the second tournament, the next tournament entered must be at the next higher skill level. But the player may enter the State Championships following their second win at the lower level to try and win a Championship in that division. They may also enter the Regional, National, or US Open tournaments at the lower division following their second win. But regardless of the outcome at any of the State or National tournaments they must continue to play the next higher division in NC after the State Championships.

In the case of #2 above, they must play the next higher division in NC following their win. That same year they may play Regional, National, or US Open at the lower division.

After one year in the higher division, the player may petition the NCRA Board to return to their previous skill level if they have not advanced in the higher level. This petition should be in the form of a written request mailed or emailed to the President of the NCRA. The request will be considered by the full Board and a written answer will be returned within 2 weeks. 

The criteria to determine when someone must advance a skill level in Doubles Play in NC are as follows:

The same as the criteria for Singles Play with the following exception:

In Mixed Doubles Play the woman of the team must win 3 tournaments at the same level with 8 or more in the division to be required to advance.

(The 12 month period for doubles is from State Doubles to State Doubles. This advancement criteria will not take effect until State Doubles 2008)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REQUIREMENT APPLIES TO INDIVIDUALS OF A TEAM. IF YOU WIN TWO TOURNAMENTS WITH DIFFERENT PARTNERS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ADVANCE.

NOTE: IN REGARDS TO DOUBLES THE "8 OR MORE" REFERS TO 8 OR MORE TEAMS.

Singles and Doubles Divisions

Your single's division dictates which doubles division that you can play.  For example 1: Player 1 and Player 2 are “B” Players, then they must play B Doubles or higher.   Example 2: Player 1 is playing Men's B Singles and Player 2 is playing Men's A Singles.  The Doubles Division they can play would be Men's A Doubles or higher.  Players must play the highest skill level of the two team members.

If you are playing Mixed Doubles and your female partner is an Open player, then you must play in Mixed Open Doubles division.  Players must play the highest skill level of the two team members.

For women playing in a Men's Division (whether doubles or singles), she can play one skill level below her Female skill level.  For example, if the woman player is an "A" player and plays in Women’s A division; then she can play in Men's B division.

If a player chooses to move themselves up for Singles play for a specific tournament, then their doubles play for that same tournament must match their singles play or higher.

Females cannot compete in any Men's divisions at the North Carolina State Singles or/and State Doubles Championships.