THIS year a total of 29 clubs will field 62 men's teams in eight divisions, 45 mixed teams in six divisions and 23 junior teams in three divisions.

The BSF committee have to plan a busy season and every week will see a total of 63 matches spread across 14 weeks plus two weeks set aside for the handicap KO competitions and one for the BSF Tournament starting Friday July 13.

In structuring the league divisions this year the welcome expansion of teams and clubs has meant that the committee could not operate the usual policy of promoting and relegating the top and bottom teams from the final places in the year 2000 leagues in all instances.

The dynamics of increasing the number of teams in each League will mean that a few runners-up will miss out on promotion to a higher division.

Men's League changes are that Eagley are running with two teams this year having pulled out their 'C' team but Chorley have re-joined the League and are in Division 7.

Chorley have undergone something of a renaissance with £120,000 investment in new courts, floodlights and clubhouse and with lots of playing members it was deemed wise to seed them in Division Seven.

This year the Men's handicap KO rounds start on May 28 and, whilst entry is voluntary a very high percentage of the teams are participating.

Mixed Leagues are delighted to welcome two new 'B' teams from Bolton School and Leigh and this allows three full divisions of eight teams with an open fixture only in the lower three divisions. Once again the ever-popular Cecil Cup handicap competition is well supported and teams will play their first round on the fifth week of the season on May 22.

After years of sterling service Andy Taylor has retired as Mixed League match secretary and Duncan Kyle who plays for and organises the Bolton Schools teams has taken over.

The Junior League has shown significant expansion with new 'B' teams being fielded from Ellesmere, Holcombe Brook and Tyldesley and Leigh a third team. After the divisions had been set a fifth new team from David Lloyd (Bolton) entered the lists and, as there was an open fixture in Division 2 they could be accommodated.

It was a disappointment to the committee that Walmer have decided to withdraw their 'B' team and it is hoped that this fine club will be able to see their way back into the League next season with two teams.

A new KO competition has been introduced on a similar format to the Mixed Leagues Cecil Cup but because of the fixture congestion four out of the five rounds will have to play on Friday evenings.

Junior tennis will be the biggest beneficiaries of the new Bolton Arena. The LTA involvement is to focus on all the local clubs in general but those with junior activity will be the main centre of attention under a new joint schools and clubs initiative.

The B. S. F. organisation also has a part to play in this and Miss Anne Lindsay has joined the tennis committee to co-ordinate their part in this under the heading of the Junior Development Section.