The Solihull League was set up in 1972 and has been running now for 31 years. Although the number of participating clubs has varied over the years, the league continues to thrive and is still running The Battledore Cup which is a club knock-out, handicap tournament.
In 1985, because clubs wanted to play men's and ladies' doubles, but didn't have the court time, the League Committee organised a Sunday night men's and ladies' league. At that time, there were three men's divisions and two ladies' divisions and the competition was run at two different venues which was later reduced to one when fewer teams were entered.
A few years ago t
he League Committee introduced a new league on Sunday nights called the "Combined" league. The format of this league means that clubs only need two men and two ladies for a team, playing four mixed, a ladies' and a men's. This has proved very successful.The League Committee has spent a great deal of time promoting the League and, this season (2005/2006), the Committee is pleased to report that five new clubs have joined the League which now consists of two combined divisions, one ladies' division and three men's divisions. Also, existing clubs have put more teams in which has meant we now need two venues again for the Sunday night leagues.
As to the Battledore Cup Tournament, for the past two seasons, the Committee has run this on Sunday nights over the Season - at the League Venue - and is hoping that, this season with new clubs entered, there may be a few more clubs entering this tournament.
For the past few years, the League Committee has run a Junior Tournament which has been extremely successful and enjoyed by all the youngsters who entered. This tournament will be run again during the present season.