3.03 GRIEVANCE APPEALS

3.03A General Procedures

3.03A(1)
Any party to the complaint may appeal the decision of the grievance committee to the grievance appeals committee within the time fixed by the grievance committee in its findings. Upon receipt of an appeal of the decision of the grievance committee, the grievance appeal committee shall act promptly to resolve the appeal.

3.03A(2) Play During Grievance Appeal Procedures

3.03A(2)a
If a player or team was suspended by the grievance committee decision, the individual or team may not play during the appeal process.

3.03A(2)b
If the grievance was denied and appealed by the petitioner, the individual may play during his/her appeal process but must understand that if the decision of the grievance committee is reversed, all matches played during that time may be defaulted.

3.03A(3)
The party appealing shall file written notice of appeal with the Chair of the appropriate grievance appeal committee and shall, at the same time, send a copy to the Chair of the grievance committee whose decision is being appealed, area, district, state or section USTA Jr.TeamTennis coordinator, and to the other party (or parties) involved in the complaint.

3.03A(4)
The parties appealing shall have an opportunity to submit in writing facts and arguments in support of their respective positions.

3.03B Grievance Appeal Committee’s Action

3.03B(1)
The grievance appeal committee shall not be required to hold any hearing except as provided in 3.03B(2). Its decision may be based entirely on the findings of fact by the grievance committee whose decision is being appealed and on the facts and arguments submitted in writing by the parties to the appeal.

3.03B(2)
If the grievance committee did not hold a hearing, the grievance appeal committee shall do so, provided any party involved in the complaint so requests in writing. However, the committee may hear such further evidence as it, in its absolute discretion, deems appropriate.

3.03B(3)
The grievance appeal committee shall have the power to affirm, modify, or reject the decision of the grievance committee. If the grievance committee has imposed a penalty, the grievance appeal committee may not impose a harsher penalty. Any player or team suspended for a period of 12 months or more may appeal the final decision of the grievance appeal committee to the national USTA Jr.TeamTennis Grievance Appeal Committee within the deadline established by the grievance appeal committee.

3.03B(4)
A copy of the grievance appeal committee’s written decision setting forth the basis of its decision shall be promptly sent to all interested parties and such decisions shall be final and binding.The following exception shall apply: Any player or team suspended for a period of 12 months or more may appeal the final decision of the grievance appeal committee to the national USTA Jr.TeamTennis Grievance Appeal Committee within the deadline established by the grievance appeal committee.The administration may not appeal the decision of the grievance appeal committee.

3.03B(5)
The decision of the grievance appeal committee shall be by majority vote.

3.03C National USTA Jr. Team Tennis Grievance Appeal Committee Action

3.03C(1)
The national USTA Jr.TeamTennis Grievance Appeal Committee shall hear appeals from players/teams who have been suspended for a period of 12 months or more by a local, area, district, state or section grievance appeal committee. Upon receipt of an appeal of the decision of the grievance appeal committee, the national grievance appeal committee shall act promptly to resolve the appeal.

3.03C(2)
The national USTA Jr.TeamTennis Grievance Appeal Committee shall have the power to conduct such investigation as they deem necessary and to affirm, modify or reject the decision of the local, area, district, state or section grievance appeal committee but may not impose any harsher penalties.

3.03C(3)
The national USTA Jr.TeamTennis Grievance Appeal Committee shall notify the affected player(s)/coach(es)/manager(s) and local, area, district, state or section grievance appeal committee in writing of its decision.