14. a) No player shall assist a team in a lower division or another team in the same division to that in which he/she is originally registered, unless the transfer has been sanctioned by the Registration Secretary. A team is able to call upon a 'colleague' from another team in their club in the same division. to play for them once during the season but that player will not be eligible to play in the doubles match. This rule will only apply where a club has more than one team in 'their' bottom division

This rule was brought in a few years ago as an urgent measure to help the situation where one club had more than one team in their bottom division with limited players in each team squad and no ability to call on reserves. The league prefers to have the additional teams rather than force teams to merge and reduce the playing time for the players and the rule was intended to help them out.

The concern with this rule is that it would make it possible for a strong player to reinforce a weaker team in the same division and give them a sets advantage. This was partially addressed by not allowing the player to be in the doubles. Not all players appear to be aware of the doubles restriction.

The playing of reserves is difficult to monitor though TT Leagues does allow some additional capability for tracking use of reserves. The league does require clubs to abide by the reserve rule both within the wording of the rule and in the spirit of the rule. 

The rule was discussed at the Bristol Executive meeting on Monday. The league is not planning to change this rule but it will probably be raised for discussion at the rules meeting in February now that it has been in place for some years to see what people think of it.