About Miniten
Miniten is similar to tennis but played on a smaller court. The rules and scoring follow that of the traditional game.
Closely associated with the naturist movement it was devised in the 1930's as mini-tennis to be played at naturist clubs which often had insufficient land for full size tennis courts.
The bat or thug is rather like a wooden box around your hand. They can vary in size, shape and design but there are some basic rules to be followed when constructing one of your own. Standard size tennis balls are used.
The controlling body is the Amateur Miniten Association.
Playing areas
Miniten may be played and enjoyed on various types of surface, asphalt, concrete, paving slabs, even grass. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Probably the ideal is a professionally laid asphalt court which will play true, provide a good view of the ball, and not hold water.
Concrete is a suitable "Do it Yourself" medium if sufficient care is taken in the preparation of the site. A concrete court should be laid in sections, and only the amount of material which can be comfortably handled should be ordered at any one time. In certain conditions there may be a tendency to "lose" the ball on concrete.
A very slight crowning of the court would be sufficient to run off rain water, which in any case may be easily brushed away. Concrete paving slabs can also provide a perfectly satisfactory and serviceable surface providing they are laid absolutely true and level.
Adequate clearance should always be provided behind and between courts. The lines should be clearly marked and should be as near as possibly to one and a half inches wide (40mm).
The Amateur Miniten Association
In 1966 a group of enthusiasts in the south of England set out to formalise the rules of the game.
After much research and many meetings the aim was achieved and The Amateur Miniten Association of Great Britain was formally constituted as the controlling body with the declared objectives of fostering the game and in particular:
- to promote and encourage in every way the game of Miniten
- to interpret and administer the Rules and Regulations
- to act as the governing body for the sport
- to represent British Miniten interests Nationally and Internationally, especially in relation to any International Miniten organisation which may come to be set up.
The Association is served by honorary officers and administered by an Executive Committee consisting of the honorary officers, plus up to five other members elected annually.
Classes of membership are available for Clubs, Corporate Bodies and individuals.
Early beginnings
Miniten was devised in the 1930s by Mr R Douglas Ogden, a Manchester businessman with an interest in sporting activities, who drew up the original rules of the game. As the name implies it is related to Lawn Tennis but can be played in a comparatively small space.
The game can be enjoyed by the less proficient, as well as those to whom practice has brought greater skill. Miniten did not gain rapid national prominence but it was taken up over a period of time by various sporting and outdoor organisations, not all of which had copies of the original rules.
Consequently variations in methods evolved. Also the keener and more skilful players soon realised the limitations which the original rules imposed on the pace, and on the attacking aspects of the game. Variations therefore tended, in most cases, towards a lower net and longer service court areas.
Whilst facilitating a faster and infinitely more exciting game, this also meant for the beginner comparative ease in clearing the net and grounding the ball within the confines of the court.