Rules

League Constitution

STUDLEY & REDDITCH INVITATION POOL LEAGUE

Rules as amended at the A.G.M. on 11^th April 2011

CONSTITUTION

1. The name of the organisation is ‘STUDLEY and REDDITCH INVITATION POOL LEAGUE’ hereafter called ‘The League’. The League is formed for the purpose of promoting the game of pool in the Studley and Redditch district. To organise match plays on a winter and summer basis, to organise individual and team knockouts, to negotiate sponsorship for ‘The League’ and the individual, to standardise playing rules. The basis for playing and organising of pool in ‘The League’ is a fundamental requisite of fair play and a good sporting manner.


GENERAL RULES

2. ‘The League’ will consist of teams invited to play in the League and which will be subject to change from season to season.

3. ‘The League’ reserves the right to refuse membership to any team or individual for any reason they deem to be injurious or harmful to ‘The League’.

4. ‘The League’ shall place any team in the appropriate division that the Committee feel is the correct division corresponding to the players that are signed on for that team (i.e. change of team name or venue).

5. A team once registered in the winter or summer league of ‘The League’ will be automatically registered for subsequent seasons, providing that (a) the team is not banned by ‘The League’ or (b) the team is not disbanded of that teams own volition. Payment of ‘playing dues’, prior to commencement of a winter or summer season, will confirm registration. A new team may be accepted for registration, by a vote taken by registered teams, at the conclusion of an A.G.M. the Committee shall be empowered to admit additional teams provided that vacancies exist in the League and that new teams meet with all necessary criteria other than election at the A.G.M.

6. Registered teams are allowed ONE vote per team at ANY League meeting, on any subject. Only registered teams may vote.

7. ‘The League’ shall elect a Committee to manage all business appertaining to ‘The League’.

8. Committee members will be elected at an A.G.M., each participating team allowed ONE vote. The Committee will consist of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and a Divisional Representative from each division. Their individual duties and responsibilities are as defined in the ‘Committee Policy Document’, copies of which must accompany each rulebook.

9. All officers hold office for a period of 12 months. All retiring officers will be eligible to stand for re-election.

10. The Committee shall have the authority to make any decision that, in their opinion, is deemed necessary or beneficial to ‘The League’ membership, providing that their decision will not contravene the minutes of the A.G.M.

11. An A.G.M. will be held by ‘The League’, when any member can charge the Committee to give full account of any action taken by the Committee. All voting will be on the basis of ONE vote per team. Any member wishing to add any item(s) to the agenda must provide the Secretary with full details at least 14 days before any General Meeting. Any alterations to the Constitution or various rulings can only be made by a majority vote in favour at a General Meeting. Playing rules may only be changed at an A.G.M. 28 days notice is required to call a General Meeting.

12. If necessary, any proposal / amendments may be re-written in a concise way, with full use of the Queens English, providing that it is faithful to the aims of the proposer. A final draft will be presented to the proposer for their approval.

13. Any member of the Committee may call a Committee meeting, after giving at least 48 hours notice. A meeting may only be held if all Committee members receive the required notice, together with the reason(s) for the meeting. A quorum will consist of any 3 of the 5 principal officers. In the event of a Committee meeting voting tie, the Chairman may cast the deciding vote.

14. All paperwork submitted by ‘The League’ will be the responsibility of the Secretary, and must carry the Secretary’s signature. No paperwork submitted by the Secretary may be changed by any other member of the Committee, providing that (a) the paperwork does not contravene the Minutes of the A.G.M., (b) does not contravene the Minutes of a Committee meeting, and (c) the paperwork has the implied approval of the team’s representative’s. The sole exception to this rule will be paperwork submitted by the Treasurer.

15. The Committee shall meet once a month if required, for the purpose of open discussion on the affairs of ‘The League’. This meeting will take place during the second week before any League monthly meeting, at a venue agreed upon by the Committee members.

16. ‘The League’ will recognise any 6’ or longer size pool table, providing that there is sufficient space between the table cushion and the nearest wall or fixture. The Committee will inspect tables prior to the commencement of a season and the Committee decision on such matters will be final. However, the Committee may, at its discretion, invite a floor vote to decide if they consider that a venue has contravened this rule but mitigating circumstances apply.

17. Players under the age of 18 years are allowed to play in ‘The League’ on the condition that the Licensee / Club Secretary allows them to play, after prior consultation, and providing that no attempt to purchase and or drink alcoholic drinks, whether purchased by themselves or not. A contravention of this rule will render the offending member being banned from playing in ‘The League’ until they attain the age of 18 years.

18. Ignorance of any rule is no excuse for non-compliance with that rule. The onus is on the Captain / Player to acquaint themselves with the rules, whether E.P.A. World 8 Ball Rules or this Constitution. Each team will be asked to put forward at least one member of their team to attend a seminar given by a fully qualified E.P.A. referee so that at least one team member on each team will have a greater understanding of the World 8 Ball Rules of play. In the case of any game rule coming into dispute they will be able to explain the ruling. At present the cost is £8 - £10 per person, should a team not put forward a team member, that team will be fined DOUBLE the cost of the seminar per season until a member of that team has attended a seminar. Should the person that originally took the seminar leave or stop playing for that team then another team player should be put forward to attend the next seminar.

19. ‘The League’ will call on nominees from the E.P.A. with regard to any clarification of the playing rules or arbitration concerning playing rules.

20. Monthly League meetings of ‘The League’ will be arranged in the following order:

1. MATTERS ARISING
2. TREASURER’S REPORT
3. SECRETARY’S REPORT (including fines accrued and fines actually paid)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS


LEAGUE RULES

21. Each team will provide the Secretary will all the information as required on the official registration form, including telephone number and address of the captain and the other team representatives. Teams changing venues, captain’s telephone numbers etc, must notify the Secretary as soon as possible.

22. Games to commence at 8:00 pm but 3 minutes grace to be allowed. At 8:05 pm the home team can claim the first game and any game that the visiting team have not put a players name down for each subsequent 5 minutes up to 8:30 pm, at which point the home team can claim the match. If the visiting team have informed the home team they will be late, then common sense should prevail. All players must be present, and be included on the match card by 9:00 pm. No player arriving after 9:00 pm prompt will be allowed to play. The match commencement time may be reasonably delayed if this is acceptable to both captains.

23. Once the first 3 player’s names have been entered down on the match card by both teams, their order cannot be altered. Changes to the order of late players are permitted, before 9:00 pm, providing that both team captains agree any change. Unauthorised alterations will result in the game being awarded to the unchanged player. NO changes to the match card are allowed after 9:00 pm prompt.

24. The 2 competing players will sign the card before each game commences. It is the responsibility of the Captain to ensure that their player signs the match card before it is handed into ‘The League’ headquarters for the Secretary. No team will be awarded a game if their player has not signed, and the game awarded to the opposing team. Any player refusing to sign the card must be reported to the Committee, where disciplinary action will be considered.
25. THE BREAK. AFTER the first 3 players from both teams have been put on the match card, the AWAY Captain will call a toss of a coin. The team winning the call will decide if they will break on the odd or even numbered games for the duration of the match, thus ensuring the break alternates between both teams.

26. Matches to be 11 singles played in 2 halves (or in the case of a cup match, the first team to attain a score of 6 games), 6 games in first half, 5 games in second half. Captains may use players from the first 6 games in the second half, or use other players from the squad.

27. All matches to be played under current E.P.A. playing rules. At present these are World 8 Ball Rules.

28. Home teams to pay for matches.

29. All venues will provide a ’REST’ and a ‘SPIDER for playing League pool.

30. All players must be registered before a match. Players will be classed as registered ONLY if the registration form or the back of the match card states the player’s full name and signature. Otherwise the player will be classed as ineligible (see Rule 31). If a new player is to be signed and is to play on the night, they must be made known to the opposing Captain on or before 8:00 pm. The opposing Captain will sign the card to verify that the player was present on or before 8:00 pm. New signings or transfers will not be allowed after the first half of the winter season, or end of the group stages in the summer season, without prior permission from the Secretary (see Rules 35 and 36).

31. Any ineligible player(s) being played will result in the team Captain (on the night) being suspended for 1 match. A second use of using any ineligible player(s) will result in a suspension of 2 matches. Further breaches of this rule will result in disciplinary action from the Committee and/or Divisional Representatives. The match will be awarded 11-0 to the opposing team.

32. All matches to be played by the scheduled dates. Teams may play before the scheduled date, but no match may be played after the scheduled date without prior permission from the Committee (this is to avoid any incidence of the result of such a changed match, having an influence on the final divisional standings, by knowing a result of any other match played on the proper date). This rule applies to both League matches and team / individual knockouts.

33. A member may only be registered for ONE League team at any one time. It is the Captain’s duty to ask new players onto their team if they have been registered with any other team that season. If a player has transferred from another team, that team name must be entered on the back of the match card, with the player’s details. If a player transfers without notifying their new Captain, previous team(s) played for, and the Committee, they will be banned from ‘The League’ for the remainder of that season. If a Captain does not ask for this information, they will be subject to the ineligible player rule (Rule 31).

34. Any team failing to turn up for a scheduled match will be fined £10 and the match awarded to the opposing team. A second no show will result in a £20 fine. A score of 11-0 (plus the win bonus of 2 points), will be recorded against the team that has not turned up to the match (a completed match card from the team that did turn up must still be received by the Secretary). The home team may apply to ‘The League’ for £10 compensation from the fine in lieu of food costs. Should that team fail to turn up a second time in any one season, they will be liable to be removed from ‘The League’.

35. Transfers are allowed up to and including, the last match of the first half of the winter season, or last group match of the summer season. Transfers will be allowed after this time ONLY with prior permission from the Secretary (see Rule 36).

36. New players may be signed after the last match of the first half of the winter season, or last group match of the summer season, ONLY with prior permission from the Secretary, and showing, to the Committee’s satisfaction, that the team has less than 7 players plus 1 reserve. A Committee member may NOT authorise a new signing or transfer for a team that they play for, another member of the Committee must be contacted for approval.

37. All matches to be played in a sporting manner and the referee’s decision will be final. Any team / individual who unreasonably disputes the referee’s decision, is liable to be dealt with by the Committee. In the event of any complaint about the match officials, or dispute of any nature, the card should be forwarded UNSIGNED by the team Captain(s) with full details of the complaint / dispute. Failure to follow this procedure may render any complaint / dispute invalid.

38. Employment is not a valid excuse for interfering with the playing of any match / knockout (i.e. late because of overtime etc.).

39. Team Captains are responsible for ensuring that their players are fully conversant with the current playing rules (see Rule 18).

40. MATCH POINTS SYSTEM. Two bonus points will be added to the winning team’s number of games won (e.g. 6 – 5 win will mean 8 points). The losing team will receive 1 point for every game won. In the event that a match is drawn, no bonus points will be awarded. At the conclusion of a season, teams finishing level on points will be separated first by, most matches won, then by games won. If teams finish level on match wins and games won, then the aggregate scores of the matches between them will be the decider. Should a team win 11 – 0 by playing all 11 games then that team will be awarded an extra 2 bonus points on top of the win bonus.

41. TEAMS DROPPING OUT OF THE LEAGUE. If a team played less than half its fixtures, all results are void from the start of the season. If a team played half of its fixtures, the first half results stand. If a team played more than half its fixtures, the first half results stand, the second half results are void.

42. Any team withdrawing from ‘The League’ may only re-enter in a subsequent season in the lowest division.

43. Promotion and / or relegation are applied to all divisions, the top 2 teams being promoted, the bottom 2 teams being relegated. New teams will enter in the lowest division. Divisions may be adjusted to accommodate new teams, or because of teams withdrawing from ‘The league’. Divisions where possible to consist of 12 teams.

44. Match results cards to be handed in at ‘The League’ headquarters by 9:00 pm on the Saturday following the match. Cards to be deposited in the appropriate secure box supplied by ‘The League’ and installed at ‘The League’ headquarters. We recommend that whoever takes the match card into the headquarters should ensure that it is put directly into the box before leaving. Alternatively, cards may be posted to the Secretary, to arrive first post on the Saturday following the match. Such cards received late, unless bearing a Friday postmark, at latest, will automatically be considered to have been posted late. The onus is on the WINNING team’s Captain to ensure that the match card is received on time. Any match card received late will mean that the winning team will be fined £10 and lose the win bonus (2 points), but will retain the winning score. If the Secretary does not receive the match card within 7 days of the original deadline, the winning side will lose all of their points; the losing side will retain all of their points only. If a match card is received late from a CUP match, then the winning team will be fined £10. If the match card is not received within 7 days of the original deadline, the match will be REPLAYED on a date agreed by the Committee. A second late match card during the season will incur a £20 fine, increasing in increments of £10 for further late match cards. Continual breaches of this rule will result in disciplinary action from the Committee and/or Divisional Representatives.

45. Any team that fails to complete its fixtures will be required to pay a guarantee fee the next season that they apply to join ‘The League’. This fee will be discretionary in its amount but will not exceed £50, and will be returnable if all of those seasons’ fixtures are completed, and all fines and dues have been paid.

46. The Secretary will ensure that both League tables and weekly match results are provided on the league’s website.

47. All team knockout competitions are subject to normal League rules. In a team knockout final, a player will only be allowed to participate if, in the winter season, they have played 25% of League matches and at least 1 round of the cup. In the summer season a player must have played 2 group matches.

48. Singles and doubles rules will be as detailed in the Individual Competition Rule Sheet.

49. A trophy will be awarded to ‘The League’ winners and runners up in each division, or a cash prize. This amount to be determined based upon the size of ‘The League’, and funds available. Ideally £100 for the winning team, £50 to the runner up, less the cost of the trophies. In all individual knockout competitions the winning and losing finalists will receive a trophy. In the team knockout competition the 2 teams will each receive 10 trophies. Any named player not wishing to receive a trophy may request ‘The League’ to present on Presentation Night a cheque as an alternative. Such amount equal to the cost of the alternative trophy.

50. All monthly meetings for team representatives will be held at ‘The League’ headquarters on the SECOND MONDAY of the month, except where notified, at 8:00 pm. A team will be allowed to miss 1 meeting during the season, without incurring the standard fine. Non attendance will result in the team being fined £10 (increasing in increments of £10 for further non attendances). Non attendance is defined as not answering 2 register roll calls, and otherwise failing to notify the Secretary of presence. Contacting a league official to advise that no representative will be present will still be classed as non attendance. 2 consecutive non attendances may result in that team being removed from ‘The League’.

51. At all meetings, all teams to be represented until the end of the meeting unless the Secretary is notified prior to the start of the meeting.

52. All fines and fees must be paid within 14 days of incurring a fine, or at a monthly meeting whichever is soonest. The Secretary will notify the team Captain in writing at the address registered of any fine, or verbally if the fine issued at a monthly meeting. Points gained in matches during the first 14 days will be put on hold. Failure to pay the fine within 14 days, or at a monthly meeting whichever is soonest, will result in the PERMANENT deduction of those points on hold, and all points gained until the fine is paid thereafter. Failure to pay the fine within 14 days may also result in the elimination of that team and Rule 41 applied.

53. CAPTAINS CUP. This game is to be played by the Captains who are registered with the Secretary as being team Captain on the Captains list (or the Captain on the night). If the game is played by another player, and the registered Captain has played during the game, or signed the match card as Captain on the night, then the game will be awarded to the opposition (unless a valid reason is written on the back of the match card). Both Captains must sign the match card against this game. Failure to do this will result in either the game being awarded to the opposition, or being void, depending if 1 or both Captains did not sign.

54. Away team Captains will mark out of ten, the condition of the match table, and hospitality and food. Both Captains will nominate a player of the match from the opposing team.

55. Captains Cup, hospitality and food, player averages and player of the match are not applicable during the summer season.


FINANCE

56. An assessment is required from the Treasurer, with the aid of the Committee, regarding team dues, which will be debated by all members at an A.G.M.

57. REGISTRATION FEES. All fees to be paid in full before the commencement of a season, any team not paying the full amount when required will result in the procedures of Rule 52 being applied.

58. The Treasurer, Chairman, and Vice Chairman will be the only mandated officers to sign cheques. All cheques must bear any 2 of the 3 aforesaid signatures. The Treasurer, who will retain the cheque / pass book, will check all income and expenditure accounts, and at all times observe proper banking procedures.

59. The Treasurer will provide a proper balance sheet, together with a bank statement to the Committee at the last Committee meeting prior to an A.G.M. In addition, the Treasurer will provide an official statement of accounts at every monthly League meeting.

60. All expenditure to be vetted by the Committee.

61. League officials to be paid 30p per mile car expenses, 10p per local telephone call, or 30p per mobile telephone call, when used on official League business.

62. ‘The League’ Committee will endeavour to instigate money raising activities for the benefit of ‘The League’.

63. RECEIPTS. All monies paid to ‘The League’ will only be accepted by the Treasurer. No other Committee member may accept any payment unless, (a) the Treasurer post is vacant, or (b) is indisposed (i.e. hospitalised, holidays). The onus is on the team presenting payment to meet any deadline with payment direct to the Treasurer.

64. Annual payments of £125 to the Secretary and £75 to the Chairman and the Treasurer.


DISCIPLINE

65. Disciplinary action to be dealt with by the Committee. However, at the Committee’s discretion, team representatives may be requested to join the Committee in dealing with the matter(s).

66. The Committee reserve the right to suspend, fine or expel any team / individual for breach of rules or for any act deemed by the Committee to have brought ‘The League’ into disrepute, or for any act deemed by the Committee to be injurious to ‘The League’ or its members. Any team / individual accused by ‘The League’ of any such offence will be afforded every opportunity to defend themselves and explain their conduct either in writing or in person to the Committee.

67. If the Committee feel that a disciplinary matter is of such gravity, then they will deduct points as well as a monetary fine to whichever team, or player of a team or individual attached to that team.

68. APPEALS. Any team / individual may appeal against the findings of any dispute or disciplinary hearings. A fee of £5 is to be paid when lodging an appeal, which will be returned if the appeal is upheld. The Committee may, at its discretion, return any such fee if they consider the grounds for the appeal to be sufficiently meritous, even if the appeal is subsequently denied. All paperwork must be forwarded to the Secretary within 14 days of the original decision, including payment and detail(s) of the appeal. In all appeals, the Committee will be supplemented by at least 3 team representatives. In the instance of a team / individual being expelled from ‘The League’, the Committee will respond to any petition on behalf of the team / individual if signed by at least 70% of the total number of team representatives and submitted no later than 14 day after expulsion.


GENERAL

69. All previous Minutes of any A.G.M. will be binding unless amended at an A.G.M. or E.G.M. No rule can be applied unless it is contained within the rulebook. No previous decision by any Committee (whether minted or not) on the interpretation of these rules may be claimed as ‘Custom and Practice’ and shall not be binding on any future Committee.

70. It is agreed that ‘The League’, within geographical constrictions, will adopt, in principle a progressive expansion policy, aimed at promoting the game of pool.

71. Any team Captain may ask the Committee to call an E.G.M. (Emergency General Meeting) by providing in writing the reason for calling an E.G.M., which will be called within 1 week of receipt of this written request, providing that the Committee feel they are unable to deal with the reason for calling an E.G.M. without asking all teams to attend said meeting.

Simon Greig 2011