The Byfleet
League
Founded
1946
Rules
( amended at AGM July 2019)
Constitution
1.
TITLE
The
league shall be known as ‘The Byfleet League’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the
League’).
2.
OBJECTIVES
The
League shall be affiliated with The English Partnership for Snooker and
Billiards (known as the E.P.S.B.) and when existing, the Surrey Snooker and
Billiards Association. It shall contribute towards the objects of those bodies
by serving the interests of the games of Billiards and Snooker and those who
play them in the Locality. To that end the League shall:
a) promote team and individual
knock-out competitions:
b) sponsor teams and/or players
in competitions promoted by other bodies:
c) actively encourage the
pursuit of the highest possible standards as regards play, refereeing,
accommodation and sportsmanship:
d) secure appropriate publicity for
its aim, activities and successes, and those of its constituents.
3. OFFICERS
The
Officers of the League shall comprise the Chairman, General Secretary,
Treasurer, Match Secretary and Competitions Secretary (herein collectively
referred to as ‘the Executive Committee’), and the President and Vice
President..
4. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a) Except as laid down in Rule
5(a), the members of the Executive Committee shall be elected only at the
Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General meeting called specifically
for that purpose.
Nominees
(with their written consent if absent) shall be proposed and seconded from the
floor, and in the event of more than one nomination for any particular Office a
ballot shall be conducted.
5. MANAGEMENT
a) The Management of the League
shall be vested in the Executive Committee who shall have power to appoint an
Assistant Secretary, a Publicity Manager, and such other functionaries as may
be considered beneficial to the conduct of League affairs. The Executive Committee shall also be empowered to
co-opt, with effect only till the next General Meeting, a replacement for any
Officer who by retirement, resignation or otherwise may be deemed to have effectively
relinquished his duties as such.
b) The President and any other
person appointed in accordance with Rule 5(a) shall be ex-officio entitled to
attend and vote at all meetings of the Executive Committee.
6. COMMITTEE MEETINGS
a) League Committee Meetings will
be held at approximately 3 monthly intervals during the season on the dates
indicated on the league website. Delegates from affiliated clubs should attend
and all present including other members from such clubs, may vote on any
motion. Five persons, including not less than three members of the Executive
Committee shall constitute a quorum.
b) The Executive Committee, as
such, may meet by direction of the Chairman, or General Secretary. Three
Officers shall form a quorum, and the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
7. GENERAL MEETINGS
a) The Annual General Meeting
shall be held during the close season to consider the Annual Report and
Accounts and conduct election in accordance with Rule 4, and to consider any
other resolutions which shall have been placed upon the agenda. Notice shall be
sent, together with copies of the Agenda, to reach the appointed
Representatives of each affiliated club not less than 7 clear days before the
date fixed for such Annual General Meeting.
If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes of the
time appointed for the
Meeting, it shall be declared adjourned to a date fixed by the Chair.
Those present at such adjourned Meeting shall constitute a quorum and may
conduct the business of the Meeting.
An
Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by decision of the Executive
Committee, or by the Chairman or the General Secretary not more
b) than 28 days after the
receipt by him of a written Requisition signed by the appointed Representatives
of not less than five affiliated clubs, notices and an Agenda being served as
at Rule 7(a).
If a quorum be not present within 30 minutes of the
appointed time for the meeting, it shall be dissolved.
At all Annual General Meetings twelve persons
entitled to vote shall form a quorum.
Voting except for the election of Officers in accordance with Rule 4(a),
shall be by a show of hands, and the Chairman of the meeting shall in the case
of equality of votes be entitled to exercise a casting vote. No person other
than an Officer or a registered player shall be entitled to vote at a General
Meeting.
8. ALTERATION
OF RULES
The Constitution and Competition Regulations of the
League shall not be subject to repeal, amendment or addition except by
Resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General
Meeting convened especially for that purpose.
9. AFFILIATION AND REGISTRATION
(a) A club applying to the
League for the first time, or after a lapse of a season or more shall, if
deemed necessary, be inspected by officers from the Executive Committee. Any
report on such inspection shall be given, in confidence, to the Executive
Committee.
(b) Affiliated clubs shall
appoint a representative to attend to the registration of players and serve as
a delegate at league meetings.
(c) A player competing in any
team event must be allowed by the Club he represents or a Junior
as indicated in Rule 9(d), which shall be regarded for all League purposes as
his ‘home’ club. A single registration shall cover Billiards and Snooker, but a
player may represent one Club at Snooker and another at Billiards but shall not
otherwise transfer his registration during any one season.
(d) JUNIOR PLAYERS
For the purpose of this rule ‘Juniors’
refers to players under the age of 18
years. In each team, subject to each home club’s rules, one junior
player will be allowed providing they are registered by the club they are
representing. If a team including a Junior is playing
at a club where they are prohibited it is the visiting teams responsibility to
select a suitably qualified replacement.
Registration
Fees shall be non-returnable, but other dues paid in accordance with Rule 10
may be refunded at the discretion of the Executive Committee
e) in special circumstances. The
Executive Committee shall also be empowered to refuse or cancel any
registration, or to withhold the award of any prize or trophy, in the event of
non-payment of dues or for other good and sufficient reason(s) which shall be
furnished on request.
10. SCALE OF FEES
Registration £5.00 per
player
Team
Entry £15.00
per team (Billiards or Snooker)
Competitions
Snooker
Championship £3.00 per player
Snooker
Divisional Champs £3.00 per player
Billiards
Championship £3.00 per player
George
Harris Billiards H'cap £3.00 per player
Snooker
Pairs Handicap £6.00 per
team
Jersey
Triples Handicap £9.00 per team
Over
50’s Snooker Shield £3.00 per player
11. LEAGUE STRUCTURE
(a) The League Billiards and
Snooker team tournaments shall be conducted on a basis of separate Divisions
graded by merit, and within each Division all teams shall play ‘home’ and
‘away’ matches against all others. The entries for each tournament shall as far
as possible be equitably distributed between the number
of Divisions made up, in accordance with Rule 14(d).
(b) In either tournament the
number of teams entered by any one Club shall be limited to twice the number of
tables approved in accordance with Rule 9(a) for simultaneous match play, up to
a maximum of eight.
(c) The Snooker and Billiard
Leagues shall commence as directed by the Executive Committee. All matches
shall be arranged to commence not later than 19.45 hours on Thursday evenings.
12. LEAGUE FIXTURES
(a) All matches shall be played
on the date specified in the fixture list unless unavoidably postponed. The
Match Secretary shall be notified immediately of postponed matches, which shall
be played off at the earliest possible date. Inability to field a complete team
shall not of itself constitute a valid reason for postponement without the
prior agreement of the Match Secretary and the opponents concerned. In the
event of a postponed match the non offending team shall offer a choice of three
alternative dates within the next 28 days but not all in the same week. A team
then defaulting on the offer shall be deemed to have conceded the match. All
games, however, must be completed before the date of the final fixture of the
League concerned.
(b) The Executive Committee
shall have the power to order any postponed matches to be completed before the
next meeting and to withdraw from the competition any team defaulting on three
or more fixtures. Offending teams shall be liable to forfeit maximum points to
opponents in respect of un-played fixtures: alternatively the Executive
Committee may declare null and void those already played or make such other
decision as appears to be just and expedient under the circumstances.
13. MATCH CONDITIONS
(a) Team matches shall commence
nominally at 19.45 hours, each captain having decided his chosen order
independently. Games to be played in order. The break off order to be
determined by a toss of a coin. Subsequent frames to alternate between teams.
(b) Either team having no member present at 20.00
hours may be liable to forfeit the first game to their opponents and a team
unrepresented by or before 20.30 hours may be deemed to have defaulted. All matches must be played using Super Crystalite or other approved balls.
Each game shall be controlled by a competent referee
to be found by the ‘home’
team unless otherwise agreed.
(c) Except in Division Three a League Snooker Match
normally consists of 3 players each playing two frames against the same
opponent i.e. 6 frames.
However
up to 6 players are allowed in any order with each player playing a maximum of
two frames.
In
Division Three a match normally consists of 4 players playing one frame each,
However a minimum of three players are required. Under this circumstance there
will be a random draw to determine which player plays twice.
A Billiard team shall consist of 3 players playing
150 up in Division One, 150 up in Division Two and 120 up in Division Three.
Should insufficient time be available for completion of the last game, play
should cease at a time to be mutually prearranged at least 15 minutes
beforehand and the player who is leading at the closure shall be deemed the
winner. If the scores are level the next score or forfeit shall decide.
(d)
No team may field any player who is ineligible under Rule 9 (c or d). Players
may not play for more than one team in the same division. Players may not play
for more than one team on the same night. Players having already had 4 matches
in a higher division may no longer play in a lower division without
prior consent from the League Executive Committee during any one season.
Players may transfer to a higher division but after 4 matches the rule above
comes into play. Any Club breaking the above rule will forfeit all points for
that particular match. Complaints as to unsuitable playing conditions,
allegations of unfair practice and disputes of any kind may be submitted to the
League Committee for arbitration.
Note: In accordance with World Snooker Rules all
refereeing decisions are binding and must stand.
(d) Where any member of the
League be prevented from entering any Club from
which they are
barred, the Team/Club playing such a member must send a
reserve player to
take his place on such occasions.
14. LEAGUE RESULTS
(a) The official Result card,
properly completed by the home captain, shall be forwarded to reach the Match
Secretary either by email, text or post, not later than the Tuesday following
the match. Persistent delay in the notification of results shall render a team
liable to such penalties as the Executive Committee shall determine.
(b) One point shall be awarded
for each frame of Snooker.
In the Billiard League a player scores one point for
every 50 points scored in Division One
and Division Two. In Division Three one point is scored for every 40 points
scored. In all Divisions a bonus point is awarded for winning the whole match
i.e. the maximum that can be scored is 10 points.
(c) In the event of a tie on
points at the end of the season, then the number of matches won will decide the
higher position. If still level then the head to head match scores will decide.
If still level a play off may be arranged to determine the finishing positions.
This will only apply when promotion, relegation or winners and runners up
finishing positions are unclear. In a Snooker play off all frames shall be
played to a finish and a draw shall be decided on aggregate points. The black
ball shall be re-spotted if the scores are still equal.
(d) Promotion and relegation
between Divisions shall be on a ‘two-up: two-down’ basis, excepting that
vacancies arising for any reason may be filled by new admissions, additional
promotions or otherwise as the Executive Committee, at its pre-season meeting
shall think fit.
(e)
In the event of a team withdrawing from the League after the season has
started all of the match points won and lost by such team will be void.
15. KNOCKOUT
COMPETITIONS
All
registered players shall be entitled to compete in the Leagues knockout
Competitions which shall be played as directed by the Executive Committee.
Finals shall be played at a venue and date set by the Executive Committee who
shall also appoint a Referee.
For all
competitions the deadline for the first named to contact opponents is 14 days
from the commencement of each round. After that point the second named have the
option to play at their home venue and are responsible to make contact. At the
closing date, if neither have attempted to make contact then both will be
eliminated
Entries
shall be invited for:
(a) The Snooker Championship -
to be decided by the best of 3 frames in all rounds up to the last 16. Best of
5 frames in the last 16 round and up to and including the final.
(b) The Snooker Pairs Handicap -
all rounds to be decided by the aggregate score of two frames subject to a handicap
of points to be marked at the commencement of the game. The players alternate
in breaking off and when only the black remains the first score or foul ends
the frame. The black ball is only re-spotted if the score is equal at the end
of the second and final frame.
Once a player has played a stroke on his visit at
the table no conferring is allowed. As per World Snooker Rules.
(c) The Divisional Snooker
Championship is to be decided by the best of 3 frames in all rounds. Entrants
to play in the division that they are registered to play in, however if
requested they may play in a higher divisional championship.
(d) The Jersey Triples Snooker
Handicap - between teams of three players, each playing one frame against an
opponent drawn by lot and subject to a handicap of points to be marked at the
commencement of the match. All frames to be played to a finish and the match
decided by the aggregate score after the three frames. A Club may enter any
number of teams, but any individual who has played for a team in any round of
the competition shall not subsequently play for any other team. Team Captains
shall be responsible for making match arrangements.
(e) The Snooker Singles Handicap
- all rounds to be decided by the aggregate score of two frames subject to a
handicap of points to be marked at the commencement of the game. The players
alternate in breaking off and when only the black remains the first score or
foul ends the frame. The black ball is only re-spotted if the score is equal at
the end of the second and final frame.
(f) The Billiards Championship -
to be decided by 1 game of 200 up duration in all rounds prior to the final
which shall be played over a time period of 90 minutes.
(g) The George Harris Billiards
Open Handicap - all rounds to be played as one game of 200 points subject to
handicap of points received or owed, and marked at the commencement of the
game.
(h) The Maurice Poulain Over 50’s Shield - to be decided over the best of 3
frames of snooker for players over the age of 50.
16. TROPHIES AND PRIZES
All League and Individual Championships and Handicap
Cups are Challenge Trophies and cannot
be won outright. Replicas and other additional prizes will be awarded at the
discretion of the League Committee, who shall be empowered to suspend the
competition for any trophy in the event of lack of support.
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17. THE MISS RULE
In all snooker divisions of the Byfleet and District
League the miss rule may be applied.
GUIDELINES
-
Despite
the decision at the 2014 AGM to relax the much misunderstood 'Miss Rule' in
divisions one, two and three, the rule may still come into play if a very poor
attempt has been made to hit a ball on. The members present at the AGM voted
that the rule was 'not compulsory' in these divisions however this does not
mean that it no longer may be applied. With many experienced and excellent
players throughout all the divisions we expect consistent sportsmanship and
honesty by players if these situations occur.
Following discussion this proposal was agreed, 'that as well as the
referee the two players may be included in consultation if a possible miss
occurs'. What does this mean? the referee doesn't call
a miss but the opponent of the striker who fouled, thinks it should have been
called, they may now ask their opponent 'do you agree that it should have been
a miss'? If both players agree then the referee calls a miss and the cue ball
may be replaced. If either player disagrees then the referee makes the final
decision. This should take the onus away from referees that are not qualified
and may feel in an awkward position. However, this consultation will not apply
to matches officiated by E.A.S.B. qualified referees.
A SIMPLE GUIDELINE TO THE
MISS RULE -
A miss may be
called when:
* Failing to hit a
ball on when not snookered
* Hitting the snookering
balls when attempting a swerve shot
* Not playing the
sufficient weight to reach the intended target
* Not choosing the
easiest escape route when snookered, for fear of leaving the opponent in (i.e.
coming off several cushions instead of one, or aiming for a smaller target area
instead of the easier larger one)
The referee must take into account the ability of the player playing the shot.
18. SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
Principles
- Whilst personal
use of social media is a part of everyday life the Byfleet League’s reputation
for the highest possible standards (outlined below) is crucial and the good
reputation of the League is imperative. Therefore, League members (and
others) posting on social media platforms should take “reasonable” steps to
ensure their activity doesn’t undermine that reputation, or bring the League
into disrepute.
Points to Remember
- Remember
that even when posting in a personal capacity, you may still be easily
identified by others as representing the Byfleet League.
- Avoid engaging in activities on social media
which may undermine the reputation of the Byfleet League or bring it into
disrepute.
- Do not
post derogatory or disrespectful comment on social media; and / or use it to
attack or abuse others (opponents / fellow League members).
- Be aware
that social media is a public forum.
- Be aware
that, even on closed social networks (like Facebook), posts can be seen by
other users.
- Be aware
that once something is posted on social media it can be difficult to remove.
19. CODE OF CONDUCT
·
All
players are expected to honour the game, which includes respecting their
opposition and the referee.
·
At
the start and
at the conclusion of each game player should shake hands.
·
Players
should not leave the table during play without the permission of the referee,
not concede a frame unless snookers are required and immediately vacate the
table after a missed shot. There are to be no breaks between frames.
·
Referees
are bound to occasionally make mistakes but their decision is final. You may
query a decision but if affirmed then there should be no further questioning.
·
Mobile
phones should be on silent and calls should not be made or received in the
snooker room. The level of noise should be reasonable and not bordering on
gamesmanship. If players feel put off by the level of noise or behaviour during
their game then please point this out at the outset. It is expected that in
this situation the players wishes will be respected.
·
Once
a match starts players should not practice on adjoining tables prior to their
particular game(s).
·
We
are a sociable league and generally members are looking for an enjoyable
evening. Both teams end the match by sharing food and sometimes drink and this camaraderie is a time
for reflection on the games or for some friendly banter etc.
20.
Any member, team, or club,
deliberately infringing the Rules and or Guidelines of the League, or being
guilty of conduct which, in the opinion of the Committee, is detrimental to the
character and interests of the League, can be required to
attend a committee meeting. The Committee shall have the power to suspend,
request their resignation or expel them from taking part in League activities.
21.
The Data Protection Act
requires that if you do not wish your personal data to be published on our
website that you inform the league Secretary for it to be removed.