Macclesfield Pool League
Macclesfield Pool
League
|
Constitution 2010/2011 |
2.
NAME
The league shall be known as the “Macclesfield Pool League” (M.P.L.)
3.
MANAGEMENT OF THE LEAGUE
a) The league will be administered by a committee consisting of all the officers of the league and as many committee members as deemed necessary.
b) All officers and committee members to be re-elected bi-annually at the Annual General Meeting.
c) In the event of a committee member missing three consecutive meetings without good reason the member will be dismissed. Following a dismissal or resignation the committee may at their discretion co-opt another member. Any league assets held by the member must be returned. Failure to comply will result in the member being barred from the league.
d) A quorum for conducting the business of a committee meeting shall be five persons.
e) No committee member shall have the authority to make a sole decision on behalf of the committee. In extreme circumstances an emergency committee meeting should be arranged, if this is not possible an officer of the league may make a decision only after consultation with at least two other members.
f) The committee has the authority by a majority vote to make any decision not covered by these rules. The committee may also, in exceptional circumstances by a unanimous vote, overrule the constitution.
4.
FINANCE
a) The Treasurer shall receive all monies due to the league and make payments on its behalf. The Treasurer shall keep a full and proper account of such monies and shall present a duly audited statement of accounts at each Annual General Meeting and at such times as may be required by the committee.
b) League fees shall be fixed by the committee at a level to cover estimated expenditure for the next year.
c) A bank account will be opened in the name of the league at such bank as the treasurer may decide.
d) The treasurer and one other of two signatories shall sign the cheques drawn on the account.
e) The treasurer and one other of the two signatories shall sign the accounts of the league.
f) The financial year shall end on the last day of February each year.
g) No member of the committee or league, other than the treasurer, may pledge the credit of the league.
h) The league will hold a monthly draw for which men pay £10.00 and ladies £8.00 per month, payable at the captains meetings stated on the fixtures list. There will be five cash prizes given out to help balance the league funds. Only teams that have paid their dues prior to the start of Captain’s Meetings will be eligible for prizes. If a registered team member is not present to claim their prize, that prize will be re-drawn. Winter league captains meetings will be £10 per month with four meetings and three cash prizes. Any team missing three captains meetings will be deemed as no longer a part of Macclesfield Pool League for that season, and all registered players with that team will be banned for the following season. This includes teams who request other teams to pay their fee, teams who leave early after paying their fee, teams who turn up late or turn up after the meeting has finished.
i) Teams failing to pay their dues will be fined the sum of £5 for the 1st missed meeting, £20 for the 2nd with £20 and a ban for the 3rd, together with the £8/£10 due for the draw. N.B. Any fines not paid within 21 days will result in the team being automatically expelled from the league. Any player registered to a team with outstanding fines, and wishing to sign for another team, must pay a proportion of the outstanding debt (minimum £5) and a transfer fee of £3 before being accepted. All debt lists will continue into future seasons as necessary.
j) A representative of the team should pay all outstanding monthly subscriptions and fines to the Treasurer at committee meetings held at the Boarhound, Brook St, Macc
k) In the event of the M.P.L folding all the proceeds will go to a local charity chosen by the committee.
l) A £10 retainer fee is to be paid by teams that have dropped out in the previous season.
m) Official referees at competitions and finals will be awarded £5 as a token payment towards expenses.
5.
FIXTURES etc.
a) All games shall be played under the M.P.L playing rules and conditions. All games to be played on a standard 6 or 7-foot table. All tables to be clearly marked with a balk line and a spot for the black ball, (black ball spot is located at the intersection of the centre and corner pockets). All tables should be brushed before the commencement of a match and be clearly marked, tables should be level and adequate lighting provided. A small cue and a rest must be provided where necessary. N.B. Should these conditions not be met teams can refuse to play on that night.
b) There shall be a Men’s and a Ladies league, only men to play in the men’s league and ladies in the ladies league in summer. In the winter league the teams may be mixed.
c) Ladies & Winter teams will consist of a minimum of five players who will play five singles and two doubles games in all league and competition matches. A player may play in one single AND one doubles match only. Please note that only singles games will count towards league merits. Men’s teams will consist of a minimum of seven players who will all play singles. Ladies league matches will be played on Monday’s, men’s on Wednesday’s and Winter on Thursdays. One point will be awarded for each game won and two bonus points for the winning team.
d) The home team shall pay for each game.
e) The Fixtures Secretary has the authority to put any new team joining the league into whatever league he / she deems they should play in.
f) All players must be registered with the M.P.L. Any team playing an unregistered player will be fined £5 and any points gained by that player will be awarded to their opponents. A registered player is one who is signed on with a named team, and due fees paid to the Fixtures Secretary, at least 48 hours before a match commences. The deadline for signing players who are eligible to play in the first match of the season will be 5.30 p.m. on the first night of the season at Tim’s Megastore, Sunderland St, Macc. Postal signings received after this date will be ineligible. N.B. The only exception to this rule is in the mixed pairs competition where only one player need be registered. Any player who plays in two doubles or two singles frames in a match will be fined £5 and will lose the points for the second frame. Banned players cannot play in any Competitions.
g) All games must have a referee, to be supplied alternately by the teams, home team to supply the first referee. The games should be refereed in accordance with the M.P.L. rules and guidelines.
h) Any dispute involving the referee should be dealt with in accordance with the M.P.L. playing rules and guidelines (Rule 1). If a player should question a referee’s decision, the referee may reconsider the decision, but ultimately the referee’s decision is final on the night. If a player refuses to accept the referee’s decision the player should instruct their captain of the dispute and the referee should abandon the frame. The captains may then, if all parties are in agreement, decide to replay the frame on the night. It is in the best interests of the teams for their captains to sort out disputes on the night. If a player accepts a referee’s decision during a match then that decision is final and will not be overturned by the committee. The game should be abandoned if the captains are unable to resolve the dispute and the facts reported to the General Secretary in writing, by 3pm on the Saturday following the match, accompanied by a deposit of £5 which is returnable if the protest is upheld. Teams submitting protests must be represented at the next committee meeting. Protests received later than the following Saturday or without the £5 deposit will not be heard.
i) Captains or team representatives to write the first players name on the card at 8.15 p.m., home team first. On completion of the first game captains to write down the names of the second players, this procedure to continue throughout the match. If a team has insufficient players to finish the match they should play all the available team members first and then complete the card by writing “No Player” in the remaining spaces.
j) Claiming games: In the event of a team arriving late for a match, the first game can be claimed at 8.25 p.m., the second at 8.35 p.m., and the match at 8.45 p.m. However, should a member of the team arrive the player may wait until 8.25 p.m. when the match should commence. Following the opening game should no other players arrive then the match may be claimed. Therefore once the match has started it must continue as the card is filled in, (teams without players should write “no player” on the card after all available players have played), then the games can be claimed. Should neither team have a player then the captains should write “no player” on both sides of the card and neither team should claim the points. N.B. When playing individuals or pairs matches where several games may be played on the one night, the committee may set an earlier starting time.
k) All play (league matches or competition) to be completed by 11.00 p.m. Play may continue beyond this time only after permission has been sought from the venues licensee. If both teams and the landlord are in agreement the match may be completed on the following night, however, the card must still be received by 3pm on the Saturday following the match. Any games / frames not completed shall remain null and void, rearrangements will not normally be permitted in order to complete the match. The bonus points usually awarded to the winning team shall not be awarded if the match has not been completed. In exceptional circumstances players / teams may appeal to the committee who will judge each case on merit.
l) Fixtures may be re-arranged provided that they are played before the Saturday following the original date. If this is not possible, and a team / players wish to re-arrange the match for an alternative date, they must seek the agreement of the Fixtures or Competitions Secretary (whichever applies). A reasonable time of at least 48 hours must be given to opposition when re-arranging games. All league matches must, however, be completed by the last Monday (Ladies), last Wednesday (Men’s) and last Thursday (Winter) of the season, except with the agreement of the committee. N.B. Failure to notify the officers (as above) may result in no points being awarded, or in competitions, an automatic bye into the next round for the innocent party. The committee will have the right to ensure that all league and competition matches are played, even if this means re-arranging the match to a later date. Please note that only one round per player per competition may be re-arranged without the consent of the committee if it is to be played after the named date for the round.
m) All result cards must be delivered addressed to the Fixtures Secretary c/o Tim’s Megastore, Sunderland St, Macc by 3pm on the Saturday following the match. Failure to do this will result in a fine of £5. In the case of league matches no points will be deducted for the first and second late cards, but if a team should continue to delay result cards they will be fined £5 and lose the winning points on the third and subsequent occasions. In the case of competitions a team or individual will be fined £5 for the first and second late cards, and will be disqualified on the third occasion. Verbal, text, telephone or email results will not be accepted. In the case of a draw the home team is responsible for the card. Fines must be paid by the date specified or the team will forfeit the points for the match, AND STILL OWE THE FINE.
n) Pending transfers must be notified to the Fixtures Secretary. Transferring players must stand down for the next two games on the fixture list, also note that merit points will not be transferred. For the purpose of the standing down period any byes on the fixtures list will count as games. The transferring player will not be eligible to play in games that are re-arranged from before the transfer date. No transfers or new signings will be allowed during the last six weeks of the season. No player may play in competition matches for their new team if they transfer after the competition has started, even if they did not play in the first rounds.
o) Teams missing three league games during the season will automatically expelled from the league. Teams will be fined £30 for not turning up for a league match with at least four players (Men’s) or three players (Ladies and Winter) in the first instance, £30 and banned for the 2nd, with the Committee doing its utmost to get the game replayed. Any team who fails to field during the last three weeks of any season will be immediately banned for the following season.
p) If a team drops out of the league, or is expelled from the league, all points will be deducted. No monies will be refunded.
q) Two teams will be promoted and two teams relegated from each division annually, where possible. In the event of any team dropping out of the league, their place will be taken the following season by the next team in order of merit. This rule will be at the discretion of the committee dependant upon the number of teams entering the league and the convenience of working out the fixture list.
r) In the event of a tie on points at the end of the season, the result will be decided by a play-off.
s) The league will run competitions for the following: Individuals, Pairs, Mixed Pairs, 3-a-Side, League Merit Awards, Eight Ball clearance, Veterans, 5 & 7-a-Side Knock-out. Draw lists will be sent to the Macclesfield Express however, it is out of the Committee’s hands if said draws are not printed. Draws will also be placed on the website.
t) Eight Ball clearance. An official Eight Ball clearance can only be on the first visit to the table, without the aid of two visits (i.e. following a foul). Eight Ball clearances must be witnessed by the opponent and referee. N.B. in any pairs match an official eight ball may only be done by the first player of a team. One extra point will be added to the league total for every official eight ball clearance reported in the summer and winter leagues. The player achieving the most eight ball clearances in a summer season will be awarded the overall eight ball trophy. In the event of a tie there will be a play-off. Eight ball clearances will not count in competition matches after the winning result has been gained. (e.g. 4-0.)
u) In the event of a tie in the merits the winner will be decided on a percentage of games played. If there is still a tie a play off will be held to determine a winner.
v) All competitions will be played when convenient to, and at venues arranged by the committee. In the event of players or teams preferring a six or seven foot table they may appeal to the committee and a decision will be made either by the agreement of all parties involved or by the toss of a coin. This only applies to Semi Finals and Finals.
w) Any team wishing to move to a new venue during a season must seek the agreement of the committee and will be charged a £10 administration fee. (At the discretion of the committee.)
6.
TROPHIES
a) All annual trophies presented by the M.P.L. will remain the property of the league and can be redeemed at any time by the committee. Such trophies are the responsibility of the winning team and failure to return them upon request will result in expulsion from the league, together with recovery costs or a fine. All annual trophies must be returned in a clean and undamaged condition. Any team returning a trophy/s in a damaged or dirty condition will be duly fined a minimum of £5. If an annual trophy is lost or damaged beyond repair the team/player will be charged the full cost of that trophy.
b) Winning teams not attending the annual presentation will be charged the full price for tickets, (£35 for Men’s £30 for Ladies and Winter), this is due to tickets costs going towards the overall trophy bill, handling, transport and storage costs. Teams not paying this charge will not collect any prizes and run the risk of not being registered for the following season.
7.
DISCIPLINE
The committee reserves the right to suspend, fine or expel any player or team for any breach of these rules or any act that the committee deem to have brought the game to disrepute or have any adverse effect on its members. Any player or team will have the right to defend their self in person. Any person involved in an affray of any kind at any M.P.L. function will be dealt with at the discretion of the committee.
Minimum age for players in M.P.L. is 14 years. All players under 18 years must seek permission of the Licensee before playing.