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BOSTON & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE
RULES
1. TITLE The title of the league shall be the Boston and District Table Tennis League.
2. OBJECTS The objects of the league shall be to conduct annual competitions between affiliated clubs, arrange and conduct individual championships, to assist and encourage the formation of table tennis clubs in Boston and District and to promote the game of table tennis in every possible way.
3. AFFILIATION All league clubs shall be affiliated to the English Table Tennis Association, whose rules and playing regulations shall be adopted.
4. ADMINISTRATION 1. The general administration of the league shall be the responsibility of the League Committee. Which shall consist of the Chairman, President, Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer and those Secretaries voted onto the League Committee at the Annual General Meeting, plus one representative from each club, each of whom shall have one vote.
2. Five members of the League Committee shall form a quorum.
3. The committee shall have the power to co-
4. The Executive/Disciplinary Committee shall consist of the Chairman, President, Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary and Competition Secretary. They shall deal with all appeals, discipline and any other extraordinary matters outside of league committee meetings.
5. The General Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a book containing the minutes of all resolutions and business meetings transacted, which shall be available for inspection by all subscribing members of the league.
6. The responsibility for controlling the league finances shall be vested in the League Committee. The League Treasurer shall be required to maintain an accurate account of all league income and expenditure and produce accounts to the auditor at the conclusion of each season. The audited accounts for the seasons workings are to be produced at the Annual General Meeting.
7. All monies pertaining to the league shall be paid into a separate account in the name of the Boston and District Table Tennis League. The signature of any two of the Chairman, General Secretary or Treasurer shall be necessary before a withdrawal is affected.
8. The League Committee is to accept the responsibility for recommending to the Annual General Meeting if increased fees are considered necessary for the ensuing season, or in the event of particularly unforeseen circumstances, during the course of the season.
5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1. A meeting called the Annual General Meeting shall be convened by the General Secretary during May each year, so far as is practicable. Any alterations to the date shall be with the consent of the League Committee. The following business is to be transacted at the meeting;
(a) to elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and League Committee, together with the President, Life Members and Auditor.
(b) to receive the report of the Treasurer for the preceding twelve months, ending the 30 April.
(c) to receive the written reports of the League Officers as required.
(d) to transact such business as may be submitted by the League Committee or by other members, who shall give the appropriate notice in writing, of the motion he/she proposes to make.
2. Any suggested alterations or amendments to the rules, or any other proposition must be given in writing to the General Secretary no later than the 21 April. All proposals shall be circulated to all clubs at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
3. Any member attending the Annual General Meeting, who is a fully paid up member of the league and a club for the previous season, shall be entitled to a vote.
6. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING Special General Meeting shall fulfill the same function as the Annual General Meeting and may be convened on the resolution of the League Committee OR within three weeks of the receipt, by the General Secretary, of a petition signed by the secretaries of at least half of the affiliated clubs.
7. DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE 1. A meeting called the Fixture Meeting shall be convened by the General Secretary on a date set at the Annual General Meeting preceding this meeting. At this meeting the League Committee shall determine the format and number of divisions to make up the league as deemed necessary by the entries received.
2. Preceding the Fixture Meeting, and on receipt of all league entries, the Executive Committee shall convene to formally decide on the proposed structure and placement of teams within their appropriate leagues.
3. Once the Executive Committee has agreed the proposed divisional structure the General Secretary will issue copies of the structure to all CLUB SECRETARIES prior to the Fixture Meeting.
Any comment or appeal must then be made in writing to the General Secretary at least two days before the Fixture Meeting.
At the Fixture Meeting the League Committee who shall have the sole responsibility for deciding the placing of teams in the appropriate divisions shall decide on the FINAL divisional structure and the placement of all teams in the divisions after taking into account comments and appeals received from clubs or teams.
4. The top two teams in each division at the end of the previous season will be promoted to the next higher division and the bottom two teams will be relegated to the next lower division, so far as is practicable.
The exception to this rule is that only one team will be relegated from the Premier Division and only one team will be promoted from Division One if the League Committee deemed it necessary to form a Premier Division.
5. Depending upon the number of entries received this rule may be amended.
6. In the event of two or more teams being tied on points and there is a need to place one or more teams higher than the others, the results of their matches against each other for the previous season should be taken into account. The team with the best aggregate score being placed higher in the table. Only if aggregate scores are equal (i.e. both teams scoring 10 points each from these two matches) shall a play off take place. The play off will be played on a neutral table and will be the best of nine singles. No doubles will be played.
7. This equally applies to the teams in the relegation positions.
8. Should a team withdraw from the league, the results of the matches it has played shall be deleted from the league tables.
8. ANNUAL FEES AND REGISTRATIONS 1. All clubs to be situated within 18 miles, by road, of Boston Market Place.
2. The annual fee payable for each club and individual registration fees for Senior and Junior players shall be as set by the League Committee.
3. Unless otherwise agreed by their club it is the responsibility of club secretaries to notify team captains of the level of fees for the coming year and the date by which they should be paid. It is the responsibility of the team captain to collect all fees due for his/her team and submit them to the league before the due date. On receipt of the appropriate fees the team will be issued with handbooks. The date by which all fees should be paid will be set at the Fixture Meeting.
Failure to pay all league fees by the required date will render the team unregistered to play and therefore nullify any results they achieve until all fees are paid.
4. No club or player shall be entitled to take part in any of the leagues activities if any subscriptions or other monies are owing to any affiliated league or club.
3. No player may register for more than one team.
6. Clubs entering more than one team shall allot three or more players to each team.
7. Where a club has more than one team entered in the league, players registered for one team may play for ANY of the other teams in their club providing that:
(a) the other team is in a higher division.
(b) they have not already played for another team in that higher division in the same season.
(c) they have not played for another club during the season.
(d) they play on no more than FOUR occasions in a higher division during one season.
If a player wishes to make a fifth appearance in a higher division then they must transfer to the other team as per rule 8(9).
8. If a club wishes to sign a new player after the start of the season they must write to the Match Secretary, enclosing the appropriate registration fee and stating which team they are to be registered for. The written notification and fee must be in the possession of the Match Secretary at least 24 hours before the player plays any matches for the team.
9. If a player wishes to transfer to another team after the start of the season, they must complete a transfer form, available from the Match Secretary, and return to him along with the transfer fee of £1.00. The completed transfer form must be in the possession of the Match Secretary at least 24 hours before the player plays in any matches for their new team.
10. No registration of new players or transfers may take place after 31 January without the prior consent of the League Committee.
11. Any contravention of rules 8(7) to 8(10) will invalidate any games played by the offending player(s) in the affected matches.
9. PLAYING REGULATIONS 1. In order to be eligible for membership of the league, a club must possess a table complying with the E.T.T.A. rules and will also be required to have a reasonable lighting and playing area.
2. All matches will be played with table tennis balls officially recognised by the E.T.T.A.
3. Matches shall be played according to the fixture list. A match can only be postponed with the agreement of both team captains AND the Match Secretary must also be informed of any such postponement together with the new date on which the fixture is to be played. This date MUST be within 14 days of the original date. If the postponed match is not played within the specified time, the offending team will have one point deducted for each day or part thereof that the said fixture is late in being played, up to a maximum of ten points.
4. Postponements occasioned by extreme weather conditions or national emergency will automatically be permitted, by no later than 6.00 pm on the day on which such conditions exist. It shall be the equal responsibility of both team captains involved in the match to contact each other to confirm whether the match arrangements remain valid. Formal notice of the postponement must still be given to the Match Secretary.
5. Conceding a match may result in the offending team having points deducted up to a maximum of ten points at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
6. Unplayed matches under Rule 9(3) or 9(4) should be rearranged and it will be the duty of the home team captain to offer alternative dates.
7. Teams completing in matches in the league shall consist of three players. Each
member of the home team shall play each member of the visiting team, the best of
three games (a rubber). One rubber of doubles will also be played, making a total
of ten rubbers to a match. One point will be awarded for each rubber won If a team
win 10-
8. When playing league matches, members of the home team shall be known as ABC and the members of the visiting team as XYZ. Before commencement of the match the home team captain will write on the score sheet the names of his players, in order of play and he will then pass it to the visiting team captain to add his team's names, in order of play.
Unless mutually agreed otherwise, by both team captains before the commencement of
the match, matches will be played in the following order:-
1. A v X 2. B v Y 3. C v Z
4. B v X 5. A v Z 6. C v Y
7. B v Z 8. C v X 9. A v Y
10. Doubles
Any rubber which cannot be played in the agreed order because of the late arrival of a player shall be forfeited by that player and the next possible rubber begun.
9. Matches will start no later than 7.30 pm from which time play will be continuous.
(a) Other than in extenuating circumstances, any team not turning up for a match
within one hour of the scheduled start may forfeit the match, losing 10-
(b) Any team forfeiting more than two matches in one season shall be ejected from the league and their results nullified.
10. The umpire of each rubber played during the match is to be acceptable to both players and his/her decisions are to be final.
11. The home team must forward the score sheet to the Match Secretary within seven clear days of the match being played. If the score sheet is not received within that time the Match Secretary shall contact the home team requesting the score sheet be forwarded to him/her within four days. If there is no response then the Match Secretary shall report the matter to the Executive Committee. They will then decide upon the level of the fine, in points, to be levied on the home team up to a maximum of ten points.
12. Players should wear suitable light shoes during play and appropriate clothing must be worn. No white shirts, shorts, blouses or skirts.
13. Breach of any playing rule should be reported, in writing, within seven days to the Match Secretary.
14. The Executive Committee shall have the power to order the replaying of matches under Rule 9(3), 9(4)and 9(5) and where necessary fine or award points in matches where a club or a player commits any breach of the above rules.
10. LOCAL COMPETITIONS
1. Wilcox -
2.Harden Cup -
3.Pairs Handicap -
4. Pip Larrington Cup -
5.Vic Clements Family Doubles-
6.The Adrian Thorpe Trophy-
The handicap arrangements for the above competitions are to be implemented by the Tournament Committee, to their satisfaction and whose decisions are final.
No replacements can be made to any Pairs/Doubles competition after the first round.
7.Brodie Cup-
8. Hutson Cup -
9. MorleyCup -
10. Horton Trophy -
11. Slingsby Cup -
12. Hard Bat Competition-
13. Divisional Competitions-
14.Junior Competition-
15. Unless stated otherwise, matches for each round including the final are to be the best of three games (21 up) with normal deuces.
16. All matches shall start within thirty minutes of the agreed time or the match will be forfeited by the offending player.
20. The team or player drawn at home shall be responsible for the arrangements of each match, with the exception of the final.
21. All finals that are designated to be played on a date set aside for finals, are to be played on that date with no exceptions unless approved by the Competition Committee. Anyone not able to compete on that date will forfeit the match.
11. TOP TEN TROPHY 1. A trophy will be awarded annually to the player who comes top of the averages in each of the divisions.
2. To be eligible for this trophy a player must have played at least 66.66% of their teams total matches.
3. A players position in the league will be arrived at on the average of games won against games lost.
12. DISCIPLINE 1. A member shall not deliberately do or cause to be done anything harmful to the league nor likely to bring the league or the game of table tennis into disrepute.
2. All disciplinary matters shall be dealt with by the Executive/Disciplinary Committee.
3. Any member of the Executive/Disciplinary Committee having an interest in a matter to be discussed must declare that interest as soon as he/she are aware of it, and must not take part in the vote.
4. Any allegation of breach of rule or regulation of this league must be made in writing to the General Secretary specifying the rule of regulation alleged to have been broken, the name of the member or organisation alleged to be in breach and the date and place of the alleged breach.
5. The Executive/Disciplinary Committee shall follow the procedure laid down by the National Council of the E.T.T.A. as included in Appendix E to the rules of the E.T.T.A.
6. If a formal allegation is proved to its satisfaction, the Executive/Disciplinary
Committee shall have the power to impose on the member of the organisation guilty
of such breach (the offender) one or more of the following penalties:-
(a) That he/she be suspended from the privileges of membership of this league, either indefinitely or for a stated period.(b) That he/she be fined.(c) That he/she be censured.(d) That he/she be dealt with in such other manner as the Executive/Disciplinary Committee may think fit.
7. The General Secretary shall notify the member or organisation, in writing, and at the same time send a copy of Rule 14 (right of appeal) if the charge has been proved.
13. REVIEW OF LEAGUE DECISION 1. Any individual or club aggrieved by a decision or action of this league or of a committee, officer or official of the league, may appeal to the Executive/Disciplinary Committee to review such decision or action, and the Executive/Disciplinary Committee shall arrange such a hearing if so requested.
2. Any such appeal shall be made in writing to the General Secretary within fourteen days of notification of the decision or action of which the review is sought.
14. APPEALS 1. Any individual member or affiliated club aggrieved by a decision or action of this league or a committee, officer or official of this league, or by neglect or refusal to do something which such organisation or person is under a duty to do (including a decision of the Executive/Disciplinary Committee on a review under Rule 13.1 may appeal against any such decision, action, neglect or refusal to the Lincolnshire County Table Tennis Association whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
2. Any such appeal shall be made in writing to the General Secretary of the L.T.T.A. within 21 days of the notification of the decision or action appealed against, and shall be accompanied by a fee of £0.50 in the case of an individual or £2.00 in the case of an organisation which shall be returned if the adjudication body consider the making of the appeal to have been justified (whatever the result).
3. Either party to the appeal shall be entitled to require a hearing before the adjudication body. Any party may be represented at the hearing provided that the County Association is notified in advance, in writing, of the intention to be represented.
15. TOWN BADGE Players taking part in the Inter Town Matches shall be entitled to the recognised league badge for meritorious service after seven games.
16. TROPHIES All trophies are the property of the Boston and District Table Tennis League and should be returned to the General Secretary by the 1 March (Competitions) or the 1 April (League) in the following year.
17. DISSOLUTION In the event of the Boston and District Table Tennis League being dissolved a committee comprising of the Treasurer, Chairman and General Secretary (at the time) shall be automatically appointed to realise the assets of the league and after all debts are settled and expenses paid, the remainder shall be divided to all affiliated clubs proportionally to the number teams which have been in continuous membership of the league for the preceding three seasons.
18. GENERAL (a) These rules are binding upon every member of the Boston and District Table Tennis League and shall be supplemented, rescinded or altered only by a General Meeting.
(b) The interpretation of all or any of these rules should any dispute arise shall be at the exclusive judgement of the executive committee, whose decision shall be final.
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