TELFORD AND DISTRICT AMATEUR SNOOKER LEAGUE

b) The objectives and duties of the league shall be to promote the well being of the game of English snooker and in furtherance thereof shall promote such competitions as shall be determined from time to time. For this purpose it may be arranged into leagues, groups, sections and/or divisions, as may be deemed necessary.

c) The league shall be affiliated to the Staffordshire and West Midlands snooker and billiards association.

2) THE COMMITTEE AND MEETINGS Back to top..

a) A management committee consisting of Chairman, Vice-chairman, League secretary, Treasurer, Competitions secretary and 4 members elected at the annual general meeting shall govern the league. Honorariums shall be paid at a rate equivalent to 10% of league cue fees and shared equally between Secretary, Competition Secretary and Treasurer. In addition the Chairman will receive an honorarium of £40. No more than 2 representatives from any one club will be allowed to vote and there must be a quorum of five people at any meeting for that meeting to take place.

b) In the event of any office becoming vacant, the Management committee shall have the power to appoint a successor until the next annual general meeting.

c) The Management committee shall meet monthly, and as or unless the Chairman and League secretary deem necessary. It shall be empowered to make any by-laws for the benefit of the league and do all such things it may deem necessary for carrying out its objectives. It shall have full power to deal with infringement of the rules or by-laws and give a decision on any matter on which they are silent.

d) No more than 2 representatives from any one club will be allowed to vote and there must be a quorum of five people at any meeting for that meeting to take place.

3) MONTHLY MEETINGS Back to top..

a) All matters in dispute must be delivered in writing to the secretary within three days of the event and will be discussed at the following monthly meeting.

b) Members who bring complaints are expected to attend the said meeting.

4) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (A.G.M.) Back to top..

a) The A.G.M., of which 4 weeks notice shall be given, will be held annually and a statement of accounts showing all receipts and the treasurer will render expenditure, duly audited.

b) Any notice of motion must be forwarded to the general secretary at least fourteen days before the date of the meeting. Honorariums, expenses, etc will be decided at the A.G.M.

c) All clubs wishing to continue membership of the league shall be represented at the A.G.M with at least one member per team in attendance. Non-attendance will result in a fine of £2 from each team not represented.

d) Any clubs resigning after the A.G.M shall automatically forfeit any subscriptions paid. Any club or players thereof shall not be permitted to play in any of the leagues competitions until all obligations have been fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of the Management Committee.

e) No amendments or additions shall be made to these rules except at the A.G.M, or an extraordinary general meeting called for that purpose.

5) EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS Back to top..

a) In the event of the league being dissolved, an extraordinary general meeting shall be called to determine the re-distribution of any assets or monies held at that time.

b) The management committee can call an EGM, if the league secretary receives four or more requests in writing from different clubs/teams requesting one.

6) SUBSCRIPTIONS Back to top..

a) Teams are deemed to belong to the club stated on their membership application form and shall play their home matches at that club. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Management Committee approve otherwise.

b) There will be a fine implemented of five pounds per week for late payments and all monies must be paid direct to the treasurer.

c) Membership shall be subject to a yearly subscription or affiliation fee, with every team paying £20 deposit and £1 for each player registered. This shall be paid at a Pre-registration meeting with the date to be decided by the management committee. The date of that meeting will be sent by mail to the teams named representative by the league secretary. Following this cue fees will be charged at £2 per player per week.

d) Each club is to appoint a representative for communication purposes, preferably the captain, thus alleviating the difficulties between the Committee and the officials and the registered club and players.

e) Any team sheet provided after that date will be excluded. (This is to enable league fixtures, handbook content etc, to be prepared and distributed to captains at the A.G.M).

f) The remaining balance shall be paid by instalments at the November, January and March committee meetings of the season concerned.

g) The annual subscription fee shall cover entry to the league, cup competitions, match cards, prize fund and handbooks.

h) Any team with outstanding amounts from a previous season who want to gain entry into the league would have to pay all fines in full, plus all cue fees for that forthcoming season in advance at the pre-registration meeting.

i) Any clubs resigning after the pre-registration Meeting shall automatically forfeit any subscriptions paid.

j) If a team fails to field a full side of 5 players, then that team will pay the cue fee for each of the opposing players who, as a result, cannot play a frame.

7) LEAGUE MATCHES - RULES & GUIDELINES Back to top..

a) All arrangements and conditions of play shall be in the hands of the Management Committee, subject to the particular rules of a competition.

b) Games shall be played in accordance with the rules as laid down by the English Association for Snooker and Billiards. The only exception to these rules may be the miss rule which is voted for or against by the members at the A.G.M. Currently the miss rule is not in use in any league matches.

c) The Management Committee shall have the power to order any match to be replayed should circumstances warrant it.

d) All matches are to be played on the date fixed. Exceptions to this rule will only be permitted in the event of adverse weather conditions or extreme circumstances.

e) Each captain shall independently enter the team order of play onto the match card, only names of players who are present maybe written down, frames will be played in the order as shown, and all members of a team must be present no later than 15 minutes after the last frame played.

f) League matches to be played on the date published on league fixture list, and these matches take precedence over all other matches, unless it is by direction of the management committee.

g) Commencement Of Matches - ALL league matches shall start at 7.45pm

h) Re-arranging matches – permission must first be obtained from the management committee, both captains are to inform the league secretary of their intentions and reasons at the earliest opportunity, any team failing to gain permission will forfeit all games in that match and be fined two pounds.

i) All league matches are played on a home and away basis and teams shall consist of 5 players, playing one frame each.

j) In the case of a player playing the incorrect opponent, should the frame be completed then the result stands.

k) Where a club operates more than one team in a particular league, such teams shall be deemed A, B, C etc, and the following constraints shall apply…
a) Players will automatically be registered for a team when they have played 1 league match for that team, they will then be ineligible to play for another team.
b) Where a club is running two or more teams in any one division, such teams will be deemed to be separate clubs within the meaning of these rules.

l) Should any team retire from the league, then all matches played by that team shall be deleted.

m) Where there is more than one division in any one section, promotion and relegation will operate on the principle of two up, two down, unless the Management Committee deem necessary.

n) In the event of two or more teams being equal on points that with the most number of matches won shall occupy the higher position. Should a tie still occur, the team with the most number of frames won, in matches between those concerned, shall be deemed to occupy the higher position. Should the teams still remain inseparable, and the situation involves the issue of promotion or relegation, then a play-off match will take place on neutral tables. This will also to apply to relegation issues.

o) Where there is more than one division an end of season play off will be held between the third from bottom of the higher division and the third from top of the lower division. The winner will be determined using the usual match rules of 5 single frames, the first to three being the winner of the match. The winner will then take place in the higher division the following season.

p) The use of mobile phones is not allowed during a match frame by either of the players, or the referee involved in their frame, any of these who have to use a mobile in case of emergency should vacate the snooker room.

8) FORFEITING OF FRAMES & MATCHES Back to top..

a) In league matches should a team or player be unready to commence play, as scheduled, at the stated time, and then upon a claim from the opposing party, the first frame shall be forfeited by 147 points to nil. In competition matches decided by aggregate score then the frame shall be forfeited by 147 points to nil.

b) Should the offending team or player continue to be unready after a further interval of 15 minutes then a second frame shall be forfeited. After a further half an hour, the match.

c) If a player is entered onto a match card who is then not in attendance for their frame, where the frame is to be played before the final frame, the opposing captain may change the remaining order of play.

d) In the case of a team playing an unregistered player, the offending team will be adjudged to have lost the applicable frame(s) by 147 points to nil and be fined two pounds.

e) In the case of a team playing short the required number of players, then it shall be adjudged to have lost such games by 147 points to nil, be deducted one point per player and be fined £2.50 per player.

9) PLAYER & TEAM ELIGIBILITY Back to top..

a) Any player from an offending team will not be permitted to play for another team until all fees are paid.

b) Any club or players thereof shall not be permitted to play in any of the leagues competitions until all obligations have been fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of the management committee.

c) In the case of a team playing an ineligible player (ineligible shall be defined as members of the World Professional Billiards Association, of another team or restricted by a management committee decision) the offending team will be adjudged to have lost the applicable frame(s) by 147 points to nil and be fined two pounds. Should the offence occur in a league match, 2 points will also be deducted from the offending team’s total.

10) REGISTERING PLAYERS Back to top..

a) All players intending to compete in the league must be entered on the league registration form only, and is to be deposited with either the secretary or treasurer by the date stipulated.

b) Clubs wishing to register additional players after the stipulated date may do so by obtaining permission from either the secretary or treasurer. Such registrations will be subject to Management Committee scrutiny.

11) REFEREEING AND SCORING Back to top..

a) Home teams are responsible for refereeing and away teams for marking the board.

b) Home teams will score on spot (top) away teams on plain (bottom).

c) For the computation of league tables, one point will be awarded for each frame won

12) RESULT CARDS Back to top..

a) All result cards must be in the hands of the secretary within 4 days of the date of the match. Both parties and any alterations initialled must sign the card as correct.

b) In league matches, delivery of the score card is the responsibility of the HOME team.

c) In competitions it is the responsibility of the WINNING team or player to deliver the scorecard.

d) Failure to adhere deliver score cards will incur a warning in the first instance and a £5 fine for each recurring offence in league play, and elimination in competitions.

e) Any party found to have falsified a match result card would be severely fined.

f) The Management Committee shall consider all evidence put before it to determine the extent of, if any, the fine. Any party condoning the act will be liable to a more severe fine.

13) COMPETITIONS Back to top..

a) The Management Committee shall determine entry fees annually.

b) The winners of each match shall be decided by the virtue of the most number of frames won, unless otherwise specified. All winners must notify the competition secretary within 48 hours.

c) Should the Management Committee consider a competition to have attracted insufficient entries to make its commencement valid, then that competition shall be suspended for the season in question.

d) Competition matches are to be arranged within 7 days with equal responsibility to arrange the match on both players.

e) Competition matches not played within the stated period or fixed date will result in the elimination of both parties. In some exceptional circumstances the management committee may allow a change of date.

f) The Management Committee shall determine the number of frames to be played in each round at the start of each season.

g) If there is no contact between players then both players will be scratched from the competition.

h) Handicaps awarded shall be agreed by the Management Committee & are subject to alteration at any time.

i) Players/teams competing in competition matches are expected to play their home matches from the club/venue they registered with at the start of the season, in some exceptional circumstances the management committee may allow a change of venue, with a referee being mutually agreed between the players concerned.

j) From the semi-final stages onwards all matches shall be played at a neutral venue with officials appointed by the Management Committee, if there is an EASB referee officiating then the miss rule will be applied by that official.

k) In matches decided by aggregate scores, should the points of both teams be equal after the completion of the final frame then the blackball shall be re-spotted and the last two opponents play. In no other frame, regardless of the frame or aggregate score, shall the blackball be Re-spotted after the balls have been potted or a penalty on the final blackball ends the frame.

l) In any one competition, no player may play for more than one team per season.

m) All fixed dates for competitions must be strictly adhered to. In some exceptional circumstances the management committee may allow a change of date. Any party failing to turn up will be automatically scratched from the competition and in the case of the Team Knockout first round, entry into the Consolation Cup shall also be affected.

n) Any player reaching the semi final or final stage of any competition will be subject to a dress code of trousers and collared shirt (excluding polo T shirts).

14) JOHN BETHELL Back to top..

a) The John Bethell competition remains open for players who have never received a trophy in the league.

15) INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS Back to top..

a) Age restrictions shall apply in the junior, over 40s and over 55s competitions. The junior shall be open only to players under the age of 21 years at commencement of the first league match of that season. Over 40s and 55s shall be open to those over 40 and 55 years of age at commencement of the first league match of that season.

16) DOUBLES COMPETITION Back to top..

a) At the start of each match, choice of strike shall be determined upon the toss of a coin, each side shall then open alternate frames but the order of play shall be determined at the commencement of each frame.

b) After a team has completed their first match, that combination of players must then remain for the rest of the tournament i.e. no substitutions are allowed.

17) TREBLES COMPETITION Back to top..

a) Teams shall consist of three players, each playing one consecutive frame, with the winners decided by virtue of the aggregate score of all frames in the match. Semi-final and final matches’ teams shall be drawn.

b) After a team has completed their first match, that combination of players must then remain for the rest of the tournament i.e. no substitutions are allowed.

18) TEAM CUP & CONSOLATION CUP Back to top..

a) All league teams shall be entered into the main cup and those defeated in the first round will automatically be entered into the consolation cup.

b) All players should be in attendance at the commencement of any cup match on the specified start time.

c) Teams forfeiting their first round match due to a contravention of the rules will be fined and eliminated from both competitions.

d) Teams shall consist of 5 players, each playing 1 frame. Semi-finals/finals matches, team order to be drawn.

e) Winners shall be determined by virtue of the highest aggregate score of all frames in the match (including any points awarded under the handicap). Note: if match drawn refer to rule 13 k.

f) A player must have played at least 1 league game to be eligible to be selected for a semi final or final of either of the team cup competitions.

19) INTER-TOWN SNOOKER COMPETITION Back to top..

a) Teams shall consist of 7 players, who shall play one frame each.

b) Players shall only be eligible to represent a town or area in which they reside or the club they represent is situated and must be participating members of our league. Professional players who reside in the Telford area can also be asked to represent our league.

c) A minimum of two teams will be entered each season called Telford A, Telford B, etc, and squads of 12 players will be picked by the Management Committee, with two respective captains being chosen, with squad members being chosen from league rankings and past achievements.

d) Squad members will be asked in writing of their intentions for that season.

20) TROPHIES Back to top..

a) All trophies are perpetual challenge trophies and must be returned to the secretary on request.

b) Clubs shall be responsible for their upkeep whilst in their possession and will be charged for any renovation necessary on their return.

c) The end of season trophy budget will be split at the committee’s discretion and awarded as a cash prize. Prizes will be given to teams in the league finishing the season above the relegation and play off places and to winners and runners up of team and individual competitions. To claim a cash prize a registered player of the team/competition entrant must attend the annual presentation evening for that season and sign for the award.

d) In the event that a prize winner cannot attend the presentation evening they may appoint a representative to collect the award on their behalf. Because of the nature of cash awards this request must be made in writing to the league secretary prior to the presentation evening and will accept that the value of 1 presentation entry fee per team member will be deducted from the value of the prize. No awards may be collected after the date of the presentation evening for the season during which the prize was won.

e) The committee will make a selection of trophies available at the monthly committee meeting prior to the date of the presentation evening where prize winners may attend and select a trophy of equivalent or less value to the cash award.

21) AMENDMENTS Back to top..

a) No amendments or additions shall be made to these rules except at the A.G.M, or an extraordinary general meeting called for that purpose.