Constitution & Rules
- IMPORTANT NEW NOTES:
- Following a discussion in Committee on an incident during a match last year the Committee wishes to advise members that when acting as referee during a match, that any team member(s) influencing a shot selection for their player by any means, e.g. calling out, then a foul must be called. Furthermore, no shot choice discussions – or discussions of any kind - should be made between team members once a player has addressed the table - this includes Pairs competition matches.
- Another area that is often raised for debate is that there is NO requirement for a player to nominate the free ball to be played UNLESS the referee specifically requests a nomination, normally because there is an element of doubt to observers. However, it should still be regarded as ‘best practise’ to nominate the ball to be played in order to avoid any debate.
PART 1 - CONSTITUTION
1.1 The League shall be known as The Watford and District Billiards and Snooker League, and shall be open to members of any club in the Watford area.
1.2 The object of the League shall be to promote billiards and snooker in the area.
1.3 All games shall be played to the rules of The World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association, with the exclusion of the 'Foul and a Miss' rule as explained in Section 3, 14. in WPBSA Rules. Please refer to: (https://wpbsa.com/wp-content/uploads/Rulebook-Website-Updated-May-2022-2.pdf)
1.4 The League shall be managed by an Executive Committee consisting of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Competition Secretary, and up to nine Committee Members, all to be properly elected at the Annual General Meeting each year.
1.5 Any team wishing to make any allegation of wrong doing by any other team or club in the league must notify the league committee within ten days of the alleged incident.
1.6 Any Committee Member failing to attend three consecutive meetings without explanation shall no longer be regarded as a member of the committee.
1.7 The Chairman shall preside at all committee meetings. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman will preside and in the absence of both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman the committee shall elect a Chairman for a meeting. The Chairman shall have the casting vote at any committee or League meeting.
1.8 Six members of the committee, or officers and committee, shall form a quorum, except where a sub-committee is formed.
1.9 The Secretary, or acting Secretary, shall take minutes of each full committee meeting which, if they are accepted by the Committee as a true record, shall be signed, at the next meeting, by the Chairman presiding.
1.10 An Appeal Panel consisting of Chairman or Vice Chairman, one other League Officer who shall take the minutes, one other Committee Member, and two Independent Club Contacts shall be convened in the event of an appeal against disciplinary action imposed by the Committee. The Panel shall have the power to uphold, amend or annul the original decision within the confines of the League rules and their decision shall be final
1.11 An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee or by any member of a League club provided they are supported by not less than one fifth of the total League clubs.
1.12 Any alteration to the League Rules by a member or club can only be made on a majority vote at the Annual General Meeting or, if necessary, at an Extraordinary General Meeting of which all members shall be notified and given the option to attend. Proposed alterations must be in the possession of the Secretary not less than 21 days before any General Meeting. Fourteen days notice of proposed alterations to be given to clubs by the Secretary prior to any General Meeting. Only one vote allowed to any club represented at these meetings.
1.13 All trophies remain the property of the League, but may be held by the winners for a period of one year at the discretion of the Committee.
1.14 This Constitution may only be varied by a majority vote at the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting, but the Committee have the power to alter the Rules at any time to ensure the smooth running and the financial security of the League.
PART 2 - MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Entrance to the League shall be open to all clubs within reasonable travelling distance, at the discretion of the Committee. Any member of these clubs is eligible to participate. League membership fees and registration for the following season, will be paid at the time of application each year as a condition of membership.
2.2 Each participating Club will be expected to provide a Club Contact, who will maintain the information flow between the League and their Club, teams and individuals. No responsibility will be accepted by the League for any information not passed on by Club Contacts.
2.3 Any member, team, or club, deliberately infringing the Rules 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.
2.4 All clubs not represented at any General Meeting, and not in attendance throughout the whole of that Meeting, will be fined £20.00, unless reasonable excuse for non-attendance is accepted by the Committee. If the fine is not paid within 28 days of the Committee notifying the offending club, that club will be expelled from the League.
2.5 Any new club joining the League will not have voting power at a General Meeting until they have completed a full season in the League.
PART 3 - GAMES RULES
3.1 All League and Cup games to be refereed alternatively by members of both clubs. The home club will normally supply the first referee. The home players score to be shown on the "top" or "spot" position on the scoreboard.
3.2 All League and Cup matches are to be played on one table, with the exception that, in the event of a match being considered likely to finish beyond the club's normal closing time, the fourth and fifth frames may be played, concurrently on adjoining tables, with the agreement of both captains.
PART 4 - LEAGUE MATCHES
4.1 All matches to be played on a Thursday night at 7.45pm, on the dates specified in the fixture lists.
4.2 A match shall consist of five single frames. The home captain shall be responsible for notifying the Fixture Secretary of the result by taking a photo of the result card provided and emailing to the dedicated email results address of wdsl.fixtures@gmail.com. (See Rule 4.8).
4.3 At least three players from both teams must be present before a match can commence. Any team knowingly fielding less than five players should before the start of play notify the opposing captain.
4.4 The home team captain shall nominate players one at a time for matching by the visiting captain.
4.5 Matches to commence at 7.45pm. Should a match not start by 8pm the defaulting team shall be deducted one point. In the event of a match not starting by 8.15pm the non-defaulting team shall claim the first frame. Should a match not start by 8.45pm, the defaulting team shall be deemed to have contravened Rule 4.7.
4.6 If for any reason a match is not able to be finished due to a clubs closing times, the remaining game or games shall be re-arranged for a future date convenient to both teams, but within twenty-one days of the original match date. The home captain shall notify the Fixture Secretary of any such circumstances.
4.7 Any team failing to turn up for a fixture without the notice provided in rule 4.9 may be deducted up to a further three points and liable to a fine of up to £25 payable to the league. The committee shall have sole discretion in awarding reasonable costs to the non-defaulting team. If a satisfactory explanation for their absence is put in writing to the committee any further points penalty may be waived. The Match shall be re-arranged and played within 21 days of the original match date.
4.8 The home team captain must give the result to the fixture secretary, using the dedicated email address before 5 pm on the Friday following (day after) the match. Failure to comply may result in a point's deduction against the home team.
4.9 Seven clear days' notice shall be given to the opposing team captain and the Fixture Secretary of a postponed match. In the event of a team postponing a match, they will on the first occasion be deducted one point and on a second or subsequent occasion a two point deduction may apply. In exceptional circumstances (i.e. bad weather), the seven days' notice of postponement may be waived at the discretion of the Committee.
4.10 All postponed matches (unless covered by Rule 4.11) must be played within twenty-one days of the original date of the match unless arrangements have been made with the Fixture Secretary. In the event of a match not being played within the stipulated time the defaulting team shall be deducted three points, and the match played at the discretion of the Committee.
4.11 In the event of any of the last two matches of the season being postponed, the match must be played within one week of the finishing date of the season. Any team failing to complete their fixtures will be deemed to be in breach of the League rules, and appropriate action will be taken by the Committee.
4.12 A player shall play for no more than one team in any one season, and only for that team in cup competitions, unless a written request is made to the Committee. The Committee shall have sole discretion in these circumstances.
4.13 At the end of the season, if two or more teams are eligible for promotion or relegation and finish on the same number of points, the team winning or losing the most matches will decide the promotion or relegation places. If this still results in a tie, then there the results of the matches between the two teams will decide the promotion or relegation.
4.14 Professionals are not eligible to play in the League or competitions. The definition of a professional is anyone who has been playing on the professional circuit within the past 5 years.
PART 5 - CUP MATCHES
5.1 A match shall consist of the best of five singles games.
5.2 If less than three players of any one team are present for a match, it shall not take place, but must be re-arranged and played within seven days of the original date. Should the defaulting team not play the re-arranged game within the stipulated time, they will be eliminated from the competition. Both team captains must notify the Competition Secretary of the postponement.
5.3 If for any reason a match is not able to be finished due to a club's closing time, the remaining game or games shall be re-arranged and played within seven days of the original match date. The home team captain will be responsible for informing the Competition Secretary in this eventuality.
5.4 Two clear days' notice to be given to the opposing team, and the Competition Secretary, in the event of a postponed match. Failure to give such notice shall result in the defaulting team conceding the match. In exceptional circumstances e.g. bad weather, the two days' notice may be waived at the discretion of the Competition Secretary.
5.5 Any team failing to turn up for a fixture without the notice provided in Rule 5.4, must forward to the Competition Secretary a satisfactory and acceptable explanation for their absence within seven days. Should the explanation not be acceptable to the Committee, the offending team will be eliminated from that competition. The defaulting team shall pay a £25.00 fine to the Committee, who shall have discretion to award reasonable costs to the non-defaulting team. Teams defaulting without reason may be banned from that competition the following season. Persistent offenders shall be deemed to have contravened Rule 2.3.and will be dealt with under that rule.
5.6 Each team captain will make a list of his team in playing order. The two lists will then be placed together, entered onto the result card and the games played in that order.
5.7 The home captain shall be responsible for notifying the Competition Secretary of the result of the match via txt message to the Competition Secretary's telephone number OR email as shown on the Home Page of the website.
5.8 Where a result has not been received, within two days of the closing date, for any competition, both teams will be eliminated. No excuse will be accepted for not notifying a result on time.
5.9 Matches to commence at 7.45pm. If a match is not started by 8.00pm, the defaulting team shall forfeit the first frame. Should the match not have started by 8.30pm, they will forfeit the second frame. If any match has not started by 9.00pm, the defaulting team will be deemed to have contravened Rule 5.5. The playing of all frames shall be continuous, with the exception that one breaks of a maximum of 15 minutes may be allowed for refreshment after the third frame has been played.
5.10 Should any player not be available to play; he shall forfeit that frame.
5.11 If two teams from the same club reach a Final, the Final will be played at that club; otherwise it will be played at a neutral venue to be decided by the Committee.
PART 6 - INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS
6.1 The closing dates for all rounds of all competitions will be circulated by the Competition Secretary with the draw for the first rounds of competition.
6.2 In general snooker competitions will consist of the best of five frames. The Colbourne Trophy will be the best of five frames, with the doubles to be played as the third frame. The Three man team handicap will be the best of seven frames in all rounds. The only exception is the Singles Championship Final, which is best of seven frames
6.3 In individual competitions, where a lady or player under 18 years of age is drawn away to a club, the rules of which bar them from playing at that club, the Committee will reverse the fixture so that they can play at home.
6.4 All rounds up to and including the semi-finals, to be played at the home club of the player first named in the draw. The Draw will be made by the Committee, who will also decide on venues for the finals, and the nomination of neutral referees. If two players from the same club reach a final, then the final will be played at that club.
6.5 In all matches it is the responsibility of the first named or home player to contact his opponent in order to arrange the match, except in the finals when this is arranged by the Committee and all concerned notified. However, this does not prevent the away named player making the initial contact should they need, or wish, to do so.
6.6 A home player shall give three non-consecutive dates to his opponent on which to play the match. Any matches played after the advertised closing date, will be declared void and both parties eliminated from the competition. No extensions to the advertised closing dates for any round will be granted under any circumstances.
6.7 Players defaulting without reason may be banned from all individual competitions the following season. Persistent offenders shall be deemed to have contravened Rule 2.3, and will be dealt with under that rule.
6.8 Any players not contacted 14 days prior to the closing date, shall apply to the Competition Secretary for a ruling.
6.9 It is the responsibility of the winning team/player(s) to notify the Competition Secretary via txt message to the Competition Secretary's telephone number OR email as shown on the Home Page of the website.
6.10 Where a result has not been received, within two days of the closing date for any round of any competition, the participants will both be eliminated. No excuse will be accepted for not notifying a result on time.
6.11 Players who have not previously entered handicap competitions will be regarded as scratch players, unless that player is known to the Committee, when they will then be handicapped accordingly.
6.12 Billiards competitions will consist of 250 up, except for the semi-finals and final, which will be 350 up.
PART 7 - GENERAL
7.1 The Committee shall determine the charges to be paid by clubs and individuals for entry into competitions.
7.2 The League books shall be open to inspection by any member of the League at any reasonable time. The venue for the inspection shall be decided by the holding officer, and will take place in his presence.
7.3 The tickets for the Presentation Night will be sold after the final League Tables have been published, winners will be given preference.
7.4 A player with an individual trophy to collect will forfeit it if they do not attend the Presentation, unless they have a reasonable excuse for non attendance, or they arrange for someone from their own club to collect it on their behalf.
7.5 Team trophies will not be awarded unless at least two members of that team are present at the Presentation. Any team not so represented shall be liable to reimburse the League expenses incurred in the provision of the trophies. The Committee shall have sole discretion in these circumstances.
7.6 All major trophies presented by the League for both League and Individual competitions must be returned in a "clean" condition by the 1st April the following year. Failure to comply will result in a fine of £20.00, payable within 14 days. Should the fine be unpaid, the Committee shall consider a ban from all competitions for the ensuing season. Where a team is concerned the ban would be applicable to anyone who played for that team the previous season.
7.7 Any restriction imposed on players or guests by associate clubs regarding age, sex, dress, behaviour or licensing hours are paramount and binding. Failure to observe such restrictions will be regarded by the Committee as a breach of Rule 2.3.and will be dealt with under that rule.
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