CONSTITUTION & RULES

 1. NAME

The League shall be called The Oswestry and District Bowling League. If a sponsor shall be found for the League then the name may be changed to include the name of the sponsor.

 2. LEAGUE OFFICERS

There shall be a President, Chairman, Treasurer, General Secretary, Competition Secretary and Fixture Secretary, the first four of whom will also be League Trustees. The Chairman shall be elected every two years. Other League Officers shall be elected annually. Any two League Officers may be signatories to the League cheques.

 3. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Committee of Management shall consist of the above together with a Committee of upto nine, three of whom shall retire annually and being eligible may stand for re-election. Members are required to attend 70% of League meetings.

 4. LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP

Applications for membership shall be made before the 31st December each year. All Clubs wishing to retain membership of the League to make application in writing by letter or email before the 31st December each year stating the number of teams they wish to enter. All teams, without exception, must be able and willing to play their League fixtures on the nights designated by the League and shown in the League fixtures for the coming season. Divisions shall be limited to 12 (twelve) teams of 8 (eight) players.  If teams need to move their games i.e. for clubs without floodlights, then this must be mutually agreed between Captains and the League secretary informed.

 5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(5.1) The Annual General Meeting will be held during the month of February each year.

 (5.2) Notices of motion for consideration at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted in writing by letter or email to the Secretary not later than the 31st December.

 (5.3) Clubs may send as many representatives to the Annual General Meeting as they desire but only 1(one) vote per Club will be allowed.

 6. FINANCE

(6.1) The membership fee shall be set annually by the Management Committee and each Club shall be affiliated to The Shropshire County Bowling Association.  New Clubs will be required to pay the sum of £10 in addition, in advance against the season’s dues.  Affiliation fees must be received by the League Treasurer no later than 7 (seven) days prior to the commencement of the League.

 (6.2) All subscriptions to be paid to the League Treasurer within 14 days of receipt of the account. Fees due to the County Association to be paid to the County Treasurer in accordance with their rules.

 (6.3) No club or player indebted to The Shropshire County Bowling Association shall be eligible to play in the League fixtures or competitions.

 (6.4) In order to augment League Funds, each player when playing in a League match shall pay 50 (fifty) pence to a person appointed by his Club to collect same. The total amount to be paid to the League Treasurer within 14 (fourteen) days of receipt of an account from the Treasurer.

 (6.5) a financial penalty can be applied to Clubs withdrawing a team/s after 31^st December and prior to the start of the season.  The penalty can be up to 50% of match fees to be applied at the discretion of the Management Committee  

 7. LEAGUE MATCHES

(7.1) All clubs must register online all players to their designated teams not less than 7 (seven) days before the first match of the season. Any new or additional players thereafter can be added to the appropriate team list online prior to playing their first match. All registrations must show the British Crown Green registration number. Initially no player shall be allowed to register for more than one club and one team per season. A copy of a list of registered players should be printed from the website and made available for inspection by visiting teams. Players may only be transferred to another club in exceptional circumstances with the permission of the Management Committee.

 (7.2) Where a player is a member of more than one club he/she shall not play on the green used by a club of which he/she is not a registered playing member of the league a clear 1 (one) day before the match or League competition on that club’s green. In the case of League Competitions, League fixtures are excepted.

 (7.3) Any player, who plays in the current season with a team in the Shropshire Premier League can only play for his club’s most senior team in the Oswestry & District Bowling League

 (7.4) Each game shall be marked by a representative from each team.  Markers shall sit together and check cards every 4 (four) ends during the game.

 (7.5) League Teams must have a tape of a minimum of 20 (twenty) metres.

 (7.6) The Captains of each team shall act as referees.  Each team shall appoint a measurer, standard measures to be used.

 (7.7) The decision as to whether a green is fit to play due to weather or other conditions shall be with the home team.  Should the green be declared unfit every effort must be made by the home team to inform their visitors in sufficient time to avoid an unnecessary journey.

 (7.8) All Clubs to play at least 4 (four) jacks at all times in League matches and competitions.

 (7.9) All matches to commence at 7 pm, except as stated below.  At least four pairs to be on the green at the starting time.  Immediately a game is completed a fresh pair to be put on, so that at no time shall the green be occupied by less than 4 (four) pairs. Ten minutes shall be allowed to comply with this rule. The draw shall be made with the Home team captain writing Name and Number on the cards and placing face down randomly in two blocks (first four and second four). No player who is not present shall be included in the first four.  No alteration shall be made to the playing order after the draw is completed. The visiting team players shall have first delivery of the jack.  Where the first two and last four matches of the season are to be played on greens that do not have floodlights, those matches are to commence as follows: Weeks 1, 2, 19 & 20 at 6.30 pm and Weeks 21 and 22 at 6.15pm.

 (7.10) It will be the responsibility of the Home team to collate the results following the game.  Both captains should sign the results sheet directly following the game and it is the responsibility of the home team captain to enter and retain the sheet for reference.  The results should be entered on-line onto the league’s website within 24 hours of the completion of the match; it will then be the Away team captain’s responsibility to check the result on-line and to verify as correct. Non-compliance with this rule could entail the loss of a match point for each offence after consideration by the Committee.

 (7.11) Any Club running more than one team may use a player from a lower division to assist a team in a higher division four times during the season without that player losing the lower division status;  a player can only play four times in any one season for a team in a higher division other than the team of original registration. After assisting any senior team on five occasions that player shall have the status of the most senior team played for on a borrowed basis and shall no longer be eligible to play for the junior team. No player may play for more than one team in the same division of the League in any one season except as provided for in Rule 11.1 (Transfer). No player may play for more than one team on any given day.

 (7.11.1)In the event of the lowest or only team of a club (from Division 4/5/6 only), being unable to field a full team for a match, Captains can allow players to play a second game.   

The Captain may place 4 cards face down with the names of players who are prepared to play twice.  The opposing Captain will select one card and that player will be expected to play for a second time.  If more than one player is required, then the opposing Captain shall continue to select cards from the remaining placed cards.  This is restricted to 2 players in total. 

Players playing for a second time must start in the first 4 and play again in the last 4.  Their opposing player has the right to have a practice on the green for up to 5 minutes.

The points scored by the player(s) in their second game will not count towards their individual record, only the team’s total.  6 points will be deducted from the total aggregate of the match for each player who has played twice. 

Note 1 – the home captain entering the results, will be able to select the player twice

Note 2 – players opting to play twice in one match must have played 50% of their games for their team to date.  This will be monitored by the Fixtures Secretary and failure to comply will result in the match being declared a walk over.

Note 3 – the individual players score from their second game will not count in their individual averages.

 (7.12) Where a Club fails to field a complete team that team shall lose 1 (one) point and the aggregate 21-0 for each player short.  Where a Club runs more than one team the senior team, if short,  must use players from a team in a lower division even if such action means the postponement of the junior team's fixture. Teams must never use the excuse of not having enough players available to fulfil a fixture, they must turn up with what players they can muster and lose the games they fail to play 21-0. When a Club in any one week is compelled to postpone a League match the League Secretary must be informed of the postponement and the date of the rearranged fixture which MUST  be played within 14 (fourteen) days of the original fixture.  Should teams fail to make such arrangements they must submit to the League Committee's ruling on the matter who shall have the power to deduct points if thought fit.  The absence of regular signed players shall not be a proper  cause for postponement of matches.  If a postponed match has to be played out of season, no player is eligible to play who has not been a member of the team  for 75% of the season.

 (7.13) Any team fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit 2 (two) league points, the score to be recorded 21-0 in favour of the eligible player who shall also take the individual point.

 (7.14) In the event of any team not attending to play without reasonable excuse such team shall be reported to the Management Committee and may be fined a sum not exceeding £10 (ten pounds).  Should such team fail to make proper arrangements to play the game in question the Committee shall order the match to be played on a date of their choosing.

 (7.15) There shall be 10 (ten) points awarded per match. One point for each individual winner with 2 (two) points to the team winning on aggregate. In the event of a tie on aggregate each team will receive 1(one) point in addition to the individual points gained by the team. The team with the highest number of points at the end of the season to be declared winners.  Aggregate to count in the event of a draw on points.

 (7.16) In the event of a match having to be postponed, the Clubs concerned are to be mutually agreed on another date which shall be within 14 (fourteen)  days of the original date and advise the League Secretary accordingly.  Should Clubs fail to make such arrangements they are to submit to the Committee's ruling on the matter. Should either of the Clubs fail to submit to that ruling the defaulting Club may be penalised as the Committee decides and the fixture rearranged.

 (7.17) All matches are to be completed in one evening weather permitting. In the event of an adjournment of a match, the completed games are to count and the incomplete games to be played within 14 (fourteen) days of the original fixture.

 (7.18) All League matches and competitions are to be played in accordance with the Laws of the British Crown Green Bowling Association.

 (7.19) All team players MUST wear flat closed toe shoes, and team captains must ensure that their team members comply.  Any player not complying with this rule will not be permitted to participate.  This rule also applies to League competitions.

 8. PRESENTATION EVENING

(8.1) Trophies shall be awarded to the winners of each division of the League and League Competitions on Presentation evening. All perpetual trophies to be returned to the Competition Secretary at the following Annual General Meeting.

 (8.2) Any Club or individual having won a cash prize but failing to send a representative from that Club to the Presentation evening to collect such prize, shall forfeit it.  Any amounts so forfeited shall be credited to the League Funds under the heading "Forfeited Prizes".  Amounts so credited may be used at the Committee's discretion to augment prizes in the following seasons.  This Rule shall in no way affect the award of trophies, but only the cash prizes allocated to them.

 (8.3) In the event of the League ceasing to exist, all trophies shall be returned to the Trustees.

 9. GENERAL

(9.1) Any protest must be made within 7 (seven) days of the match and endorsed by the secretary of the Club concerned and accompanied by a fee of £2.00 which may be returned if the protest is upheld, or at the discretion of the Committee.

 (9.2) No member of a Club shall be allowed to play for another Club unless he/she has paid his/her obligation to his/her previous Club.

 (9.3) Promotion and relegation between each division shall be 2 (two) up and 2 (two) down. Circumstances dictating otherwise to be dealt with by the Committee.

 (9.4) Any matter arising during the season which is not covered in the above Rules shall be dealt with by the Management Committee, whose decision shall be final.

 

VETERANS LEAGUE RULES

 

1. There shall be one or more divisions of the Oswestry and District Veterans Bowling League which shall be governed by the Rules already in existence with British Crown Green Bowling Association and Oswestry & District Bowling League insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with these Rules.

2. Clubs which are members of the Oswestry & District Bowling League shall be entitled to enter one or more teams in the Veterans League.  Other clubs having a bowling green within the boundaries of the former area known as Oswestry Borough Council shall be entitled to apply to the Annual General Meeting of the League to enter one or more teams in the Veterans League subject to such clubs becoming affiliated to the Oswestry & District Bowling League and to the Shropshire County Bowling Association.

3. The date of the application to the Veterans League shall be 31^st December annually. Notices of motion for consideration at the Annual General Meeting shall be submitted in writing by letter or email not later than 31^st December annually.  Clubs may send as many representatives to the AGM as they desire but only one vote per club will be allowed.

4. As with Oswestry and District Bowling League, the Veterans League officers and Management Committee shall serve concurrently with its parent body.

5. Individual players in the Veterans League shall have attained the age of 60 years for Men and Ladies.

6. Each club wishing to enter a team or more in the Veterans League shall, not less than seven days before the first fixture of the season is played, forward to the Fixtures Secretary a list of eligible registered players for each team giving the date of birth and British Crown Green Bowling Association membership number of each player.  If a club wishes to register the players themselves, then they may do so using the appropriate log-on and password details as determined in advance by the Fixtures Secretary.  Additional players can be added during the season by forwarding details to the Fixtures Sectary, including their registered bowling number and date of birth.

7. No member of a club shall be allowed to play for another unless the player has settled his/her obligation to the previous club.

8. The Veterans Team Membership fee shall be set annually by the Management Committee and each Club shall be affiliated to The Shropshire County Bowling Association.  New Clubs will be required to pay the sum of £10 in addition and in advance against the season’s dues.  Affiliation fees must be received by the League Treasurer no later than seven days prior to the commencement of the League. In addition each team shall pay the current set green fee towards League Funds for each match played in the Veterans League as set by the Management Committee and which shall be reviewed annually. This figure shall be apportioned amongst the team players according to the number in each team.  The total sum due from each team shall be paid to the League Treasurer within fourteen days of receipt of an account from the Treasurer.  No club or player indebted to The Shropshire County Bowling Association shall be eligible to play in the League fixtures or competitions.  For 2019 this green fee will be 50p per player per game.

9. The decision as to whether a green is fit to play due to weather or other conditions shall be with the home team.  Should the green be declared unfit every effort must be made by the home team to inform their visitors in sufficient time to avoid an unnecessary journey.

10. The draw shall be made by each captain placing his score cards face down in playing order. If any player is not present during the draw then that player can be played lower down the order and not in the first three games. No alteration shall be made to the playing order after the draw has taken place. Visiting players shall have first delivery of the jack.

11. Teams shall consist of a minimum of 6 (six) players but may register more than this number if they so wish as long as the club pays the set administration fee of Shropshire Crown Green Bowling Association when called to do so.  Matches shall comprise of six games of singles and three games of doubles.

12. One match point shall be awarded for each individual winner and one for each pair of doubles winners making a total of nine points per match. No further points shall be awarded for a winning aggregate

13. League matches shall be played on Friday afternoons commencing at 1.30 unless, by prior arrangement and mutual agreement between the two team captains, an earlier or later time is warranted by operational difficulties.

14. The home team captain shall complete the necessary result page of the League website within 24 hours of the game. Non-compliance with this rule may, subject to consideration by the committee, entail the loss of one match point for each offence.

15. Four jacks shall be in play during the singles games and three in the doubles games throughout the game. 

16. All team players MUST wear flat closed toe shoes, and team captains must ensure that their team members comply.  Any player not complying with this Rule will not be permitted to participate.  This Rule also applies to League competitions.

17. If there are insufficient players available from a team to mark cards, players in games of doubles may mark their own cards.

18. Any Club running more than one team may use a player from a lower division to assist a team in a higher division four times during the season without that player losing the lower division status; a player can only play four times in any one season for a team in a higher division other than the team of original registration. After assisting any senior team on five occasions that player shall have the status of the most senior team played for on a borrowed basis and shall no longer be eligible to play for the junior team. No player may play for more than one team in the same division of the League in any one season except by way of transfer. No player may play for more than one team on any given day. 

19. Where a Club fails to field a complete team that team shall lose 1 (one) point and the aggregate 21-0 for each player short. Where a Club runs more than one team the senior team, if short, must use players from a team in a lower division even if such action means the postponement of the junior team's fixture. Teams must never use the excuse of not having enough players available to fulfil a fixture, they must turn up with what players they can muster and lose the games they fail to play 21-0. When a Club in any one week is compelled to postpone a League match the League Secretary must be informed of the postponement and the date of the rearranged fixture which MUST be played within 14 (fourteen) days of the original fixture.  Should teams fail to make such arrangements they must submit to the League Committee's ruling on the matter whom shall have the power to deduct points if thought fit. The absence of regular signed players shall not be a proper cause for postponement of matches. If a postponed match has to be played out of season, no player is eligible to play who has not been a member of the team for 75% of the season.

20.  Any protest must be made within seven days of the match and endorsed by the secretary of the club concerned by a fee of £2 which may be returned if the protest is upheld, or at the discretion of the Committee.

21. In the event of any team not attending to play without reasonable excuse such team shall be reported to the Management Committee and may be fined a sum not exceeding £10 (ten pounds).  Should such team fail to make proper arrangements to play the game in question the Committee shall order the match to be played on a date of their choosing.

22.  Any team fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit 2 (two) league points, the score to be recorded 21-0 in favour of the eligible player who shall also take the individual point.

23. The winning team each season in the Veterans League shall be awarded the Norman Wilkes Memorial Trophy to be held by such team for the ensuing season.

24. Trophies shall be awarded to the winners of each division of the League and League Competitions on Presentation Evening. All perpetual trophies to be returned to the Competition Secretary at the following AGM.

25. Any club or individual having won a cash prize but failing to send a representative from that club to the Presentation Evening to collect such prize shall forfeit it. Any amounts so forfeited shall be credited to the League funds under the heading “Forfeited Prizes”. Amounts so credited may be used at the Committee’s discretion to augment prizes in the following season. This rule shall in no way affect the award of trophies but only the cash prizes allocated to them.

26. Promotion and relegation between each division shall be 2 (two) up and 2 (two) down. Circumstances dictating otherwise to be dealt with by the Committee.

27. In the event of the League ceasing to exist, all trophies shall be returned to the Trustees.

28. Any matter arising during the season which is not covered in the above rules shall be dealt with by the Management Committee whose decision shall be final.