1. The name of the league shall be the "The Abingdon & District Pool League" hereafter known as the League.

2. The League is formed for the purpose of promoting pool amongst all players in the Abingdon and district area. The League shall organise team competitions and individual and pairs competitions.

3. The League shall select a management committee to undertake all League business.

4. The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer and up to five other members drawn from the affiliated teams.

5. The three main officers will be responsible for the finances of the League; all cheques must have two signatures in accordance with the bank mandate. The Treasurer will maintain adequate records of income and expenditure and at all times observe proper banking procedures. The accounting year shall end on the last day of the month immediately preceding that in which the AGM occurs.

6. The three main officers will hold office for two years. Other elected members of the Committee will hold office for one year. The retiring members will be eligible for re-election without nomination. The Committee will appoint any member of the incumbent committee to fill any vacancy that may occur. The Committee may also co-opt any person whose appointment would be beneficial to the Committee.

7. The Committee shall hold a meeting at intervals conducive to efficient management of League business. At all Committee meetings three members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of carrying on the business of the League.

8. At a Committee meeting all Committee members present shall be entitled to one vote. In the event of a tie the chairman shall have an additional deciding vote.

9. Any member of the committee may call a meeting after giving 24 hours notice and reasons for doing so to the rest of the Committee.

10. Subject to this constitution (as amended at any General Meeting), the Committee shall have full authority, to make any decision that, in their opinion, is deemed necessary or beneficial to the League members.

11. The League will endeavour to reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred by any member of the Committee while conducting business on behalf of the League, such expenses to be approved by the Committee.

12. The Secretary will be provided with a bursary of £150 per season towards the cost of running the league.

12. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held by the League following each season, at which the election of the Committee will be held, and at which any member can charge the committee to give full account of any action taken by the committee.

13. Any member wishing to add any item to the agenda, or make a nomination for the Committee, must notify the Secretary, in writing, at least seven days before the meeting. Committee must inform members of the time and venue of the AGM in good time.

14. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be requested by any six captains of the League on application to the Committee. Any letter of request for an EGM must contain six signatures of current captains of the league. Such meeting should take place under the same conditions as for an AGM in rule 12. An EGM shall take place if at any time the Committee feel it necessary, or if circumstances reduce the committee such that a quorum cannot be achieved.

15. The following people will be entitled to one vote each at a General Meeting:

a. All elected members of Committee present.

b. All team representatives present, affiliated for the summer and/or winter season in the twelve months previous to the Meeting.

In the event of a tie the Chairman shall have an additional casting vote.

16. Membership shall be open to all teams, clubs and public houses in the Abingdon & District area.

17. The Committee reserve the right to refuse membership to any team or individual if for any reason they consider that granting membership shall be detrimental to the league.

18. All teams shall pay fees as agreed at an AGM. Only fully paid up teams will be entitled to enter any competitions organised by the League.

19. All monies held by the League will, after deductions for legitimate expenses, be used for the benefit of all League members.

20. All competitions run under the auspices of the League will be played under European Blackball Association (EBA) Rules, as amended from time to time, and also under the League procedural rules. However the Committee shall have the right to alter any playing rule that they decide necessary. The Committee shall promulgate copies of all current relevant rules to member teams.

21. All members shall endeavour at all times to abide by the rules of the League.

22. The Committee reserve the right to suspend, fine or expel any individual or team for breach of these rules or any other rule that the committee makes at any future time, or for any act deemed to have brought the League into disrepute. Any member/team will be afforded every opportunity to defend/explain themselves to the Committee.

23. Any team expelled from the League will forfeit the whole of any subscriptions paid for the current year, and any rights accorded to them as members of the League.

24. All arrears owed to the league must be paid by the commencement of a season for the team to be eligible to play in that season.

25. Any member may request the committee to mediate in any dispute they may have with any other member/team within the League. Any decisions reached by the Committee will be final and binding on all parties.

26. Participants are expected to play their matches in a sporting manner. Players are reminded that when they play away from home they are to ensure that their conduct does not cause offence to their host.

1 TEAMS AND PLAYING FORMAT

1.1 Each team should elect a CAPTAIN to manage the business of the team.

1.2 The captain’s telephone number must be given to the Secretary; this must not be the pub/club number unless he/she resides there.

1.3 All matches will be played to the European Blackball Association (EBA) Rules

1.4 The captains are required to sign the result cards, thus giving declaration that the result be true and binding. (You should not sign the card if there is any dispute over the result).

1.5 The home team will be responsible for the table money and also the referees. It is customary for the home team to provide refreshments for the visiting team. (Team Knockout optional).

1.6 All league matches are to comprise of 12 singles in 2 sessions of 6 with a maximum of 12 players playing in any 1 match. Please note: The same player cannot play more than 1 frame in any session (i.e.) JOE BLOGGS CANNOT PLAY IN SESSION 2 TWICE.

1.7 Match points will be awarded as follows: 3 points for a match win, 1 point for a draw

2 ARRANGEMENT FOR AND COMMENCEMENT OF MATCHES

2.1 Matches will take place weekly on SUNDAY evenings, as detailed in the fixture list distributed by the league secretary. Matches cannot be played beyond the date stipulated on the fixture list except in the following circumstances;

Failure to inform the secretary as per rule 2.1 (2) (b) will result in the match being void. However teams, by mutual consent, may re-arrange a match to be played on the rearranged fixture date or earlier than the date stipulated on the fixture list.

2.2 The official start time is 7.30pm. Teams must be ready to commence within 15 minutes of the start time otherwise the team at fault will forfeit the first frame, subsequent frames will be forfeit every 10 minutes.

2.3 Play must be continuous, any player not present when due to play will lose their frame.

2.4 The captains (the home captain will write down the order of his players prior to the away side’s captain) will determine the order of play. This must be completed prior to the start of the match.

2.5 The first match will commence by way of the "lag" as per the EBA playing rules; thereafter alternative breaks being used.

2.6 In K.O Cup matches should the match score reach 6-6, the final 2 players will play an extra frame (where a team is short, the last player who played, will play this frame). The players will re-lag to determine the break for the frame.

2.7 No player will be under any obligation to play after 10.30pm. Any player not wishing to play beyond this time should inform the captains as soon as it is apparent that the match will go beyond this time. However, any frame started before 10.15pm must be completed (subject to the landlord’s permission). Any frames remaining un-played must be played within 14 days. The secretary must be informed if this situation arises

3 QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS

3.1 Teams can play as many players as required throughout the season. However players will only be fully registered with a team once they have played in a match and appear on a result card.

3.2 Any player-registered pre-season with a team may play for another team without transferring (see 3.4) as long as they have not played for their original team.

3.3 Having already played for one team, a player may transfer to another team if he/she notifies the committee in writing, 7 days before playing for the new team, enclosing a fee of £3. A player cannot play for A & B teams of any pub/club without being transferred.

3.4 If a team plays an ineligible player, the frame(s) played by that player shall be awarded to the opposing team and the secretary will notify the offending team and request an explanation.

3.5 According to the Gaming Act, players under the age of 18 may only play on a pool table in a pub with the landlord’s express permission. Any captain who has players under the age of 18 is advised to check with the landlord before arriving at away venues.

3.6 Only 2 players aged under 18 may play for a team in an individual match

4 REFEREES AND PLAYING DISPUTES

4.1 The home team will provide the referee for every frame, so captains should ensure that their players are fully conversant with the rules.

4.2 In the event of a dispute the referee shall consult the playing rules before making a decision. If after consulting the rules a dispute still exists, both team captains shall consult privately and agree upon the correct action to be taken. If agreement cannot be reached, the referee's original decision shall stand and the frame shall continue. The two team captains shall make a report in writing to the secretary. On receipt of such a report, the league committee shall meet and rule on the correct course of action.

4.3 Any disputes about individual frames are not in themselves reason enough for a match to be abandoned. Any team refusing to complete a match because of such dispute will forfeit any outstanding frames.

5 OTHER DISPUTES

5.1 If a dispute arises and cannot be resolved by the team captains, the Secretary, or another committee member should be contacted. They will make an interim decision on the course of action to be taken, which will be binding on both teams. Following a dispute resolved in this way, the committee would meet to ensure that the correct decision was made and to amend the decision if applicable.

6 REPORTING OF RESULTS

6.1 The Winning team (both teams if match drawn) must contact the Secretary and inform him of the result, within 24 hrs of the match being played (even if the matched is claimed).

6.2 The Winning team (home team if match drawn) will complete the result card and send it to the Secretary, to arrive within 3 days of the date the match took place (even if the matched is claimed).

6.3 Captains are responsible for making sure the result card is filled in correctly. If a card is incomplete, the score will be whatever is written on the card.

7 VENUES AND CHANGES OF VENUE

7.1 All teams must register their home venue with the league.

7.2 In the event of a team wishing to change its venue mid season, the secretary must be given 7 days notice, preferably in writing.

7.3 The minimum desirable requirement for an acceptable venue shall be:

7.3.1 A standard six, seven or eight foot tables, a seven-foot table being the recommended size.

7.3.2 The match table shall be level and have a surface of reasonable quality.

7.3.3 The table shall be clearly marked and maintained in a clean and well-presented manner.

7.3.4 A rest and/or spider must be made available.

7.3.5 Every effort should be made to ensure adequate playing space is available around the table.

7.3.6 An area must be available adjacent to the table for viewing purposes.

The Management Committee may refuse to accept any team whose venue does not conform to this standard

8 AVAILABILITY OF LEAGUE RULES

8.1 A copy of these league rules and current official playing rules shall be made available for all matches by the home team.

9 DETERMINATION OF CHAMPIONSHIP, PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

9.1 If two or more teams are tied in positions affecting the championship, promotion or relegation places the tie shall be broken as follows:

9.1.1 The team having won the greater number of matches shall take precedence.

9.1.2 If there is still a tie, the teams involved shall play off under a format to be decided by the committee, at such time and venue as is decided by the committee.

10 TROPHIES TO BE AWARDED

10.1 Trophies will be awarded to all winning teams, runners up, and all knockout finalists; the trophies will be awarded on PRESENTATION NIGHT ONLY. League winners/runners up will only receive trophies. (Extras can be ordered at additional cost)

10.2 The league will award team trophies to the winning and runner-up team in each division and to the winners of Knockout competitions, to be kept for one year only. These trophies will remain the property of The Abingdon & District Pool League at all times, and must be surrendered on request by the league.

10.3 The Landlord/Manager of the Pub/club, where a trophy is being held will be entirely responsible for its safe custody during the season, and as such are fully liable for any damage or loss incurred during the time in their care All trophies must be returned in a polished condition, 4 weeks prior to the presentation night.

10.4 A ‘Most Wins’ trophy is awarded to the player topping the performance-ranking list, as produced by the Secretary for each division for that season.

11 CLUBS WITHDRAWING OR FAILING TO FULFIL FIXTURES

11.1 Any team failing to turn up for a fixture without notice (see rule 11.2) will be deducted 1 point on the 1st occasion, 2 points on the 2nd occasion and expelled from the league on the 3rd occasion. If expelled all results against them, including player performance will be expunged. Teams expelled under this rule will also be refused entry for the following season

11.2 Teams unable to fulfil a fixture due to exceptional circumstances (not player shortages) must give 24-hrs notice to their opponents. Any team failing to do so will be deemed to be in breach of rule 11.1. Additionally, the Secretary must be informed should this situation arise. The committee may agree to waiver this rule in very exceptional circumstances.

11.3 Teams carrying out the 24 hrs notice provision in rule 11.2 will be deemed to be in breach of rule 11.1 on the second occasion they are unable to fulfil a fixture, whether or not 24-hrs notice has been given. The committee may agree to waiver this rule in very exceptional circumstances.

11.4 If special circumstances arise i.e. pub refurbishment, whereby a team cannot fulfil a home fixture the committee may grant a ‘date extension’ for the affected match (Es). If the fixture is a cup match, the team will be instructed to play the fixture away. The Captain/Landlord of said team must contact the Secretary immediately this situation arises. The committee if granting a ‘date extension’ will inform any teams affected and advises of any appropriate action to be taken. Please note that each case will be decided on it’s own merit.

11.5 No team (s) should accept notice of a ‘date extension from anyone other than the League Secretary, who will inform all teams affected both verbally and in writing, if appropriate.

11.6 Fines must be paid within 14 days from the date upon which the Secretary (verbally/written) informs them that a fine has been incurred. Teams failing to pay a fine will be expelled from the league.

11.7 Should any team wish to withdraw from the league at any stage during the season, notice must be given to the secretary (All points gained will be deducted). Any team that withdraws from the league, without exceptional reasons, will be banned from the league for the following season.

12 KNOCK-OUT COMPETITIONS

12.1 Once a player has played in the Team KO, event, they cannot play for any other team in the relevant cup for that season; i.e. they are cup tied.

12.2 No player can represent one pub/club in the league and another pub/club in the Team KO, event However players of the A & B teams etc of the same pub/club may join together to play in the Doubles. Players can represent any league pub/club in the Singles and Doubles competitions

12.3 Winners must telephone their result to the Secretary on 07977 078192 (if unavailable, leave a message) within 24 hrs of the match, or lose their place in the next round.

12.4 Teams that have not received the competition draws 10 days before the due date should immediately contact the Secretary.

12.5 Singles/Doubles Competitions will be held at different venues or at one single venue

• Where a single venue is used, players will be given a fixed time at which to register, this will be 11.15am, 1pm, 3pm or 5pm

• Where a different venues are used, players should be at their allotted venue by 7.30pm

Players must be ready to commence within 15 minutes of their allotted time otherwise they will forfeit the first frame, subsequent frames will be forfeit every 10 minutes.

13 COACHING