Birkenhead & Wirral Ladies 2024

RULES

IMPORTANT NOTES

There will be no interchanging of greens for matches  unless agreed with the League Committee prior to a match being played.

When a club is playing an internal fixture, it is essential that the home and away fixtures shown on the website are displayed correctly. If the card and website disagree then the Results Secretary will declare the fixture as shown on the web site unless otherwise informed prior to the match being played. This is important as it could affect the overall score at the end of the season.

Please ensure that final scorecards and confirmation of the calculation get to the Results Secretary or are entered on the website ASAP after the completion of the match. This ensures arrangements for the Rest Matches are put into place in plenty of time to inform club and players.

Home and away Captains must check the sheet for accuracy and that they are fully completed before being signed. FINES WILL BE AWARDED WHERE APPROPRIATE.

Team Registration

The list of starred players is as stated on the website as at15th March.

It is likely that changes to the list will occur both before and during the season, however the list has been included by league members.

Any changes will be notified to club secretaries and listed on the Results Website.

All queries regarding starred players must be directed through the club secretary or team captain.

NAME

1.1 The name of the League shall be The Birkenhead and Wirral Ladies Bowling League

MEMBERSHIP

2.1 Membership of the League shall be open to all clubs within the district wishing  to play in the League

2.2 Applications to join the League must be in writing and considered by members at the AGM

2.3 Resignations from the League must be in writing and in the hands of the Secretary 1 month before the appropreate General Meeting. Failure to do so will result in the club being liable for fees for the next season.

2.4The minimum age for playing in the League shall be 11 years

OFFICIALS OF THE LEAGUE

3.1The Management of the League shall be conducted by an Executive Committee consisting of :

President, Chairperson,Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treeasurer, and Results Secretary.

3.2 All positions must be elected at the AGM

3.3 In the event of an officer resigning the Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt  a member until the appropriate AGM

3.4 Disputes Committee shall consist of League Chairperson,League Secretary,Results Secretary, League Treasurerand the secretart(or her appointed representative) from each club. The nominated member must not be either the Captain or Vice Captain involved in the protest.

3.5 2 members of a club may sit on the League Committe with the exception of the President whose position is for life

REPRESENTATION AT MEETINGS

4.1 Any number of members shall represent each club at meetings

4.2 Each club shall have 1 vote to cast

4.3 The vote cast by each club will be that of the Scretary or in their absence their deputy.

4.4 No member shall represent more than 1 club

4.5 Members of the Executive (as listed in 3.1) shall not carry a vote

4.6 The Chairperson will have 1 vote which will be used as the casting vote only

4.7 Meetings must have half the total number of Clubs registered with the League present before business may be commenced

MEETINGS

5.1 The League shall hold 2 meetings per year:-

a) The AGM

b) The General Meeting

5.3 The dates of the meetings shall be:-

a) The AGM -Last Friday in November

b) The General Meeting - the last Friday in  March

5.3 The AGM shall have an agenda consisting of:-

Secretary's Report

Treasurer's Report

Election of Officers

Election of Auditors

Any other business may be place on the Agenda

5.4 There will be no facility for any other business at the General Meeting

5.5 The Chairperson may allow any emergency resolution(ie a resolution which may arise as a direct result of a matter which could not be reasonably forseen and which has a direct bearing on any matter which could not be reasonablely forseen and which has a direct bearing on any matter for which notice of motion has been previously received)which she considers necessary

5.6 Any member wishing to have business discussed at the AGM must submit it in writing to the League Secretary not less than 6 weeks before the given date of the AGM

5.7 The agenda for discussion at the AGM shall be circulated to all clubs not less than 5weeks before the given date of the AGM

5.8 The General Meeting shall have an agenda consisting of:-

Secretary's Report

Payment of Fees

5.9 The agenda for this meeting shall not be circulated

5.10 Any club may approach the League Secretary to call a special meeting. A minimum of 14days notice must be given

5.11 Fixtures will be made in January and posted on the website 

5.11b Disolution Clause: A resolution to dissolve the league can only be proposed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote. In the event of dissolution any assets after payment after payment of any debts or costs shall be divided on a ration determined at the AGM/EGM.

5.12 Any club not making representation at the meetings will be fined £5

FINANCE

6.1 The annual subscription per team shall be £2

6.2 Each player shall pay £1 registration

6.3 Each team shall pay 50p per match towards League momentoes

6.4 All fees are due at the General Meeting

REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS

7.1 Clubs must register players by the 15th March

7.2 Players may transfer to another club at any time during the season, that player may play League matches for the new club only if the player has not played League matches for the original club

7.3 Clubs may register new players at any time during the season with the League/Results Secretary, they must be registered for 24hours before being allowed to play in matches

7.4 Registered players may only play in League matches

7.5 Clubs must submit in writing their Club Registrations to the League Secretary/Results Secretary no later than 15th March. The list must show clearly the players in each team and their status ( starred or floater)

7.6 Clubs failing to submit in writing to the Results Secretary their team registrations by the 15th March will be fined £10.

7.7 If any player with a recognised medical sight problem wishes to register with the League as sight impaired then she must be allowed  if she wishes to play with a coloured Jack. If the home team cannot supply one then she may use he own. The League Secretary will hold such list. A list of members with medical exemptions maybe placed on the website as long as permission is given but it is the players responsibility to provide this.

MATCHES

8.1 Matches will be played between the third Monday in April and end as near to  first Thursday in September This includes rearranged matches

8.2 The League will abide by the rules of the BCGBA

8.3 Games will be played to a straight 21up.

8.4 Teams shall consist of 10players

8.5 Visitors will lead with the jack

8.6 Games should commence as soon as the draw has taken place with the 1st 4 available to play but no later than 1-30 unless bad weather prevents play. In which case if the match has not started before 2-30pm the 2 captains should mutually rearrange the fixture. It is the responsibility of the home captain to notify the Results Secretary.Games maybe moved to an earlier time by mutual consent to accomodate very hot weather. If any player in the 1st 4 is not available to play the opposition will be awarded the game.

Matches should not be cancelled before 1-30pm unless the groundsman has closed the green

8.7 Should the match be called off after the match has started, it shall be rearranged with the order of play standing or bowlers fairly substituted at the discretion and agreement of the League or Results Secretary. Scores and games shall be restarted from the point at where the game was originally postponed. Scorecards must be signed by both Captains before leaving the green.

8.8 If bad weather including excessive heat when the temperature is at or above 27deg C 80deg F prevents play from commencing and irrespective of a draw having been made or not then at the rearranged game a new draw should take place

8.9 No player should be scratched provided there are 4 jacks in play.

8.11 Once dates have been agreed a team may not attempt to cancel a match unless with prior permission of the Results Secretary or in her absence the League Secretary. Captains must provide full details for the request

8.12Should any team default on a match without the agreement of either the League Secretary or Results Secretary the team will be deemed to have lost the match and the points awarded to the opposition.

8.13 Match sheets must be completed and received by the Results Secretary not later than 5days after the match. Sheets to be sent by the HOME team. Failure to do so will result in the club being fined £1 for every offence.

8.14 Players not named for the team playing must be clearly shown on the match card

8.15 Practice is allowed for the home team only

8.16 The agreed score sheet shall be used by all teams

8.17 The home team shall supply all measures and long tapes for the match

8.18 The home team will take the running end of the measure

8.19 A club having more than 1 green must designate each team a particular green. No interchanging should take place without prior approval of the Results Secretary

8.20 Any club having two or more teams in the same division must play home and away fixtures no later than 21st June

8.21 When making the draw Captains must declare any  players not registered to the opposing Captain

8.22 Captains must declare before the draw if they are short of a player or players to allow the opposition Captain to amend their team accordingly. Walkovers must be placed in last position(s) on the sheet

~Captains must exchange either a team sheet with their players mumbered 1-10 or 10 cards numbered 1-10 with players names on at the draw

8.23Inaccurate and incomplete score cards received by the Results Secretary will be returned to the HOME Captain with both teams being fined £1. After 3 offences the team will be deducted 1point

 8.24 There will be NO SMOKING or MOBILE PHONES on the green or any other devices listed by the BCGBA

8.25 All players, officials or spectators must wear appropriate footwear whilst on the green i.e. with shoes that enclose the foot and have a flat sole. Therefore no hard or blocked heeled footwear, sandles or open toed footwear. Any player who cannot comply due to medical reason must provide the league secrtetary with a copy of a doctors letter.

SCORING

10.1 Team points will be given as follows:-

2points Home Win

3 points Away win

1 point drawn game at Home

11/2 points for a drwan agme Away

One extra point awarded to the team having the highest aggregate score in the 2 games played home and away  and a 1/2 point extra awarded to both teams  if the aggregate score is level over the 2 games

10.2 Should teams have an equal number of points thereby causing joint leaders the team with the highest aggregate score shall be the winner

10.3 An individual prize will be awarded to each club, this to be calculated bt awarding 2 points for a home win and 3 for an away win.

In the event of a tie the actual score shall count 

PROMOTION

At the end of each season 2 top teams from Division 2 to Division 1

Relegated 2 bottom teams fro Division1 to Division 2

 In exceptional circumstances the Ecexutive Committee can make a decision to amend the number of teams to be promoted or relegated.

STARRING

11.1 Each club having more than one team registered in the League must declare a minimum of 7 starred players in each team(with the exception of the bottom team)

11.2 Starred players will not play in a team lower than they are starred for

11.3 Floaters may only play down for the next lowest team and may play a maximum of 18 times between the 3 floaters. Any individual floater may play a maximum of 9 times only. Players may play for a higher team any number of times. Floaters must be taken from the bottom 4 ranked players in each team at the start of the season.

11.4 Each club having more than one team registered with the league must name 3 floaters in each team (with the exception of the bottom team)

11.5 Clubs must star only those players who intend to play matches during that season

OTHER 12.1 Where possible at Rest Matches players must play up and not down to make up the team

12.2 The Executive Committee will deal with any matter not covered by these rules

12.3 Rules may only be changed at the AGM

12.4 Rest matches will consist of 1 player from each team Games 21 up with 3 on the card

12.5 Rest Matches to commence at 1-30pm. 

12.6 There will be no practice on the green for 24hours prior to the rest matches other than by the home team