Constitution 2025

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CONSTITUTION & RULES

(Applicable from 1st January 2025)

GENERAL

Membership of the Devon County Pool Association (hereinafter referred to as the DPA) is open to all Leagues within the County boundaries as laid down by the English Pool Association, (hereinafter referred to as the EPA)

Any League applying for membership shall pay such entry fees as are in operation within the County at the time of application for membership.

The DPA reserves the right to refuse membership to any League, team or individual if they consider that extending membership to such persons shall be injurious or harmful to the DPA or the game.

All fees and charges will be set each year by the DPA at its Annual General Meeting (hereinafter referred to as an AGM).

The committee shall have full authority to make any decision that, in their opinion, is deemed necessary or beneficial to its members, excluding the alteration of the constitution other than at an AGM or properly convened EGM.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES

The County Association will elect an Executive committee to manage all business of the County.

Elections will take place at the AGM of the County. All officers so elected shall stand for re-election on the following staggered basis:

Chairman 3 Yrs. Until end 2026 Emma Downes

Vice-Chairman Every year

Secretary 3 Yrs. until end 2025 Lisa Dart

Treasurer 3 Yrs. Until end 2027 Jamie Thompson

Membership Secretary, 2 Yrs. until end 2026 Lisa Dart

Regional Delegates 2 Yrs. from end 2025 Andy Dart/ Lisa Dart/ ED/ JT/ liam Stickley

Interleague Secretary 2 Yrs. until end 2025 Emma Downes

Competition’s Officer 2 Yrs. until end 2026 Andy Dart / Liam Stickley

Website and Stats Every Year Emma Downes Web / Lisa Stats

County Manager Every year Emma Downes

Captains, to be decided by County Manager

The Executive Committee is responsible for the setting up of sub-committees to deal with matters relating to the business of the County.

Interleague is recognised as a sub-committee of the Devon Pool Association and will deal with any matters concerning interleague. The Interleague Secretary to chair this sub-committee. Three members of the Executive committee shall constitute a quorum of the sub-committee, with at least two members being Officers (as below). The Devon Treasurer shall be consulted on any matters concerning finances and minutes of all meetings being forwarded to all Officers.

Honorariums of £150 per annum to be paid to the Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary & County Manager, £200 to the Interleague Secretary.

STRUCTURE

The Executive Committee will be made up of four sections:

SECTION A (Officers)

Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-Chairman, Competition’s and Website, Interleague Secretary and Regional Delegates will be elected when appropriate at an Annual General Meeting.

SECTION B

Two nominated representatives from each affiliated League to serve on the County Committee.

These representatives will be nominated by a League, or team, using such procedures as are suitable to that League.

SECTION C

Senior Referee will be APPOINTED by sections A & B of the County Executive.

The Senior Referee will become an Officer, as in Section A.

These positions will not be elected posts, and the Executive Committee, (Sections A & B), reserve the right to replace such appointed persons at their discretion, if the person is deemed to be acting in a manner liable to bring the game into disrepute, or he/she is failing to fulfil his/her duties, in a satisfactory manner.

SECTION D

The captain and vice-captain of each interleague team to serve on the County Committee.

These representatives will be as listed on the initial team registration form.

Honorary Life President entitled to attend meetings but does not have a vote, can sit on sub committee’s and disciplinary.

VACANCIES ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Any vacancy that arises on the County Executive Committee during the year will be filled as follows:

SECTION A:

An Extraordinary Meeting will be called to replace an officer in this section.

SECTION B:

The League concerned will elect a replacement.

SECTION C:

Section A & B will appoint a replacement.

SECTION D:

The team concerned will elect a replacement.

QUORUM

Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of carrying out the business of the County, of which at least two must be officers of the DPA (Section “A”).

MEETINGS

The Chairman will hold meetings as and when required to deal with the business of the DPA when the matters arise. Meeting venues will be decided by the Executive committee.

All sections of the Executive (Sections A, B & C) will have one vote with the exception of the Chairman, who shall have the casting vote only. Section D will vote on interleague matters only. Any member holding more than one post still only has one vote.

Each League should send at least one representative to each meeting.

Meeting dates/venues are to be published at least 28 days in advance.

All main officers of the DPA, as well as County Team Manager, must provide a written, preferably typed, report to each meeting.

An AGM will be held by the DPA annually. Changes to the constitution or general rules, may only be sanctioned at an AGM/EGM.

Members will be notified of an AGM/EGM at least four weeks in advance. AGMs/EGMs are to be compulsory attendance meetings for all affiliated Leagues and a £30 fine will be issued for those Leagues who do not attend.

Any member wishing to call an EGM may do so, stating the reason in writing and having at least 60% of other leagues to support the motion. Motions must be forwarded to the County Secretary via League Secretaries.

Any person attending an AGM/EGM must remain for a period of 75% of that agenda-d meeting.

The Officers of the DPA (Section A) may call an EGM, should they deem it necessary, at any time by a simple majority vote.

FINANCES

All Leagues shall pay such fees as decided at the AGM of the DPA. Such fees are to be passed to the County Treasurer no later than January each year. Any League failing to do this, will be deemed to have resigned, and will no longer be subject to any benefits enjoyed by membership of the DPA/ EPA.

Any fees, other than National fees, shall be set by the DPA, using its own format. League affiliations are set at £20 for 2025 onwards.( these will be inc with Interleague Entry fee for 2025) Only members of fully paid up Leagues shall be eligible to enter any competitions (other than a lottery) organised by the Association.

Interleague Entry fee is to be set at £200 from 2024, Bond of £100 if not already in holding with DCP

A registration fee shall be payable annually by all players at Interleague and County level. Registration fee for 2025 onwards is £20

The Treasurer to produce a statement of all income and expenditure, debtors and creditors and full balances for every meeting and bank statements are to be made available for scrutiny at any time. At the AGM, a full and detailed account of all money movements for the year must be produced.

The three main officers will be responsible for the finances of the DPA. There must be three signatures as per the bank mandate (Treasurer and one other to sign all cheques). The Treasurer will check all income and expenditure and at all times observe proper banking procedures. All expenses will be vetted by the Committee.

The Men’s, Ladies Captains will be entitled to claim from the DPA, £1 per player for a season’s phone calls reminding their players of each match.

COUNTY TEAMS

All County Teams are to be selected by a Selection Committee comprising of the Team Manager and the Captains. Captains will not be allowed to consider any player for selection on match days, unless the dress code as laid down by the EPA is adhered to.

Players to pay £6.00 subs per match this will be added at the start of the season and be called a joining fee it will need to be paid in full by the 2nd game of the season, and 50% of the cost of a new shirt if and when required.

Players to also sign a code of conduct at the start of each season.

Players who miss two games in any season will be removed from the Squad. Unless Exceptional Circumstances

County Players will pay EPA Reg at £20 must be paid at the first game if not already paid through interleague.

Players missing a county game will automatically be placed on the reserve list for next match, unless teams manager uses discretion

Players playing Blackball and World rules may play both disciplines however not at the same Venue at the same time

Random Drugs testing will be brought into the 2025 season, with one random player from each section having a test, if the player declines they will be asked to leave the squad, and forwarded for dispilinary action.

COUNTY TRIALS

All trials are to be organised by the Management Selection Committee. Wildcards can be awarded to any player deemed worthy of a team place during the season with exec approval.

2025 Trials will be run over a one frame pool set up, each player will have 4 lives as a county game and will go down to the last players left with lives. Right to Reply will be in play Wildcards can be awarded to any player deemed worthy of a team place during the season with exec approval. This will all be trialled for 2025 season

Stopwatches may be used at County Trials

MENS

The top 18 ranked players will be retained from the previous season. This may be extended up to the top 22 players should the Management and Captains agree players are worthy of being retained.

The A team will be selected from the retained players for the first match of the season, unless a wildcard was used for a A Team Player at Trials or before the first game

The rest of the squad will qualify from the County trials making a squad of up to 28 players. Up to 4 wildcards can be awarded at trials.

Under 23s / Seniors / Masters / C Team / Juniors Under 18s

Under 23s (retaining 3 players) and Seniors (retaining top 8) Masters Retaining Top 1 Player, C Team to retain top 8

LADIES (AND YOUTH):

The top 10 ranked players will be retained from the previous season.

A further 5 may qualify from the County trials, making a squad of up to 15 players.

If a player(s) withdraws from the squad after the trials have taken place, the next ranked player in from the trials must be offered the opportunity to join the squad.

If a retained player withdraws and then changes his/her mind before the trials take place, that player must successfully trial to remain a member of that squad.

If the Manager/ Captain wishes to bring in a player that has not trialled for the season in question, the permission of the Chairman must be obtained before that person can play.

Any player who leaves the squad after the trials have taken place, or is removed from the squad, after 3 years following last play can re trial, within the 3 years players can only re-trial following the acceptance by the Executive Officers, of a written request.

All players/Managers should reside within 12 miles of the County boundary.

GENERAL

All members should endeavour at all times to play to rules supplied by the DPA.

All Leagues/teams will be responsible for keeping a register of all their players. The Committee shall have the right to examine any such register after giving reasonable notice of their intention to do so.

Any officer of the DPA shall have the right to attend a meeting of a member League, after giving the League Secretary, 24 hours notice of intention to attend. The officer will not have the right to speak at such a meeting unless invited to do so by the meeting.

The Executive Committee shall have the power to make any decision (within the rules of the DPA), which in the opinion of the Committee is deemed beneficial or necessary, for the furtherance of the sport and its members.

Playing rules will always be the current rules of the E.P.A. They have decreed that International Rules will be played from 2023 for Inter-County and Interleague matches.

County Mileage fees will be based upon 3 or more players in a car mileage rates are supplied yearly and worked out by treasurer

Captains must check uniforms on county day 1 hour before the game

If players are not at the venue 30 minutes before the game they will not be included onto game sheet

REFEREES

The Association will encourage the training of referees, in the Association’s own playing rules, so that they may gain the highest possible standard.

Senior referees officiating a County Game will be paid £40 per County Game

DISCIPLINE

All matters of discipline will be referred to the Disciplinary Sub-Committee, which consists of Section A of the Executive Committee plus the Senior Referee.

A minimum of three people (2 of which must be officers) must be present at any disciplinary hearing. This Committee reserves the right to suspend, fine or expel any member, team or individual, for breach of these rules or any rules that the Committee make at any future time, or for any act deemed by the Committee, to have brought the DPA into disrepute.

Any League/team or individual player accused of such an offence against the DPA will be afforded every opportunity to defend themselves, or explain their conduct either in writing, or in person, to the Committee.

This Sub-Committee will meet between General DPA meetings, when no business is forthcoming.

County Managers may attend hearings as observers.

Any player who is expelled from a League may not enter any competition organised by the DPA, or play for any League/team who is a member of the DPA, until he/she has been re-admitted to the League/team which originally expelled him/her.

Any League/team who expels a player must notify the County Secretary in writing giving the player’s name, address and reason for expulsion.

Any League/team/player expelled from the DPA, will forfeit the whole of any subscriptions paid for the current year, and any rights or entitlements formally accorded to them, as members of the DPA.

Any disciplinary action taken against a team, or individual, begins seven days after the hearing, or in the event of an appeal being lodged, not until that appeal is heard.

Any such appeal must be in writing and in the hands of the County Secretary, with a £30 deposit included, within seven days of the original hearing. The deposit is refundable if the appeal is upheld.

The DPA disciplinary Committee will hold the appeal within fourteen days of its receipt.

In the event of an appeal being lodged, the appeal will be considered by disciplinary Committee members not responsible for the original judgement.

Any League/team/player has the right to appeal to a higher authority.

Any League/team/player, accused of a breach of discipline, will be notified by letter prior to the hearing.

Any complaint must be in writing to the Secretary, accompanied with a £5 deposit, returnable if the complaint is upheld.

Any Committee member directly involved in a disciplinary matter may not sit on that Committee when that matter is debated.

Where appropriate, the Disciplinary Committee will use the standard sanctions and fines as provided by the EPA.

EPA Disciplinary Committee

Sanction Guidelines

Incident	Sanctions
(brief description of the incident/infringement)	Fines			Suspensions (duration)
	MAX	MIN	Stan’d	MAX	MIN	Stan’d
Playing in and/or administering at an event which is in direct competition to the EPA	£	£ 10%	£ 50%+10%	months	months	Months
World Championships EPA Team player	600	60	360	24	12	18
Inter-County EPA Team player	500	50	300	18	5	9
Interleague EPA Team player	400	40	240	18	5	9
Other Events EPA Team player	300	30	180	18	5	9
World Championships County Team Player	500	50	300	18	5	9
Inter-County County Team player	400	40	240	18	5	9
Interleague County Team player	300	30	180	18	5	9
Other Events County Team player	200	20	120	18	5	9

Using threatening behaviour at EPA events to: a spectator, a player, a referee, an official
England international player	500	50	300	24	12	18
County player	400	40	240	18	9	12
Interleague player	300	30	180	12	6	9
Violent behaviour/assault/actual harm to: a spectator, a player, a referee, an official
England international player	900	90	540	60	24	36
County player	700	70	420	36	12	24
Interleague player	500	50	240	36	12	24
Any of the named members listed below Found guilty of taking or being involved with Drugs.	1000	100	600	Life	36	120
Bringing the sport of Pool and/or the EPA into disrepute
National official	400	40	240	60	24	36
Regional official	300	30	180	60	24	36
County official	200	20	120	36	12	24
League official	100	10	60	24	12	18
England international player	300	30	180	60	24	36
County player	200	20	120	36	12	24
Interleague player	100	10	60	36	12	24

Guidance Notes:

Reimbursement of the cost of any damages may be added to any of the above

Fines levied must be paid within the prescribed time periods, these periods may be: -

Within 28 days being notified of the hearing decision

In two instalments but fully paid within 6 months from the hearing date

In three instalments but fully paid within 9 months from the hearing date

Suspension periods will be set by the Hearing Committee who will set and issue the expiry date.

Linked sanctions may be set and if a suspension is tied to a fine then the suspension will start when set by the Hearing Committee, but if the person fails to pay any instalment on the due date the suspension will be deemed to have started when the final instalment has been paid.

NOTE: Every case will be treat on its own merits and disciplinary committees will still retain the right not to impose any of the above sanctions should the circumstances allow.

The above was compiled for consideration by the EPA national committee members and commented on at the last national meeting, if adopted it is intended as guidance to disciplinary committees in order to maintain consistency on the sanctions imposed.

These guidelines should be adhered to in all disciplinary matters, however should the disciplinary committee residing feel either a more lineate or severe punishment is required it must go to the EPA for sanctioning who have the right to up hold or change the punishment which may increase or decrease. Issue 1: 20.11.05

DEVON INTERLEAGUE RULES - (Applicable from 1st January 2024)

All teams entering the Interleague must enter under the name of their parent League with that League’s permission, with sponsors names added on the end if necessary. The team Fee Paid will be Inclusive of your League Affiliation Fee

All teams must send in their Official Registration Form As stated on the Registration Forms. This form will include all players’ names, signatures, addresses and telephone numbers. This must include an EPA registration form (and photo if applicable) for each player. All teams must have a bond (currently £100) in place before playing a match. If a bond is lost through misdemeanour, then it must be replaced before playing another match. If a team plays with no bond in place, then the match is forfeited and all players suspended until a bond is in place.

All venues must have two tables and at least one rest and 2 sets of Pro cup balls (1 per table).

Home team is to referee one table and the away team to referee the other table for all frames.

All Interleague matches to have a nominated senior referee for the night. This can come from either team. Eligible players would obviously be qualified referees or ex or current county players. The senior referee may enforce the time rule at his/her discretion. The senior referee must be decided before the game starts and signed on the score sheet. If no players from either team are eligible to be the senior referee (as above), the interleague committee can grant special dispensation for players to act as senior referee. This must be granted before a match commences. The senior referee can be called for any disputes and once called their decision is final.

Captains to accept tables and playing conditions before the start of play. Once the game has commenced it must be played to a conclusion. Five players constitute a team. Matches to be played to International Rules

Matches best of 42 frames with each of the teams’ seven players playing six different opponents as per the results sheet - Captains to list their playing order independently, (neither captain to see the other’s order) prior to the games commencing. In the event of a team being short of a player then a blank space will be left in the number: Home Team: Number(s) 3 & 6. Away Team: Number(s) 4 & 2.

Each team will receive three points for a match win, one point each for a draw.

If two (or more) teams are level on points at the end of an Interleague season, the team with the most wins will be ranked ahead. If still level, frame difference will determine league positions. If still level, then the aggregate score of matches played between those teams will be taken into account. In the unlikely event of places still being tied, a play-off will take place at a neutral venue.

Matches to commence by 7.00pm. If a match is not started by 7.30pm, the team that has caused the delay, will forfeit the first frame and another frame every five minutes thereafter, until 8.00pm, when the ‘Failure to arrive for a match’ rule will be enforced (unless reasonable contact has been made)

Match sheets must have full names written for each player in all sessions.

All players must pay a Registration Fee £20 and complete an EPA registration form on or before their first appearance of the season, and it must be in the hands of the Treasurer within seven days of the match. If not, that player will be suspended until such form/money is received. Any such player playing whilst suspended will forfeit any such frames “won” and the team will be deducted one league point.

All teams notified of fines, or any other dues, must pay them within 28 days of notification. Failure to do so will result in four league points will be deducted and the matter referred to the Disciplinary Sub-Committee, for possible further action.

If a player plays the wrong opponent, that frame is null and void and is to be played again against the correct opponent, even if the two players are due to play later in the match.

A maximum of four reserves per team may be used in a match but must be listed (and signed) on the match sheet prior to the game commencing, these reserves may be played in any order. Once a player has been substituted, they may play no further part in the match. Once a player is listed on the match sheet next to any frame number, he/she cannot be substituted for that particular frame. Therefore, team captains should only list their team, for the first seven frames at the beginning of the match. If any players are not present at the time of filling out the first sheet order, captains may leave up to a maximum of four blank spaces but once any of these frames are due to be played, that player or a reserve must be listed and play immediately.

The home team Captain is responsible for contacting the away team captain, to confirm the venue at least one week, prior to the match taking place.

All games to be played on Saturday per the fixtures list. Games cannot be cancelled, but may be moved forward with both captains agreement

No team may cancel or postpone a game. If a game is forfeited, 1 league point to be deducted and bond lost (by non-defaulting team).The bond must be replaced before the next game

If exceptional circumstances apply (see 18), The game must be played before the fixture. If this game is unplayed the match will be forfeited and 1 point deducted and bond lost (by non-defaulting team).

Players may only represent one team in any particular season. There will be NO TRANSFERS. A player will be deemed registered once he has played his first match.

Any complaints or disputes should be forwarded in writing to the Interleague Secretary.

Both teams should publish the match result to the Inter-League Secretary within 24 hours, or post on Facebook Interleague group, and is responsible for sending/emailing/photo a match sheet to the Interleague Secretary, within seven days. (This must be Legible). Failure to do this will incur a deduction of one league point and a £5 fine.

If a team forfeits two matches in one season they will be removed from the league. Any cases of teams withdrawing from the League will be taken on their merits with regard to the League tables by the committee, but any such team will lose their bond money.

Any Interleague team withdrawing or expelled from the League with outstanding debts to the DPA will have the total amount divided equally amongst its registered players. These players will then be suspended from all affiliated Pool in Devon until their portion of the debt is paid. Any Interleague team withdrawing or expelled from the League will lose their divisional status and maybe relegated to the bottom division.

Any Interleague team not re-entering the following season will have their bond money returned upon request and following a written confirmation of their withdrawal, less any outstanding money owed.

The Committee reserve the right, to remove any overdue outstanding money from teams’ bond accounts.

Any deficit in a team bond accounts must be replaced at least seven days before they next play or it will be deemed that the team has cancelled that match, and will be removed from the League

Devon’s representatives at the National Interleague finals will be invited on the following basis:

National Interleague: First – Premier Winners, Second - Premier R-Up, Third – KO Cup Winners,

Fourth – Division 1 Winners

National Interleague KO: First – KO Cup Winners, Second – KO Cup R-Up, Third – Premier Winners

Fourth – Premier R-Up

In knock-out cup matches, all players must have played at least one League match prior to playing in the cup and at least two League matches to play in the semi-finals or finals. These matches must have been played in the same season.

In knock-out cup matches, in the event of a draw, the following play-off rules apply: 6 Red timed Shootout

2 Players will be drawn out for each team at Random, 2 players will play

Promotion will be on a two up two down basis unless otherwise decided by the committee.

If a match is forfeited, the following rules apply:

No Team may claim a 42-0 from a void game.

The non-offending team will be awarded the highest of the four following possibilities:

A score calculated on the average of their total frames won for the season rounded up.

A score calculated on their would-be opponents’ average of their total frames lost rounded up.

The frame score they achieved when the two teams met in the other half of the season.

Twenty-two frames – nil.

All attending players and named reserves on the re-arranged result sheet will be awarded an average of their years ranking points. (This figure is rounded up to the nearest whole frame)

Final Day stopwatches may be enforced and used on the day

Interleague K/o Cup day will be played and Plate in place for round losers, prize money will be awarded for Knockout Cup. Prize Money as follows , Cup winners £240, R Up 160 Plate winner £100 R up £60