CONSTITUTION AND RULES

1. League Introduction

1.1 The name of the organisation is The Hayes & Uxbridge Pool League, hereinafter called “the League”.

1.2 The objectives of the League shall be:

a) To promote and foster the game of pool in accordance with the International Eightball rules of the English Pool Association.

b) To organise pool events for competition by member teams and players with trophies and cash prizes being awarded, as determined by the Hayes and Uxbridge Pool League Committee,

c) To endeavour to organise competitive events with other Pool bodies..

1.3 The League shall elect the following officers: Chairman, Vice chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and additional Committee Officers. Other officers may be elected / assigned when deemed necessary.

1.4 The Officers shall be collectively known as the Management Committee.

1.5 The Management Committee shall hold office for the period of one year and submit themselves for re-election at the AGM. The AGM is aimed to be held before the winter league begins or just afterwards

1.6 Each team is permitted 1 vote per team at any points voted on at the AGM.

1.7 Members wishing to stand on the committee or raise issues at the AGM must be communicated to the Management Committee prior to the AGM. See 2.4

2. The Management Committee

2.1 The Management Committee shall have the authority to make any decisions concerning the League, which in its opinion will be beneficial or necessary for its members, whether or not they are covered by the Constitution.

2.2 Voting, all officers have 1 vote. The Chairman will have a 2^nd casting Vote to decide tied issues.

2.3 The Management Committee shall have the right to alter any fixtures or advertisements, as they deem necessary.

2.4 Meetings of the Management Committee shall be held monthly during the league season or as necessary. Attendance at meetings is expected to be 75% over a year. If it drops below this, a written warning will be issued. If it falls below 60% the member may be dismissed.

2.5 The Management Committee will vet all expenditures. The League will reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred by any member of the Committee, whilst conducting business on behalf of the League

2.6 The Management Committee shall have the right to suspend or expel any member team, or registered player thereof, for any breach of rules. The management committee do not get involved in the venues barring policy. We will ask if players can attend for pool nights only if venue refuses they have the right to do so.

2.7 All members of the Management Committee standing down, or being voted out of office, shall be required to hand over any paperwork or documents relating to the League within fourteen days of leaving office.

2.8 Any complaint has to be submitted in writing to the Management Committee within seven days of the alleged offence. If the complaint is lodged outside this period the Committee will not entertain it. If any complaint is found to be valid the offending team/player shall be dealt with appropriately. Three or more valid complaints within one season will result in expulsion from the League, Unless the complaint is felt nessessary by the committee the three strike process could be reduced to one.

2.9 The Management Committee may, if necessary, call upon each member team to contribute equal sums if it deems it desirable, for the maintenance of the League.

2.10 The Management Committee shall provide an up to date table of team positions using Rackemapp

2.11 Completion of tasks issued to Committee members. Failure to complete 2 tasks will result in a written warning. Failure to complete 3 tasks may result in dismissal. Exceptional circumstances will be taken into consideration.

2.12 Any players wishing to put themselves forward to join the management committee at the AGM or during the season need to be playing regularly to qualify.

2.13 League Membership

3.1 Membership of the League is open to all teams throughout Hayes, Uxbridge, West Drayton, Iver Southall, Rayner’s lane, Eastcote Greenford and Ruislip or must be located within a radius of 6 miles from UB4 8JG, all applications will be considered or rejected at the discretion of the Management Committee.

3.2 The Management Committee reserve the right to refuse any Team or Player application that it considers to be harmful or injurious to the League, whatever the reasons.

3.3 There will be no discrimination of any kind between male, female, players with disabilities or mixed teams.

3.4 Any member team, or registered player thereof, shall be afforded every opportunity to defend themselves or explain any breach of rules, before rule 2.6 is implemented.

3.5 Any player who is expelled by the Management Committee from a member team may not enter any competition organised by the League. The player may not play for their or any other team in the League for the duration of their ban.

3.6 Any team that expels a player must inform the Management Committee, giving the player’s name and reason for expulsion.

3.7 Any team which is expelled by the League shall forfeit the whole of their subscription and deposit for that season.

3.8 Any member team or individual may request in writing within 7 days of the incident the Management Committee to arbitrate in any dispute that there may be with any other team or individual in the League. The Committee decisions will be final and binding.

3.9 Players are eligible to compete in the League, Knockout, Interleague, County and National competitions, only if they have been duly accepted as a playing member of the team to be represented, and have signed a league or EPA registration form where required and at the Committee’s discretion. Players must be registered and playing for a team in The Hayes and Uxbridge Pool League to then play for an interleague and county team.

3.10 At the start of each season teams will submit a Registration Form listing ALL players contact details, subsequent additions can be submitted to The Rackemapp. Teams can register a maximum of 12 players.We define this as 12 active players as we can change a players status to not active.

3.11 All member teams, and registered players thereof, must abide by this Constitution and playing rules of the Hayes and Uxbridge Pool League.

3.12 Entrance into the League shall be deemed as their acceptance of such Constitution and rules.

3.13 Any team expelled from the current season will not be allowed to re-enter the League, UNLESS appealed successfully through the Management Committee..

3.15 Teams must register enough players and reserves to cope with any absences throughout the season

3.16 Each team will be allowed to sign a maximum of 12 active players. Players who are transferred out or made inactive are therefore unable to play for the team for the rest of the season and will not be considered active. Rackemapp can high lite inactive players. Transfer fee is £5 payable to the league.

3.17 Teams are able to sign players on match nights provided they submit them to be registered on Rackemapp before the cutoff date of 31/12/24 .Any un registered players will be penalized there will be a cut off announced at the start of the season.

3.18 All teams may appeal directly to the League Committee who may suspend any of the above rules and allow a player to represent a team in exceptional circumstances only.

3.19 The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse the registration of a team or player if such action be deemed to be necessary.

4. League Fixtures

4.1 Any new teams signed up during the season at the discretion of the Management Committee shall pay a subscription fee deemed appropriate for the remaining period of the season.

4.2 Any team withdrawing or expelled from the League during the first half of the season will occasion all points to be withdrawn from teams played. No League fees will be refunded

4.3 Any team withdrawing or expelled from the League during the second half of the season will occasion all points for the first half to stand, and those from the second half to be withdrawn from teams played. No League fees will be refunded.

4.4 Matches shall be played on a home and away basis unless so ordered by the Management Committee.

4.5 If In the event of your team being unable to fulfil a fixture (with more than 24 hours notice) then these are the options available to you.

1) Rearrange with the opposing captain an agreed date, no later than 7 days after the original fixture.

2) If enough notice is given a match can be played prior to the published fixture as long as both captains agree.

3) If a bye week has been inserted into the league schedule then re-arranged fixtures can be played then.

Options 1 ,2 & 3 do not need committee approval; you must however notify the committee so we can update Rackemapps schedule with the rearranged date.

3) If either of the 3 options above are unable to be agreed by both captains then you will need to seek committee approval for an extension beyond the 7 days of the original fixture date (this will only be granted in exceptional/unforeseen circumstances)

4) If none of the above can be agreed and still unable to play the match then the fixture will be forfeited. Team cancelling will suffer a 0-15 frame loss, with the aggrieved team awarded an 15-0 frame win. No player’s stats will be awarded, however aggrieved team players stats will show as attended. Points will only be awarded to the aggrieved team upon you notifying the committee so that the Rackemapp site can be updated..

Your team may also incur charges from the home venue regarding wasted food

The failure by a team to turn up for matches three times in a season will result in its expulsion from the League, subject to Management Committee discretion and allowing for any unforeseen circumstances.

4.6 Fixtures AFTER the fixtures have been published on Rackemapp the Management Committee shall not be held responsible for ensuring that the competitors in any competition are notified of the date and venue of each round,.. Except where the Management Committee alters fixtures.

5. Match Nights Support our venues it is vital that you support our venues by buying drinks during matches.

5.1 No team may play their fixture in any Public House or Club other than the pre-arranged venue, without prior permission from the Management Committee.

5.2 Any team failing to register a player who plays on the night by not submitting them to be added to Rackemapp will incur a penalty deduction from the current score table. The non-registered player may be penalized by the league. Any subsequent offence may result in the team being penalised by the league.

5.3 Illegal Drug taking during the hours of a match is not allowed.

5.4 Change of Match venue. If through no fault of the home team, a match cannot be played, the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Management Committee shall have the right to order the venue to be changed. There will be no point’s penalty. Matches will only be re-scheduled as a last resort and at the Management Committee’s discretion.

5.5 All Venues must take the necessary precautions to keep their tables in good condition, i.e. tables must be level and brushed on a match night. The playing condition of the table is the responsibility of the home team; the away team can request the problem area be attended to if deficient but may not attend to the problem themselves without the consent of the venue and home team. The venue must have the table(s) regularly re-clothed and cushions refurbished. If the table is not brought up to the leagues minimum standard within 14 days after notification of any issue then the league reserves the right to request that any fixtures be played at a neutral venue until the issues are successfully rectified. The venue must ensure there, is sufficient cueing space around the table and supply Aramith Pro Cup balls to use. The Management Committee define match balls as the Aramith Pro Cup balls. If the best available balls are in an unsatisfactory condition which the Management Committee defines as having chips and a dull appearance, then the Management Committee may impose a frame or match penalty if this is not rectified. The League also stipulates that a spider and rest must be provided and a short cue of decent quality to be used where space is restricted. The league also recommends a standard green table cloth of the Strachan variety be used and would prefer that speed cloths are not used.

5.6 Team numbers . Ideally your Team on the night should consist of a minimum of Five players. Players can only play 1 frame in each section If you do not have Five players, the match will still go ahead, but you will forfeit frames accordingly. We will expect matches to be played with less than 5 players but not less than 3 players. Failure to turn up will mean a 0-15 frame loss, as rule 4.5 & 4.6 will apply.If teams have only 4 players available then each should fill out the Rackemapp score App as players 1 to 4, 4 matches will be played in each section (the team is awarded 1 frame in each section and added to the result of the 15 frames played NO Player stats other than attendance will be awarded for the unplayed frames. The Rackemapp will decide the player listing.

5.7 15 Singles All matches will consist of Fifteen singles. Each team may play reserves in the second and 3^rd sections bringing back subbed players from Section 1. if they wish. Any changes must be listed on Rackemapp. The break for food to last no more than 15 mins.

5.8 Player transfers Players are permitted to transfer to another team in the first half of the season and will be subject to a £5.00 admin/transfer fee. Once moved they will not be permitted to move again until the season is over. Single stats from their previous team are forfeited. Any transfers must be notified to us along with the £5 fee. The £5 fee only applies if a player has played a game that season, if they have not played a game they are free to transfer teams by letting the rackemapp admin know to make the transfer.

5.9 Match adjudication Referees from the Home team and timekeeping from the away team thereafter and for the remainder of the match. The referee’s decisions will prevail at all times. (See rules/refereeing Section 6)

5.10 All matches shall be played in accordance with the playing rules of the League (Rule 6.1). It is the captain’s responsibility to ensure that his team knows and understands the rules. Player’s behaviour is the team captain’s responsibility. (See 7.1)

5.11 Timekeeping The away team to timekeep with 45secs per shot allowed a count down at 40secs and 1 extension of 15secs per frame is allowed.

A player has a maximum of 45 seconds to play each shot. The Referee will restart timing when all the balls have come to rest from the previous shot. A warning is to be given at 40 seconds followed by a 5 second countdown ending In a time fault Ball in Hand if no shot played. this call must be audible to the player. If 45 seconds is reached then the referee will call “Time Foul” and award ball in hand to the oncoming player. The oncoming player can either play from where the white ball lies or from anywhere on the table.

5.12 Coaching is not allowed under any circumstances. If coaching does occur then the Referee will give a 1^st and final warning. Coaching is defined as remarks that are made by spectators that would prove helpful to their playing team member. A 2^nd occasion will result in a standard foul with the oncoming player receiving ball in hand..

5.13 All matches are required to start at 8.15pm. Any team not arriving by 8 pm forfeit any practice. As we are increasing the amount of frames from 12 to 15 an earlier start time may be required if matches consistently fail to finish on time.

5.14 Commencement of matches A match may be started provided the names have been listed on the Rackemapp. These names must be supplied 8.15 pm. (Unless forfeiting frames) so that the match can start on time at 8.15pm. In the event of a team not arriving before the match start time of 8.15pm and with no prior warning given, are still not there by 8.30pm that team shall forfeit the first frame. In the event that the team has not arrived by 8.45pm and/or not being ready to play at that time, then a two frame penalty will apply. If the team has not arrived 9 pm the match shall be forfeited. If the team that forfeits frames subsequently arrives, and has less than 5 players present, the names of the players present must be put on the App leaving the 5^th place vacant.. Visiting teams shall be allowed a practice period of 10-15 minutes on the match table provided that they arrive by 8.00pm. Teams arriving later than this will forfeit the right to practice time; It is important for all players to arrive at 8.00pm so that matches can start on time at 8.15pm and to ensure a finish at a reasonable time, which is defined as before the venue closes

5.15 Player listing It is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that the order of the players’ names listed on Rackemapp should be the same. failure to play the lister player in the rackemapp fixture will result in the frame being forfitted and a win awarded to the other team.

5.16 All matches must be completed. In the event of any match not being completed due to circumstances beyond both teams’s control, the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Management Committee must be informed as soon as possible. They will investigate and make a decision (see rule 2.1). The match must be concluded before the next round of matches i.e. within 7 days unless the Committee decide and rule otherwise.

5.17 Players leaving early or arriving late if one of the players is either needing to leave early or arriving late then the following procedure must be adhered to.

Players wishing to leave early must be played at position 1

Players that are arriving late must be played in position 5

If the captain of the opposing team is prepared to let players play games out of sequence to enable player to leave early they can bring the section game forward or for late arrival delay a game if required.

5.18 Food. All teams must provide food for themselves and the opposing team, this should be served after the end of the 7th frame or at a time agreed close to half time. Away teams to inform the home team if any of their players have dietary requirements such as vegan etc. with atleast 72hours notice so venue can prepare failure to letting the venue know in advance could result in no food, do not just assume the venue will know or remember.

Any team who cannot provide food must inform the Management Committee and the opposing captain at the earliest opportunity and no later than 24 hours before the match is due to be played.

Failure to provide food may leave teams open to the complaints procedure and a frame or points deduction from the result.

5.19 Neutral Venues. Venues Allocated as a Neutral Venue (For KO, Singles, Team Events etc) The Teams/Players allocated to play at neutral venue must be given the table for practice exclusively and all others refrain from playing from 7:30pm onwards to allow fair practice for all Teams/Players participating (This does not include Standard League Matches whereby away team get table at 8:00pm)

5.20 Rackemapp- It's the captains responsability to ensure players names and correct results are published correctly, its not up to the rackemapp administrator to keep adjustging scores or errors on the app continued captains errors could lead to the errors not being corrected which would have an effect on the outcome of the match, which the 2 captains will be held responsible for and point decudions could occur for the team. Its not the rackem app administrator's job to change results or errors, the 2 captains on the night both need to check and approve, before the away captain approves the frame the home captain can still make adjustments so if its noticed speak to the home captain to change before away captain approves.

6. Rules/Refereeing

6.1 Referee’s The role of the referee is to adjudicate matches and make decisions in a fair and unbiased manner. It is his or her responsibility to ensure the game is played according to the International rules.

6.2 it is the Team Captain’s responsibility to ensure that all team members know and abide by the rules.

6.3 Disputes Any disputed referees decision can be discussed by both team captains and resolved by consulting a copy of the rules. There is an Information section on Rackemapp where a copy of the rules can be found.If a decision cannot be reached then the referee’s original decision will stand.

Ultimately the referee’s decision is final.

6.4 Incidents A report of the incident must be made on the Capts WhatsApp group so that a definitive clarification can be communicated to all captains in an attempt to avoid further disputes.

6.5 Refereeing Mistakes If a mistake has been made and is not noticed before the next shot of the match then the frame will continue and be played to a conclusion.

7. Conduct and Disciplinary

7.1 Conduct All Players will conduct themselves in a friendly and polite manner at all times. They will display good sportsmanship at all times. Gamesmanship and intimidation are unnecessary and unwanted.

7.2 Behaviour Any player who exhibits aggressive, confrontational, violent or abusive behaviour or language will be suspended from participating in all Hayes & Uxbridge League events pending an investigation and ruling by the Management Committee. This includes any inappropriate comments made using any social media and behaviour in venues at all times not just pool match nights.

7.3 Committee member conduct.Hayes & Uxbridge Committee members are considered ambassadors of the League and will be expected to show exemplary conduct at all times, failure to do so will result in suspension from participating in all League events pending an investigation and ruling by the Management Committee.

7.4 Social Media Policy. Members of the group will conduct themselves politely and will not discriminate publically or leave offensive comments on any social media, including but not limited to the League’s Facebook page. League players must not use any social media to criticise any specific individuals or teams. The page is for giving and receiving of information, results, the listing of forthcoming events and friendly banter. Any breach of this policy will result in a ban from the page for 1 month, if a 2^nd offence is committed then a season long ban and if a 3^rd offence is committed than a permanent ban will result. There may also be grounds for further disciplinary action to be taken by the Management Committee.

7.5 Complaints Procedure. All complaints must first be addressed to the Management Committee, either by phone or Capts Whatsapp group or by raising the issue in writing to an appropriate Committee member Complaints must not be submitted via our Facebook page.

8.1 Trophies.

a) The 1^st place team in each Division will each receive an individual trophy.

b) Players will qualify for a trophy if they have played a minimum of 25% of all possible league frames.

Maximum of 12 trophies per team - additional trophies required can be supplied at the teams cost.

c) The overall singles champion from each division will receive a trophy

The Awarding of trophies will be decided by the Committee based on the available funds.

8.2 Promotion and relegation In general, the top two teams in each division (except the “A” Division) will be promoted and the bottom two teams in each division (except the lowest division) will be relegated, the final make up of each division will be decided by the Committee once all team registrations have been received. when tere are fewer teams in each division this may change to top and bottom team only.

8.3 The Winter League Team Winners in each division will be decided as follows:

i) Points.

ii) Frames won.

iii) Head to head results.

iv) And in the event of a tie, a play-off, which will take place at a neutral venue with a 6 red shoot out if still tied.

8.4 Overall Winter League Singles Winner in each division will be decided as follows:

i) To have played in at least 60% of all possible matches.

ii) The highest win percentage.

iii) Frames won.

iv) Head to head results.

v) And in the event of a tie, a play off at a neutral venue with a 6 red Shoot out if required..

8.5 The Winter Team Singles winner will be decided as follows:

i) To have played in at least 60% of all possible matches.

ii) The highest win percentage.

iii) Frames won.

iv) In the event of a tie the Team Captain will nominate a winner.

If your team qualifies for the Champion of Champions League by finishing 1^st / 2^nd in Division A Then a minimum of 6 players have to have played or attended as a reserve in a minimum of 25% of all possible league matches to qualify for the league.

Champion of Champs singles competition entry to qualify players must have played in at least 25% of all possibles frames.

If we do not run a separate COC qualifying competition teams will not be allowed to use players from another team.

Entry fees. Teams will have to pay the entry fee and will be re-imbursed after the tournament ,there will be no refund for non attendance.

Players joining from other teams must be eligible to play for the Hayes & Uxbridge League and to have played that season to play in the qualifying competition. The top 2 teams of this league will be entered in to the Champions of Champions National event.

Singles Competition winner and Top Stats winner will take the Men’s Champions Singles places.

Ladies Singles Winner and Runner up will take the Ladies Champions Singles places

Players with qualification for Champions of Champions Singles in another league must inform us of their decision of which league they are going to represent ASAP.

8.6 League Fees The Management Committee shall set the subscription for the Winter League season at £75

8.7 Signing players Players can be signed on the night by adding them to Rackemapp up to 31/12/2024. New players after this point can only be signed with the authorisation of the committee. Exceptional circumstances will be considered by the committee

8.8 teams Failing to show up for a match with no prior notice will incur a 3 points deduction from your teams total . .

8.9 Teams will be notified of any penalty’s.

Constitution devised 21^st June 2009.

Revised 30^th September 2023.

Revised 10/11/2024.