C.B.B.A. Constitution
The Rules of the Colchester Borough Bowling Association
(Incorporating the Tournament)
1. Name and Eligibility
The Association shall be known as The Colchester Borough Bowling Association and shall be open to bowling clubs in the Borough and District of Colchester subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting.
2. The Object of the Association
The object of the Association shall be to promote the sport of bowls through competition and good sportsmanship.
3. Executive Committee
a) The affairs and management of the Association shall be conducted by an Executive Committee consisting of The President, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. League Secretary, Hon. Competition Secretary, Hon. Fixture Secretary, Tour Secretary and two Committee Members all of whom shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy occurring during the year.
b) Past Presidents of the Association are entitled to attend meetings of the Executive Committee meetings but not to vote.
c) No member of the Executive Committee shall be allowed to vote on any matter pertaining to his club. Further, if there shall be a dispute between two clubs no member of the Executive Committee or a Past President shall be allowed to speak on the subject involving his club if it could be held that to do so may be injurious or prejudicial to the position of the other club.
d) Three members of the Executive Committee shall form a quorum.
e) The finances of the Association shall be in the control of the Hon. Treasurer who shall account to the Executive Committee for the income and expenditure of the Association. Payments up to an agreed amount, as approved from time to time by the Executive Committee, may be made by the Hon. Treasurer without reference to the Executive Committee. Payments in excess of the approved amount may only be authorised by the Executive Committee. All cheques must be signed by any two of three appointed signatories.
4. Registration of Clubs
All member clubs may register, with the Hon. League Secretary, more than one team for the Evening Fours League and the Afternoon Triples League subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting.
Each member club shall pay an annual subscription of such amount as shall be approved by the Annual General Meeting, as proposed by the Executive Committee, in respect of each Evening Fours League Team and each Afternoon Triples League Team, together with an amount for each player registered as determined above.
5. League Composition
Evening Fours
a) The Evening Fours League shall be divided into two or more Divisions known as Division A, Division B etc., of an equal number of teams, or if there is an unequal number, the lower Division shall have the lesser number, or as decided by the Executive Committee.
Division shall be determined at the end of each season with two teams being promoted and two teams relegated from their respective League positions at the end of the playing season, subject to the application of Rule 13 below.
b) Each Evening Fours League Team shall play home and away matches on Wednesday or, if necessary, some Monday evenings.
Matches will begin on a date in May determined by the Hon. League Secretary and continue until no later than the last Wednesday in August.
c) Choice of ground may only be waived with the consent of the Hon. League Secretary.
d) A team shall consist of three rinks of four players. If a team is only able to field ten players, two rinks of four players shall form the team and two points and 21 (twenty-one) shots shall be forfeited.
e) Before each match all scorecards shall be placed in pairs, face down, and numbered in rinks by the visiting captain.
f) In the case of a match being abandoned after play has started due to climatic conditions or unfitness of green, a match will be considered to be completed if the total number of ends played equals or exceeds 42
g) Lady Bowlers can be selected.
Afternoon Triples
The above rules shall apply to the Afternoon Triples League except as stated below.
a) Matches to be played on Tuesdays commencing on a date in May determined by the Hon. League Secretary and continue until no later than the last Tuesday in September.
b) A match will be decided by two rinks of three players. If a team is only able to field five players, then the team will consist of 1 (one) rink of three players and shall forfeit two points and 18 (eighteen) shots.
c) In the case of a match being abandoned after play has started due to climatic conditions or unfitness of green, a match will be considered to be completed if the total number of ends played equals or exceeds 24.
The Executive Committee shall have the power to fine any team that fails to complete its League fixtures by the approved date with the sum of £5.00 unless a satisfactory reason is given. The Executive Committee shall have the power to extend the closing date or award or deduct points as deemed necessary.
d) Lady bowlers can be selected
Points
In both the Evening Fours League and the Afternoon Triples League each winning rink shall be awarded two points, or in the event of a draw, one point.
Overall shot advantage shall benefit from an additional two points.
In the event of a team withdrawing during the playing season any previous results shall be declared null and void for both that team and its opponents.
6. Dates of Play and Postponements
Teams will adhere to the set fixture dates, However, where both teams agree, a match may be played at an earlier date but no postponement of a match shall be normally allowed except as may be necessary on account of climatic conditions or unfitness of greens. Any breach of this Rule must be notified to the Hon. League Secretary who shall award 8 points and 42 shots in the case of the Evening Fours League, and 6 points and 27 shots in the case of the Afternoon Triples League to the opposition of the defaulting Club or demand that the match be played within a certain time scale, if he considers the reason for postponement to be unsatisfactory. It should be understood that postponement due to team shortages would not be considered a satisfactory reason. Postponements on account of climatic conditions or unfitness of greens MUST be notified within 48 hours to the Hon. League Secretary. The match MUST be rearranged within 7 days of the original date and played not later than 7 days after the date of the last game on the fixture list of the division involved. The Hon. League Secretary must be advised of the new date. It is the home clubs responsibility to telephone, e-mail or deliver by hand the match result (points and shots), to the League Secretary, within 24 hours following the match and also to send the completed score card, by mail or hand, to arrive with the League Secretary, within 5 days of the match. Failure to conform to this rule will result in a £5 fine, to be paid within 10 days of notification of the fine, by the League Secretary or his delegate. If the fine is not paid in this time, a loss of 6 points, in the case of a Borough League Triples Match and 8 points, in the case of a Borough League Fours Match will result. An appeal, if necessary, will be made in accordance with RULE 9 Protests and Disputes, except that the time span will be 10 days and not 3 days in this instance only.
No club to play another team from the same club in the league on the penultimate or last match of the league season.
7. Registration of Players
Each Club Secretary will, on or before the third Saturday in April each year, furnish to the Hon. League Secretary, a list of players eligible to play. This shall constitute registration. Players are permitted to move between a Club's teams, with the restriction that having played FOUR games in a higher league, during that season, that player may not play in a lower league, for the remainder of the season. No player is permitted to play for more than one team in the same division.
Registration shall be determined by the first game played in the season for that member club and shall apply for that season only. The names of players may only be added to the original list until 30th June, except in the case of new bowlers or those moving into the area and provided that seven days notice has been given to the Hon. League Secretary before any new players are to take part in a match.
No transfer can be made until seven days notice has been given to the Hon. League Secretary and sanction of the Executive Committee obtained. Any team infringing this Rule will be fined £5.00 and have 2 (two) points, and 18 shots in the case of a triples match and 21 shots in the case of a fours match, deducted from their score at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
8. League, Knock-Out and Tournament Championships
Lady bowlers are allowed to enter the league competitions, as above, but NOT THE KNOCK OUT COMPETITIONS.
The League Championship shall be determined by the highest points gained. In the event of two or more teams being equal on points the leadership shall be decided by shot difference. All trophies must be returned to the Hon. Competition Secretary no later than the day of the Association's Semi-Finals each year and shall be in good condition. Any cost of restoration shall be borne by the member's club who shall be responsible to the Hon. League Secretary. Souvenirs shall be presented to the League leaders and the runner-up as the Executive Committee may determine.
9. Protests and Disputes
Protests and disputes shall be decided by the Executive Committee whose decision will be final. All protests must be from the Club Secretary involved and received by the Hon. Secretary in writing within 3 (three) days of the fixture, accompanied by a fee of £1.00, which will be returned if the protest is upheld.
10. General and/or Special Meetings.
A General Meeting or Special Meeting shall be called at the request of 2 (two) clubs in writing to the Hon. Secretary or as may be deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
11. Competitions
a) Except as mentioned in these Rules, the Rules of Bowls England and the Essex County Bowling Association shall apply to all games in connection with the League, Tournament and Competitions. All competitions will be completed on set dates, Single Handed on Mondays, Pairs on Tuesdays, Triples on Thursdays, and Fours on Fridays. All competitions to be played on the best rinks available.
The two dates offered by the challenger in the Tournament Competition must only include 1 (one) weekend date. C.B.B.A. Competitions will take precedence over all other competitions excepting the four major competitions of the E.C.B.A., (B.E.); the Single Handed, Pairs, Triples and Fours.
b) All competition entries, which will only be accepted from Member Clubs, close on the second Saturday in October preceding the competition year and the draw will be made by 31st December.
c) Dates for completion of rounds will be decided by the Executive Committee at the time of the draw and the Clubs will be notified of the dates of the Semi-Finals and Finals and greens to be used.
d) All entries for Single Handed, Pairs, Triples, Fours and Tournament competitions will only be accepted through one of the member clubs of the Association.
If a player enters any Essex County Bowling Association competitions, entries to Colchester Borough Bowling Association competitions may only be made through the same club and no other club to which the player may belong.
e) Entry Fees for the four major competitions and the Tournament shall be determined by the Executive Committee by 31st July in each year and will apply in the following season.
f) Any players withdrawing from Single Handed, Pairs, Triples and Fours competitions in the Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals or Finals and failing to advise the Hon. Competition Secretary of a reason satisfactory to the Hon. Competition Secretary and the Executive Committee will not be permitted to enter any competition in the following year.
g) A cloth blazer badge will be awarded to a player who:
i. Is a winner in any of the four major competitions.
ii. Plays for the Association in four matches against other Associations, but only 2 (two) Association matches in any one season Two (2) credits towards an Association badge will be awarded to all losing Finalists in any of the four major competitions. (The recipient of four (4) credits will be awarded an Association cloth badge).
12. Press Officer
The League shall appoint a Press Officer to issue weekly copy to the local press on all Borough Bowling Association activities.
13. Cessation and Amalgamation of Clubs
a) In the event of a club winding-up, its name shall be removed from the list of clubs and the remaining clubs shall constitute the member clubs of the Association for the purpose of determining League Divisions as referred to in Rule 5 (a) above.
b) Clubs amalgamating without a change of name shall be known by the first name of their title and shall assume the position in any League in which that club has competed in that season.
c) Clubs amalgamating with a change of name shall be regarded as a new club and enter any League for which they apply as a new club and be placed in the lowest Division of that League.
For the purpose of this rule "without change of name" shall mean the incorporation of both names in full.
For the purpose of this rule "with change of name" shall mean any completely new name or a combination of or any part of the names of the amalgamating clubs.
14. Life Member
Any member of a Club forming part of the Association who has by his work or conduct contributed to the Association and for the benefit of its members may be recommended by the Committee to be elected at an Annual General Meeting to the position of Life Member of the Association. Life Members shall be presented with a suitable certificate confirming this honour and in addition where the member holds the cloth badge of the Association a flash designating the member as a Life Member shall be awarded at the Association's cost. Any President of the Association shall on his retirement from this position be made a Life Member.
15. Alterations, Resolutions and Nominations
No alteration or addition shall be made to these Rules except at the Annual General Meeting held on the first Thursday in December each year. Resolutions and nominations proposed by one Member club and seconded by another Member club for consideration must reach the Hon. Secretary by the 1st of November of that year.
16. Indemnity
Every Officer and Committee member shall be indemnified by the Association in respect of any claim made against him in respect of the pursuance of his duties, except in so far as such a claim may relate to the wilful and individual fraud or wrongdoing on the part of the Officer or Committee member who is sought to be made liable.
17. Miscellaneous Rules
Mobile phones and other electronic devices may not be used by players on or around the periphery of the green unless in case of emergency once a match has commenced. For the purpose of clarification, the "green" is deemed to include a minimum of 2 metres of the bank surrounding the playing area. If this rule is contravened, there can be a complaint by an opposing player to the skip of the transgressor. If the player refuses to stop or reoffends later in the same match, then the side transgressing shall forfeit the rink containing that player. If the match is a league game, the 2 points and 21 shots or 2 points and 18 shots for a triples game will be forfeited. If the match is in the Team Tournament, then 21 shots will be forfeited.
18. Interpretation
Any difference regarding interpretation of these Rules and/or any matter not provided for within them shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final and binding on all members.
C.B.B.A. MEDLEY DOUBLE FOURS LEAGUE RULES
ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB (MALE & FEMALE) ARE AUTOMATICALLY ELIGIBLE.
EACH TEAM CONSISTS OF TWO RINKS OF FOUR PLAYERS (ALL FEMALE, ALL MALE OR MIXED.
LEAGUE TO START THE WEEK FOLLOWING THE FINISH OF THE C.B.B.A. FOURS LEAGUE.
WHEN TWO TEAMS ARE ENTERED FROM THE SAME CLUB, A PLAYER MAY ONLY PLAY FOR ONE NOMINATED TEAM.
GAMES TO BE PLAYED MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS IN AUGUST AND MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS IN SEPTEMBER STARTING AT 6pm UNLESS MUTUALLY AGREED OTHERWISE.
EACH TEAM PLAYS EVERY OTHER TEAM ONCE (ALMOST HALF HOME & HALF AWAY).
THE FOLLOWING SEASON FIXTURES WILL BE REVERSED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE
GAMES TO BE 14 ENDS. NO TRIAL ENDS. ONE SHOT ON THE 1st TWO ENDS.
• Toss of a coin decides which team starts, otherwise normal BE rules apply.
• 2 points for each rink won or 1 point each for a draw.2 points for overall shot total or 1 point each if shot total equal.
• League positions decided on points gained, then shot difference, then shots for.
• In the case of a match being abandoned after play has started due to climatic conditions or unfitness of green, a match will be considered to be completed if the total number of ends played equals or exceeds 18.
• Rinks must have at least three players. Fielding only three players will result in the No.1 & 2 playing three bowls & the Skip playing 2 bowls & the rink losing 25% of its total shots. A 40-shot total will be reduced to 30, 39 to 29, 38 to 28, 37 to 27, 36 to 27, 35 to 26, 34 to 25, 33 to 24, 32 to 24, 31 to 23, 30 to 22, 29 to 21, 28 to 21, 27 to 20, 26 to 19, 25 to 18, 24 to 18, 23 to 17, 22 to 16, 21 to 15, 20 to 15, 19 to 14, 18 to 13, 17 to 13, 16 to 12,15 to 11,14 to 10, 13 to 9, 12 to 9, 11 to 8, 10 to 7, 9 to 6, 8 to 6, 7 to 5, 6 to 4, 5 to 3, 4 to 3, 3 to 2, 2 to 1, 1 to 0.