ASSOCIATION RULES

1.    Title & Constitution: The Organisation will be entitled ‘The Huddersfield Billiards & Snooker Association’ and will consist of clubs, institutes and halls that are situated within Huddersfield and district. Clubs from adjacent areas may be accepted on the written approval of their own Association.

2.    Objects:

a)    To promote and encourage Billiards and Snooker.

b)    To Organise and control competitions.

3.    Officers:

a)    The main Committee will consist of a President, eight Vice Presidents, Life Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and League Reporting/Assistant and Competitions Secretaries.

i)     The President will hold Office for a period of not less than three years and on retirement will be placed on the Life Vice Presidents’ list. Life Vice Presidents are not eligible to stand as President.

ii)    Vice Presidents will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

iii)   The Secretary, Treasurer and League Reporting/Assistant and Competitions Secretaries will retire annually but automatically be eligible for re-election.

b)    The Association will be controlled by a Management Committee consisting of a Chairman, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and League Reporting/Assistant and Competitions Secretaries and a maximum of two representatives from each affiliated club, institute or hall.

c)    Casual vacancies occurring amongst the Officers or other members of the Committee may be filled at the discretion of the Committee.

4.    Affiliation/Subscriptions:

a)    Applications for affiliation will be acceptable only in writing, and the granting or rejecting of such will rest entirely with the committee.

b)    Annual affiliation will be £25.00, and the application should be sent to the Secretary with the correct fee. Subsequent payments should be made no later than October in each year.

c)    Any organisation whose subscriptions are one month or more in arrears will not be eligible to serve on the committee.

5.    Accounts:

a)    The financial year of the Association will close on 15^th June each year. An annual Statement of Accounts will be prepared by the Treasurer at that time and duly checked by two Auditors as soon as possible thereafter.

b)    Any club, institute or hall owing any debts to the Association at the end of the season will not be eligible to rejoin until all are paid in full.

6.    Annual/Special General Meetings (AGM/SGM):

a)    The Association’s AGM will be held as soon as possible after the 15^th June and no later than the 30^th June, for the purpose of receiving the Annual Reports and Statement of Accounts, electing Officers and Auditors for the ensuing year and transacting such further business that the meeting may decide, subject to the provision of the rules.

b)    An SGM may be called at any time by the Committee, and will be called by the Secretary within 14 days of a written request, stating the object(s) and signed on behalf of two affiliated organisations or by direction of the Management Committee.

c)    The Secretary will give at least 7 days notice of every AGM or SGM to each affiliated organisation, and will indicate the nature of any business to be transacted that is not of   a routine character.

 

 

 

 

d)    Club representation is requested at all meetings, two members of every affiliated organisation being entitled to attend, each with the power to vote. The names of every delegate must be furnished in writing to the Secretary at each meeting. All Officials of the Association will be entitled to record one vote, (they being included in the member clubs delegated voting power) with the exception of the Chairman who will record the casting vote in the event of a vote being tied. A majority vote is required for any resolution to be carried.

e)    At an AGM or SGM fifteen members will form a quorum.  If a quorum is not present       15 minutes after the appointed start time, the meeting will be adjourned and re-arranged by the Management Committee.  If at a reconvened AGM or SGM a quorum is not present 15 minutes after the appointed time, the members present will be considered a quorum. After the Chairman has declared the meeting open, the quorum will be confirmed and the assembled members deemed competent to transact business.

7.    Monthly Meetings:

a)    Meetings are held at an agreed venue on the second Monday of each month during the season, commencing at 7.30pm. Dates are as published in the association handbook.

b)    All clubs must be represented at, at least two of the three meetings before Christmas, and at least two of the first three after Christmas, i.e. Jan, Feb & Mar.  Failure to comply with either requirement will result, in both cases, in the deduction of four points from the record of Open Snooker League teams and three points from the record of all Billiards League teams representing the club.

8.    Alterations to rules: No alteration, amendment or addition to the Rules shall be made except at an AGM or SGM, and it must be supported by a majority vote. All proposed alterations, amendments or additions must be sent to the Secretary in writing three weeks prior to the meeting.

9.    Trophies: Trophies must be returned by the February meeting, failure to do so will incur a fine of £25.00. Team trophies must be kept at the winners’ clubs at all times; individual trophies may be kept at the homes of the winners. All trophies must be returned in a clean and presentable condition, the cost of replacing or repairing trophies will be the responsibility of the club or individual in possession of them.

10. Equipment/playing facilities: No individual, pair or team will be allowed to participate in the leagues or competitions unless they have suitable playing facilities and equipment.

11. Powers of the Committee:

a)    The Committee will meet each month during the season with twelve members forming a quorum.

b)    Members may appoint delegates and confer such powers as they deem advisable, and, subject to the rules, may do whatever is necessary to ensure the objects of the Association are achieved. If any delegate is not acceptable to the Committee, the organisation concerned will, on request, elect another suitable delegate.

c)    The Committee, in accordance with a resolution supported by a majority vote, may suspend a member deemed guilty of discreditable conduct, until the next General meeting.

d)    With regard to Disputes, Suspensions etc. the decision of the Committee will be binding after interpretation of the Rules of the Association and the Rules of affiliated organisations.

e)    The Committee will have the power to deal with any matter not covered by these Association Rules.

LEAGUE RULES

1.  A copy of the HB & SA Rules to be available at all participating venues.

2.  These leagues are to be run under the Rules of the WPBSA. (Local exemptions may apply)

3.  Tables are to be properly prepared for all league and competition matches.

4.  All clubs in the area will be invited to enter teams in the handicap leagues. Registrations will

     be subject to approval and teams will be allocated to sections in accordance with the current

     League format.

 

 

5.  Conditions of entry:         

a)    Team entries will only be accepted from clubs that allow ladies and juniors as players, officials and spectators. Each team must register a minimum of five players, who will each be allocated a handicap. Players under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

b)    All registered players must be amateurs, except in exceptional circumstances as determined by the committee. They are to be members of affiliated clubs, and these clubs will be informed in writing of all competitions run by the Association.

c)    No player who is banned or under suspension by a club will be allowed to represent that club in the Association’s league or competition matches (including those in progress) until the restriction is lifted.

d)    Players should not be registered with more than one team. A transfer facility is there to allow movement between teams, providing the player has not already played a game.

e)    After the commencement of the season, all new registrations and transfers must be notified to the League Reporting Secretary before the player is eligible to play. No new registrations and transfers will be allowed after the first match of the New Year.

6. Entry fees: Fees per team shall be £20.00 for Snooker, £15.00 for Billiards and £15.00 for Veterans, plus an Association affiliation fee of £25.00 per club.  These fees MUST accompany application entry forms.
7. Team withdrawals:
1. Any team withdrawing from the league or failing to fulfil fixtures will be fined £10.00. Clubs are held responsible for all fines.
2. In the event of a team withdrawing, the committee will endeavour to fill the vacancy if the time of season is appropriate, if this is not possible all teams in that section whether they have played the withdrawn team or not, will receive two points.
8. Postponed matches: Permission must be obtained from the League Reporting Secretary before any match can be re-arranged. Postponed matches must be played within four weeks of the original match date. Failure to comply without good reason will result in penalties being applied as stipulated in the Supplementary League Rules.
9. Any team playing an unregistered player will be fined £5.00 and forfeit the frame, if won. The result will not appear on the record of either player.
10. Payment of fines: Reminders for the payment of fines and the like will be issued after 28 days. On the issue of 1^st and 2^nd reminders a further £3.00 becomes payable in each instance. On the issue of a 3^rd and final reminder an additional £25.00 becomes payable.
11. Responsibilities:
1. It is the home team’s/player’s duty to provide a referee, and to take responsibility for matches financially.
2. Any dispute to be decided by the referee. Such ruling, if not accepted, to be subject to a committee decision.
3. Each team captain is responsible for signing both result cards after the match; alterations to be initialled by both captains. Falsification of any card will result in a minimum fine of £10.00 plus committee disciplinary action as may be deemed necessary
4. Team captains and competition referees should request that mobile phones be switched off or set to silent mode. Should phone answering be necessary, it must be done out of the room and by someone not in play.
12. All complaints: Complaints are to be sent in writing to the League Reporting Secretary. The committee will consider the facts and take any action deemed necessary.  Their decision is final.

 

 

 

 

COMPETITIONS

1.    League registered players: They shall be allowed to enter competitions from any affiliated club, and that will be deemed their home club throughout that competition. Losing semi-finalists in all but team competitions will receive a prize.

2.    Handicap competitions:

a)    All entrants must be members of an affiliated club. Handicaps revised during the course of any competition must be used in the round following notification.

b)    Winners of handicap competitions will have their handicap reviewed as deemed appropriate. This will be in addition to the review based on league performance during the season.

3.    Arranging matches: Both home and away players/teams must attempt to make contact. Should there be any difficulty in contacting opponents, or good reason for not playing a match on time, the Competitions Secretary should be advised a.s.a.p.  As a matter of courtesy please give three or four possible dates for the match prior to the closing date.

4.    Referees: Players/teams should endeavour to provide a referee for all matches up to and including quarter-finals. For semi-finals and finals, referees will be appointed by the Competitions Secretary.

5.    Notification of results:

a)    Up to and including quarter-finals, it is the winner’s responsibility to notify the result to the Competitions Secretary within 24 hours of the match being played.

b)    Appointed referees will be responsible for notifying the result of semi-finals and finals that are played on neutral tables.

6.    Unplayed matches: If no information is received from either player by the closing date, both players will be disqualified. In the event of disputed information being received, both players may be required to attend the next committee meeting to state their case.

7.    Junior competitions: Entrants must be under 20 years of age on the competition closing date to be eligible.

 

SNOOKER & BILLIARDS HANDICAP LEAGUES

1.    Setting handicaps:

a)    The maximum handicap at snooker will be +45, minimum -45. New entries to the league to start at +21 unless otherwise determined by the handicapping committee and be reviewed after every six games played.

b)    The maximum handicap at billiards will be +115, minimum -100. New entries to the league to start at +115 unless otherwise determined by the handicapping committee and be reviewed after every six games played.

c)    Players who have played six or more league games in each of the last 3 seasons will be deemed ‘seasoned players’. Their handicaps, set at the start of the season, will remain unaltered throughout that season.

d)    The handicaps of players not deemed ‘seasoned’ will be checked after playing not less than six league games. Handicaps may be adjusted at any time after that.

e)    Open Snooker League players registering as 70 years of age and over at the start of the season, will not have their handicaps reduced.

f)     End of season Snooker. Half a handicap point up/down for up to 8 wins/losses. Round  up for wins and down for losses. 9 or more wins/losses adjust the handicap by one point for each win/loss.

g)    End of season Billiards. 2.5 handicap points up/down for each win/loss. Round up to the nearest 5 points for wins and down for losses.

2.    Checking handicaps: Team Captains are responsible for checking that correct handicaps are used.

a)    If a higher handicap than allocated is used, then the frame (if won) will be awarded to the opposing team. The frame will not be registered against the playing record of either player.

b)    If a lower handicap than allocated is used this will be ignored, on the basis of there being no perceived advantage to the offending team.

3.    Play-offs:

a)    In all play-offs, rule 3 of both the Snooker and Billiards supplementary rules will apply. Teams must submit their order of play to an official prior to the start of the match.

b)    To determine section positions at the end of the season, teams finishing on level points in the same section will be required to play off only if the outcome involves prizes.  Otherwise most wins, most 4-0/3-0 wins or most draws (in that order) will decide.

4.    High break prizes:

a)    Prizes will be awarded for the highest breaks in the following groups:
Open Snooker League: -45 to -24, -23 to -8, -7 to +8, +9 to +24, +25 to +45
Open Billiards League: -100 to -35, -30 to +30, +35 to +75, +80 to +115

b)    The Paul Hunter and Tommy Donlan Memorial Trophies will be presented for the highest breaks of the season in the Snooker and Billiards leagues respectively.

c)    A prize for the highest break in the Open Veterans’ Snooker League will also be awarded.

d)    Players whose handicaps are amended during the season may only qualify for a break prize within the group containing their final handicap.

 

OPEN BILLIARDS LEAGUE SUPPLEMENTARY RULES

1.    This league will be called the Huddersfield Billiards and Snooker Association’s Open Billiards League.

2.    Each team will consist of three players, with three games of 200 up to be played.  All players will be handicapped, and one league point will be awarded for each game won.

3.    All games to be played on a Tuesday commencing at 19.30.  If one team is not represented by 19.45 the team that is represented may claim the first game. Subsequent games may be claimed after further 15 minute intervals.

4.    Results must be received by the League Reporting Secretary no later than the following Saturday. The home team is responsible for producing and sending in two fully completed results cards in the ‘FREEPOST’ envelope provided.  A fine of £3.00 will be levied for late, incomplete or incorrect cards. (See also League Rule 10 regarding payment of fines.)

5.    Any team that cannot complete all three games through absence of players will be fined £3.00 for each player absent (£10.00 for full teams, league rule 7a.) Games not played through absence will be counted as lost.

6.    The league will consist of one section, with teams playing each other home and away. The team finishing top of the section will receive the ‘H. Wilkinson trophy’, runner up to receive the ‘Frank Hallam Rosebowl’.  Teams finishing 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th will play off, with the final winners to receive prizes.

7.    The team with the best playing record over the last six matches as detailed in the fixture list, will receive the ‘Norman Hargreaves trophy’ and prizes, Teams finishing in league play-off positions are not eligible for this trophy.

 

OPEN SNOOKER LEAGUE SUPPLEMENTARY RULES

1.    This league will be called the Huddersfield Billiards and Snooker Association’s Open Snooker League.

2.    Each team will consist of four players, with four frames to be played.   All players will be handicapped, and one league point will be awarded for each frame won.

3.    All games to be played on a Thursday commencing at 19.30.  If one team is not represented by 19.45 the team that is represented may claim the first frame. Subsequent frames may be claimed after further 15 minute intervals.

4.    Results must be received by the League Reporting Secretary no later than the following Monday. The home team is responsible for producing and sending in two fully completed results cards in the ‘FREEPOST’ envelope provided. A fine of £3.00 will be levied for late, incomplete and incorrect cards. (See also League Rule 10 regarding payment of fines.)

5.    Any team that cannot complete all four frames through absence of players will be fined £3.00 for each player absent (£10.00 for full teams, league rule 7a.) Games not played through absence will be counted as lost.

6.    The league will consist of multiple sections, entry numbers will determine the format.  Promotion and relegation will operate.

7.    At the end of the season, the winners of each section will receive a ‘Rose Bowl Trophy’ and play-off for the ‘Bass North Trophy’ and prizes.  Teams finishing 2^nd and 3^rd in each section will be entered in an inter-sectional play-off competition, with the final winners to receive the ‘John Needham Trophy’ and prizes.

8.    Draws will be made for the play-offs (subject to numbers byes may apply) – first named team to have table advantage.  In the event of a tie in the play-offs, the reserve players to play a deciding frame.  Should one of the reserves not be in attendance at the end of the fourth frame, the match will be awarded to the opposing team.  If both reserves are not in attendance then players to play the deciding frame (from those having already played) will be drawn ‘out of the hat’

9.    The Semi-finals and Finals will be played on neutral tables with a certified referee, if available, officiating.  Matches to start at 19.30.

10. The team with the best playing record over the last six matches, as detailed in the fixture list will receive the ‘Sandy Fraser Trophy’. Teams finishing in league play-off positions are not eligible for this trophy.

 

VETERANS’ OPEN SNOOKER LEAGUE SUPPLEMENTARY RULES

1.    This league will be called the Huddersfield Billiards and Snooker Association’s Veterans’ Open Snooker League.

2.    Each player will be handicapped. Maximum handicap to be +30, minimum -30, with new entries to the league to start at +10.  All handicaps will be reviewed mid-season; new players’ handicaps will be reviewed after they have played six matches.

3.    Veteran snooker league players registering as 80 years of age and over at the start of the season, will not have their handicaps reduced.

4.    Each team will consist of three players, with three frames to be played.  All players must be aged 60 or over, and one league point will be awarded for each frame won.

5.    All games to be played on a Monday commencing at 13.30 unless otherwise mutually arranged.

6.    Results must be received by the League Reporting Secretary no later than the following Thursday. The home team is responsible for producing and sending in two fully completed results cards in the ‘FREEPOST’ envelope provided. A fine of £3.00 will be levied for late, incomplete and incorrect cards. (See also League Rule 10 regarding payment of fines.)

7.    The league will consist of multiple sections of teams; promotion and relegation to be on a three up, three down basis.

8.    The winners of Section 1 will receive the ‘John Clegg Memorial Trophy’; the winners of Sections 2 and 3 will receive ‘M.E. Consultancy Millennium Trophies’. Section winners will play-off for the ‘W.Cuerdon Trophy’ and prizes.  These play-offs to be two matches for each team; one at home and one away.  In the event of a tie on points, aggregate scores will decide.  Runners up will receive the ‘Frank Swallow Trophy’ – teams finishing 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th in each section will be entered in an inter-sectional play-off competition, with the final winners to receive prizes.

9.    Draws will be made for the play-offs (subject to numbers, byes may apply) first named team to have table advantage.

10. The Semi-finals and Final will be played on neutral tables with a certified referee, if available, officiating. Matches to start at 13.30

a)    The team with the best playing record over the last six matches as detailed in the fixture list will receive the ‘Morris Gledhill Trophy’. Teams finishing in league play-off positions are not eligible for this trophy.

10. End of season Handicaps. Adjustments as per snooker handicap league.