The rules below were formally agreed and introduced at the Annual General Meeting on 8’th September 2011.

League Rules – Ceredigion Snooker League:

1   Title

• The league shall be called ‘The Ceredigion Snooker League’ and shall be affiliated to any organisation the Annual General Meeting of the league may decide.

2   Match Rules

• All matches must be governed by the current rules of snooker (with the exception of the miss rule). All clubs should have an up to date copy of the snooker rules displayed or available upon request for future reference. A copy of the rules is available on this website.

3   League

• The league will consist of 1,2 or 3 divisions as necessary. Teams to play home and away matches. There shall be promotion and relegation from the divisions. The top two teams in each division are promoted and the bottom two teams in each division are relegated in relation to teams entering the league the following season. (That decision will be made at the Annual General Meeting)
• Each team to consist of a minimum of 3 players.
• All players must be paid up members of each club.
• Players may only play for one team per season.
• All players must be registered to play in the league by the start of the league season. Only in exceptional circumstances will players be allowed to sign up after the season has started. This decision will be made by the league secretary.
• Teams playing an unregistered player will forfeit all points attained during that match.

4   Fees

• Entry fees per team per league season will be decided at the Annual General Meeting.

5   Match Conditions

• Every league match will consist of 9 frames. Each player has to play 3 frames, one against each player from the opposing team.
• Matches to commence no later than 7:30 pm.
• One point is awarded for each frame won. i.e 9 points in total per match.
• Home teams to ‘Break-Off’ and provide match officials and markers.
• If a full team is not present at 7:30, then either team can insist that the match starts with those present.
• Each team MUST have a dedicated Captain to arrange games and to act as a liaison with other teams (Sept 22 AGM).
• In all league or cup matches where a date is not scheduled, or where either team is unable to play on the given date, the captain of the team that did not cancel the match must offer the opposing team captain 3 suitable dates. One of these dates MUST be taken. This match MUST be played within 2 weeks.
• If a match is abandoned because of faulty lights the match will have to be replayed in full. If a change in the team is necessary this will be accepted.
• Where any member of a team is prevented from entering any club from which they are barred, the team / club playing such a member must send a reserve player to take his place on such occasions. Where a new player will need to be signed up then the league secretary has to be informed prior to the commencement of the match.
• A team is expected to play a substitute when available if a regular team player is unavailable to play.
• If the home team is unavailable to play on a scheduled date (being the fixture date or a rearranged date between captains), and no notice of cancellation has been given, and the away team has travelled to the venue to play their match, then the match will be rearranged and be played in the non-offending teams venue. The new home team will have to offer 3 suitable dates. (Sept 12 AGM)

6   Disputes

• All matches in dispute to be notified to the secretary immediately.
• The score card should be left unsigned and the matter discussed at the next available executive meeting. Once signed by both captains the result cannot be disputed, unless it is stated on the card ‘Signed Under Protest’.
  The executive committee with a quorum of at least 3 neutral clubs, Chairman and Secretary will deal with the matter whose decision will be final. A delegate from each club in dispute (captain or secretary ) should be in attendance where possible (Sept 14 AGM)

7   Results

• Results of all matches to be sent to the league secretary by the Saturday of the same week by the home team captain on the night.
• Failure to send through the league result on time may be referred to the Executive Committee for appropriate action to be taken.
• Both captains on the night to sign the match card.
• Where the match is played later than the designated date, then the result must also be phoned through immediately to the league secretary.
• Results should be submitted via the “Submit Result” page of the website when ever possible. If a team captain is unable to make an online submission then the scorecard should be posted. Actual scorecards need only be posted to the Secretary at the half way stage and at the end of the season. It is the responsibility of each team captain to regularly check the results on the website and to report any inaccuracies to the Secretary. (Sept 15 AGM).
• Results will be published to the website within 24 hours of receipt (Sept 22 AGM).

8   Handicaps

• Individual player handicaps will be awarded against each player at the start of the season plus at the half way point of the season based on player performances attained at either the end of the previous season or the half way point of the current season. The handicaps will be set and agreed by the Secretary plus a small delegation from the league committee. (Sept 15 AGM)
• Where there are un-played matches, then 3 points per player are added on to the team scores to create the handicap table. (Sept 15 AGM)
• Individual player handicaps are awarded for use in all the individual handicapped events plus the team knockout competitions. (Sept 15 AGM)

9   Knock out Competitions

• Order of play is decided by a draw of names before play commences.
• Knock out Cup (Singles) are played to the same format as the league games but with a team handicap system employed – Individual player handicaps are allocated at the AGM or subsequent committee meeting. A process of adding up the total handicaps of the 3 players then multiplying this total by 3.0 should be used to calculate the team handicap. (Sept 15 AGM)
• Knock out Cup (Singles and Doubles) comprise of three singles, three doubles and one three hander match.
• The three hander game must be the final game played.
• Team handicap system is employed as with the singles KO Cup – Individual player handicaps are allocated at the AGM or subsequent committee meeting. A process of adding up the total handicaps of the 3 players then multiplying this total by 2.33 should be used to calculate the team handicap. (Sept 15 AGM)
• The black ball is replaced only on the final frame where points are level. (Sept12 AGM)
• Teams with the highest aggregate score after the completion of all the frames are deemed the winners.
• Only players registered at the start of the season will be allowed to participate in any of the knockout competitions. This excludes under 18 players who have registered after the start of the season. (Sept 13 AGM). Only in exceptional circumstances will players be allowed to sign up and participate after the season has started. This decision will be made by the league secretary. (Sept 15 AGM)
  In exceptional cases players that have played in the previous year but are not registered this year may be allowed to participate via approval by the committee after a written application (Sept 19 AGM)
• All KO Cup Semi Finals and Finals venues should be agreed between the two opposing captains. If both captains fail to agree on a suitable venue then the next available neutral venue from the rotation list MUST be used and the Secretary informed. (Sept 16 AGM). Three dates of different days need to be given for any preliminary rounds by the home team captain. (Sept 14 AGM)
  Individual Knockout Competitions
• The format of the competition (knockout or round robin should be decided on the day by means of a majority vote). In the case of the numbers being tied then the chairman or competition organiser will have the casting vote (Sept 22 AGM).

10 Un-played Knockout Fixtures

• It is the responsibility of the home team captain to give the away team captain 3 suitable dates within 14 days of the commencement of the round of the competition (where a date has not been allocated by the league). Suitable dates should include a variety of different days. If this is not given, then the away team can make a claim to the game through the league secretary. The executive committee with a quorum of at least 3 neutral clubs will deal with the matter whose decision will be final.

11 Unfinished Matches

• In the event of a match being unfinished on account of time, the undecided game(s) shall be played within 7 days, arranged through the captains, with the secretary informed of all arrangements.

12 Postponements

• The League secretary MUST be informed of any postponed matches.
• Any postponements must have the permission of the league secretary and both team captains.
• Any league match postponed for any reason must be played within 14 days of the original date.
• It is the responsibility of the home team captain to give the away team captain 3 suitable dates within 14 days of the original date. Suitable dates should include a variety of different days.
• All rearranged league matches must be played before the last league match date of the first half or second half of the season.
  

13 Withdrawals

• Any club withdrawing from the league during the season must fulfil all financial obligations to the league, and return any league trophies in their possession. All points scored against any team that withdraws from the league ON or BEFORE the half way point of the season shall lose all points won from those games. All points scored against any team AFTER the half way point shall lose all points won from the half way point of the season.

14 Expulsions / Suspensions

• Any registered team or player whose behaviour is prejudicial to the interest of the Ceredigion Snooker League shall under the discretion of the committee be suspended from all matches for the rest of the current season, and their acceptance to the league in following seasons may be refused.
• Where a team is expelled from the league, all fixtures completed at that point will be classed as null and void. All league points will be deducted and the team will serve a minimum 12 month ban, after which time the team may reapply for membership to the league. Individuals may appeal against expulsion in writing to the secretary.

15 New Teams Joining League

• All new teams joining the league should start in the lowest division. In exceptional circumstances teams can be slotted in to the appropriate division if agreed at the Annual General Meeting.

Exceptions:

• Any existing players transferring to a new venue/ team will retain their league status, providing that the new team consists of 3 or more players from the original team and that the original team has been disbanded. This must have the approval of the league committee. This will require discussion at the next Annual General Meeting.

16  Code of Conduct

• Mobile phones should be switched off or turned on to silent mode during matches, unless there is a justified reason not to do so. Such reasons should be agreed by both captains prior to the match commencing.
• In the spirit of fair play all players and supporters are expected to show respect at all the venues they play at and not be critical of the venues and playing conditions. Noise should also be kept to a minimum whilst matches are in progress and there should be no verbal outbursts or foul language. Players should also play the game with a sense of good sportsmanship. (Sept 19 AGM)
• Whilst it is accepted that everyone plays at their own pace, deliberately slowing down the game is discouraged and is not deemed within the spirit of the game (Sept 22 AGM).
• Referees are expected to verbally count any breaks so that the player can hear. (Jan 23 Meeting)
• Referees should be totally impartial and not interfere with play or offer any advice. A referee however may respond to a question that is asked from a player. (Jan 24 Meeting) 

17  Professional Players

• Professional players are NOT allowed to play in the league. Ex professional players may be subject to an individual player handicap which would be agreed at the Annual General Meeting, or by the Executive Committee.

18  Clubs Holding Trophies

• Trophies awarded at the presentation night must be signed for by the recipient(s), who are therefore responsible for the return of those trophies by the next presentation night in the same condition they received it in. The recipient is liable for any damage to or loss of that trophy and any costs incurred.

19  Tied Results

League Winners

• To decide the league winners in the eventuality that there is a tie, the following procedures will apply:

1. The team with the most games won will be the winner. If it is still a tie then:
2. The winner will be the team that scored the most points against each other in their home and away fixtures. If it is still a tie then:
3. The teams will have to play off in a neutral venue to decide the winner. The above procedure will also apply to relegation and to runner up positions.

Highest Break