NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY EBF BOWLING ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND RULES

1  TITLE

The Association shall be affiliated to the English Bowling Federation and shall be called:- The Nottinghamshire County (EBF) Bowling    Association ( hereinafter called “The Association”)

2  OBJECTS

The objects of the Association shall be:-

To promote, organise and supervise competitions between affiliated clubs, all games being played under Federation Laws and Rules.

To appoint or act as arbitrators in the case of any dispute.

To do all such things as may be advisable for the encouragement and regulation of the Federation game of bowls.

3  MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Association shall be open to those Bowling Clubs whose headquarters or playing greens are situated in the County of Nottinghamshire and of other clubs deemed by Management Committee to be suitable for affiliation to the Association.

Applications by Clubs for Full Membership shall be made to the Secretary, who shall submit same to the Management Committee. 

The application must state the Names and Addresses of the Club’s Officials, the number of members and shall be accompanied by the entrance fee together with the affiliation fee for each member.

Any Club whose subscription is not paid by the 31st. January shall forfeit all privileges of membership so long as such subscription remains unpaid.

All Clubs affiliated to the Association shall be bound by the Constitution and Rules of the Association and by the Laws of the Game as published by the English Bowling Federation.

4  CHILD PROTECTION

The association fully accepts its legal and moral obligations to exercise its duty of care to protect all children and vulnerable adults participating in its activities and to safeguard their welfare.

(See the County Child Protection Policy for a fuller Statement).

5  ADMINISTRATION

5.1 The following Officers shall be elected at the Association Annual General Meeting:-

President, President Elect, Junior President Elect, Chairman, Honorary General Secretary, Honorary Assistant Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Competitions’ Secretary (Outdoor and Indoor), Under 25’s Team Manager and Auditor.

5.2 The Management Committee shall consist of the Officers elected under 5.1 together with all Past Presidents and Life Members.

5.3 The Management Committee shall have the power to co-opt.

5.4 The Chairman shall chair all meetings and shall not vote except in the case of an equality when he shall have a casting vote.

5.5 In the absence of the Chairman the President shall take the Chair.

5.6 Five members of the Management Committee shall form a quorum.

5.7 The Management Committee shall appoint a Professional Auditor, a delegate to the National Delegate Council, and a Publicity Officer.

5.8 The Secretary shall keep a record of all business transacted at General and Committee Meetings and shall report thereon at the Annual General Meeting.

5.9 Any dispute of an Affiliated Club or Member may be referred in writing to the Secretary who shall bring the matter before the Management Committee for consideration.

The nature of the dispute must be notified to the Secretary within three days of the event. Each party, together with any witnesses, may be heard and the decision of the Management Committee, which shall be final, shall be communicated by the Secretary to the parties concerned.

Should a Member of the Management Committee be a member of a Club involved in a dispute under consideration, he must retire during such times as the dispute is being dealt with.

6  FINANCE

6.1 Accounts shall be made up to 30th. September each year.

6.2 Accounts shall be audited by the Auditor.

6.3 An audited account of Income and Expenditure for the year shall be presented by the Treasurer to the Annual General Meeting. A copy of the Account shall be sent to each member of Management Committee and to the Secretary of each Affiliated Club.

6.4 All subscriptions and fees payable to the Association shall be fixed by the Management Committee and notified to Annual General Meeting.

Subscriptions and fees shall be payable on or before the 31st. October in each year.

6.5 The Association shall pay to the English Bowling Federation such fees, subscriptions and levies as the National Executive Committee shall decide.

6.6 Every player entering a County Championship Competition shall purchase a County Handbook in every year of entry, the cost being added to and accompanying the entrance fee.

6.7 Each Club shall receive two English Bowling Federation hand books.

6.8 There shall be a Finance Subcommittee consisting of the Treasurer, Chairman and TWO members appointed by the Management Committee.

6.9 The Finance Committee shall act in an advisory capacity and shall meet as necessary.

7  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

7.1 There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the Management Committee together with ONE representative from each Affiliated Club who may speak and vote.

7.2 The Executive Committee shall meet as appropriate.

7.3 SEVEN members of the Executive Committee shall form a quorum

8  COUNTY TEAMS

8.1 The President shall be the captain of the County Adams Trophy Team.

8.2 The President Elect shall be the captain of the County Newton Trophy Team.

8.3 The County selection of the Adams/Newton team shall be the responsibility of a Team Manager appointed by the members of the County Federation at the County AGM. The Under 25 manager shall be a separate appointment at the County AGM. In all cases the team managers will select the teams and be assisted by the match Secretary and other members as deemed appropriate.

8.4 The Management of the Under 25’s Team shall have full responsibility for team affairs and shall report to the Management Committee

8.5 All players in the County teams shall be charged a match fee

8.6 Any player who has played FIVE times for the County in the Newton Trophy games shall be presented with a County Newton Trophy blazer badge.

8.7 Any player who has played THREE times for the County in the Adams Trophy team shall be presented with a County Adams Trophy blazer badge.

8.8 Any player who has played THREE times for the County in the U25’s team shall receive an U25’s County blazer badge.

8.9 Any player who has played FIVE times for the County in the Derbyshire Trophy games shall be presented with a Derbyshire Trophy flash.

9  LIFE MEMBERSHIP

9.1 Life Membership may be awarded to individuals who, by reason of loyal service or other meritorious action, are recommended to the Management Committee to be deserving of this honour.

9.2 Nominations for Life Membership shall be approved by the Management Committee prior to being brought before the Annual General Meeting for confirmation.

9.3 Life Members may attend the Annual General Meeting with the power to speak and vote, they may also attend meetings of the Management Committee and may speak but not vote. A Past President who becomes a Life Member may continue to vote as a Past President.

10  ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

10.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held in the month of December on a date to be decided by the Management Committee.

10.2 Notices of Motion to be considered by the Annual General Meeting must be received by the Secretary not less than FIFTY-SIX days before the date of the Association Annual General Meeting.

10.3 The Secretary shall circulate to all affiliated Clubs details of such Notices of Motion received by him in accordance with Article 10.2 at least TWENTY-EIGHT days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.

10.4 Any Club wishing to amend any of the Notices of Motion circulated to it in accordance with Article 10.3 shall, not less than TWENTY-ONE days before the date of the Annual General Meeting, give notice in writing to the Secretary of its intention and submit the wording of the amendment.

10.5 Not less than FOURTEEN days before the date of the Annual General Meeting the Secretary shall give notice of the Meeting to all affiliated Clubs and with such notice shall indicate the final Agenda for the Meeting, showing the Amendments, if any, of which notice has been given.

10.6 Only Notices of Motion and Amendments circulated in accordance with Article 10.5 shall be permitted at the Meeting.

11  CONDUCT OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

11.1 Only ONE member may speak at any time.

11.2 All members must stand when speaking and address the Chairman.

11.3 A member wishing to speak must state his name and the name of the Club or organisation he represents.

11.4 All motions must be proposed and seconded before any discussion is allowed.

11.5 Each member may speak only once on any motion, although the proposer of a Motion has the final right of reply.

11.6 Motions for the closure of debate, e.g. “that the question be now put”, if properly seconded, shall be voted on immediately.

11.7 Votes may only be cast by up to TWO nominated delegates of each club, Elected Officers, Life Members and Past Presidents.

11.8 A simple majority of votes cast shall be needed for the carrying of any Motion or Amendment.

12  SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

12.1 A special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Management Committee on receipt of a written request from THREE affiliated Clubs if the subject matter is deemed to be a case of urgency.

The request must be signed on behalf of each Club by a properly authorised official.

12.2 The Secretary shall call the meeting within FOURTEEN days of the request and give TWENTY-EIGHT days notice of the Special General Meeting to all Affiliated Clubs together with details of the

business to be discussed.

12.3 At any Special General Meeting only the business of which such notice has been given in accordance with Article 12.2 shall be discussed.

12.4 In all other respects the procedure for voting at a Special General Meeting shall be as at an Annual General Meeting.

13  VOTING RIGHTS

13.1 Except as otherwise stated in this Constitution each member is entitled to one vote only at any Committee or Sub-Committee Meeting.

The Chairman of that Committee shall not have a vote except in the case of an equality when he shall have a casting vote.

14  CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS

14.1 The Association may, at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business, competition rules and dress, or otherwise as it from time to time may decide.

14.2 A simple majority of votes cast shall be required for an additional or amendment to this Constitution or any Rules.

14.3 This Constitution and Rules can only be amended at an Annual General Meeting.

15  DISPUTES.

Should any question or dispute arise not provided for in these rules, or as to the construction thereof, the same shall be referred to the Management Committee and their decision shall be final.

16  CHANGES IN RULES AND NOTICES OF MOTION

No alteration of, or addition to, the Constitution and Rules of the Association shall be made, except at the Annual General Meeting. Notices of motion must be sent, in writing, to the Association Secretary at least FIFTY SIX days before the Annual General Meeting.

17  INFRINGEMENTS OF THE RULES

Each Club shall be furnished with a copy of the Rules of the Association and be bound thereby and in case of an infringement  thereof, shall be dealt with by the Committee.

18 OUTDOOR COMPETITIONS

(a) Evening Post Cup; singles; 2 woods; 21 shots

(b) Coronation Cup; singles; 4 woods, 21 shots

(c) Champion of Champions Trophy; singles; 2 woods; 21 shots

(d) J.T.Betts Trophy; U-25 singles; 2 woods; 21 shots

(e)  A.J.Ludlum Veterans Trophy; o-65 singles; 2 woods; 21 shots

(f)   Hinton Trophy; Secretaries singles; 2 woods; 21 shots

(g)  Capt. Albert Ball Trophy; Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

(h)  Adlington Dawson Trophy; Mixed Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

(i)   David Ramsdale Trophy; u-25 Open Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

(j)   Senior Men’s Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

(k)  Trevor & Sheila Murphy Trophy; Senior Mixed Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

(l)   Jesse Boot Sheild; Triples; 2 woods; 21 ends

(m) Victory Shield; Triples; 3 woods; 18 ends

(n)  Marie Denny Trophy; Mixed Triples; 2 woods; 21 ends

(o)  Bryan Lee Trophy; Club Team (Men or Mixed); 25 ends

(p)  Arthur Barrett Trophy;  Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

Winners of the Bryan Lee will represent Nottinghamshire in the EBF’s Durham Centenary Trophy next year

THE FOLLOWING ARE DOMESTIC OUTDOOR COMPETITIONS. WINNERS WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR THE ENGLISH BOWLING FEDERATION FINALS.

(a) Portland Bowl; Club Team (Men); 4 rinks of 3; 25 ends.

(b) J.A. Simons Cup; Singles; 2 woods; 21 shots.

(c) Queen of the Midlands; Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends.

(d) Arthur Barrett Trophy;  Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends

INDOOR COMPETITIONS

(a) Richard & Anne Trophy; Singles; 4 woods; 21 shots or 2 hours.

(b) Ron Harrison Trophy; Senior Men’s Singles; 4 woods; 21 shots or 2 hours. Players to be over 65 on Sept 1st of the year that the competition starts.

(c) Fred Phillips Trophy; Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends or 2 hours.

(d) Chadwick Bowl; Mixed Pairs; 2 woods; 21 ends or 2 hours.

(e)  Alf Stringer Trophy; Triples; 2 woods; 18 ends or 2 hours.

(f)   Albert Toplis Memorial Trophy; Mixed Triples; 2 woods; 18 ends or 2 hours.

The winners of the above Indoor competitions will represent Nottinghamshire at the National English Bowling Federation Indoor Finals to be held at Lincolnshire I.B.C.

OUTDOOR REGULATIONS FOR COMPETITIONS

1  Only bona-fide members of affiliated Clubs may compete.

2  Play in all competitions shall be limited to two bowls only per player except in four bowl singles and three bowl rinks. In the event of two players playing against three the order of play shall be lead, lead, second ( repeat as necessary ) to be followed by the skips.

2a  Competitors may play for only one county in any Federation competitions in one Season. Members of clubs affiliated to different counties are required to nominate in which county they intend to play.

2b  Except in Mixed Pairs and Mixed Rinks competitions and competitors (including substitute) shall come from the same affiliated club. No competitor may enter competitions from more than one club.

2c  In Mixed Pairs the male competitor shall be a member of a club affiliated to the Federation and the female competitor shall be a member of a club affiliated to the English Women’s Bowling Federation and from within the same county.

2d  In Mixed rinks each male competitor shall be a member of a club affiliated to the Federation and each female competitor shall be a member of a club affiliated to the English Women’s Bowling Federation and from within the same county. Where two male players constitute the mixed rink they must be members of the same Federation Club.

Where two female players constitute the mixed rink they must be members of the same English Women’s bowling Federation Club. In mixed rinks competitions a mixed club is actually two clubs.

2e  In order to qualify for the EBF veterans singles, senior pairs and mixed senior pairs championships, each male competitor must be at least 65 years of age on the first day of May of the year in which the competition is played. In the senior mixed pairs the female competitor must be at least 60 years of age on the first day of May of the year in which the competition is played.

3  In all competitions, all entry forms must carry the names of all competitors (and partner’s will not be accepted).

4  All competitions shall be on knock-out lines.

5  The winners will be awarded prizes.

6  All Association competitions will be played to the English Bowling Federation rules. (See Laws of the Game in the E.B.F. Handbook).

7  BOWLS SIZE AND BIAS

(1)  All composition bowls shall have a bias of not less than that of the master bowl, and shall bear the date and imprint of the I.B.B. stamp not earlier than the year of use, or B.I.B.C. stamp dated 1985 or later, and which must be clearly legible.

(2)  A set of bowls comprises four bowls, all of which are of the same manufacture, size, weight, colour and serial number where applicable. Only bowls from the same set may be used.

(3)  Non-composition bowls must bear a clearly legible B.I.B.C. stamp of a date not earlier than the year in which they are being used.

(4)  Bowls marked with the words “FOR INDOOR USE” are legal for outdoor play as they come within the limits of the master bowl.

8  All trophies are the property of the Association.

They shall be returned to the Association Competition Secretary at least seven days prior to the succeeding years final.

9  The draw for the whole of the rounds shall be made by the Draw Committee, and the competitions shall be carried on under the auspices of the Association.

10  Sole control of all competitions shall be vested in the Draw Committee,

11  Within 48hrs of opening of the round the Club or individual drawn at home shall offer three dates to their opponents, one of which must be accepted. The dates offered shall be spread over the period allowed for the playing of the round, and must neither be on three consecutive days nor shall be all in one week.

The date of a Federation County match will not be considered as being one of the three dates if an AWAY competitor is representing the County. This also applies to Ladies County matches when

offering dates for a mixed competition. Playing times to be 6-30pm unless by mutual agreement There will be no extention of dates.

11(a) Should the AWAY competitor not receive three dates within the said 48hrs he shall attempt to contact the HOME competitor before claiming the round.

11(b) The first round of all competitions shall be deemed to be open on the last Sunday in April.

(NOTE: THE WEEK TO COMMENCE ON SUNDAY).

All competitors will play their competitions on the green of the club from which the competition entry was made. By mutual consent a neutral green (which shall be a green of a club affiliated to the N.C.B.A.) can be used.

12  All competition results of each round must be received by the Competition Secretary by 10:00am on the day following the closing date of the round. It is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure that the result is known to the competition secretary.

That if any competition result is rung in after 10:00pm the result will be counted as void.

13  The 1st round of the Portland Bowl will be played in the month of May

13(b) Action required by clubs partaking

1  Home team secretary to offer 3 dates to away club secretary within 24 hours of the closing date of the previous round. Away club

2  Home and Away team secretaries to advise the County Competition Secretary and County Secretary in writing of the date accepted:

3  Winning team’s captain to phone County Competition Secretary with results of match on the same day and enquire who their opponents are in the next round. If their opponents game has not been played then it will be the opponents responsibility to let the opposition know within 24 hours of the game being completed.

4   Winning team’s captain to post or email result sheet to County Competition Secretary within 48 hours:

13(c) In the event of a match being unfinished owing to rain or other causes deemed sufficient by the Committee of the competition concerned, the match shall be replayed in its entirety unless 75% of the total ends of each rink in a team competition have been completed, the resulting total score to be that which is recorded after the last of the rinks has completed their required 75% of the ends. Individual pairs & rinks competition, at least 75% of the

required ends must be completed, with the resulting score to be that which is recorded at the last completed end. In singles competition, at least 75% of the required number of shots to achieve victory must be obtained, for a result to stand. No match shall be played with the

above mentioned arrangement negotiated prior to the commencement of play.

14  Ladies are not allowed to compete in the Portland Bowl competition. Contravention of this rule will lead to disqualification.

15  Saturday matches to commence at 2:30pm, unless mutually agreed other wise by both teams.

16  In a game of “ends up” which result in a tie, and an extra end has

to be played, opponents must toss for choice of jack for the deciding end.

17  SUBSTITUTES

17(a) Where a competitor has entered a competition as a named player, and the entry bearing his/her name has been included in the draw, he / she cannot afterwards play in the place of another player in the

same competition irrespective of whether or not he / she has actually played in his / her original group.

17(b) A substitute may be used except in singles competitions. Where a substitute is permissible as defined below, only that substitute may be used in any subsequent rounds of that competition including the National Finals.

17(c) In Men’s Pairs, the two players taking part in the first game shall constitute the pair and should normally play together throughout the competition including the National Finals. One additional and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time, provided that he has not already played in another pair and is eligible to play in that competition. He may play in any subsequent round for either player.

17(d) In Men’s Rinks, the three players taking part in the first game shall constitute the rink and should normally play together throughout the competition including the National Finals. One additional and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time, provided that he has not already played in another rink and is eligible to play in that competition. He may play in any subsequent round for any of the three players.

17(e) In Mixed Pairs, the two players taking part in the first game shall constitute the pair and normally play together throughout the competition including the National Finals. Two additional and the same players may, however, be used as substitute: a male substitute may be used for the male player and a female substitute for the female player provided he / she has not already played in another mixed pair and is eligible to play in that competition. At least one player from the original mixed pair must play in each round. i.e. only one substitute may be used at any one time. The substitute must come from the same Club as the player for whom they are substituting.

17(f) In Mixed Rinks, the three players taking part in the first game shall constitute the rink and normally play together throughout the competition including the National Final. Two additional and the same players may, however, be used as substitutes: a male substitute may be used for the male player(s) and a female substitute may be used for the female player(s). The substitute must come from the same Club as the player for whom they are substituting. The male substitute may play for either of the male players where two males play, and the female substitute may for either of the female players where two females play.

17(g) In ALL cases players taking part in the first round of the men’s pairs, men’s rinks, mixed pairs and mixed rink competitions MUST provide the names of their players either by telephone or by submission of a score card signed by both team captains. The use of substitutes in subsequent rounds to be notified in a similar manner.

18  DRESS CODE

18(a) In all competition semi - finals and finals, match dress will be worn, which is ;WHITE or COLOURED shirt (COLOUR TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE COUNTY BODY) contained within white or cream trousers, no jeans. Shorts may be worn provided that they are dress shorts by an EBF approved manufacturer Tee shirts white or coloured will not be allowed. White belt (if worn) white braces (if worn), white undergarments. White or cream socks.

A flat bowling shoe of any colour as recognised by the relevant bowling authorities. White or cream pullover (if worn). White hat or cap (if worn).

White or cream waterproof clothing (if worn).

18(b) In team events players must all have same coloured shirts or must all wear white. Teams must either all play in ties or must remove them.

When playing in mixed games (pairs, rinks and Bryan Lee trophy) dress code shall be; White shirt contained within white or cream trousers, no jeans or shorts. Polo shirt and Tee shirts will not be allowed. N.C.B.A. or club tie to be visible. White belt (if worn) White braces (if worn) White undergarments. White or cream socks. A flat bowling shoe of any colour as recognised by the relevant bowling authorities. White or cream pullover (if worn) White cap or hat (if worn) White or cream waterproofing (if worn).

N.C.L.B.A. dress code applies to ladies. 

18(c) Gloves may be worn during play.

18(d) The final rounds of the Captain Ball and Champion of Champions will be match dress.

18(e) No mobile phone shall be carried on the green by any participating bowler during a Federation competition or championship match.

19  All competition winners representing the County during National finals week will be expected to fulfil their playing obligations in all rounds. Any player(s) without good cause will be considered by the NCBA Executive who will decide whether to accept their application for the relevant competition the following year.

20  DRUG ABUSE IN SPORT

The Federation will not countenance drug abuse in its code of bowls, and will do all it can to support the Sports Council in its efforts to combat same. In County matches and in our Championships it is quite possible that drug testing will take place. Rules will be drawn up dealing with DRUG ABUSE in sport in the near future and will be made available to all members.

Players found guilty of drug abuse will be subject to such penalties as the Management Committee of the Federation shall decide.

INDOOR REGULATIONS FOR COMPETITIONS

In all indoor competitions green fees shall be shared equally between both sides. Players in indoor competitions shall be members of an outdoor club affiliated to the Federation. They may enter another county bowling

association’s indoor competitions but only in the following circumstances:

- He/she does not enter competitions from any other county bowling association area. He/she deals directly with the competition secretary in that county bowling association area, bearing in mind that the date by which entries close may differ, and that the onus is on him/her to submit his/her entry in time. He/she pays any additional levy imposed by that county bowling association. (Team events i.e. Derbyshire, Eversley and Harry Carver Indoor Competitions are excluded from this arrangement). In the Northumberland trophy and Jim Thomson championships, each male competitor shall be a member of an outdoor club affiliated to the Federation and each female competitor shall be a member of an outdoor club affiliated to the English Women’s Bowling Federation.

Ron Harrison Trophy - To qualify competitors must be at least 65 years of age on the first day of September of the season of which the competition is played.

Where a competitor has entered a competition as a named player, and the entry bearing his/her name has been included in the draw, he/she cannot afterward play in place of another player in the same competition irrespective of whether or not he/she has actually played in his/her original group.

A substitute may be used except in singles competitions. Where a substitute is permissible, as defined below, only that named substitute may be used in any subsequent rounds of that competition including national finals.

Pairs - The two players taking part in the first game shall constitute the pair and should normally play together throughout the competition including the national finals. One additional and the same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time, provided that he/she has not already played in another pair and is eligible to play in that competition. He/she may play in any subsequent round for either player.

Rinks - The three players taking part in the first game shall constitute the rink and should normally play together throughout the competition including the national finals. One additional and same player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time, provided that he/she has not already played in another rink and is eligible to play in that competition. He/she may play in any subsequent round for any of the three players.

Mixed Pairs - The two players taking part in the first game shall constitute the pair and should normally play together throughout the competition including the national finals. Two additional and the same players may, however be used as a substitute, a male substitute may be used for the male player and a female substitute for the female player provided he/she has not already played in another mixed pair and is eligible to play in that competition. At least one player from the original mixed pair must plat in each round i.e. only one substitute may be used at any one time.

Mixed Rinks - The three players taking part in the first game shall constitute the rink and should play together throughout the competition including the national finals. Two additional and the same players may, however, be used as substitutes: a male substitute may be used foe a male player(s) and a female substitute for a female player(s) provided he/she has not already played in another mixed rink and is eligible to play in that competition. At least two players from the original mixed rink (except where two players play against three) must play in each round i.e. only one substitute may be used at any one time.

The Male substitute may play for either of the male players where two males play, and the female substitute may play for either of the female players where two female players play.