Contents
1 Constitutional
2 Tables and Fixtures
3 Play Offs
4 Membership
5 Start and End Date of Competition
6 Players Registration
7 Fixtures
8 Match Day Operations
9 Discipline, Suspensions and Fines
10 Appeals
11 Referees
12 Cup Rules
1 CONSTITUTION
1.1 The Barrow and District Amateur Rugby League (B&D ARFL} sits within tier Five of the RFL competition structure. All teams participating in the B&D are bound by RFL Operational Rules for Tiers Four, Five and Six (Operational Rules)
1.2 The League shall be controlled by an executive committee consisting of the following:- Chairman, Vice Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer, Fixture Secretary, Registration Secretary, Referees Appointments Officer, Disciplinary Charman, BARLA Representative, and a Publicity Officer.
1.3 There shall be sub committees created to deal with specific areas of the business as the league committee decides see (1.13)
1.4 All sitting members are eligible for re-election each year. New nominations must be sent to the league secretary TWO WEEKS prior to the Annual General
Meeting (AGM) taking place.
1.5 A President shall be elected for a two year period of office but shall not have any voting power. The out-going president will be eligible for re-election.
1.6 The committee may , at its discretion , co-opt any other member to serve on the committee as it feels is necessary.
1.7 No club member or official may serve on the league committee except at the discretion of the elected serving committee.
1.8 All officials of the executive committee will be subject to election each Annual General Meeting (AGM)
1.9 Any club willing to conform to the rules of the league, Rugby Football League (RFL) or British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) and being in membership of a District league shall be eligible for membership.
1.10 The League committee shall have the right to refuse membership to any club for any reason whatsoever, at their discretion.
1.11 The League committee will either in part or whole , act as a Disciplinary Committee and will adjudicate upon all club, players, officials, or another person'sreported to them by Referees, or Touch Judges for any reason whatsoever arising from games arainged in the league.
1.12 The Financial Year end of the League shall be 30th September each Year.
1.13 The Sub-committees of the league shall be
1.13.1 - Discipline
1.13.2 - Competitions
1.13.3 - Rules and Regulations
1.13.4 - Annual Dinners
1.13.5 - Tours
1.14 The composition of each Sub-committee in 1.13 shall consist of no more than four members of the league committee and no more than four members from member clubs. The league chairman, secretary, and treasurer shall be members of all sub committees with full voting rights.
1.15 The league committee shall have the power to set up ad-hoc committees to deal with relevant matters as and when they deem it necessary.
1.16 The league secretary has the power to deal with any emergency matters in conjunction with the league chairman and/or treasurer.
2 TABLES AND FIXTURES
2.1 The League competition tables shall be compiled by the RFL, The positions in which shall be determined by the number of completion points gained with points being awarded as follows:- Two points for each match won, and one point for each match drawn.
2.2 The club with the highest number of points shall be at the top of the league table and the club with the lowest shall be at the bottom. Where Clubs have an equal number of points their relative positions shall be determined by the head to head record in league matches only. Where their head to head record is even then the aggregate score of all head to head fixtures will decide the team on top. Where points are still even , points difference calculated by the total points scored minus points conceded shall be used, with the greater number given the higher position. if this still leaves a tie, the least points conceded shall be used. If the positions are still equal, positions will be determined by the toss of a coin which shall be carried out at such a time and place as the RFL shall direct and those Clubs concerned shall be entitled to witness the toss.
2.3 The notional scores in forfeited games shall be 24-0 and be a point's deduction (1 point) if required
3 PLAY OFFS
3.1 If two or more clubs finish level on points at the end of a season the application of competition rule "2.2 will decide which team finishes above the other.
3.2 If a club withdraws from the league having failed to complete 50% of its scheduled games then the club's record shall be expunged. If a club completes 50% or more of its scheduled games ,the points will be awarded to the opponents in line with competition rule 2.3.
3.3 If a club is expelled or suspended, its record will be expunged, irrespective of how many games that club has played.
3.4 The play-off format for the B&D will be as follows:-
Top 4 play-off, 1 v 4 & 2v3. With a neutral venue hosting the final.
3,5 Only players who have played 2 or more League fixtures for their respective team are eligible to participate in the play off stages of the competition.
3.6 Teams who have forfeited four or more games through the season shall not be eligible to participate in the play-off stages of the competition. In this event the next qualifying team will be entered into the play-off stages.
4 MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Membership of the B&D is open to all clubs playing rugby league within the Cumbria area capable of meeting any Annual Entry Criteria as specified by the Management Group.
4.2 Applications from new clubs must be submitted in writing to the Competition Officer by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. Membership shall be granted to a club for one season only and clubs must reapply for membership each year.
4.3 The annual subscription for membership of the league shall be £360 for each year. A further £50 for any additional team from the same club.( Some clubs may use any rebate offset against the fees)
4.4 Subscription for membership of the league shall be reviewed annually by the League committee by AGM. Monthly payments for league fees will be allowed by prior agreement. Any team not having paid its annual subscription by AGM will not be allocated competitive fixtures for the remainder of the season until such fees are paid.
5 START AND END DATE OF THE COMPETITION
5.1 The B&D Management Group shall determine the commencement date of its competition and the date upon which it shall cease, these dates will fit between the 1st March and 30th November in any year.
6 PLAYERS REGISTRATIONS
6.1 All Players should be registered in accordance with Operational Rules . There is no restriction on the maximum number of players allowed to register per team in the B&D, However fifteen is the minimum number per team and scheduled fixtures will be refused until 15 players are registered.
6.2 PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS
6.2.1 Players cannot play in the B&D competition if they currently hold a RFL contract.
6.3 TRANSFERS
6.3.1 Clubs may register or transfer players from other clubs. Within tiers four, five, and six of the competition structure by simply completing a transfer form and standardised registration form in the usual manner. The completed form when duly signed must be in the hands of the Competition Officer at least 24 hours prior to the games commencement.
6.3.2 All players must fulfil all financial obligations to their current club before any transfer to another club, including professional clubs, will be permitted. This also applies to a player wishing to sign for a different club in the future seasons.
6.3.3 The deadline date for transferring of players shall be the31st July each year.
7 FIXTURES
7.1 Any club wishing to re-arrange a fixture must consult their opponents, agree a new date and complete a fixture amendment form. The completed fixture amendment form must be forwarded to the Competition Officer for their approval. If clubs cannot agree a new date within 14 days of the original postponement then the competition officer will issue a new date for the fixture. If the fixture is not played as instructed by the competition officer the points will be awarded to the non-offending club.
7.2 All games must be played as per the fixture list, or the points for such games forfeited, unless an alternative date mutually agreeable by both teams and the Competition Officer can be sought
7.3 When programmed into the fixture program, backlog dates should not be considered as a free weekend and the team should prepare to be allocated fixtures on these dates.
7.4 Postponements will not be considered because of injuries or any other matter not considered exceptional.
7.5 Any club desiring to arrange a friendly must seek permission from the Competition Officer. No friendly fixtures shall be arranged on a League fixture date without prior approval of the Competition Officer.
7.6 Clubs must accept fixtures given at five days notice by the Competition Officer.
7.7 If a club fails to fulfil a fixture, the club Secretary must inform the Competition Officer that they are conceding the points.
7.8 Any club failing to play a fixture on a scheduled date will be made to play the reverse fixture, if it has not already been played or forfeited, on their opponents ground. Clubs failing to fulfil fixtures will be fined £20 and may be deducted from competition points as per competition rule 2.3.
7.9 Any club failing to fulfil a fixture must pay reasonable expenses to the non-offending club, as determined by the B&D Management Group. This may include the referees full fee and expenses.
7.10 In the case of a home club failing to fulfil a fixture, a visiting club that has travelled, may claim up to £50 towards transport costs.
7.11 If a club running two or more teams is unable to raise a team on any particular day, then the highest ranked team fixture must be played.
7.12 Any club with more than one team at home , in any competition , must provide an alternative pitch in case of a clash of fixtures.
8 MATCH DAY OPERATIONS
8.1 All games shall , unless there is mutual agreement between competing clubs to the contrary, be organised and staged on Friday Evening with a kick off time scheduled for 18.30pm. If fixtures need to be played mid-week then the Competition Officer must be notified at least one week prior to the scheduled fixture.
8.2 To maintain the continuity of the playing program the Competition Officer shall be empowered, if necessary, to bring forward to an earlier date fixtures scheduled for later in the season.
8.3 CONTACTING OPPONENTS
In accordance with Operational Rules it is the responsibility of the home club , during the week preceding a game , to contact both its opponents and relevant match officials regarding team colours and ground directions.
8.3.1 In the event there is a clash of colours the away team must wear an alternative strip.
8.4 MATCH DAY DUTIES
In accordance with Operational Rules
8.4.1 Each team must have and identified themself to the match official, a touch line manager and be visible to the crowd.
8.4.2 All coaching staff, players and any other appointed person identified on the team sheet MUST STAY WITHIN THE TECHNICAL AREA.
8.5 TEAM SIZES AND LOANING OF PLAYERS
8.5.1 A maximum of 20 players may be named for each side taking part in a fixture, including cup fixtures, play-off games. However finals fixtures is a maximum 17 player team sheet.
8.5.2 Clubs are not compelled to "loan" players. It is their discretion whether they do so or not.
8.5.3 "Loaned" players are to be clearly endorsed on the Team Sheet as "LOAN"
8.5.4 If "loaning" occurs, the game remains an official fixture. The score-line and of the actual match stands officially. In other words, if team "A" loans players to team "B" to make up a side, and then team "B" wins the game 10-0,the result stands as a 10-0 victory to team "B". This fact needs to be borne in mind by any club considering "loaning" players on match day.
8.6 POST MATCH ARRANGEMENTS
8.6.1 The home club shall be responsible for supplying all competing players, club officials and appointed Match Officials with a suitable post match meal. The visiting club is obligated to accept such hospitality.
8.6.2 In the case of away clubs failing to fulfil a fixture the home club may also claim up to a maximum of £50 towards refreshment costs. Any club which will not be requiring refreshments should notify its opponents in advance of the game, otherwise the club will be liable to pay £50 compensation to the home club.
8.7 TEAM SHEET
8.7.1 Official team sheets must be completed correctly before the commencement of matches and shall be signed by a recognised official from each club and the Match Official.
8.7.2 Completed team sheets should include the full forename and surname ( no initials), of all participants and must be sent by the home club official to the Competition Officer. Details of the man of the match and match officials from both the participating clubs must also be included. The failure of a club to complete and return team sheets correctly will incur mandatory fine as deemed appropriate.
8.7.3 It is the responsibility of the home club to ensure that the completed team sheet is submitted to the Competition Officer within 48 hours following the completion of the game. Failure to do so may result in a £20 administration fine.
8.8 REPORTING RESULTS
8.8.1 The home club, in consultation with the Match Official and designated officer from the opposition, must agree the result immediately on completion of the game and phone or text it to the nominated PRO Officer within 60 minutes of the completion of the game. Failure to do so may result in a £20 administration fine.
8.9 ABANDONMENT OF GAMES
8.9.1 If a game is abandoned with more than three-quarters of the playing time elapsed, the result shall stand unless otherwise determined by the B&D Management Group. If less than three-quarters of the playing time has elapsed the B&D Management Group, at its sole discretion, may order the game to be replayed.
8.10 POSTPONEMENTS
8.10.1 In the event of the home club suspecting that its ground will not be fit for play owing to adverse weather conditions or other cause, the home club must immediately call a Match Official on the approved list recognised by the RFL to carry out a ground inspection. If the Match Official states the ground is not fit for play, and in their opinion there is no chance of it being so before the scheduled kick off, then that decision must be communicated immediately to the visiting club, appointed Match Official and Competition Officer. Any club failing to fulfil this instruction may be subject to disciplinary action.
8.10.2 All postponements must be notified to the Competition Officer by 12noon on Saturday and 5.00pm midweek
8.11 REQUESTS FOR POSTPONEMENT DUE TO REPRESENTATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE
8.11.1 A club with two or more players selected to participate in a RFL recognised representative fixture (as determined by the RFL Operational Rules) may apply to postpone its fixture scheduled that weekend.
8.11.2 Such club applications should be submitted in writing and lodged with the Competition Officer and copied to the clubs opponents for receipt within 96 hours of the scheduled representative match.
9 DISCIPLINE, SUSPENSIONS AND FINES
9.1 There is a B&D discipline panel in place to deal with all discipline matters arising. The disciplinary panel shall have the full power to expel, suspend and/or fine any club , player, official, or other person , subject to the Operational Rules, found guilty of misconduct and/or breach of these rules and/or breach of the Operational Rules and t order them to meet any costs incurred.
9.2 A written report of a Match Official on misconduct of any club, player, or official must be sent via email to the Competition Officer with a copy of the offending club for receipt within 72 hours from the conclusion of the game.
9.3 Reports of brawling - defined as three or more players involved - should via email be sent by the Match Official, for receipt within 72 hours of a game's conclusion to the Competition Officer. Separate copies of the report must be lodged by the Match Official with the clubs concerned.
9.4 Any club which does not receive from the Match Official within 72 hours a report outlining a dismissal or brawl having occurred should contact the Competition Officer immediately. The failure of a club to receive a written report will not prevent action being dealt by the relevant disciplinary committee.
9.5 A reported club, player, official or any other person may, to defend an allegation of misconduct, send a letter for receipt by the Competition Officer within ten days of the date of the match. The club or such persons may in their own defence request a personal appearance and/or bring witnesses to the hearing, provided that they notify the Competition Officer within ten days of the alleged offence and send with it a deposit of £20 payable to the "B&D" the deposit shall be refunded at the hearing, provided that the appellant or their designated representative attends in person.
9.6 Unedited DVD evidence shall be an accepted method through which to defend or confirm the alleged actions that have been reported to the committee by a Match Official.
9.7 Club secretaries or their deputies pursuant to the hearing having not received a verdict after five days, should contact the Competition Officer regarding the result.
9.8 Should a case of alleged assault by a player, club official or spectator be lodged it will be reported to the Competition Officer by a Match Official. The Match Official will then be instructed to make himself available to the disciplinary committee, for the purposes of interview, due notice of which shall be given in writing. A Match Official shall in such circumstances be entitled to claim reasonable travel expenses.
9.9 All leagues will follow the same procedure were all sanctions come into effect immediately, defendants can only appeal for the three (3) specified reasons, and if they do appeal,, they will remain suspended until the outcome of the appeal hearing has been confirmed.
9.10 All organised competition games (including SRL fixtures, and RFL representative games) provided that they were arranged prior to the player's offence may be counted towards his list of suspended games.
9.11 A suspended player is not permitted to play in any other game of Rugby League until any fines are paid and his suspension is served and the completed Notification of Games served form has been completed and received and approved by the Competition Officer. Any player or club violating this rule will be fined not less than £100 and the offending player shall be suspended for a further six matches, and will not be able to play until such time as the fine is paid. In the event of a game having being won by a club fielding a player under suspension then the competition points gained shall be forfeited automatically. The Management Group, should it deem appropriate, reserves the right to apply other sanctions which may include a club’s suspension or expulsion from the competition.
9.12 All fines, payable to the RFL must be settled within 28 days and must be forwarded to the Competition Officer, failure to meet this obligation shall result in the fine being doubled automatically. If a further seven days elapse without payment then the clubs fixtures will be suspended.
10 APPEALS
10.1 All appeals against disciplinary sanctions imposed by the B&D are to dealt with by an independent RFL appointed panel.
10.2 Clubs who have the right to appeal may do so within 14 days of a decision made. A £40 fee, payable to the “RFL”, should be submitted together with an accompanying letter outlining the reasons why the appeal is sought. This must be forwarded to the Competition Officer.
10.3 An appeal by a club may be based solely on the following grounds: a) The findings of guilt or (b) The severity of the sentence imposed.
10.4 No member of the Management Group actively involved in a decision taken at the initial hearing other than the Competition Officer-who has no voting rights- shall be permitted to adjudicate on matters which will be the subject of appeal.
10.5 Adjudication by the Appeals Panel precludes the right of individual players or their clubs towards seeking a further representation.
11 REFEREES
11.1 Referees fees shall be as per Rugby Football League (RFL) / British Amateur Rugby League (BARLA) rates.
11.2 Where a match has been postponed/ cancelled it’s the HOME teams secretary responsibility to inform both the league secretary and the appointed match official immediately. Failure to do so entitles the match official to full fee and full expenses.
11.3 Referees to be paid on the day of the fixture by the home club. Exception to this would be any cup semi-final and final where fees would be paid for by the league ( as per 12.8).
12 CUP RULES
12.1 A player may play for only one team in any Barrow & District league cup competitions.
12.2 Any protest must be received by the league secretary within 72 hours of the conclusion of the game, in writing with a copy to the opposition club.
12.3 In the event of Extra Time-The “ Golden Point” ruling will come into play. The teams are to toss a coin at the start of Extra Time, to see who kicks off & who receives. First team to score any points will be determined the winners. Teams are to switch ends after each Ten- minute period of play during extra time, should this be required.
12.4 The finalist of any cup competition must send to the League secretary seven days before the game a list of 17 players which the expected team line-up for usage in the programme. Failure, or refusal to do so will result in a fine of £20.
12.5 Any player appearing in a semi-final must have appeared in at least TWO league and or cup games for the team ( not club) during the current season . Clubs must submit to the Registration Secretary, three days before a semi-final or final tie, a list of players from which a team will be chosen.
12.6 Apart from the above cup rule, other Barrow&District (B&D) rules apply.
12.7 All receipts after expenses, from league semi-final/ finals shall be devoted to league funds.
12.8 Referees fees shall be as per Rugby Football League ( RFL)/ British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) rates.
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