DOWNS DISTRICT BOWLS ASSOCIATION INC.

PENNANT BY-LAWS

INTRODUCTION

1. The Council of Management (hereinafter referred to as the Council) adopts these By-Laws to provide for the management and control of Pennant Competitions and Matches. Such By-Laws shall operate and continue in force until rescinded or amended by the Council.

2. The Council hereby delegates to the Match Committee, duly appointed by the Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Executive) of which one member is Chairman, its powers under these By-Laws to manage and control Pennant Matches in accordance with these By-Laws. Such delegation to continue in force until revoked by the Council; provided that a Club shall have the right to appeal to the Executive on any decision of the Match Committee which it may consider to be not in accordance with these By-Laws. Provided also that should the Executive uphold an appeal, its decision shall be effective, but the Match Committee shall continue to exercise its delegated powers in all other respects.

3. The Executive hereby agrees that the Chairman of the Match Committee may act for the Committee in any emergency requiring urgent action; if circumstances prevent consultation with other members of the Match Committee and delegates powers to him accordingly to act in a manner not inconsistent with these By-Laws.

4. The Match Committee through its Chairman is required to report on all matters done by it, relating to Pennants, to each meeting of the Executive.

5. The Council directs the Pennant Matches be played on Saturday afternoons, but authorises the Match Committee to give approval for games to be played on other days; provided both Clubs concerned first make mutual arrangements on the alternative day and give at least 14 days clear notice to the Match Committee of such arrangements. The Match Committee shall grant or refuse permission according to the circumstances; otherwise the match shall be played on the scheduled day of the draw.

6. These By-Laws are to be read in conjunction with BOWLS AUSTRALIA “LAWS OF THE SPORT OF BOWLS Crystal Mark 2nd Edition” (including Domestic Regulations for Australia) January 2011.

BY-LAWS

  1. Object: the object of playing Pennants is:
  1. D.D.B.A. Wise

1.To foster the game of bowls.

  1. To improve the playing ability of individual bowlers
  1. To create greater interest in the competitive spirit of bowlers in the D.D.B.A
  1. Club Wise:

To attempt to win a Pennant Competition as conducted by the D.D.B.A.

2. PENNANT COMPETITION:

  1. The Pennant Competition, which is open to all Clubs affiliated with the D.D.B.A., shall consist of five (5) Divisions, numbered one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4) and five(5). Each Division shall consist of either 4 Sides, 6 Sides, or eight (8) sides, with 2 Divisions, excepting a division of 6 Sides where the division will consist of 1 Section: where each side will play 3 Home and 3 Away forward and reverse. The top two sides to play in the final. The Match Committee will determine the appropriate no. of Divisions and the number of Sides in each Division each year, based on the nominations from each Club.
  1. If a Club nominates a Side in the lowest Division for that year, then it is expected that that Club will nominate a Side in a higher Division. It will be at the discretion of the Match Committee to agree or disagree, if a Club only nominates one side and that side is in the lowest Division for that year.
  1. Nominations for the Pennant season shall close on 31st July. On receipt of all nominations the D.D.B.A. Match Committee shall meet and allocate sides in each Division. The playing format for each Division shall also be determined.
  1. Should it be necessary, the Match Committee may take appropriate action in an endeavour to ensure that there are sufficient sides to play in each of the four Divisions.
  1. A random draw will then be conducted by the Match Committee and Clubs shall be notified of the draw for that year’s competition as soon as possible

3. PENNANT PLAY:

  1. Pennant play shall consist of a Round Robin with each side, except in a Division of 6 Sides (Refer Pennant Competition par.2a.) in each section, in each Division playing each other side in their section on a home and away basis. In Divisions one (1) two (2) and three (3) all four players to play in turn two (2) of a set of bowls i.e. eight (8) bowls per team, while in Divisions four (4) all four (4) players to play in turn two (2) of a set of bowls i.e. eight bowls per team.
  1. Should there be insufficient nominations in any Division to allow sections, a Round Robin series between all sides shall be played between those sides, and depending on the number of sides in a division one (1) or two (2) rounds are to be played. For (6) six sides refer to Pennant Competition 2a.
  1. Subject to any direction by the Executive the Match Committee shall arrange dates and times on which Pennant Matches shall be played.
  1. Unless other starting times shall be previously fixed by the Match Committee, all Pennant games shall commence at 12.30 p.m. or earlier if all players are present. Laws 18.2, 18.3, & 18.4 shall apply.
  1. Travelling teams shall be allowed 30 minutes grace. Should any team not be ready to play by 1.00 p.m. without a valid excuse, that side shall forfeit the whole match on a decision made by the Match Committee. After investigation. Law 46.2 shall apply.
  1. If on the any day the commencement of play is delayed because of weather conditions, play for that day shall be abandoned completely if no play has taken place before 2.15 p.m.
  1. In Divisions one (1), two (2) and three (3) each team in a side shall play of twenty-one (21) ends (Total 63 ends), but in the event of a match being interrupted by adverse weather conditions, or other cause, so that it cannot be completed on the day it was commenced, and at least a total of fifty (50) ends having been completed, such match shall be considered complete and the results taken at the point where the match was interrupted.
  1. In Divisions one (1), two (2)and three (3) should any match not have been played to at least fifty (50) ends on the date it was commenced because of adverse weather conditions, or for some other cause, the match shall be abandoned and each side shall receive half the available points.
  1. In Divisions four (4) each team in a side shall play of twenty-one (21) ends (Total 42 ends), but in the event of a match being interrupted by adverse weather conditions, or other cause, so that it cannot be completed on the day it was commenced, and at least a total of thirty (30) ends having been completed, such match shall be considered complete and the results taken at the point where the match was interrupted.
  1. In Divisions four (4) should any match not have been played to at least thirty (30) ends on the date it was commenced because of adverse weather conditions, or for some other cause, the match shall be abandoned and each side shall receive half the available points.
  1. An attempt must be made to play and complete all matches irrespective of whether other matches are completed or abandoned.
  1. If the Club Secretary, or his delegate, is of the opinion, from information available to him, that the weather is too wet, or threatens to be too wet, for play, or that the green of his Club is likely to be unfit for play because of wetness, or any other reason, the Secretary or delegate of such Club shall contact by phone or personally, the Chairman of the Match Committee by 10.30 a.m. and inform him of the circumstances.
  2. The same procedure shall be followed if road communication between opposing Clubs is known to be, or threatens to be interrupted by floods, or other cause and also if sudden or unforeseen emergencies arise.
  1. The Chairman of the Match Committee shall take appropriate action in such circumstances as detailed in By-Law 9a. Should a Club Secretary, or his delegate, fail to take action to inform the Chairman of the Match Committee of the circumstances mentioned in this By-Law, and the opposing side turns up to play the match and are unable to do so, the Home Side shall forfeit the match should the Match Committee decide, after investigation, that forfeiture is warranted.
  1. All Pennant Matches arranged by the Match Committee for any date shall be played on such date and commence at the proper time unless prior approval or postponement or alteration to starting time has been obtained from the Match Committee.
  1. Should any side fail to play a match, or part of a match, on the date and at the time set down by the Match Committee, such side shall forfeit the whole of the match to its opponents unless such failure to play be subsequently excused by the Match Committee.
  1. The home Club shall be responsible for ensuring that an official Umpire is on duty for all matches and his name shall be announced before play commences. If a National Umpire is not available, the home Club shall appoint a measurer.
  1. Two (2) trial ends (one (1) each way, shall be allowed on the rinks allocated, prior to commencement of play. The cards shall be called so as to allow sufficient time for the trial ends to finish five minutes before starting time on the day of play. Law 18.1 shall apply.
  1. Practice shall cease one (1) hour prior to the scheduled starting time on the day of play.
  1. Each side shall have a Side Manager or Captain who shall be at the venue in sufficient time to complete all pre-match formalities, including draw for opponents and a toss for the mat on behalf of his side. The Side Manager or Captain shall be responsible for all decisions on behalf of the side.

4PLAYING PERSONNEL:

(a) In Divisions 0ne(1), two (2), three (3) a side shall consist of three (3) teams each of four (4) players i.e. twelve (12) players, one of whom may act as Side Manager or Captain unless a non-playing Side Manager or Captain is appointed.

(b) In Division four (4) a side shall consist of two (2) teams each of four (4) players i.e. eight (8) players, one of whom may act as a Side Manager or Captain unless a non-playing Side Manager or Captain is appointed.

c.If, 30 minutes after the scheduled start time for a game, one player is absent from one or more teams in a side, the game shall continue but:

*In all Divisions the number of bowls played by each defaulting team shall be made up by the lead and second, both playing three bowls; and

One fourth of the total shots scored (including decimal points) by each defaulting team shall be deducted from their score after the game has finished. Law 46.2 shall apply.

  1. To be eligible to play for a Club in the current Pennant Competition a player must be a financial Member of that Club on or before 31st July

e.No player may play Pennants for more than one Club within the D.D.B.A. in any one calendar year.

  1. In all Divisions a player having played two games in higher Divisions i.e. two games in Division one (1) or one game in Division one (1) and one game in Division two (2) or two games in Division two (2) or two games in Division three (3) or one game in Division three (3) and one Game in Division two (2) shall be ineligible to play in a lower Division.
  1. The Match Committee shall disallow any player from participating in the competition who is unfinancial in any Club, or having been proven guilty of any misconduct or improper behaviour on any Club premises. Should any side play a player who is unfinancial in any Club, or has been proven guilty of any misconduct or improper behaviour in any Club premises, such side shall be deemed to have forfeited such match.
  1. MATCH POINTS:
  1. Two (2) match points shall be awarded to the side with the highest net total of shots. In the event of both sides having equal net total shots each side shall receive one (1) point.
  1. In the event of a forfeit, the non-offending side shall be awarded two (2) match points and a net total of shots that is equal to the average net total of shots scored by the winners of all other games played in the same round of that section. The side conceding the forfeit shall receive no points. Law 15.3.1.3 shall apply.
  1. In the event of disqualification of a member of a side, the non-offending side shall be awarded two (2) match points and a net total of shots that is equal to the average net total of shots scored by the winners of all other games played in the same round of that section. The side playing the disqualified Player shall receive no points. Laws 1.3.3, 1.3.10 & 15.3.1.3 shall apply
  1. RESULTS:
  1. The skip (as per Law 37.1.7) shall:

.* be responsible for the score card supplied by the Controlling Body while play is in progress;

* enter the names of all players of both teams on the score card;

* record on the score card all shots scored for and against the team as each end is completed;

* compare the score card with that of the opposing second as each end is completed; and

* at the end of the game, record on the score card the time that the game finished and then sign it and hand it to the Manager or Captain.

b.Side Managers or Captains of both sides shall complete, for each match, a record on the correct form provided for purpose by the D.D.B.A. showing full particulars of the match, or part of a match.

c.The Side Manager or Captain or other Official of the home Club, shall contact the Secretary of the D.D.B.A., either by phone or fax, no later than 6. 00 p.m. with the results after each match, or part of each match, including rink wins and aggregate scores for both sides

  1. The Secretary of The D.D.B.A shall provide the Match Committee Chairman with a copy of all result sheets for him to check the returns and compile the necessary points tables as per the computer print out given to him by the Secretary of the D.D.B.A. The D.D.B.A. Secretary shall also cause action to be taken, each week, to publish information showing points scored by all teams in the Pennant Competition.
  1. Side Managers or Captains shall keep in safe custody all score cards for all matches whether finished or unfinished until an official declaration of results for the season has been made by the Match committee.
  1. PROTESTS:

Once the result sheet has been signed by the Side Manager or Captain, no protest or appeals will be allowed. In the event that either Club was considering a protest they do not sign the sheet but inform the Secretary of the D.D.B.A that a protest is pending. All such protests must be in writing and enclose twenty-five dollars ($25) that will be refunded if the protest is upheld. Such protests will then be heard, by the Match Committee, and decide upon before the next playing Saturday.

  1. WINNERS:

a.Where section play is possible in any Division, the two (2) section winners i.e. the sides with the most number of match points in each section of those Divisions involved, after the completion of section play, shall play off in a final to determine the Division winner, at a venue as per By-Law 11. In the event a count back is necessary to determine a section winner the side with the highest difference between “total shots for” and “total shots against” (margin) shall be declared the winner. If there is still equality, the “total shots against” each side shall be divided into the” total shot for” each side. The side with the highest result shall be declared the winner. (As per Bowls Queensland State Pennant Conditions of play).

bWhere section play is not possible in any Division a round robin series shall be played and the two sides with the most number of match points in those Divisions involved, after the completion of the round robin, shall play off in a final to determine the Division winner, at a venue as per By-Law 11. In the event a count back is necessary to determine the two (2) finalists the same conditions as per section play shall apply.

cThe winning side in each Division shall be presented with an appropriate coloured Pennant Flag in Division one (1) Blue, Division two (2) Red, Division three (3) Gold and Division four (4) Green. Each player, in each winning side in each Division, shall be presented with an appropriate Pennant lapel badge.

dIn Divisions one (1), two (2) and three (3) a promotion and relegation system may be applied. The sides finishing at the bottom of their section in Divisions one (1) and two (2) may be relegated to Divisions two (2) and three (3) respectively. The sides playing off in the final of Divisions two (2) and three (3) may be promoted to Divisions one (1) and two (2) respectively.

9. DISPUTES:

  1. Should breaches of any of the By-Laws be disclosed by the score cards or returns, such breaches shall be reported to the Match Committee without delay.
  1. All disputes concerning Pennant Matches shall be investigated and settled by the Match Committee without delay.

c.All score cards shall be made available to the Match Committee on request.

  1. GENERAL:
  1. Any side, that has been deemed by the Match Committee to have forfeited a Pennant Match without reasonable excuse, shall be reported by the Match Committee to the Executive for any action the Executive may consider necessary to penalize such Club in addition to the loss of the Competition Points.
  1. Any side that forfeits a Match shall be liable to pay the appropriate green fees to the host Club.

.c Afternoon tea will taken at the discretion of the Home Club in conversation with the visiting sides Manager.,’ however, if in the opinion of the two Side Managers inclement weather is imminent, they may by mutual agreement agree to play on until the completion of fifty (50) ends. d Any side infringing these By-Laws shall be liable to forfeit matches. The Match Committee shall report all infringements, considered to be of a serious nature and detrimental to the Game of Bowls, to the Executive for further action considered necessary.