Contents
1 MEMBERSHIP
1.1 Membership entitles participation in all club activities i.e. Club competitions, Team selection etc. providing that the fees are paid before the 30th April in the current year. Members must be available for the Duty Rotas as required. Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of outdoor flat green bowls on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. Membership may however be limited according to available facilities on a non- discriminatory basis.
2 OFFICERS
2.1 Officers of the Club shall be Full Members and consist of Life President, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. Officers shall be elected at the Annual general Meeting and shall hold officer for the period of election, retiring at the end of the period of election. All Officers of the Club shall be eligible for re-election to the same office or another office at the end of their current period of election.
3 COMMITTEE
3.1 A Committee comprising of the Officers, ex officio, and not less than 4 nor more than 6 Full Members elected at the Annual General Meeting to hold office for the term of their elected period.
4 FINANCE
4.1 Members shall pay annual subscriptions, the amount to be agreed at the annual General meeting. The Membership Fees to be paid at the Club Spring Meeting.
5 SELECTORS
5.1 Selectors will be elected at the Annual General Meeting to hold office for the term of their elected period. The Selectors will pick teams and make alterations to team sheets. Club members will play in team games when selected and a reserve will travel with the team. If a club member is unable to play, they must inform the Selectors or the Club Secretary at the earliest opportunity.
6 COMPETITIONS
6.1 A Committee member will be appointed to oversee the running of each Competition and to ensure that each round is played on or before the dates indicated. The first named competitor in any match shall be termed the “challenger”. If players are unable to agree on a suitable date the “challenger” (1st named/drawn player) shall offer three dates to his opponent, one of which must include the final day for the round. This must be entered into the book provided. When arranged, a player must arrive no later than fifteen minutes after the agreed time, after which he will forfeit the match. Adverse weather conditions and bowling green conditions are the only exceptions to the above deadlines, in those circumstances the date indicated will be extended by one week.
7 FINALS
7.1 Competitors will play this match in club colours and a draw will be made on the day of the final to select the rink from a choice of three rinks drawn from a hat. In the event of a singles final the Committee member responsible for overseeing that competition will be the marker.
8 COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
8.1 Any Member or members who disagree with the way the Club is managed, shall report their feelings in writing to the Management Committee, who shall invite the complainant to present their complaint to the Full Committee in person. The Committee will then make their judgement on the facts presented.
9 ILLEGAL DRUGS/ALCOHOL USAGE
9.1 The use of illegal drugs and the consumption of alcohol within the Club premises and grounds are not permitted. The Committee may allow alcohol to be consumed under exceptional circumstances by prior agreement only.
10 SMOKING/VAPING CIGARETTES
10.1 Smoking or Vaping of cigarettes is not permitted within the Club premises, but is allowed within the designated areas within the grounds.
11 CLUB CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS and MATCH RULES
11.1 The Club may adopt such Bylaws, Rules and Regulations as it considers appropriate for the good management of the Club and its facilities or otherwise where voted upon and agreed at the Club AGM.
11.2 Team selection: All Club League Teams will be selected by the designated selectors and the members names will be displayed on the men’s notice board. All members are required by the Club Constitution to be available for team selection at least once a week during the Bowls Season.
11.3 Transportation (Away Games): Those Team members selected for an away match will meet at Dixons Corner or Milburn Park, 15 minutes before departure time. This is to allow the team captain to confirm available team members and to allow vehicle allocation for transportation.
11.4 Reserve/Substitution Duties: Two club members will be selected for each team as reserves. Should one or both be required then the Team Captain will select the member most suitable and allocate their role and team position. The reserves are to attend for the departure/match time and may be required to travel or be informed they are no longer required by the Team Captain. Only the reserves selected are to be used.
11.5 Use of Holiday/Availability Book: The Club will provide a Holiday/Availability Book for members to use. Members not available for Team selection due to holidays, sickness or pre- planned absences must enter their details in the book. This must be done prior to team selections on Thursdays so only members available are selected.
11.6 Use and Maintenance of League/ Results Book: Team Captains must complete all the required documentation and send off the results to the relevant League Secretary as required in the League rules. All match results must be entered in the official league book for the record.
12 START OF PLAY RULES
12.1 Start of Play: This shall be in accordance with the current edition of the EBA Rules.
12.2 Play: In the case of a tie, in competitions, on completion of stipulated number of ends, extra end(s) shall be played, in accordance with the current edition of the EBA Rules.
12.3 Placing the Mat: At the beginning of each end the player to play first shall place the centre line of the mat lengthwise on the centre of the rink. The mat line is to be not less than two (2) meters from the rear ditch and at least 25 meters from the front ditch.
12.4 Live Bowl: A bowl, which in its original course, comes to rest within the boundaries of the rink, and not less than 14 meters from the front edge of the ditch, will be classed as a ‘live bowl’.
12.5 Out of Play: Bowls going out of play must be a full bowl, over the side boundary, to be declared void.
12.6 Shots: A maximum of one shot will be scored by the winning player/ team at each of the first two ends.
12.7 Touchers: All touchers are to be chalked immediately they come to rest, chalked bowls in the ditch, will remain alive.
12.8 Skip: The skip will be responsible for the keeping the score card in all forms of the game: pairs, triples and fours etc.
13 CLUB COMPETITION RULES (Men’s Only)
13.1 The following rules apply to the men’s in-house competitions Namely
• 4 Wood Singles:
• Hellawell Cup & J Dodds Cup,
• 2 Wood Singles:
• Heatley Cup,
• 3 Wood Singles:
• Tom Fleming Handicap
• Wood Pairs: Veterans Pairs.
13.2 Players are allowed to wear casual clothes during the preliminary rounds but will be required to wear the Clubs Colours in the final.
13.3 For the final match a draw will be made to select the rink from a choice of three rinks drawn from a hat. In the event of a singles final the Committee member responsible for overseeing that competition will be the marker.
13.4 Match Rules:
13.4.1 The Competitions are open to all male club members.
13.4.2 The game will consist of 21Up but for Veterans Pairs it is 21 Ends.
13.4.3 A maximum of one shot will be scored, by the winning player at each end of the first two ends.
13.4.4 Should the players be unable to agree a suitable date to play the game, then the home (1st drawn named player) drawn player must provide three dates (including Sunday). One of which must be accepted by the opponent. (No Consecutive Dates Allowed).
13.4.5 The winner/ loser must sign the cards as soon as the game has been played. The winners card is to be placed in the results box. The competition officer will mark the results sheet (NO ONE OTHER THAN THE COMPETITION OFFICER TO MARK THE RESULTS SHEET).
13.4.6 Players who fail to comply with articles (13.4.4) and (13.4.5) will be eliminated from the round.
13.4.7 The home player will provide the Marker. The Marker may answer any queries as to the position of the bowls and their distance from the jack, but shall not give directions, nor consult, as to the play.
13.4.8 Only 15 minutes grace will be allowed, for the arrival of either team player. Thereafter any players, not ready to play, will forfeit the game.
14 MIXED CLUB COMPETITIONS RULES (Male/Female)
• Two (2) Wood Triples:
• J Storey/Ogilvie/Charlie Bell/Chairman Cups/Trophy
14.1 Club Dress Rules will apply in all mixed competitions.
14.2 Match Rules:
14.2.1 The Competitions are open to all male and female club members.
14.2.2 Each game will consist of 9 ends and will take place within a ‘Round Robin Basis/Format agreed by the Committee.
14.2.3 A maximum of 1 (one) shot will be awarded on the first end of each round to the winning team.
14.2.4 Both teams are to submit their score card to the organiser immediately following each round/game.
14.2.5 All players must book in with the Competition Organiser prior to start of play.
14.2.6 The final match to decide the winners will consist of 11 ends.
15 THREE (3) WOOD TRIPLES: NORTHUMBERLAND CUP
15.1 Club Dress Rules will apply in all mixed competitions.
15.2 Match Rules:
15.2.1 The Competitions are open to all male and female club members.
15.2.2 Each game will consist of 7 ends and will take place within a ‘Round Robin Basis/Format agreed by the Committee.
15.2.3 A maximum of 1 (one) shot will be awarded on the first end of each round to the winning team.
15.2.4 Both teams are to submit their score card to the organiser immediately following each game.
15.2.5 All players must book in with the Competition Organiser prior to start of play.
15.2.6 The final match to decide the winners will consist of 9 ends.
16 Two (2) WOOD THOMPSON TROPHY (singles)
16.1 The competition is open to both male and female club members.
16.2 The game will consist of 2 sets of 7 ends with a 3-end deciding set in each round if required. This is a straight knockout format.
16.3 A maximum of 1 (one) shot will be awarded on the first end of each round to the winning bowler.
16.4 The winner will submit the score card to the organiser immediately following each game.
16.5 The final match to decide the winner will consist of 2 sets of 7 ends and a 3-end deciding set if required
16.6 All players must book in with the Competition Organiser prior to start of play.
17 DRESS CODE FOR COMPETITIONS AND LEAGUE MATCHES
17.1 Dress in all Leagues and In-house Competitions (Male/Female) and Open Events:
17.2 Shirts: To be white or cream, dress shirts, polo tops or Club Colours. Where the Club uses coloured shirts, all team members must be dressed the same (Team colours or white tops). NO MIXED TOPS ALLOWED.
17.3 Trousers: Formal type only in grey (No tracksuit bottoms or jeans) Shorts may be worn only if Bowls England merchandise and carry the Bowls England Logo.
17.4 Pullover, cardigan or Jacket: To be white or cream. Club colours can be worn but must be the same for all team members.
17.5 Cold or Wet Weather Clothing: If worn, to be white, cream or club colours.
17.6 Hat or Cap: If worn, to be white or cream.
17.7 Shoes, Trainers: Regulation bowls shoes to be worn. Bowls England certified type, style and colours of trainers may also be worn.
17.8 All Female entrants will be expected to comply with their relevant County Association Dress Regulations.
18 BOWLS ETIQUETTE
18.1 Know the Laws of the Game and observe them.
18.2 Be punctual to commence play at all matches and come to each game correctly attired.
18.3 Keep quiet and refrain from moving when players are on the mat.
18.4 Stand behind the mat while your opponent bowls.
18.5 Always stand still at the head when a player is about to bowl.
18.6 Walk close to the centre line of the rink with minimum delay when changing ends as you could distract play on an adjoining rink.
18.7 Be aware of anyone about to bowl from the other end of the green and do not move in their sightline. This applies even if you are not involved in a game yourself at the time.
18.8 Do not delay play. Always play your bowl with minimum delay.
18.9 Never deliver your bowl until the previous bowl has come to rest.
18.10 Keep track of the play. Be ready to play when it is your turn.
18.11 Every player should assist in collecting the bowls when an end is completed.
18.12 Always pay your skip the respect of waiting for their decision. D0 not step onto the mat and indicate which way YOU intend playing. Wait for the skip’s instructions.
18.13 Never applaud lucky bowls – accept them graciously.
18.14 Never complain about lucky bowls as they equal each other out in the long run.
18.15 Respect the green at all times. Do not drop bowls onto the green.
18.16 Always inform your opponent if you wish to leave the green.
18.17 If you lose – Be a good loser.
18.18 Win or lose always shake hands with your opponent and thank them for the game.
18.19 Enjoy the game of bowls for the pleasure and friendship it provides.
Appendix A
Notwithstanding any of the provisions in the Rules (above) the Club follows the Bowls England Regulations for the following legislation: Reference to the following items of legislation. Further information is available on the Bowls England website- www.bowlsengland.com and Newbiggin Bowls Club.
• Discrimination, Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Policy
• Club, Insurance and Indemnification Documentation
• Club, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations (ref: Section 3.6.2. applies)
• Safeguarding
• Data Protection Act the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
• Misconduct, Suspension and Exclusion of Members, Bowls England, Rules and Regulations- Discipline (ref: Rule 9 applies)
• Health and Safety