Policies

Norfolk County Pétanque Association League Rules

(Amended November 2022)

Organisation

The League is organised and administered by the committee of the Norfolk County Pétanque Association whose decision on any matter is final.

The League Secretary is responsible for taking decisions relating to the administration of the League and application of the League Rules. The League Secretary may refer any matter to the NCPA Committee for advice and consideration.

Only Team Captains, may appeal on behalf of their team to the Committee of the NCPA against a decision of the League Secretary. Appeals must be in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the NCPA as set out in the Rules.

The League Rules, where appropriate, shall also apply to matches played in the KO Shield and the KO Plate competitions. 

League Structure

1. The NCPA Committee will decide the structure of the league when all team registrations have been received by the due date for registration. The End Date of the Season will be defined as the date of the last scheduled match of the Season, including any KO Shield or KO Plate Finals

In all references within these Rules to notifications writing or by email will be accepted as a written notification..

2. On the completion of each Season the winner of Division One will be styled ‘League Champions’. The NCPA Committee will decide the format of the leagues prior to the commencement of each season. As a generality the top two teams in Division Two and Division Three from the preceding season will be promoted to the next highest division and the bottom two teams in Division One and Division Two will be relegated to the division immediately below however if either new teams enter the league or teams withdraw then the format (ie numbers of teams in each league) will be reviewed (League rule 1).

 Where teams in a division are on equal match points then games difference,  games won, boules difference and then boules points for, in that order of priority will determine placing.

Elegibility

3. Properly constituted Pétanque clubs situated in Norfolk may apply in writing to the NCPA to register one or more teams for entry in the League. Each team shall comprise a minimum of 6 players and each team shall pay a registration fee to be determined by the NCPA Committee each year.

4. Each team shall appoint a Team Captain who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the League Rules and for the administrative arrangements and conduct of the team. The Team Captain is responsible for all communications with the League Secretary on behalf of the team players including the registration of the team players.

5. Each registered team player shall be a member of the Norfolk County Pétanque Association.

6. A team may register additional players providing that such players have not already registered with another team..

7. A player registered with a team may be de-registered with the consent of the League Secretary provided that the player has not played for the former team during the current Season. Once de-registered the player is then eligible for registration with another team.

8. A team that uses a player who is unregistered with the League Secretary or is registered with another team or is in breach of rule 5, will be penalised by the deduction of one match point. All the game(s) that the unregistered player played in will be awarded to the opposing team 13 – 7 irrespective of the actual score, the amended match score will then stand. 

Match Play

9. A league match shall consist of five games – two triples and three pairs – each played to thirteen points and in accordance with the “Official Rules of the Game of Pétanque” as adopted by Pétanque England.

Both triples must be played simultaneously before commencing the pairs. No player may play in more than two games – one triple and one pairs.

10. For all matches two points will be awarded for a win and none for a defeat.

If a match, which has commenced, has to be abandoned before completion, then if one team has won at least three games they shall be deemed the winner and the score at that stage, based on completed games only, shall be the result. If neither team has won at least three games the match is void and the Team Captains shall make arrangements for the match to be replayed before the End Date of the Season as defined in Rule 1. The only exception to this is that abandoned matches originally scheduled to be played in the last two weeks of the scheduled Season must be played within 14 days following the End Date of the Season.

In the event of an abandonment the League Secretary must be notified of the abandonment by telephone or email no later than 24 hours after the original date of the match. If the first notification is by telephone then confirmation in writing must be given to the League Secretary within 14 days of the original scheduled date. The Home Team Captain must also inform the League Secretary in writing of the date of the rearranged match within 28 days of the date of the rearranged match.

If agreement cannot be reached within 28 days of the original scheduled match then the Home Team Captain must inform the League Secretary. The League Secretary will consult with both Team Captains and decide upon a date on which the match must be played.

11. All matches to be played on the scheduled Thursday commencing at 7.30pm.

Matches may be postponed from the original scheduled date by agreement between the Captains of the two teams, no later than 24 hours before the scheduled date. The rescheduled match must then be played by no later than two weeks after the End Date of the Season as defined in Rule 1. Postponed matches may be played on any day of the week.

It is the responsibility of the Team Captain requesting the re-arrangement to advise the League Secretary by telephone, text or email within 24 hours of the original scheduled date and to confirm in writing (email or text will be accepted) within 28 days, the date on which the match will be played. Failure to notify the League Secretary of the postponement within 24 hours and/or the new date within 28 days will result in the team requesting the re-arrangement being deducted 1 league point.

If agreement cannot be reached within 28 days of the original scheduled match then the Team Captain requesting the change must inform the League Secretary. The League Secretary will consult with both Team Captains and decide upon a date on which the match must be played.

Where less than 24 hours notice has been provided the opponents are entitled to claim the match unless the League Secretary determines that there are exceptional circumstances.

Rule 24 will be applied should a match be claimed.

NB three postponements are allowed per season. A team will be deducted one point for a 4^th and any subsequent postponements. The only exception to this rule is extreme weather. If a game is brought forward this will not count as a postponement. All postponements should be reported to the Results Secretary within 24 hrs of being agreed

12. A match may be played prior to the date set out in the fixtures if both teams agree. The League Secretary must be informed by the Team Captain requesting the re-arrangement of the revised date by telephone, text or email no later than 24 hours after the agreement to change the date of the Match and confirmed in writing within 14 days of the original scheduled date. Failure to notify the revised date within 24 hours of the new date will result in the team requesting the re-arrangement being deducted 1 league point.

13. All League Matches must be completed within 14 days of the End Date of the Season as defined in Rule 1. Any teams not complying with this rule will be dealt with according to Rule 21 or 22 as appropriate.

14. If a match is not completed in the required time limits the match points will be awarded 5 – 0 game result (points 65 – 35) to the team that did NOT cause the cancellation in the first place.

15. A team may not compete without a minimum of 4 players.

16. A qualified umpire shall be provided if the League Secretary deems it necessary. In the absence of an umpire the two Team Captains shall settle any dispute. Any dispute not thus settled shall be referred to the League Secretary for determination.

17. At times when there is insufficient daylight matches must be played with the aid of adequate floodlighting. If suitable lighting is not available at the home terrain, the Home Team Captain must make alternative arrangements and inform the Visiting Team Captain and the League Secretary at least seven days prior to the match.

In the event of a dispute or at the request of the NCPA Committee the League Secretary will determine whether the lighting is adequate.

18. Prefabricated circles must be used for all League and Knock Out Shield & KO Plate matches .

The circles must be rigid and have an internal diameter of 50cms (tolerance: + or – 2mm)

Refusal to provide or use them will result in the game(s) in which a team refused to provide and/or use them being awarded to their opponents (13 – 7)

Administration

20. Both team captains will complete a score card prior to the commencement of the match. Team Captains will enter the team selection and order of play on their own card. Team selection must be written in sequential order on the scorecard with no gaps.Team Captains will then exchange cards and enter the team selection and order of play on their opponent’s card. Score cards must exchanged by 7.20pm.

Both Team Captains will enter the score on their own card and at the end of the match & both confirm and sign the two cards. The Home Team Captain will forward his/her card to the League Secretary either by by submitting the scorecard by email to ncparesults@gmail.com, or WhatsApp, or Messenger so that the League Secretary receives the Match result within 24 hours of the date of the Match being played. The Team Captains will retain their cards as a back-up copy in case of dispute.

21. One reserve player is permitted to play in the pairs only. This player must be identified by (R) on the score card before the match commences and must be a registered player of the team. The reserve player may only play in the position that is vacated by the non-arrival/injury/illness of a nominated player.

Non Compliance

22. No team shall deliberately forfeit a match.

23. If a team fails to complete it’s fixtures it will be deemed to have withdrawn from the League..

If more than two matches remain outstanding then the results will be declared void. If only one or two matches remain outstanding then the results of matches played will stand but the intended opponents of the unplayed matches will be awarded a 5 – 0 game result with points scored being awarded as 65 – 35.

It may re-apply for membership prior to the start of the next Season or subsequent Seasons and if the application is accepted will be placed in the lowest division of the League

24. A match which is forfeited will be awarded to the intended opponents with a 5 – 0 game result and points scored 65 – 35. Where however a match is considered to have been deliberately forfeited in contravention of Rule 20 then the League Secretary shall determine the result.

25. Any team that contravenes Rule 20 on more than two occasions during a Season will on the third and any subsequent occasions be deducted one league point for each contravention.

26. The League Secretary will inform in writing (email if appropriate) the Captain of any team that has incurred a penalty, including forfeiture of a match, that the penalty has been applied.

If the offending team wish to appeal against the penalty the Team Captain must do so in writing within seven days of being informed, addressed to the Secretary of the NCPA Committee.

The NCPA Committee will consider the appeal at their next available meeting and may at the Chairman’s discretion invite the Team Captain to put his/her case to the committee.

Norfolk County Pétanque Association Code of Conduct

Everyone involved at all levels of pétanque has a responsibility to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour in our sport.

The content of this Code of Conduct applies to all of our players.

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of Players (team-mates & opponents), Officials (umpires, coaches, organisers and managers) and Spectators

The Official Rules of the Game of Pétanque

·     At all times observe the rules of the sport of pétanque and any additional rules for specific events or those implemented by the Officials on the day of an event

Respect and promote the spirit of fair play in pétanque.

·     Always play to the best of your ability and never directly or indirectly attempt to adversely influence an outcome of a game

·     Always accept success and failure, victory and defeat with dignity and recognise the achievements of others

Personal Behaviour

·    Take responsibility for your own actions

·     Never engage in or condone inappropriate or abusive language or gestures, discrimination, bullying, harassment, intimidation or violence

·    Never publicly criticise Players or Officials

·     Never abuse a relationship of trust, position or power held at an individual, team, Club or league level

Promote the reputation of our League, Association and sport, taking reasonable steps to prevent them from being brought into disrepute

·  Set a positive example for others, especially young participants, beginners and spectators

      ·  Refrain from any activity likely to bring disrepute on Players, Officials and Events.

Safety

·  Take all reasonable measures to protect your own safety and the safety of others

Contravention of this Code of Conduct may lead to disciplinary action in accordance with our Disciplinary Procedures