CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE WESTON POOL LEAGUE

LAST AMENDED FOLLOWING AGM ON 12.08.2025. Amended rules shown in italics (2.12, 2.15, 2.17, new 2.18, new 4.5, section 5)

 

ALTERATION TO CONSTITUTION AND NON-PLAYING RULES

Proposals to add, delete or amend any of the rules of the League must be proposed and seconded by email to the secretary no later than one week before the Annual General Meeting or sent to the Chair no later than two weeks before. (Minimum 2 years before repeat proposals)

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

  1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held on a Tuesday towards the end of each Summer season. At this meeting, the following business will be transacted:
    • Roll Call ( Where a team is not represented by one of its members, this team will be Deducted 2 points from the forthcoming Winter Season)
    • The minutes of the preceding AGM shall be confirmed and any business arising from that to be dealt with.
    • Presentation and adoption of Annual Reports, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
    • Election of Officers.
    • Alteration of Rules, (to which due notice has been given).
    • Any other relevant business.
  1. All Teams are entitled to attend the AGM but only two members per Registered Team will be entitled to vote.
  2. Officers shall be entitled to vote at the AGM.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Application by Teams for membership to the League must be made before registration night (registration before, payment on or before) and must be accompanied by the due fee’s. In the event of them withdrawing or being removed from the League, the league fees are nonrefundable.

 

MISCONDUCT

Any Team or individual playing member proved guilty of serious misconduct may be expelled or suspended from the League, ordered to pay compensation or dealt with in any way the Committee deems necessary.

 

NOMENCLATURE AND PURPOSE

This combination of Pool Teams shall be known as The Weston Pool League and shall be made up of Public Houses and Licensed Clubs located in the Weston Super Mare area. The purpose is to organise and adjudicate over competitive Pool Matches between member Teams. The League can be affiliated to the English Pool Association and be subject to its rules and regulations in so far as they apply to affiliated Leagues.

 

OFFICER NOMINATION AND ELECTION

The Committee will be made up of the following; Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer, plus 4 others whose jobs may be delegated by the chair. Term of office to be 3 years each except general committee members who will be elected / re-elected annually. At the discretion of the Chairman, more committee members may be added.

All Officers are to be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Retiring Officers shall be eligible for re-election without nomination. All other candidates must be nominated (i.e., proposed and seconded by two member Teams from the previous season,) in the relevant forum topic prior to its closure, before the Annual General Meeting or put in writing and sent to the Chairman no later than two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. In the event that a retiring Officer wish to step down and no nomination for his post have been forthcoming, then nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting. For clarification purposes members can be co-opted onto the committee and finish the current term of that appointment without being elected.

 

PLAYING RULES, LEAGUE, PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

The playing rules shall be International Rules. The Committee shall arrange member Teams into divisions as equal in number as possible. The principle upon which Promotion and Relegation is that at the end of each season the top two Teams in each division will be candidates for promotion and the bottom two Teams will be candidates for relegation. In the interest of maintaining an equal number of Teams in each division, this pattern may not always be strictly adhered to.

 

POWERS OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Management Committee shall have the powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the League and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the League, including any matter not included in the Rules. The Committee shall meet as often as is deemed necessary to conduct the business of the League and have the power to invite to those meetings a representative/s of any Team to assist in the making of a decision where they feel necessary.

The Management Committee may appoint an emergency Committee and/or such other SubCommittees as they consider necessary and may delegate all or any of their powers to such Committees. All decisions by the Management Committee shall be binding, subject to a right of Appeal. The Management Committee is entrusted with the fair and smooth running of the League as well as what’s in the best interest for the League. The committee will attempt to get Divisional sponsors, Whose logo and contact will be published on all forms and scoresheets in their division. As well as the League sponsor.

 

PROTESTS AND APPEALS

Protests and Appeals must be lodged in writing, via email, to the Secretary WITHIN SEVEN DAYS of the Match or occurrence to which they refer. Three Committee members will, if necessary, hold a hearing.

 

RULES BINDING ON ALL MEMBERS REGISTERED TO THE WESTON POOL LEAGUE

Each Member shall be deemed to have read and given its consent to the Weston Pool league Rules and site terms. You also agree to abide by the decision/s of the Committee.

Foul or abusive, including threatening, behaviour towards any player or committee member will result in an immediate ban from the league.

 

LEAGUE RULES

RULE 1 (TEAMS AND PLAYING FORMAT)

  1. Playing rules are international rules, and a copy must be displayed in the vicinity of the pool table. Matches will be played on a format of thirteen singles for world rules. Two points will be awarded for each match won.
  2. Players can play up to two frames per match if required, but no player is allowed to play twice within the first 6 frames. (e.g. a player can play no. 1 & 7 or 6 & 7 or 12 & 13 etc. But cannot play 1 & 6 or 5 & 6 etc. If a team has insufficient players to complete the first six frames then the remaining frames up to and including no. 6 are claimed, prior to the players being allowed to play again. If after this the match is still not fulfilled then the remaining legs may be claimed. (Teams are not required to wait for five minutes prior to claiming the remaining frames once the game has commenced.)
  3. Should a team captain state that they wish use the time rule, it must be applied. If a team refuses to use the time rule on the other teams request at the start of the match they forfeit the break for the rest of the match. If neither team makes such a request, it will be assumed that the captains choose not to play the time rule from the start of the match, the rule cannot then be invoked at any other time during the match, unless both captains agree. Except in finals of any team cup competition where the minute rule will apply (If one team wants the minute rule, it will be enforced. The home team will ref the games as normal and the away team will be the timekeepers. If the opposition refuses this request they will also forfeit all chances to break for the entirety of the match. The team wanting to use the minute rule will also now become the timekeepers if that is the home team in question.)
  4. As a team cannot win a match with less than four players, a minimum of four players over the course of the match is required to constitute a team.
  5. Fees as agreed at a.g.m. – all monies to be paid up front at registration meeting.
  6. The colour of chalk used must conform to the ‘standard’ green or blue. Penalty for using other coloured chalk will be a standard foul for each use. The referee’s decision will be final.
  7. Should a team captain state that they wish to lag for the break, it must be applied. If a team refuses to lag at the other teams’ request at the start of the match they forfeit the break for the rest of the match. If neither team makes such a request, it will be assumed that the captains choose not to lag from the start of the match, the rule cannot then be invoked at any other time during the match, unless both captains agree.
  8. At the end of the season a Challenge cup game will be played in each division whereby the divisional winner plays against a team made up of the top 7 ranked players in their division (excluding any player from their own team). The ranking will be based on percentages (not the website ranking which is based on frames won). Players must have played at least 50% of the available frames that season. Example - In a 7 team division there are 12 matches so a player could play a maximum of 24 frames. To qualify for the challenge cup they therefore must have played at least 12. The divisional winners will be the home team.

 

RULE 2 (ARRANGEMENTS FOR AND COMMENCEMENT OF MATCHES)

  1. All matches are to commence by 8 pm on Tuesdays and 7.30 pm on Sundays unless otherwise instructed or previously agreed.
  2. Rearranging of matches is not allowed. (except in extenuation circumstances, approved by the committee)
  3. All matches to be valid must be completed before the last scheduled league match date on the current fixture list.
  4. Teams must have a player present and ready to commence the match within 5 minutes of the start time otherwise the team at fault will forfeit the first frame. (Applies to both home and away teams)
  5. The first frame having been defaulted, the second frame will be forfeit if the match has not been started 10 minutes after the start time. (Please note this does not allow a Captain to wait 5 minutes in between frames, A captain must have his next player ready following the conclusion of the frame being played. Five and Ten minutes only apply to the start of the match.)
  6. If no team members have arrived 15 minutes after the start time, they will forfeit the match.
  7. Unfinished league matches on Tuesdays must be completed on the Thursday night immediately following. Only players who were in the venue at the time the game was stopped are eligible to play on the Thursday. Matches can continue after normal pub time so long as all parties agree (i.e. Landlords / Ladies & Capts.) If a team cannot fulfil the game on the Thursday then the opposing team will claim any remaining legs or points.
  8. It shall be the responsibility of the home team to cover table fees.
  9. It is up to individual landlords / ladies as to whether food is supplied at cup matches or not.
  10. A player may change teams during the first half of the season, This can only be done once and must be before the first match of the reversed fixtures.
  11. For all competitions Category 1 will be limited to division 1 and 2 and Category 2 will be division 3 to bottom, with a proviso for a third category if the committee deem necessary.
  12. Doubles: The format will be Scotch Doubles. Discussion between partners is allowed at all times, provided it does not unduly slow down the match. If play is deemed to be unreasonably slow, a shot clock may be introduced at the tournament organiser’s discretion.
  13. Individual & doubles k.o: – players involved in these competitions must report to the organiser prior to commencement time stated for 1 day competition. Note for doubles, both members of team must report (1 is not sufficient)
  14. It is up to landlords / ladies whether persons that are barred from their premises are allowed to play in a match or not, the committee will not attempt to alter this decision.
  15. Competition formats will be at the tournament organiser’s discretion, depending on the number of entries, available tables, and time constraints. If a group stage is used and two or more teams are tied for position, ties will be decided by (in order): results against each other, then frame difference, and finally a single-frame playoff. Matches will be played to a minimum of:
    • All rounds up to and including the Quarter-Finals – best of 5
    • Semi-Finals – best of 7
    • Final – best of 9
  16. Once a player has won more than once in any Cat 2 singles or doubles competition, they will in future have to compete in the Cat 1 singles and doubles competitions.
  17. Competitions to be held every season: Cat 1 Singles, Cat 1 Doubles, Cat 2 Singles, Cat 2 Doubles, Ladies Singles. Additional competitions to be held every winter season: Under 25s, 25-49, Over 50s, 3-man
  18. All-day events will be subject to a cut-off time of 10pm. Any matches that have not started by the cut-off may be carried over to a future date, unless all players involved agree to continue after 10pm. Matches already in progress at the cut-off should continue until completed. Any player or team leaving before the cut-off time will be deemed to have forfeited their place in the competition.

 

RULE 3 (QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS)

  1. Registration of new players will be allowed at any time during the season. All signings must be completed at least 24 hrs prior to the match by adding to the player’s list. Failure to follow these instructions will result in general rule no. 3.2 being applied if the player in question plays in any match.
  2. Penalty for playing an unregistered player – all points and the match awarded to opposing team, plus, any legs involving the unregistered player plus a further two points deducted from the offending team.
  3. Players must be over the age of 12 yrs in order to play in the league, but teams with players under 18 should check with landlords/ladies prior to travelling to a venue as some landlords or venues may adopt different standards for their own reasons or licensing limitations. – If a landlord/lady refuses entry to a player under 18 the league will / cannot overrule the decision.
  4. A team must register a minimum of 7 players, for its entry into the league to be considered.
  5. Once a team captain has entered name/names into the singles/doubles competitions, no alterations/amendments will be allowed

 

RULE 4 (REFEREES AND DISPUTES)

  1. Each team will supply a referee (home team to be 1st ref, away team to be 2nd ref (i.e. timekeeper).
  2. In the event of a dispute, the referee shall consult the playing rules before making a decision. If an agreement cannot be reached, the referee’s original decision shall stand and the frame shall continue. The two team captains shall make a report in writing to the secretary. On receipt of such a report, the league committee shall rule on the correct course of action.
  3. Any disputes about individual frames are not in themselves reason enough for a match to be abandoned. Any team refusing to complete a match because of such dispute will forfeit any outstanding frames.
  4. The committee will consider any report of players or teams bringing the league into disrepute and any action as deemed necessary and appropriate will be taken. This may include banning players or teams from the league (note if teams are banned or drop out of the league no monies will be refunded)
  5. If a player is significantly disruptive at a one day event they can be removed at the time and/or banned from all one day events for a set period.

 

RULE 5 (REPORTING OF RESULTS)

  1. Teams must complete the scorecard as the match is played using the RackEmApp website or app. The home team is responsible for submitting the scorecard, and the away team must approve it upon completion of the match.
  2. Teams that fail to complete the end of match process of submitting or approving the result by midday on Wednesday may be deducted two points. Failure to comply in a cup match will result in disqualification from that cup. Three such sanctions in any one season will result in expulsion from the league and the team’s results being expunged.

 

RULE 6 (SHORT TEAMS)

  1. In the event that a team is short of players for a match, the opposing team will be awarded any frames for which they have no opposition (in accordance with rule 1.2). Any frames claimed must be after all players present have played.
  2. In the event of two teams arriving at a draw with no players left on either side, the match will be deemed a draw. They will receive any frames won and 1 point each.
  3. In the event of a match not being drawn and neither team having enough players to complete the match, the team with the most frames at that point will win the match, both teams will be awarded any frames they may have won.
  4. Any team not having at least one player present by 15 minutes after the start time will forfeit the match.
  5. As a team cannot win a match with less than four players; a minimum of four players must have played for a result to stand.

 

RULE 7 (VENUES AND CHANGES OF VENUES)

  1. All teams must register their home venue with the league.
  2. The minimum desirable requirement for an acceptable venue shall be:
  3. A seven-foot table being the recommended size.
  4. The match table shall be level and have a surface of reasonable quality.
  5. The table shall be clearly marked and maintained in a clean and well-presented manner.
  6. A rest and spider must be made available.
  7. Only balls coloured yellow and red are accepted by this league (i.e. no spots and stripes)
  8. League match venues must have a clearance of at least three feet 7ins. (1100mm) around the whole of the table. Existing league venues will be granted exemption (original 3-foot rule still applies), however, they will not be considered for preliminary rounds of the Singles/Pairs. Cup matches un-affected.
  9. If a team changes venue during a season, a minimum of seven days notice is required.

 

RULE 8 (AVAILABILITY OF LEAGUE RULES)

  1. A copy of these league rules and current official playing rules (International Rules) shall be made available for all matches by the home team. (Now available via the foregoing links for anyone to view)
  2. The committee can make amendments to these rules to clear any ambiguities. (Only wording would be amended not actual rules, as this should be applied at AGM)

 

RULE 9 (PROMOTION AND RELEGATION)

  1. If two or more teams are tied in positions affecting the championship, promotion or relegation places the tie shall be broken as follows:
    • The team having won the greater number of frames shall take precedence.
    • If there is still a tie, the teams involved shall playoff under a format to be decided by the committee, at such time and venue as is decided by the committee.

 

RULE 10 (TROPHIES TO BE AWARDED)

  1. Ten player awards will be awarded to players of the winning and runner-up teams in each division. These may be kept.
  2. The league will award team trophies to the winning and runner-up team in each division, to be kept for one year only. These trophies will remain the property of the Weston Super Mare Pool League at all times and must be surrendered on request by the league. All perpetual trophies are to be kept at the pub where the team played.
  3. An 8 ball break player award is awarded to the player clearing all his / her own colours plus the black legally from the break-off shot only. Without using the two-visit rule. Capts. Must endorse card to count for award.
  4. Any team in possession of a league trophy will take proper care of it and will bear the cost of replacing or repairing it should it become lost or damaged.
  5. The Committee will keep an accurate list of which venues hold the perpetual team trophies.

 

RULE 11 ( CLUBS WITHDRAWING OR FAILING TO FULFIL FIXTURES)

  1. Any team, which fails to fulfil more than one fixture, will be expelled for that season. All results against them will be expunged. (In cup matches failure to fulfil a fixture, will mean exclusion from following seasons cup competitions)
  2. All players of any team dropping out of the league without completing the season or a team that has been removed from the league for non-attendance will be banned for 1 season. (Extenuating circumstances may apply subject to committee discretion).

 

RULE 12 (COACHING)

  1. Coaching is deemed to be unsportsmanlike behaviour and will result in a warning. Further breach will result in the frame being awarded away.

 

RULE 13 (MEETINGS)

  1. Captains meetings: – only called when deemed necessary by the committee.
  2. For players to call an e.g.m. they must have obtained at least 30 signatures of league members. These should be gained on sheets of paper outlining the full reason for the e.g.m. being called. The notice must be put in writing to the secretary within 7 days.