Constitution and rules, as at 13.06.07
Constitution and rules as at 13.06.07
1. NameThe name of the League shall be the North West Counties Youth 16 - 18 ARL, also known as NWC Youth 16 - 18.
2. Management
The League shall be controlled by a Management Committee consisting of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer, fixture secretary, registration secretary, referees' appointment officer, discipline secretary, BARLA representative to the BARLA Youth & Junior Council and BARLA General Assembly, and a publicity officer, together with one representative from each District League, if possible. This committee shall be responsible for organising community amateur rugby league in conjunction with the community sports clubs in membership.
a. The committee may at their discretion, co-opt any other member to serve on the committee as it is felt necessary.
b. No club member or official may serve on the management committee except at the discretion of the serving committees.
c. All officials of the management committee will be subject to re-election at each annual general meeting. Co-opted members of the committee may have their term extended by approval of the officers of the League.
3. Membership
Any club willing to conform to the rules of the League, BARLA and being in membership of a district league, shall be eligible for membership.
a. The committee shall have the right to refuse membership to any club for any reason whatsoever, at their discretion.
b Membership shall be granted for one season only and all clubs must re-apply for membership at each annual general meeting.
c. The annual subscription for membership shall be a fee determined by the committee annually and may include a returnable bond.
d. Any under 18s team wishing to play in the National Youth League, should register with of this league as full members. These teams will be considered to be guesting with the National Youth League for the relevant seasons.
THE RULES
4. Meetings
League meetings will be held monthly to which clubs may send as many members as they wish, but only one member per club shall be allowed to vote. At all meetings the chairman shall have a second and casting vote in the event of a tied vote. The under 16 - 18 League meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Wigan St Judes ARLFC club house at 8.30 p.m.
a. The management committee shall meet before each meeting.
b. The secretary shall convene any further meetings considered necessary by giving the management committee three days' notice of such meeting.
c Clubs failing to attend League meetings shall be fined £5.00 for the first offence, and each subsequent failure to attend will incur a fine which is double the previous one. i.e. first offence the fine will be £5.00, the second offence the fine will be £10.00, the third offence will incur a fine of £20.00 and so on. Apologies will not count as attendance.
d. The date of the annual general meeting shall be determined by the management committee for the consideration of the rules, presentation of the accounts and any other matters. Details of the notice of the meeting must be sent out at least seven days prior to the meeting.
Failure to attend the annual general meeting will incur a fine of £30.00.
e. Any amendments or additions to the rules must be given in written form and proposed and seconded by clubs who have been in membership of the Leagues for more than one season and delivered to the League's secretary by no later than 15 May each year. The management committee may also place proposals before the annual general meeting. A majority of two thirds of the clubs present and voting is required to carry the foregoing.
f. The management committee, may, if they consider necessary, call a special general meeting by giving 14 days written notice to all member clubs. Member clubs may also ask for a Special General Meeting to be convened. Such a request must be in writing to the League Secretary giving ten days notice and will need signatures from 30% of the current members. The agenda for that meeting will only be for specific item(s) duly notified.
g. All correspondence, communications and business shall be directed to the League Secretary, who will be responsible to the management committee for all matters concerning the running of the League.
h. Only secretaries or their alternate contacts may contact any League official between 6.00 p.m. and 9 30 p.m. any evening. The League Secretary is available most days from 9.00 a.m. till 9.00 p.m.
5. Registrations
The registration secretary shall keep a register of players and shall show it to a club secretary only provided sufficient notice has been given.
a All players must have registration cards, colour coded to show the age group in which they are playing. For registration purposes, the season will end on the Saturday before the Spring Bank Holiday and start again on the Saturday following the Spring Bank holiday. All players remain registered with the team/club they are on the BARLA data base with until they are de registered or the team is officially disbanded by the club secretary in writing.
b. All cards must be returned when re-registrations forms are sent in. These cards may be used a proof of date of birth for re-registration for the following season. New players must have a registration form completed and must be accompanied by two passport type photographs showing the name of the player on the back of the photograph. New players must also provide original proof of date of birth. Each set of registrations should be accompanied by a return address and three first class stamps. Envelopes will be provided by the league. Existing players for whom a BARLA registration card has been issued, may use the BARLA re-registration lists for the following season. Photographs must be an accurate likeness of the player and new ones must accompany forms when necessary and should show the player's ID number and team on the back.
c. Fully signed professional players will be committed to their professional clubs after 31 March each year . Permission to play for their amateur club must be obtained from the professional club and a copy, in writing, provided to the League Secretary. Only three such players will be allowed to play in any match. Failure to observe this requirement will result in the team concerned being fined for playing an ineligible player and points for the game(s) concerned awarded to their opponents.
d.All teams may register up to a maximum of 25 players per team. No team will be given fixtures until there are 15 registered players.
e. The transfer procedure shall follow the appropriate rules as in the BARLA Handbook. The last date for transfer of players shall be the last day of February each year.
f. Any club, player, official or authorised agent found guilty of inducing a player of another club in the League to leave his club and join another one, directly or indirectly, shall be guilty of misconduct and shall be dealt with as the management committee may decide.
g. All coaches must be fully qualified at either Level 1 or Level 2 according to UK Sports Coach Accreditations. Their registration card must be shown to the opponents at all matches when players' registration cards are checked.
6. Fixtures
a. The season shall commence on or about the first Sunday in September and finish on or about the end of April the following year. Actual dates will be determined by the Management Committee and clubs will be notified of this decision at the beginning of each season.
b. Before fixtures are published, all teams must give at least four weeks' clear notice in writing to ask for a free fixture on a particular date, otherwise all games must be played as per the fixture list, or the points for that game will be forfeited. Only one free fixture date per season will be allowed.
Only in exceptional circumstances will the management committee waive this rule.
Postponements will not be considered because of injuries, coach breakdowns or any other matter not considered exceptional. In the case of coach breakdowns, a letter will be required from the transport company within 48 hours of the scheduled game, but will not guarantee that the game will not be awarded to an opponent.
c. Any club desiring to arrange a friendly must seek permission from the fixture secretary in writing and no friendly matches shall be arranged on the League's fixture date without prior approval of the secretary.
d Clubs must accept fixtures given at four days' notice by the fixture secretary. i.e. fixtures may be notified on a Tuesday evening for a Sunday match and must be accepted.
e. If a team fails to fulfil a fixture, the club secretary must inform the League Secretary in writing that they are conceding the points. The secretary of the opposing team must inform the League Secretary in writing that they are claiming the points. Failure by either secretary to notify the results officer will result in a £10.00 fine. Failure to fulfil a fixture will result in a £20.00 fine.
f. All results, including postponements due to unfit pitches, or inability of a team to fulfil a fixture, must be communicated to the results secretary by SMS on mobile phone by 2.30 p.m. on the afternoon of the match by the home club representative. Failure to do so will result in a £10.00 fine. Results may also be phoned or sent by SMS to the League Secretary.
g. Any team 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 opponent's ground.
h Up to 20 medals will be provided free to winners and runners up of all divisions. Any requests for extra medals will have to be paid for by the respective team at a cost to be determined by the committee.
i. Cup competitions will be arranged at the end of each season if possible. This will depend on how many fixtures have not been played due to weather and other reasons. The decision will be made by the management committee.
j. Coaches, first aiders and water carrier must remain in the technical areas at all times. Any one encroaching on to the field of play who is not wearing a special bib provided by the league, will be dealt with by the discipline committee. Referees will be asked to comment on the wearing of bibs.
k Player protection. Post protectors and corner flags are compulsory. Pitches must always be roped off where possible.
l. The use of studs referred to as 'blades' will only be allowed when they are rubber covered and prove no threat to safety. Metal capped 'blades' will not be allowed. Coaches are asked to ensure that all players and parents are aware of this rule.
7 Matches
A match day assessment form must be completed after every game and sent to the League Secretary within 5 days of a game. Any club failing to send in a properly completed form will be fined £20.00 per form.
a. Home clubs must contact opponents and referees in order to discuss playing colours, arrangements and travelling directions etc. on a Tuesday or Wednesday prior to the game being played.
b. Duration and kick off times of matches should be as follows:
All games will normally be played on Sunday mornings.
Under 16s 30 minutes each way kick off 11.30 a.m.
Under 17s as for under 18s kick off 11.30 a.m.
Under 18s 35 minutes each way kick off 11.30 a.m.
Variations may be allowed in exceptional circumstances and in order to accommodate referees who may be 'doubling up'.
c Completed team sheets showing full names of all players, must be correctly filled in and signed by each club official before the commencement of each match. Referees will have complete control over the possible addition of late players being added onto the team sheet.
For league games only, teams may utilise up to 20 players, providing both team representatives agree. Full names must be entered on to the relevant team sheet before the commencement of the match.
Completed team sheets must be sent by the home club official to the League Secretary for receipt within 5 days of the date of the match. Failure to complete team sheets correctly (including full forename and surname (no initials) will incur a fine of £20.00. However where player(s) have been dismissed or a brawl or abandonment report is necessary, the referee will then send in the team sheet with the appropriate report, direct to the League Secretary for receipt within three days.
d. BARLA ID cards must be checked against the team sheet between clubs before a game. Whoever signs the team sheets is also stating that s/he has overseen the checking of registration cards for insurance purposes.
Coaches' ID cards must be checked at the same time as players' ID cards are checked.
Team personnel will be fined £20.00 when it is proven that BARLA ID cards have not been checked properly.
e. Only players who are registered with a team are allowed to play for that team. Players registered for the same club, but for a different team are not allowed to play for a team with which they are not registered - at any age group.
The playing of ineligible players will incur a fine of £100 per player plus loss of points for the matches involved.
f. If less than two thirds of the actual playing time has elapsed in the event of a game being abandoned for whatever reason, then the League's management committee may, at its sole discretion, order the match to be re-played. If more than two thirds of the actual playing time has elapsed then the result at the time of abandonment shall stand.
g. Where the playing of a match is doubtful because of bad weather, the home club must immediately inform the fixture secretary and the referee and also their opponents, preferably before they leave to travel. If there is any doubt about the availability of the pitch, and clubs cannot agree, a local referee should be called in to declare whether the pitch is fit or unfit. Any club failing to fulfil these rules will be subject to disciplinary action.
h. Should a team fail to turn up for a match, that team will forfeit points and costs (referees fees and up to £12.00 for refreshments) must be paid by the defaulting team.
i. Teams who concede any match will be fined £20.00 and will forfeit points and costs (referees' fees and up to £12.00 refreshments) must be paid by the defaulting team. In addition, teams who fail to fulfil a second fixture, will as well as the fine and costs mentioned above, be deducted 2 points for each subsequent concession.
j. Bibs provided for the coach, assistant coach, first aider, water carriers, and touchline managers should be worn at all matches. Failure to do so will result in 1 point for each match being added to the disciplinary points system.
k. Teams should always go to the home side's club in order to partake of after match refreshments. Failure to do so without first informing the home side by the previous Friday by 12 noon will incur a fine as well as the costs as indicated in Rule i.
l. Clubs wishing to claim expenses must put their request in writing to the offending club and send a copy to the League Secretary.
m. Requests for friendly games will only be sanctioned if there is no League game on that date. Requests must be in writing, and the result must be telephoned in to the results officer, and at the same time, all dismissals should be reported. Match Day Assessment Forms should also be completed and sent to the League Secretary as normal.
n Each club is responsible for the behaviour of its players, committee and spectators. Notices should be displayed warning all about the use of foul and abusive language and abusive behaviour. The warning notice should indicate that fines will be imposed. If possible handouts should be distributed.
o. Each team should appoint a Touchline Manager who will be responsible for the behaviour of the spectators, smooth running of the day, referees etc.
p. This league shall apply in full the principles of the RESPECT campaign to include the imposition of penalties where guilt is proven.
8. Divisions
Teams shall be split into workable divisions of no more than 10 in the premier and first divisions based on their final positions in the previous season, taking into consideration playing ability and based on results from the previous season. Although the Management Committee may consider views of individual team representatives, the numbers of and the teams in each division will be decided solely by the Management Committee.
a. If two or more teams finish level on points at the end of a season, then the scoring difference between the relevant teams will determine the final position. i.e. play off matches will no longer take place.
b. If a team withdraws from the League having failed to complete 50% of its scheduled games, then that team's record shall be expunged. If a team completed 50% or more of its scheduled games, the points will be awarded to the opponents for the uncommitted games.
c. If a team is expelled or suspended, its record will be expunged irrespective of how many games that team has played.
9. Referees
Referees' fees shall be as per the minimum fee in the BARLA handbook for all age groups for this League fixtures.
a. BARLA fees (as in the BARLA handbook) shall apply for games arranged by BARLA.
b. A referee's or touch judge's written report on the misconduct of any club, player or official must be sent to the League Secretary with a copy to the offending club within three days of the conclusion of the game.
c. Referees should send a separate report of all brawls to the League Secretary with a copy to the clubs involved. Any club found guilty of brawling shall be fined the sum decreed by BARLA . The League will not issue points against a team for brawls or abandoned games.
d. Any club which does not receive a dismissal report from the referee within three days should contact the League Secretary immediately. Failure to receive a written report will not prevent a player from being dealt with by the relevant discipline committee.
10. Discipline
The management committee will either in part or whole, act as a disciplinary committee and will adjudicate upon all clubs, players, officials or other persons reported to them by referees or touch judges for any reason whatsoever arising from games arranged by the League. All dismissals must be reported. Both club representatives should inform the League Secretary of any dismissals, brawls or abandoned games before 9.00 p.m. on the Sunday of the match. A fine of £10.00 will be incurred for not reporting dismissals.
a. The disciplinary committee shall have the full power to expel, suspend and/or fine any club, player, official or other person found guilty of misconduct and/or breach of the rules and to order them to meet any costs incurred.
b. Players, club officials or other persons found charged with encroachment on to the pitch, foul and abusive language, disorderly conduct to the match officials, spectator involvement or any other breach of the rules, must be reported to the League Secretary and the matter dealt with by that disciplinary committee.
c. Any reported club, player, official or any other person may send a full unedited tape within 7 days of the date of the match, or a letter or request a personal appearance and bring witnesses in their own defence provided that they notify the relevant League Secretary within seven days of the alleged offence and send a deposit of £10.00 through their club secretary to the League Secretary. Team secretaries or coaches should contact the League Secretary regarding the result of the discipline hearing if they do not receive the result after five days.
d. All teams should notify the League Secretary, via the annual application to join form, if the use of photographic equipment is NOT permitted because of parental concerns. Unless notified otherwise, in accordance with the BARLA Child Protection Policy, it will be assumed that all clubs will use photographic equipment e.g. video for training purposes. The Committee expects that all videos will be submitted to the disciplinary committee whenever a player has been dismissed during the game being filmed.
e. Referees may be requested to attend disciplinary meetings.
f. Should a case of alleged assault by a player, club official or spectator be lodged and reported to the League by a referee, the latter may be instructed to make himself available to the disciplinary committee, for the purposes of interview, due notice of which will be given in writing.
g. All decisions of the disciplinary committee are final and any appeal must be made to BARLA strictly in compliance with the rules of the association (i.e. within 7 days) with a written copy forwarded to the League Secretary.
h. Any youth, junior player, or coach found guilty of proven racial discrimination will incur an immediate minimum ban of 6 matches.
i Any spectator found guilty of proven racial discrimination will incur an immediate touchline ban of a minimum of one year.
j All persons suspected of racial abuse will be reported to the specific BARLA/RFL committee for racial abuse.
k Any member of the management committee may report any player or club for an on or off the field incident. A copy of this report should be sent to the offending club within seven days of the date of the offence.
l BARLA ID cards belonging to players who are suspended must be returned to the League Secretary immediately upon receipt of letter advising of the suspension. A stamped addressed envelope should also be sent for return of the card. Failure to return a card will result in a fine of £10.00. This rule applies to all matches, not just League matches. No youth player may play in an open age match whilst serving his suspension. However, a youth player who regularly plays open age rugby may be able to count open age games against suspension. Only one match per weekend will count towards any suspension. The respective league personnel will liaise with each other regarding suspended players.
m. This league shall apply in full the principles of the RESPECT campaign to include the imposition of penalties where guilt is proven.
n. Request for a Personal Appearance. Should a player, team, coach or official wish to make a personal appearance regarding any dismissal, the League Secretary should be notified by telephone immediately after the match in question. This should then be confirmed in writing to the League Secretary accompanied by a £10.00 cheque payable to N W C Youth 16 - 18. The disciplinary secretary will confirm of the approximate time of the appointment with the disciplinary committee.
Disciplinary meetings will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Rylands Recreation Club, Warrington, between 7.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.
o. This league operates a zero tolerance rule against foul and abusive language at all times.
11 Appeal Procedure
If, after a personal appearance, a player wishes to appeal against the decision of the Discipline Committee, the club should appeal in writing enclosing a cheque for £40.00 to BARLA. This letter enclosing the cheque should be sent within 7 days of the date of the relevant disciplinary meeting. Player and coach will then be expected to travel to Huddersfield to state their case. Members are reminded that the BARLA Appeal Committee may reduce or increase suspensions.
12. Equal Opportunities
N W Counties Youth 16 - 18 League will act in accordance with BARLA's and the RFL's equal opportunities policy.
13. Racial Abuse
BARLA, and N W Counties Youth 16 - 18 League is committed to eradicating all forms of racial discrimination and racism, a commitment that will enhance equality of opportunity in all aspects of the game. Racist language or behaviour has no part to play within the game and as a result will not be tolerated. Anyone that engages in racist behaviour will be dealt with promptly through the relevant procedures. We must all be responsible for tackling racism and ensure that rugby league is a game that can be enjoyed by everyone.
14. Child Protection
This league will adopt the BARLA/RFL policy regarding Child Protection.
15 Suspensions.
A player's suspension shall commence on the second Saturday following the meeting at which the suspension was imposed with the exception of any suspension of six matches or more which shall take immediate effect.
a. The following games shall count towards a player's suspension.
All games of amateur rugby league in any competition and League or cup matches, or any friendly matches provided that they are arranged prior to his offence, representative games in which the suspended player has been selected and any games awarded by default. An Under 18s player who regularly plays open age rugby may count open age matches against his suspension, but only one match per weekend is to be counted against the suspension. The two respective committee personnel will liaise on such suspensions.
b. A suspended player is not permitted to play in any other game of rugby league including open age, until his suspension is served.See above. Any player or club violating this rule will be fined not less than £100.00 and the offending player shall be suspended for a further six matches.
c. If a player is fined he shall not play in any game until the fine is paid. All fines must be paid within 28 days of the date of this letter to the League Treasurer c/o League Secretary. Failure to pay within a further 14 days will result in the fine being doubled and if still not paid after another 7 days, fixtures may be cancelled.
Other
16. All other rules will be as per Section E (Amateur Standard Rules) as contained in the current handbook of BARLA.
17. All clubs who win trophies shall give a guarantee to the Leagues for their safe return. All trophies shall be returned to the relevant League Secretary not later than 1 April each year. Any club which returns a trophy damaged or dirty will be responsible for the cost of repair or cleaning. Failure to do so will result in a minimum fine of £50.00 to enable a new trophy to be purchased.
18 Compensation from professional clubs in respect of players shall be dealt with by the respective District League to which the player belongs.
19 The management committee shall have the power to deal with any matter not provided for in these rules as they may so decide.
20. All decisions of the N W Counties Youth Management Committee are final. Any appeal must be made to BARLA within seven days of the decision being made, in writing and enclosing a cheque for £40.00 with a copy of the appeal being sent to the League Secretary.
a. In the case of a complaint to the League against a club, a copy of the complaint must also be sent to the club being complained against, otherwise a fine of £25.00 may be imposed. It is the duty of the complaining club to ensure that the club complained against receives the notice of complaint.
Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, the Management Committee shall transfer the funds constituting the net assets of the Group to an organisation or institution with objectives similar to those of the League or to the Governing Body for distribution within similar regional leagues.
CUP RULES
1. If the scores are level at full time, extra time will be played. Under 16s will play 7½ minutes each way: under 18s and under 17s will play 10 minutes each way. If the scores are still level after the periods of extra time, the first team to score any point will be deemed the winner.
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.
3. All receipts after expenses from Leagues finals shall be devoted to League funds.
4. Any player appearing in a semi final or final must have appeared in at least two Leagues and/or cup games for that team (not club) for the current season.
5. Apart from the above cup rules, other N W Counties Youth rules apply. Back to top