DARTMOOR POOL LEAGUE

Document 6

DOUBLES KNOCKOUT COMPETITION RULES

Version: 1.0

Adopted: __________________

Effective From: __________________

Next Review: AGM __________

COMPETITION RULES NOTE

These Competition Rules shall be read in conjunction with the:

• Constitution and Governance Document

• Playing Rules

• Code of Conduct

• Disciplinary Policy

Where any conflict exists, the Constitution & Governance Document and Playing Rules shall take precedence.

1. PURPOSE

a)       The Doubles Knockout Competition shall determine the Dartmoor Pool League Doubles Champions.

b)       The competition shall be administered by the League.

c)       The competition shall be played under the current Blackball Rules unless otherwise specified by the League.

2. ELIGIBILITY

a)       Entrants must be registered players of an Active Team.

b)       Doubles pairings may consist of players from different teams.

c)       All entrants must comply with the League Governance Pack.

d)       A player may only enter the competition once per season.

e)       A player suspended from League activities shall be ineligible to participate during the period of suspension.

3. PAIRINGS

a)       Pairings shall be declared upon entry to the competition.

b)       Once entered, pairings may not be altered without Committee approval prior to the commencement of the competition.

c)       A player may only represent one doubles pairing during a season.

d)       Once the competition has commenced, pairings shall remain fixed for the duration of the competition.

e)       No replacement player or substitute partner shall be permitted once the competition has commenced.

f)         Where a player withdraws, becomes ineligible, is suspended or is otherwise unable to continue, the pairing shall be withdrawn from the competition.

4. DOUBLES PLAYING FORMAT

a)       Doubles matches shall be played as traditional doubles.

b)       Partners may confer before the first shot of their team’s visit is played.

c)       Once the first shot of a visit has been played, no further conferring, coaching or discussion shall take place until that visit has ended. Discussion during a visit shall be deemed coaching and is not permitted.

d)       When a team’s visit ends, partners may again confer before the first shot of their next visit.

e)       Players shall alternate visits to the table throughout each frame.

f)         Once a player’s visit has ended, their partner shall take the team’s next visit.

g)       The alternating sequence shall continue throughout the frame.

h)       Both players shall comply with the current Blackball Rules and any competition procedures published by the League.

i)          The Committee may publish additional competition-specific procedures where necessary.

5. DOUBLES CONFERRING OFFENCES

a)       Where a player or pairing breaches the conferring provisions contained within Section 4, the following escalation shall apply during that match:

• First Offence – Official Warning.

• Second Offence – Standard Blackball Foul awarded to the opposing pairing.

• Third Offence – Loss of Frame.

• Fourth Offence – Loss of Match.

b)       Warnings and sanctions shall apply to the pairing rather than the individual player.

c)       Repeated or deliberate breaches may be referred to the Committee under the Disciplinary Policy.

d)       The Competition Organiser or designated Match Official shall determine whether a breach has occurred.

e)       Players are expected to accept decisions in a sporting manner.

6. COMPETITION FORMAT

a)       The competition shall be conducted in a format determined by the Committee.

b)       The competition may include knockout rounds, group stages, qualifying rounds or any other format considered appropriate.

c)       The Committee shall determine the format, race length and progression structure based upon the number of entries received.

d)       The format for each stage of the competition shall be published prior to commencement of that stage.

e)       Once published, the format for a stage shall not be altered except in exceptional circumstances.

7. DRAW AND COMPETITION STRUCTURE

a)       The Committee shall determine the draw, competition structure and progression format based upon the number of entries received.

b)       The competition may be organised as a straight knockout, group format, preliminary qualifying stage or any combination thereof.

c)       The Committee may utilise byes, qualifying rounds, group stages or other formats where necessary to facilitate the competition.

d)       The draw and competition structure shall be published prior to commencement of the relevant stage.

e)       Once published, the draw and competition structure shall stand unless amended by the Committee due to administrative error or exceptional circumstances.

f)         The Committee’s decision regarding competition structure, draws and progression shall be final.

8. COMPETITION DATES

a)       Competition rounds shall be played on dates determined by the League.

b)       Competitors are expected to attend and participate on the published competition date.

c)       Competition fixtures shall not be rearranged, postponed or rescheduled by individual players or pairings.

d)       Failure of either player to attend a scheduled competition fixture may result in elimination of the pairing.

e)       The Committee may only alter a competition date in exceptional circumstances affecting the competition as a whole.

f)         The Committee’s decision shall be final.

9. ATTENDANCE

a)       Both players shall be present and ready to play at the published start time.

b)       A pairing not present when called may forfeit the match.

c)       The Competition Organiser may allow a reasonable grace period where circumstances warrant.

d)       Repeated failure to attend League competitions may be referred under the Disciplinary Policy.

10. SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL ELIGIBILITY

a)       To participate in a Semi-Final or Final, both players must have participated in at least fifty percent (50%) of their respective team’s completed League fixtures prior to the Semi-Final or Final.

b)       Participation shall be defined as having played at least one (1) frame in a League fixture.

c)       Eligibility shall be determined on the date of the Semi-Final or Final.

d)       The Committee may verify eligibility and request supporting records where necessary.

e)       The Committee may grant a dispensation only in exceptional circumstances where no competitive advantage would be gained.

11. RESULTS

a)       Match results shall be recorded using the League’s approved results system.

b)       The Competition Organiser shall ensure progression through each stage is accurately recorded.

c)       Any dispute regarding a result shall be referred to the Committee.

d)       The Committee’s decision shall be final.

12. WITHDRAWALS

a)       A pairing may withdraw from the competition at any time.

b)       A pairing that withdraws after a draw has been published may forfeit its place in the competition.

c)       No substitute player, replacement player or alternative partner shall be permitted once the competition has commenced.

13. DOUBLES CHAMPIONS

a)       The winning pairing shall be recognised as the Dartmoor Pool League Doubles Champions for that season.

b)       The champions shall hold the title until the completion of the following season’s competition.

c)       Any trophy awarded shall remain the property of the League unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

14. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

a)       The competition exists to promote competitive, enjoyable and sporting participation.

b)       Competitors are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the League Code of Conduct.

c)       The Committee may determine any matter not specifically covered by these Competition Rules.

d)       Nothing within these Competition Rules shall override the Dartmoor Pool League Governance Pack.