FRANK SMITH POOL LEAGUE - AGM 2026 RECAP

All Captains must read this and pay particular attention to point 3, this is effective as of Winter 2026/2027.

 1. Committee Update

• Kevin Sayce has resigned from the Committee, effective at the end of the current Winter Season
• Paul Dawson has been elected as Vice-Chairman
• Reece Stewart and Alfie Southby have joined the Committee

2. Chairman’s Report

• The Chairman expressed strong satisfaction with the past year, highlighting positive feedback from teams
• Appreciation was given to all players and teams for supporting the Committee in its first year as a full committee
• The introduction of RackemApp has significantly enhanced the league experience, with:
• Live match score tracking
• Automatically updated league tables
• Detailed player statistics and profiles

3. Treasurer’s Report

• The league is currently operating at an average loss per season, largely due to a decline in team numbers in recent years
• Fee increases (first since 2015):
• Team entry fee: £70 per season (Summer & Winter)
• Player registration fee: £5 (first increase since at least 1999)
• These increases are necessary to:
• Cover rising operational costs (including RackemApp and trophies)
• Improve financial stability
• Enable prize money for competitions
• Support teams competing at National Finals

4. General Changes

• The Winter Cap & Secs Trophy will be renamed the Bruce Shulver Cap & Secs Cup
• All National Finals qualifying matches will now be held at Meridian Pool Lounge
• Prize money introduced for all Singles & Pairs competitions:
• Approx. 20% of entry fees
• Minimum payout of £25
• Trophy reductions:
• League 3rd place: Shield only
• Men’s Singles & Pairs: Semi-finalists only
• Ladies: Winner only (unless entries increase)
• Finals formats updated:
• Singles: Best of 7/9
• Pairs: Best of 5/7
• Summer and Winter leagues will now operate independently:
• Separate promotion and relegation
• No crossover impact

5. Pairs Rules (Trial - Summer 2026)

• Shot clock mandatory in doubles matches
• Players may communicate between shots while the clock is running (until the white ball is struck)
• Either player may call an extension while their partner is at the table
• After a foul break (if put back in), teams may change the breaking player
• Shot clock to be managed by the teams during pairs competitions

 6. Match Format

• Format remains unchanged for the next 12 months:
• 12 Singles + 3 Pairs
• A proposal to remove pairs was voted down (11 - 6).

 7. Rule Changes

• Removing the white ball from a pocket during a foul will no longer result in loss of frame
• Players are strongly advised not to touch the white ball unless a foul has been called

 8. Competition Clarifications

• Pairs matches reset each frame:
• Not alternate breaking between players
• Same player may break each time when it is their team’s break
• Match dates:
• Set dates stand unless opponents agree to change
• The Committee does not intervene in rescheduling
• Any changes must be reported to the Comps Secretary
• Rearranged dates are final (no further changes)

 9. Referee & Rules Updates

• Continued collaboration with the IRO to build a rules clarification database
• Increase in unusual or “grey area” situations requiring formal rulings

 10. Interleague Update

• The Frank Smith Hotshots team won the Interleague KO Cup and qualified for the National Finals
• Two additional Interleague teams are active
• Plans to introduce a fourth team next year (potentially via trials)

 11. Constitution Changes

• Players may now be registered on the night (ideally with 1 hours’ notice), this allows time for Divisional Secretary approval and app updates

 12. Any Other Business (AOB)

• A handicap system for the Team Knockout is being explored for Winter season viability
• Requests submitted to run:
• Lower League Singles every season
• Ladies Singles every season