BOWLS DURHAM

Rules and Constitution

1 – TITLE

The Association shall be called “Bowls Durham”

2 – OBJECTS

The objects of the Association shall be:-

a) To promote, foster and safeguard the game of level green bowls in Durham.

b) To adopt and enforce the Laws of Bowls England.

c) To hold Annual or other Championships of 2 wood singles and 4 wood singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours competitions.

d) To hold inter-county matches.

e) To interpret any questions of law and practice, and to arbitrate on all matters submitted by Affiliated clubs or Members thereof.

3 – MEMBERSHIP – CLUBS

a) Membership of the Bowls Durham shall be open to all Clubs in the County and who play the level green game, either on private greens, or on greens attached to licensed premises, or on Municipal or other public greens, provided that such Clubs possess level greens with a playing surface in addition to banks and ditches as defined in LAWS OF THE SPORT

[Existing Clubs affiliated to the Durham County EBA and/or the Durham County EWBA at 31 December 2007 are automatically transferred to Bowls Durham. New Clubs joining after that date must have a minimum membership of 16 playing members all male, all female or male and female.]

b) Clubs playing on greens connected with licensed premises must be managed by an Executive Committee, and must have sole and exclusive use of the funds of the Club and the greens on which they play.

c) Clubs playing on local authority, state managed or other public greens must have a permit from the local or other authority allowing them use of rinks for competitive purposes. No Club playing or intending to play on a local authority or other public green upon which an Affiliated Club or Clubs is or are playing, shall become affiliated to the Association until the existing Club or Clubs using the said green has or have been consulted by the Association, and in the opinion of the Association, has or have offered no bona fide objection to its Affiliation.

d) Applications for affiliation shall be made to the General Secretary of Bowls Durham, and shall be accompanied by a list of office bearers of the club, the addresses of the Honorary Secretary, and of the green, together with the Entrance Fee, the first Annual Subscription to Bowls Durham and the first Annual Subscription to Bowls England.

4- HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

a)  All Past Presidents of Bowls Durham shall become Honorary LifeMembers of the Association.

b)  Bowls Durham may award Life Membership to any person who hasrendered exceptional services to the sport of bowls and/or BowlsDurham. Nominations by Clubs or Districts shall be submitted to theAppropriate Management Committee for consideration and then to theExecutive Committee for approval.

       c)    Any Life Membership shall be conferred at the Annual GeneralMeeting.

d)  Honorary Life Members of the Association shall be entitled to attendbut not vote all Annual and General Meetings of Bowls Durham.

5 – FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

a) Every Club joining the Association shall pay an Entrance Fee and an Annual Subscription to Bowls Durham, the amounts of which to be decided annually by the Executive Committee. Each Club will also pay to Bowls Durham its Annual Subscription to Bowls England.

b) Each Club will be required to purchase annually a Bowls England Year Book at a price to be fixed annually by the Executive Committee.

c) The Annual Subscription shall be paid on a date to be determined annually by the Executive Committee, and any club failing to pay these subscriptions by the date named shall forfeit all the rights and privileges of Membership until the whole of the arrears have been discharged.

6 – ADMINISTRATION

a) Bowls Durham’s affairs and competitions shall be managed in the following manner.

(i) Bowls Durham Executive Committee comprising of:-

The President of Bowls Durham (Men)

The President of Bowls Durham (Women’s)

The General Secretary and Honorary Secretary of Bowls Durham (Men)

The Honorary Secretary of Bowls Durham (Women’s)

The Honorary Treasurer of Bowls Durham (Men)

The Honorary Treasurer of Bowls Durham (Women’s)

One representative from the Bowls Durham Men’s Management Committee

One representative from the Bowls Durham Women’s Management Committee

Who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting together with the immediate Past Presidents surviving (provided they remain members of a club affiliated to Bowls Durham)

The term of office for the immediate Past Presidents shall be for one year only.

The Chairing of the meetings of the Executive Committee will alternate annually by gender.

(ii) Meetings of the Executive Committee to be held quarterly in those months where there are no meetings of the Men’s and women’s Management Committees on dates to be determined annually by the Executive Committee, with provision to call additional meetings as and when required, and subject to review at the end of year one.

(iii) That the role, responsibilities and function of the Executive Committee is as outlined in the attached document.

(iv) Bowls Durham Men’s Management Committee comprising –

(a) The President

(b) The Senior Vice-President

(c) The Junior Vice-President

(d) The Honorary Secretary

(e) The Honorary Assistant Secretary (Competitions)

(f) The Honorary Treasurer

who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, by representatives of men’s clubs or men’s sections of mixed clubs only attending and voting thereat, together with the immediate Past President surviving (provided he remains a member of a club affiliated to Bowls Durham).

The term of office for the immediate past president shall be for one year only.

(v) Meetings of the Management Committee to be held on the third Tuesday of the following months, January, February, March, April, June, July, September and October with provision to call additional meetings as and when required and subject to review at the end of each year.

[Note – the June and October meetings are subject to alteration to a Thursday in the second or third week in the calendar to reflect the allocation of second stage greens for the County Championships and for the presentation of the Annual Financial Statement respectively]

(vi) That the role, responsibilities and function of the Men’s Management Committee is as outlined in the attached document.

(vii) Bowls Durham Women’s Management Committee comprising –

(a) The President

(b) The Senior Vice-President

(c) The Junior Vice-President

(d) The Honorary Secretary

(e) The Honorary Assistant Secretary (Competitions)

(f) The Honorary Treasurer

who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, by representatives of women’s clubs or women’s sections of mixed clubs only attending and voting thereat, together with the immediate Past President surviving (provided she remains a member of a club affiliated to Bowls Durham).

The term of office for the immediate past president shall be for one year only.

(viii) Meetings of the Management Committee to be held on the third Tuesday of the following months, January, February, March, April, June. July, September and October with provision to call additional meetings as and when required and subject to review at the end of each year.

(ix) That the role, responsibilities and functions of the Women’s Management Committee is as outlined in the attached document.

(x) The Executive Committee shall be empowered to establish and appoint sub- committees and working parties for specific purposes from time to time and to determine the terms of reference thereof, including to what extent such sub-committees shall have executive powers.

Unless expressly delegated in writing by the Executive Committee to act on its behalf no sub-committee or working party shall have any powers and ,subject to the foregoing, its function shall be confined to reporting to the Executive Committee or the Men’s and/or Women’s Management Committee(s).

The Chairperson must be a member of the Executive Committee with the remaining members being drawn from a combination of the Men’s and Women’s Management Committees unless the issue under consideration is gender specific when the membership will be drawn from that Committee alone.

The sub-committee or working party will be empowered to co-opt such members or officers whose knowledge will benefit the deliberations of the meeting.

All proceedings of any sub-committee or working party shall be reported to the Executive Committee and the Men’s and /or Women’s Management Committees(s) where appropriate and a record of each meeting maintained for this purpose.

(b) In addition, the County shall be divided into six Districts for Management and competitive purposes as shown in the appendix attached hereto and thereafter as may be determined by the Executive Committee. Each District will be represented upon the appropriate Management Committees by one representative.

c) In each District a Meeting of Representatives of Clubs forming such District shall be convened annually, not later than the first Saturday in November, for the purpose of agreeing upon Nominees to the Management Committees.

7 – OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The following Officers/Officials of Bowls Durham shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and will be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee and where appropriate the Men’s and Women’s Management Committees of the Association.

Child Protection Officer

Diary/Year Book Editor

International Selectors

Publicity Officer

One Trustee of Benevolent Fund

Youth Development Officer

8 - ANNUAL AND OTHER GENERAL MEETINGS

The Annual Meeting of Bowls Durham shall be held in the month of November each year on such date as the Executive Committee may select. Ten days’ notice of it, and of all General Meetings, shall be given and delegates from twelve Clubs shall form a quorum.

Every Club shall be entitled to be represented at the Annual or other General Meeting as follows:-

Men’s Clubs – One representative

Women’s Clubs – One representative

Mixed Clubs – One male and one female representative

The Chairman shall have a second and casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote on all matters discussed.

If the Executive Committee determines that sufficient cause has been shown a Special General Meeting of Bowls Durham must be summoned on the requisition of an affiliated club, supported in writing by two other clubs, to consider the business set forth in the requisition. This must clearly state the nature of the matter and issue, and be signed for and on behalf of the appealing club and by the office bearers of the club.

The notice calling such Special General Meeting shall state the purpose for which it has been summoned, and no other business shall be transacted at that meeting.

9 – DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS/MISCONDUCT/EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP

It shall be competent to the Executive Committee after due investigation of the facts, and, if need be, the examination of witnesses and relevant documentary evidence, to suspend or determine the membership of any club or individual, but such club or individual shall have a right of Appeal to Bowls Durham against an adverse decision.

The Appeal must be lodged with the General Secretary of Bowls Durham within 21 days of the Executive Committee’s decision and so far as a club is concerned is signed by its office bearers. Such Appeal shall state the grounds on which it is made.

For this process the County will adopt the Bowls England Disciplinary Regulations then pertaining as set out in Bowls England Regulation No 9,or any other subsequent Regulation thereof and these shall be used in all cases considered by Bowls Durham.

Clubs desiring to sever their membership must advise Bowls Durham, in writing, not later than the 1 December of each year.

10 – THE HONORARY SECRETARIES AND HONORARY TREASURERS

The Honorary Secretaries shall keep a record of all the business transacted at general and management committee meetings and shall submit to the annual meeting reports of the proceedings of the Association since the previous Annual Meeting.

The Honorary Treasurers shall render to the Annual Meeting accounts of the Income and Expenditure for the past year (and which shall be deemed to end on the last day in the month of September), audited and signed by two competent persons who shall be elected at the Annual Meeting.

The Officers of Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer may be combined.

11– DISPUTES

The Executive Committee shall be empowered to adjudicate upon any dispute referred to it arising between Affiliated Clubs as to the meaning or interpretation of the laws of the game, or any of the Rules, Laws, Bye-Laws, Regulations and Conditions, or any matter of practice, policy or complaint, which it shall hold to be within its jurisdiction. The General Secretary of Bowls Durham, on receipt of an Appeal from a club, or a member thereof, shall send a copy of the complaint to

the Club involved and submit the correspondence of the parties concerned to the Executive Committee for consideration.

In addition to the provisions of this Section Bowls Durham will adopt the Bowls England Disputes Regulations as set out in Regulation 12 thereof ,or any other subsequent regulation then pertaining, and these shall be used in all cases considered by Bowls Durham2

12– INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

Each member of Bowls Durham shall (to the extent that such person is not entitled to recover under any policy of insurance) be entitled to be indemnified out of any and all funds available to Bowls Durham which may lawfully be so applied, against all costs, expenses and liabilities whatsoever incurred by such person in the proper execution and discharge of duties undertaken on behalf of Bowls Durham or arising there from, or incurred in good faith in the purported discharge of such duties.

If the funds shall be insufficient for the purpose, then each club shall be liable to contribute to Bowls Durham, such sum or sums (in addition to subscriptions) as Bowls Durham in a General Meeting shall decide to enable it to meet its liabilities.

13– LIQUIDATION

In the event of Bowls Durham being wound up or dissolved, the funds and assets of Bowls Durham remaining after all its debts and liabilities have been satisfied ,including the costs and expenses of liquidation, shall be distributed by Bowls Durham in General Meeting to a sporting body which is established substantially or primarily for the purpose of promoting any game or sport ,providing that the game or sport is conducted for the recreation and benefit of the general public in Durham and no part of the income or other funds of the body corporate operating such sport is used or available to be used for the pecuniary profit of the proprietor

Member or shareholder.

14 – PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

Bowls Durham is committed to promoting a safe environment in which children and vulnerable adults can enjoy participating in the game of bowls. It acknowledges that it has responsibilities under child protection and disabled persons legislation. It will seek to underpin and fulfil these responsibilities by following and promoting the children and vulnerable adults protection policies and regulations of Bowls England as detailed in its Rules and Regulations.

15 – DISCRIMINATION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION

Bowls Durham acknowledges its responsibilities under the legislation to ensure, inter alia, that no individual is unfairly discriminated against solely on the grounds of age, race, religious belief, disability or level of personal income whilst seeking election to office within the Association, or whilst participating or seeking to participate in any event being held under the auspices or jurisdiction of the Association. In this connection it will adhere to the Rules and Regulations of Bowls England which have been established for the purpose.

16– ALTERATION OF RULES

Alteration of or addition to any or all of the Rules shall be made only at the Annual Meeting and written notice of the terms of such proposed alteration or addition (which shall also be stated in the Notice of Business for such meeting) shall be given to the General Secretary of Bowls Durham, not later than 28 days before the announced date of the Annual General Meeting.

Amendments to “Notices of Motion” appearing on the Agenda of the Annual General meeting shall not be valid.

17 – SELECTION

Men’s County Teams

That Bowls Durham, through the Men’s Management Committee, appoint Team Managers for the Middleton Cup/Muras Trophy, and Alsop Cup teams for a three year period, subject to recall by the Management Committee, if necessary.

The Team Managers will be responsible for the selection of the teams, based on nominations submitted, in conjunction with the Selection Committee in (3) below.

That a Selection Committee of four members be appointed from the Management Committee. These Selectors, Team managers and the two County Officers (Secretary and Assistant Secretary who provide administrative support to the teams) will meet at the start of the season to consider nominations and allocate them to the appropriate sides.

The Selectors be divided into two panels of two and along with the appropriate Secretary support the Team Managers throughout the season, this being on a yearly rotational basis so that Selectors have the opportunity to view all sides. Where a team does not have a Fixture Selectors would attend other games.

Wherever possible Selectors should be non playing. However, this should not be a prescriptive requirement and be dependent on who is appointed.

Should interchangeability between teams be required, the Team Managers would discuss this with the appropriate Selectors and Team Managers.

Women’s County Teams

That Bowls Durham through the Women’s Management Committee shall elect a Selection Committee consisting of the Women’s President and the Women’s Secretary, plus one Member from each of the six County Districts.

18– MEN’S HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

1. Members of affiliated men’s clubs wishing to give additional financial support to the Association may become Honorary Vice Presidents of the Association.

2. Honorary Vice Presidents shall:-

a) Pay a subscription to be determined annually by the Association, which shall be due and payable to the Honorary Vice Presidents Association on the first day of February each year.

b) Have his name entered in the Year Book and be entitled to purchase a H.V.P’s. badge and/or blazer badge and tie.

c) Be entitled to attend Annual or Special Meetings of the County Association but shall not be entitled to vote by virtue of being an Honorary Vice President.

3. It shall be competent for Honorary Vice Presidents to form themselves into a Vice-Presidents’ Association with power to:-

a) Appoint a Chairman

b) Appoint any other Officers or Committees they consider desirable

c) Carry on any activity they think fit which is not inconsistent with the Rules of the Association.

BOWLS DURHAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rules and Regulations relation to each of the Championships for all rounds

Men’s Championships

Rules and Regulations relating to each of the Championships for all Rounds

(1) – SINGLES

1 Each game shall consist of 21 shots, four bowls each player.

2 The Champion will hold the "Lord Joicey" Challenge Cup for one year and the Association will give a prize.

3 The runner-up will also receive a prize.

(2) – PAIRS

1 Each game shall consist of 21 ends, four bowls each player, the leads to play their four bowls before the skips. In the event of a tie an extra end or ends must be played, the shots of which are to count in the final score until a decision is reached.

2 Each Pair shall consist of two men, who must be playing members of the same Club.

3 The two players taking part in the first game shall constitute the Pair and should normally play together throughout the competition. One additional – and the same – player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time provided he has not already played in the competition.

4 The winning Pair will hold the "J Wallace Taylor" Challenge Cup for one year, and the Association will give a prize to each of the Champions.

5 The Association will give a prize to each of the Runners-up.

(3) – TRIPLES

1 Each game shall consist of 18 ends, three bowls each player. In the event of a tie an extra end or ends must be played, the shots of which are to count in the final score until a decision is reached.

2 Each triple shall consist of three men, who must be playing members of the same Club.

3 The three players taking part in the first game shall constitute the Triples and should normally play together throughout the competition. One additional – and the same – player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time provided he has not already played in the competition.

4 The winning Triple will hold the "Edgar W. Woodward" Memorial Trophy for one year, and each member of the Triple will receive a prize.

5 The Association will also give a prize to each member of the Runners-up Team.

(4) – FOURS

1 Each game shall consist of 21 ends, two bowls each player. In the event of a tie an extra end or ends must be played, the shots of which are to count in the final score until a decision is reached.

2 Each four shall consist of four men who must be playing members of the same Club.

3 The four players taking part in the first game shall constitute the Four and should normally play together throughout the competition. One additional - and the same - player may, however, be used as a substitute at any time provided he has not already played in the competition.

4 The winning Four will hold the "Earl of Durham" Challenge Cup for one year, and the Association will give a prize to each member of the winning four.

5 The Association will also give a prize to each member of the Runners-up Four.

Note–For National Championships

In the event of the number of entries in the Championship Competitions of a County Association being equal to or exceeding 100 in the Singles, 75 in the Pairs (150 players), 60 in the Triples (180 players) and 50 in the "Fours" Championship (200 players), the Champions and Runners-up in each Competition shall be allowed to proceed to the corresponding National Championship Competition.

(5) – JUNIOR SINGLES

1 Each game shall consist of 21 shots, four bowls each player.

2 A Competitor must be under 25 years of age on 1st April of each year in which he competes.

3 The Champion will hold the "Tom Young" Challenge Cup for one year and the Association will give a prize.

4 The runner-up will also receive a prize.

(6) – TWO BOWL

1 Each game shall consist of 21 shots, two bowls each player.

2 The Champion will hold the "Alwyn J. Alsop" Challenge Cup for one year and the Association will give a prize.

3 The Runner-up will also receive a prize.

(7) – CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

1 Each game shall consist of 21 shots, four bowls each player.

2 The Champion will hold the “George Turley” Memorial Trophy for one year and the Association will give a prize.

3 The runner – up will also receive a prize.

RULES OF THE COMPETITIONS

1 – ENTRIES

Entries to the various competitions must be made through Club Secretaries, and be forwarded, together with all Entrance Fees, to the Men’s County Treasurer by the date shown on the Entry Form. The entrance fee for competitions will be that determined by Bowls Durham from time to time.

2 – ELIGIBILITY AND USE OF SUBSTITUTES IN COUNTY COMPETITIONS

The Competitors shall be confined to bona fide members who’s Clubs have paid their subscriptions for the current year. No restriction shall be placed upon any member playing in more than one Competition, but no player shall enter any of the Competitions from more than one Club in any one season. All players in any Four or Triple and both players in any pair shall be members of the same Club.

Players entering the Durham County Championships Competition must be members of the Club, from which such entry is submitted, by 30th September, of the year preceding that in which the Championships are held. Substitutes used in the County Championships Competition must have been bona fide members of the club from which the entries have been made since at least 1st May in the year in which the Championships are held. Players whose membership of the club commenced subsequent to 1st May are therefore not eligible as substitutes in the Championships held that year.

Substitutes: In pairs, triples and fours competition any team conceding the first tie will be considered to have “played” in the Competition and therefore no member of that team may be used as a substitute for another team in that competition, their concession having influenced the competition in that their opponents have progressed to the next round.

3 – CONDITIONS

a) The Competitions shall be played under the Rules of Bowls England, and shall be under the management of the Men’s County Management Committee.

b) All Ties shall be played only upon greens as defined in the Laws of the Sport.

c) All Semi-finals and Finals to be played in whites. Club coloured shirts may be worn provided all members of the side wear the same colour and provided that the design and colour of the shirts has been registered by the Club with, approved by the County Association. All shirts regardless of colour must not be collarless. Anyone not conforming to these conditions will be disqualified from the competition.

4 – STAGES OF THE COMPETITION

The Competitions shall be played in stages as follows:-

First Stage–For this stage the County shall be divided into Districts as from time to time determined by the Management Committee.

In all Districts, entrants shall be drawn together, and with the exception of the Finals–which must be played on neutral greens, shall play off in rounds upon the green of the Single, Pair, Triple and Four first drawn.

In all Districts, for the First Stage, the Competitions shall be under the control of the District Secretaries, who shall make the draw on a round by round basis, select or agree the neutral greens for the respective Finals, and, be solely responsible for the completion of the stage by the dates shown on the Draw Sheets.

Second Stage–For this stage the total of 16 qualifiers from the Districts, with the proviso that every District is guaranteed at least one entry into the Second Stage of the Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours Competitions, will be drawn together and the rounds shall be played on neutral greens with the exception of the Semi-finals and Finals. The Semi-finals to be played on two pre-selected greens and on a date fixed by the Competition Secretary in consultation with the Men’s Management Committee. County Officials, Markers and Umpires to be in attendance. The County Finals will be played on the green of the Men’s President of Bowls Durham’s choice.

Note: Where greens do not comply with the Rules of Bowls England, or are not in reasonable playing condition, the Men’s Management Committee shall appoint a neutral green on which the game shall be played. The Men’s Management Committee may delegate its powers for competitive purposes to the County or District Secretaries.

5 – ANNOUNCEMENT OF DRAWS

Stage 1–The draws for the Junior Singles, Two Bowl, Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours Competitions will be communicated to the Club Secretaries, by the District Secretaries.

Stage 2–The draws of the Second Stage of above-named Competitions, with dates for playing will be made and published by Bowls Durham,

6 – PERIODS OF ROUNDS

The closing dates of the various Rounds will be shown, for the 1st Stage on the District Draw Sheets, and for the 2nd Stage in the Official County publication. The dates shown must be strictly adhered to.

7 – DUTIES OF CHALLENGER AND OPPONENT

a) The first drawn of each Junior Single, Two Bowl, Single, Champion of Champions Pair, Triple and Four shall be termed the "Challenger", and the second the "Opponent".

b) The Challenger shall offer his Opponent at least two dates, neither of which shall be the last day of the period of the round, nor be on the same day as either an international and/or county match fixture, if the Opponent is involved in the county or international fixture, either as a player, reserve or acting as an official. A Sunday shall not be one of the two dates offered, but games may be played on a Sunday by mutual agreement. Games will not commence before 6 p.m. and not later than 7 p.m. except by mutual agreement.

c) The Opponent shall, within 48 hours of the receipt of the challenge, reply accepting one of the dates offered and shall be responsible in the second stage of the Competition, for booking a rink on the neutral green, allocated by the Men’s Management Committee.

d) It shall be the duty of the “Opponent” in ALL Singles matches up to and including the quarter finals to ensure a competent “Marker” is available.

e) A Challenger or an Opponent failing to comply with (b) or (c) above shall be scratched upon the successful application of the opposite party, and failing such application before the last day of the period of the round, both parties shall be scratched.

f) No alteration of an accepted date shall be made unless mutually agreed on. Failing such agreement the party desiring such alteration must give the other party a "walk-over".

g) If a party arrives more than half an hour after the time fixed for the tie, the other party may claim a "walk-over". (Challenges and acceptances should be made in writing to furnish evidence in the event of a dispute).

8 – NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

The results of ties must be communicated to the District Secretary for the first stage and the Men’s County Competitions Secretary for the second stage, immediately after the match. The onus of making such return shall lie with the winner, and the result should be sent on the same day as the game is played.

9 – QUESTIONS AND DISPUTES

a) The Men’s Management Committee shall determine all questions and disputes that may arise and which do not come within the scope of Markers and/or Umpires duties. The decision of the Committee shall be final and binding.

b) No appeals against the condition of the playing surface or "banks" and ditches of any green will be considered if the game has been started.

All Bowls used in Competition or County Matches must be stamped in accordance with Bowls England Rules and Regulations, and should be produced for inspection by Umpires or by players in opposing teams, if desired.

10 – DEFAULT

Any Competitor in default of the Rules of the Competitions will be excluded from taking part in the County Championships for that year. Any defaulter so eliminated from the Competition shall be banned from the County Championships in the following season, at the discretion of the Men’s Management Committee.

Under no circumstances can player(s) beaten by in-eligible player(s) be re-introduced into the Competition.

Competitors are especially requested to play off their ties, and to make returns, as early as possible in order that there may be no delay in publishing the next round.

11 - COUNTY COLOURS AND RECOGNITION

Colours–White shoes, white trousers, dark blue blazer or travelling jacket/shirt, or at the discretion of the Men’s Management Committee in circumstances as may be determined from time to time by that Committee.

Recognition–Full County blazer badges will be awarded on a points system. Qualifying number of points, nine.

'A' Team game, 3 points.

'A' Team Reserve in attendance 1.5 points.

'B' Team game 1.5 points

'B' Team Reserve in attendance 1 point.

County Badges will be awarded for playing four U25 Team games.

Any player or players winning a County Championship will be awarded a County Playing Shirt for use in the National and Northern Counties Championships and points equivalent to one "A".

Any player or players being a losing Finalist in a County Championship will be awarded a County Playing Shirt and points equivalent to one 'B'.

For the purpose of the above Rule an 'A' game shall be a Middleton or Muras Cup game. A 'B' game shall be an Alsop Trophy game.

It shall be the prerogative of the Executive Committee on the recommendation of the Management Committee to award full County Blazer Badges or County ties in special circumstances.

Members of a County Touring Party and/or playing for County Presidential Team are allowed to purchase a County Tie.

a. – SMOKING. This is not permitted on the green or its environs at any time.

12. BOWLS.

All bowls used in the Competitions must comply with the Bowls England Domestic Regulation 2 Law 8.2.3 in the Laws of the Sport, Crystal Mark Edition.

Women’s Championships

1. All bowls used in the Competitions must comply with the Bowls England Domestic Regulation 2 Law 8.2.3 in the Laws of the Sport, Crystal Mark Edition.

2. Entries to the various competitions must be made though Club Secretaries and be forwarded, together with all entrance fees to the Men’s County Treasurer by the date shown on the Entry Form. The entrance fee for competitions will be that determined by Bowls Durham from time to time.

3. The ties shall be played on the green of the player (Challenger) whose name appears first in the Draw. Semi-Final and Final ties shall be played on neutral greens, all competitors paying their own expenses, green fees, etc.

4. Any singles player or team wishing to play later than 2.30 pm, loses the right to a home tie.

5. The Competitions shall be played on a knock-out basis on consecutive Mondays or Wednesdays up to and including the Quarter-Finals. The limit of time for various rounds must be strictly observed.

6. Markers of Singles Ties must not give instructions, or consult with either player.

7. SINGLES COMPETITION.

The game shall consist of 21 points; four bowls each player, and is open to all

Members of any affiliated Club in the Association.

8. PAIRS COMPETITION.

The game consists of 21 ends, four bowls each player, the leaders to play four bowls before the Skips. In case of a tie an extra end must be played, the points of this end to count in the final score. Open to all members of affiliated Clubs.

9. TRIPLES COMPETITION.

The game shall consist of 18 ends, three bowls each player. The minimum number of entries shall be three triples (nine players), the surviving triple in each 3 to enter the final rounds.

10. RINK.

The game shall consist of 21 ends. In the event of a tie an extra end must be played, the points from this end to count in the final score. Any number of Club rinks may be entered, but players who have played in one rink cannot compete in any other rink.

11. TWO WOOD COMPETITION.

The game shall consist of 21 ends; two bowls each player, and is open to all members of any affiliated Club in the Association.

12. If any player in Pairs, Triples and Fours is unable to proceed to any Round of the Championship, one additional and the same player may be used as a substitute, at any time, provided she has not already played in the competition. She may play in any position.

13. In the event of any player failing to appear within 30 minutes of the appointed time for any one round of the Competition, then the match shall be given to the opposing side. But should both sides default, then the match shall be scratched altogether.

14. The Semi-Finals and Finals of all Competitions are to be played on neutral greens. Times and greens to be arranged by the Selection Committee.

15. The winner and runner-up in all Competitions shall proceed to the Preliminary Round of the corresponding National Championships.

16. COUNTY TEAMS. A team of 24 players plus reserves shall be chosen by the Selection Committee to form a County Team, to compete in the various Competitions including the John’s Trophy and Northern Counties Competition.

A team of 24 players plus reserves shall be chosen by the Selection

Committee, which shall be called the “B” Team, and shall compete against the “B” Teams of the Northern Counties.

Each Club may forward to the Honorary Secretary not more than eight names from which teams will be selected. The closing date for the submission of nominations will be that determined by the Women’s Management Committee from time to time.

17. REGULATION DRESS.

As per current Bowls England Rules .

Hats: Optional. Plain white Baseball caps are allowed.

Shoes: Regulation shoes.

SMOKING: This is not permitted on the green at all times.

Bowls Durham Executive Committee

Functions and Responsibilities

1. Constitution and Rules (Unified as far as practicable)

2. Grievance and Discipline

3. Diary/Year Book

4. Open Competitions

5. Liaison with Bowls England

6. Liaison with other Counties for Touring Sides

7. Set Affiliation fees

8. Pay Bowls England Affiliation Fees

9. Set Budgets for Gender Management Committees including Competition Entry Fees

10. Annual Presentation Event

11. Annual General Meetings/Special General Meetings