Conditions Of Play | Bowls Gold Coast-Tweed

GENERAL RULES & CONDITIONS FOR PLAY

1. AUTHORITY AND CONTROL

All BGCT Championships and Controlled Fixtures shall be in the charge of and
under the control of the BGCT Games Committee – GCTDBA By-Law 3 (b).
The BGCT Games Committee has the power to enquire into and adjudicate decisions, in the event of a dispute or problems, to make, alter or add to the conditions it deems necessary, under all circumstances and its decisions shall be final. Laws of the Sport of Bowls, Domestic Regulations and GCTDBA By-Laws apply to BGCT events.
Breach during Play, Should a breach occur during play, including knock out rounds, rendering the offending Team or Player liable to disqualification, and at the time of the breach the BGCT Committee was unaware of the irregularity, the Games Committee, when so notified, may replace in the NEXT succeeding Round, the Team or Player last defeated by the offending team or player.
Challenge to Bowls – Laws of the Sport of Bowls 8.3, 8.4 and DR 2.3 to apply.
Club Games Controllers are requested to have appropriate forms available at all times. Should a challenge to bowls take place, the BGCT Controlling Body shall be notified immediately.

2. BGCT controlled fixtures are open to full subscribing financial male Members of a BGCT Club , including financial

Junior male Members of an Affiliated BGCT Club. Subject to Eligibility Condition 7.

3. Entries

All entries, accompanied with the prescribed Entry Fee must be forwarded through the Club Secretaries,
and reach Bowls Gold Coast-Tweed Office no later than the closing day. Entries in Team events must
show the names of all intending Members and their Declared Clubs.

Fees
Entry/Nomination – Singles $12 per player which includes 1st game Green Fees of $5.
Thereafter Green Fees $5 per player/round payable at the venue Club.
Entry/Nomination – Other Events – $7 per player/team member each event.
Green Fees $5 per player/team member each event. All Green fees are payable at the venue Club each Round, up to and including Quarter Final. There are no fees payable for Semi-Final and Finals, BGCT responsibility.

No Green fees payable for Champion of Champion Events -BGCT responsibility and included in Entry/Nomination fee paid by Club. Starting Times – ALL TIMES ARE E.S.T.

4. Programme Rescheduling

If in the opinion of the BGCT Games Committee the occasion demands an alteration to the scheduled programme because of unforeseen circumstances including delayed or likely to be delayed, interrupted or unfinished matches, the BGCT Games Committee has the right to “Call Play” on mid-week days.

5. Substitute / Replacement Players

Eligible substitutes are permitted though out the Competition.
Eligible replacement players will only be allowed for valid reasons.

Note: The Controlling Body and Umpire must be advised in every circumstance.

6. Availability for Play

Competitors shall be required to play when called upon refer clause (10 ). A player, team or side not available for play within 30 minutes of the appointed time for commencement of any game will automatically forfeit the game – Law 46 to apply.

7. Failure to keep appointment

If in the opinion of the BGCT Games Committee, a Team, a Member of a team or a Singles player fails to fulfill any engagement without justifiable cause or fails to give proper notice of his intentions to do so, it or he, with the approval of the BGCT Executive, may have his nomination for any BGCT Championship or fixture, declined for a period of up to 1 year.
Failure by any Team or Singles Player to notify their intentions to withdraw or forfeit within a reasonable time (minimum 24 hours notice), may render the offender(s) liable for the costs of the mat fees. It is the responsibility of the Player(s) to notify their Opponent, the Venue Club (where drawn to play) and BGCT of their intention to withdraw or forfeit.
The Venue Club concerned shall supply the names and necessary details to BGCT to allow the case to be put to the BGCT Executive for a decision re the mat fees.
Teams – Players receiving a forfeit and credited with a win in these circumstances shall not be liable for mat fees for that round.

8. BA Policies Concurrent Events

9. Eligibility and Declaration

Declaration by a Player for a full year in DBA Controlled Fixtures.
For the purpose of all competitions under the control of Bowls Gold Coast-Tweed, a “Declared” player or a player eligible to represent an affiliated club in association controlled events, shall be a financial member of that affiliated club, with this association prior to the event. The player shall not have played Pennant for any other club within this association during the current calendar year, and the Clubs Form two (2) listing the player, must be in the possession of the office of the Association prior to play in any representative event. (DBA By Law 14.3)
No Member of a Club who has played in a Competition arranged by any State Bowls Association or District Bowls Association outside of Bowls Gold Coast-Tweed or any country outside Australia, shall in the same year play in any Association competition without firstly obtaining written permission from BGCT Games Committee. If he plays without permission he and his team of which he is a member may be disqualified from such competition. Law 46 .1.1

10. State Champion of Club Champions

It is a condition of entry for this Event that players are familiar with and accept the Conditions of Play.

Eligibility for Champion of Club Championships playoffs

The competition will commence at Club level.
Members of Clubs affiliated with the District within its Group shall be eligible to play. Note: This means that all members of a team must belong to the same Club.
The competitions are restricted to the players who won the current year’s Champion of Club Champion’s Events.
If a Club fails to complete its current year’s Champion of Club Champion’s Event in any particular category by the date set down for the commencement of its Champion of Club Champion’s Group play-offs, then that Club is ineligible to compete in that particular category in that year’s Champion of Club Champion’s Event.
No Member can represent more than one Club in any one year. In the event of a Member so playing, they and Club for which they play will be disqualified. Prior to commencement of the Event at Club level, dual members are to declare to their District for the Club they re representing. Players under suspension or expulsion are ineligible to play.

11. Transfers

Where a Member transfers to another Club/District they are only eligible to represent that Club/District if they have not participated in competition leading to Champion of Club Champion’s qualifications in their previous Club.
If a Member has won a championship in the current season in a Club and decides to transfer to another Club in the same District, then, provided they retain membership of the first Club, they are eligible to play in the Champion of Club Champion/s Event/s if applicable. However, if they resign from their Championship Club, then they forfeit their right to participate.
If a Member has won a Championship in the current season in a District and decides to transfer to another District, then, provided they retain membership of the first District, they are eligible to play in the Champion of Club Champion Event/s if applicable. However, if they resign from their Championship District, then they forfeit their right to participate.

12. Trial Ends

Trial ends shall be under the control of the venue Club’s Games Controller. One (1) trial end each way shall be allowed prior to the scheduled starting time of each day’s play or on the resumption of a match on another day or at another venue, using as many bowls as will be used in the match.
Practice shall cease one (1) hour prior to the scheduled starting time on the day of play.

13. Duration of Play

Club Champion Events

Singles matches shall be twenty five (25) shots up
Four bowl Pairs and Fours shall play twenty-one (21) ends

14. Determining Champion of Club Champion Sectional/Final Winners

The player/team scoring the highest number of match points shall be declared the winner.
In the event of two (2) or more players/teams scoring an equal number of match points, the players/teams with the highest difference between ‘total shots for’ and ‘total shots against’ margin shall be declared the winner.
If there is still equality, the ‘total shots against’ each player/team shall be divided into the ‘total shots for’ each player/team. The player/team with the highest result shall be declared the winner.
In Finals (a) and (b) apply but if the time limit or number of ends there is still equality an extra end will be played.

15. Player Movements During Play – Appendix A4.1,2,3

Note: Players will only be allowed to walk up to the head as follows:

The leads: after the second player in their team has delivered their second bowl. The seconds: after delivery of their second bowl. The thirds: after delivery of their second bowl. The skips: after delivery of each of their bowls.
Delaying Play: No player, excluding skips, is permitted to remain at the head whilst their opposite number is delivering their bowl. Any skip that remains at the head shall stand behind the last bowl of the head or retire to the bank. Skips who remain at the head will return to the mat immediately their opponent’s bowl has come to rest. Penalties will apply for deliberately delaying play as per BA Policies.

16. Position of Players when not Playing and Instantaneous Penalties

Players at the mat end not delivering a bowl should stand a minimum of one (1) metre behind the mat.
Players at the head end not controlling the head should stand behind the head, or on the surrounds of the green if the jack is in the ditch, or well clear of the head if it is not possible to stand on the surrounds.
At the start of each end only the Skip or Deputy will be at the head.

17. Disqualification

Should there be a Challenge to Bowls under DR2 during Sectional, Post Sectional play a player may play
with another set of Legal bowls until the result of the test is known.

Where the result of the test is not available in a practicable time frame, under DR 2.5.1.3 the tournament/event conditions of play will prevail.
If there is a Challenge to Bowls in the final the result of that Final shall not be declared until the outcome of the Bowls challenge is known.
If a side or player is disqualified for any reason, the team or player LAST DEFEATED by the disqualified side or player shall take their place.

18. Coaching during Match – Law 57

Players who intend to receive coaching during a match must inform the respective Match Committee and Umpire
of the Coach’s name prior to the match commencing and the Coach cannot be changed for each match.

19. Electronic Communication Devices

ALL electronic communication devices located within six (6) metres of the green whilst a match is in progress SHALL BE SWITCHED OFF. These include mobile phones, pagers, transistor radios etc. Special dispensation shall be given to ‘on call’ emergency personnel by the Controlling Body after consultation.

20. Lights

Games may be played or completed under lights if required.

21. Team Structure

Intended Teams, as submitted to the BGCT on the Nomination Form at the closing date, are subject to change and therefore, allowed to be changed in personnel, prior to the Team’s opening round. However the scorecard shall be correctly filled in with Player names. The change in personnel shall show both names on the card and be signed authorising the card by the Games Controller of the day.

22. Best Available Greens

Clubs shall make their best greens available after inspection by Bowls Gold Coast-Tweed Games Committee for BGCT Championships and fixtures. A rink of space is required between the outside rinks of the BGCT games and any Club Championship games being played where competitors shall be dressed in correct bowls attire. BGCT Games Committee approval is required. A full green during Semi-Final and Finals is required. One (l) full rink of space is required between semi finalists games.
There shall be no practice (commonly termed Roll Ups) by any Player, whether dressed in correct Bowls attire or not allowed on a green in use for BGCT events. Practice as defined in Law 13 is not included in this category.

23. Club Games Director/Controller

The Club’s Games Controller conducting the BGCT event shall supply the cards (issued by BGCT), with Skips names only. At the completion of each Round, the card shall be checked to see that they are completed correctly, with all the Players’ names and initials on both sides provided for the Teams or Singles Players’ names. At the completion of the day’s play, the cards and Draw Sheet shall be returned to the BGCT Games Controller. The results of each day’s play shall be faxed to BGCT .(Fax 55204573)
The Host Club shall appoint a non playing National Umpire for BGCT events up to quarter finals. For Semi Finals and Final, host Club to contact the BGCT Umpires Chairman re umpire appointment.
Players may use Club’s coloured rings (discs) on bowls in all BGCT Championship events provided all rings are the same and correctly attached. As per Law 8.1.8
BGCT may provide discs for Semi Finals and Finals.
Play in other ends – Refer Law 18.4

24. Inclement Weather

In the event of the Club’s responsible Officer deciding a green is unfit for play, he shall immediately notify the BGCT Games Committee of his decision. The Competitors so affected shall not leave the Club until approval has been given by the Controlling Body. In the event of a transfer of the match or matches to another venue, the Competitors concerned shall, without delay, proceed there to fulfill their engagement.

On doubtful days at each Club where a BGCT fixture is to be played, the Club’s responsible Official shall be in attendance at the green at 7.30 a.m. for the morning matches when a decision on the fitness of the green will be made and recorded for the morning match.

A decision for the afternoon match shall not be made prior to 11.00 a.m. If at 11.00 a.m. it would appear play may be possible for the afternoon matches, the decision shall be delayed till 12.00 Noon.

25. Markers in Singles Matches – Law 55

When there is more than one match played on the same day, the loser shall be the marker in the following match. If there is a surplus of losers, then the required number of markers shall be drawn for before the match commences and the losers advised who is or is not required. Should any of these Players decline to act as the marker when called upon, he may be liable to disqualification from playing in all BGCT Championships for the following year.
The Clubs hosting the BGCT Singles are responsible for providing the markers for the first round of play on each day.

26. Refreshments

Clubs are required to make available (at the Players’ cost), tea and sandwiches at the Luncheon Break. No afternoon Tea is required.

27. Attire

Attire will be as per Bowls Queensland By Law 19.
All attire must have BA logo as outlined in the BA National logo policy.
Each player and the manager in a side must be similarly attired (approved Club uniform)

28. Duration of Matches

DBA Open Championships
Singles – 25 shots up knockout all rounds.
2 Bowl Triples – 25 ends
Champion of Club Champions
Singles – 25 shots up knockout
Pairs – 21 ends knockout (2 x 2)
Fours – 21 ends knockout

29. Miscellaneous

For all enquiries please contact Bowls Gold Coast-Tweed Office on 55201273 or Mobile 0418713377.