Veterans League
The Veterans League has received a formal request to call a Special General Meeting of all clubs to vote on a proposed rule change as regards the League's 50% Rule.
Six clubs have put their signatures to the proposal which calls for a meeting of all clubs within 21 days of receipt of the written request to discuss and vote on a rule change to be implemented in the current season. Those 6 clubs being Honley Con, Lowerhouses, Almondbury Lib, Almondbury BC, Kirkheaton Con and Milnsbridge BC. The rule in question covers the controversial 50% rule on appearances that bowlers can make in a season.
The rule in question being Match Play Rule 2c) which says:
2c) No Division 1 or 2 player in the 10-man league can play in a club’s lower 10-man or 6-man teams if he has played over 50% of the total number of league matches in the current season. This applies to both league and knock-out competition matches. Any infringement will result in that player losing 21-0.
This in essence means that as soon as any player in Divisions 1 or 2 in the 10-Man League plays 12 league matches (in Division 1) or 13 league matches (in Division 2) then they have to cease bowling for their club's 'B' team or 6-Man League team.
A lot of teams are dependent on such bowlers for fielding full teams and many of them have been regular members of the 6-man team especially. So as soon as they pass that 12 or 13 milestone number of appearances then they become ineligible to continue playing for their respective lower league teams.
At a time of a record number of teams dropping out of leagues because of team-raising problems this rule is not regarded as supporting the main objective of getting bowlers bowling. It prohibits further involvement and is undermining many other more constructive steps being taken to improve the image and participation in our sport.
The proposal from the 6 clubs is that this rule is deleted altogether.
The 6 clubs have also submitted a back-up proposal only to be raised at the meeting in the event of the prime proposal being rejected by clubs. This is a compromise solution which allows teams to field no more than two bowlers who have passed the 50% rule dropout point. This is explained in more detail in the formal letter to the League as shown below.
In line with the League Rules the League has 21 days from the date of receipt of the letter outlining the proposed change which means they have until 1 July to hold that single item agenda Special General Meeting. Notice of such a meeting has to be served to all member clubs by 17 June under the rules of the League.
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Copy of the two proposals are shown below.
The prime proposal is for a Rule Deletion with a backup proposal for a Rule Amendment. Both are shown below
Beneath the signatories the letter then says:
We reserve the right to withdraw this proposed Rule Amendment should the Rule Deletion be already passed by the clubs. This Rule Amendment will only be put forward if the Rule Deletion is rejected by the clubs.
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