1.4 The home Captain seeds his players and the table numbers. The visiting Captain then seeds his team, before he sees the home side’s order of play. The players then play in seeded order.

1.5 Scorecards, signed by both captains, must be used to record the results. The full scores as reflected on the scoreboard at the end of the frame must be reflected on the scorecard. It is the responsibility of both captains to advise the full results to the League Co-ordinator by 10-00am the morning following the match. Both Captains must forward the scorecards to NABSA prior to the next fixture date. If the full results are not received within three weeks of the match, then the match shall be declared a “no contest” and no team or individual points are allocated.

1.6 The home team is responsible for marking all the frames of the match. The marker must be a registered league player correctly dressed.

1.7 Players 1 & 2, who are late for commencement of the Match (which is 7.00pm sharp) are penalised as follows: -

0 to 9 minutes late No Penalty

10 to 19 minutes late Loss of one Frame

20 to 29 minutes late Loss of two Frames

30 minutes or more late Loss of all Frames

The starting time for players 3 & 4 will be immediately after the three frames by players 1 & 2 respectively have been completed and the table has been set up to begin the next frame. No grace period will be allowed, they will be penalised three frames if they are late for the commencement of the first frame.

1.8 Teams may contest a match fielding only two or three players; in this case they will concede three frames for each absent player. A team may not contest a match with only one player, in this case the whole match is forfeited and 12 points are awarded to the opponents.

1.9 A team not showing up for a match will forfeit 12 points to their opponents.

1.10 Matches may be rearranged with the agreement of both captains and the League Co-ordinator, but must be played before the next league fixture failing which the 12 points will be awarded to the team which did not request the postponement. (When requesting a postponement please be aware of the danger that you may forfeit the 12 points. If the opposing team subsequently does not agree to, or cancels the next set date and the match is not played by the next league fixture! Please captains, be reasonable.

1.11 The winning team shall be decided firstly on the total number of frames. Should there be a tie, it will be decided on the team, which won the most matches. If there is still a tie, it will then be decided on the team, which drew the most matches. If there is still a tie, the total results of the two matches played between the two teams will be the decider. If there is still a tie, the two teams will have a “team knockout” match, run exactly the same as for the standard team knockout event, at a neutral venue decided by the NABSA Executive Committee. This basis will apply for any ranking discrepancies.

2. Competition Matches

2.1 In team knockout competitions, each captain will seed his team as he feels fit.

2.2 In team knockout competitions, if a match ends in a 6 - 6 tie, a deciding frame is played between nominated players.

2.3 Rule 1.9 will apply in the case of players who are late for the commencement of their frames in any knockout matches.

2.4 The Executive Committee may allow players who are not registered with the Association to participate in certain Tournaments.

3. Venues and Equipment

3.1 Matches are played on full size tables in good condition with the necessary extra equipment such as rests, spiders etc., available. All equipment, including balls, must be of standard size and weight as per WPBSA International rules.

3.2 A suitable venue must have at least two full size snooker tables. It is the home side’s responsibility to ensure the tables are clean and brushed prior to the commencement of the match.

3.3 All equipment, including the balls, shall be of standard size and weight as per International rules.

3.4 All Clubs must have a copy of the latest WPBSA Rules governing snooker.

4. Players

4.1 Players must have paid their registration fees before they may play a match or within 24 hours of playing in a match. If a player takes part in a match and it is found subsequently that he is not registered, or did not register within 24 hours of the match, any points earned by the full team will be forfeited and the club will face disciplinary action. The opposing team does NOT receive the points. Please ensure you register all players to avoid unpleasantness.

4.2 Players may not be registered to play in any league after the last league fixture for that league has been completed.

4.3 A player may not compete in a lower league than the league that he is registered in.

4.4 A player may only compete twice in one season in leagues higher than his registered league. If however he should compete a third time in any higher league he must then stay in the higher league for the rest of the season. The adjustment in registration fees must be paid.

4.5 A player may not play for two teams that are in the same league. If a club has two teams in the same league then players must register for one of the teams and replacements for both teams must be drawn from lower league teams. This rule applies to all league matches and team knockout competition matches in one season.

4.6 A player may only represent his club in one league in the Team Knock-out Competition

4.7 A player may not compete for two clubs in one season without the approval of both clubs and the NABSA Executive Committee. A player may not change clubs after the first round is completed.

4.8 In the event of a walkover, the individual players granted the walkover will be credited with the frames as well as the team. In this instance the scorecard must be marked as W/O. and the member’s average score to date will be added to the card by NABSA.

4.9 Player ranking points are allocated as follows:

Playing Position number 1 8

Playing Position number 2 7

Playing Position number 3 6

Playing Position number 4 5

4.10 Frames earned will only be credited to the specific player in the league in which they were won. (i.e. a “C” league player earning frames in “B” league will have the points shown against his name in “B” league rankings. These are not, added to his “C” league rankings.)

5. League Administration

5.1 The league compositions, is decided by the executive committee, before the start of each season using the following guidelines: -

i) The league should, if possible, each contain a constant number of teams commensurate with the length of season required (currently 12).

ii) A club may not have more than two teams in any league at the same time.

iii) Using the league positions at the end of the previous season, the top two teams are promoted to the next higher league and the bottom two teams relegated to the next lowest league. Where a promotion would result in more than two teams in a league for any club, then that specific team will be ignored and the following team is promoted. Where relegation, would result in more than two teams in a league for any club, then the team is still relegated to the next lowest league, which will not result in the club having more than two teams in any league. The remaining top team of that league and each of the leagues affected shall be promoted to the next highest league to fill the higher leagues.

iv) If a league is below its required number (twelve) this should be rectified by firstly not relegating from the league in question (in league order) and secondly by offering promotion to the teams that finished 3rd, 4th etc., in the league below.

v) Teams that have earned automatic promotion (positions 1 and 2 in their league) must accept promotion and cannot remain in their original league. The only exception is where a club already has two teams in leagues that play on the same night and cannot accommodate another team on their tables.

5.2 A team may transfer its league status from one club to another with the agreement of both clubs and the Executive Committee. This may only be done before the season starts and not during the course of a season.

5.3 New teams joining the Association should join in the lowest league, however the Executive Committee may waive this requirement depending on the quality of the team etc.

5.4 If a team withdraws from a league during the first half of the season then all of their match results are cancelled. If the team has completed the first half of the season and withdraws during the second half, their first half results stand and only the results from the second half are cancelled.

5.5 The League Co-ordinator may amend these Rules & Regulations in any specific instance. Should this be necessary, then the League Co-ordinator must notify the Executive Committee immediately, in writing, for their ratification at the following committee meeting. Full particulars with reasons for change must be submitted.

5.6 The Captain is responsible for all team members and their actions. In the absence of an official Captain, the number one player shall automatically be responsible unless otherwise agreed.

6. Dress and Behaviour

6.1. The following standard dress codes apply for all league matches unless specifically stated otherwise in Rules approved by NABSA. This includes the referees. Some competitions and tournaments may be different. Please ensure you check the rules of every competition or tournament before entering: -

Premier and A League - Long sleeved formal shirt and tie or bow tie

B League - Long or short sleeved shirt with tie or bow tie

C League - Smart casual

No player is allowed to participate in any match wearing jeans, tracksuits, “loud’ shirts, beach things, takkies, shoes without socks etc,

6.2 Players are to observe the etiquette of snooker i.e. to avoid deliberate time wasting, standing in an opponents line of sight, making distracting noises while the opponent is at the table and any other questionable behaviour.

6.3 While players have the right to appeal against a referee’s decision, they must accept his final decision as binding. Appeals must be made in writing to NABSA as soon as possible after the match.

6.4 It is the team captain’s responsibility to ensure that his players meet the standards of dress and behaviour and that his players know and abide by the Rules & Regulations at all times.

6.5 The NABSA Executive Committee, at it’s sole discretion, may perform drug tests at any time, provided they are done in accordance with the South African Billiards And Snooker Association’s general methods and practices.

7. Awarding of Colours

7.1 NATAL colours shall consist of a badge and tie. The badge will be the currently accepted Natal badge with two white wildebeest on a black background with the wording NATAL above (curved) and SNOOKER below. The tie will be either a black tie with the Natal Snooker motif or the black and white striped dress tie.

7.2 Players shall be awarded their NATAL Colours for the following: -

i) Badge and tie for selection for one of the NATAL Teams to represent the province at the National Inter Provincial Tournament. (With the proviso that the colours may be withdrawn if a player fails to take part in a tournament)

ii) Representing NATAL at inter Provincial friendly matches for the NATAL “A” team or the NATAL COLTS will earn the NATAL tie after 5 (five) appearances and the “NATAL COLTS” badge after 10 (ten) appearances.

7.3 Managers shall be awarded their NATAL Colours with the additional word MANAGER under the badge. The qualifications for awarding shall be the same as in 7.2 i.e.:

i) The badge and tie for managing one of the Natal teams at the National Inter Provincial Tournament

ii) The NATAL tie for managing NATAL “A” or NATAL COLTS teams at Inter Provincial friendly matches on 5 (five) consecutive occasions, the “NATAL COLTS” badge after managing teams 10 (ten) times.

7.4 Members of the Executive Committee shall be awarded their colours (badge and tie) after serving three consecutive years on the committee. The badge shall have the word EXECUTIVE underneath.

7.5 NABSA colours will be awarded to players and managers from the B, C and D leagues that represent NATAL in a number of Inter Provincial or Inter City friendly tournaments. The NABSA tie will be awarded for 3 (three) appearances and the NABSA badge for 6 (six) appearances. The manager’s badge will have the word MANAGER underneath.

7.6 NATAL and NABSA colours will be presented at the Annual Prize Giving Evening.

7.7 NATAL or NABSA Colours will only be presented once by NABSA. Any subsequent upgrading, changing or replacement will be for the player’s expense and with the Executive Committee approval.