Rotherham & District Pool League – League Regulations

Last updated: 2025/26 AGM

1. General Expectations

  • All players and teams must play pool in the true spirit of the game – friendly and sportsmanlike.

  • The League Committee/Disputes Committee may rule on table quality and playing environment following complaints.

  • Teams are responsible for the conduct of their players.

2. Fixtures

  • Matches are played on Monday nights (exceptions may apply).

  • Start time: 8.00pm.

    • 8:00pm → offended team may claim 1st frame

    • 8:15pm → 2nd frame may be claimed

    • 8:30pm → 3rd frame, and so on

    • 9:00pm → team at venue may claim all 9 frames

3. Team Registration

  • A team = 6 registered players (must be registered with Secretary before match date).

  • Registrations close after 50% of fixtures are played.

  • Playing unregistered players = automatic 9-0 loss awarded to opponent.

  • Player names must be given if requested by the opposing captain; otherwise squads are visible in the smartphone app once submitted.

4. Player Eligibility

  • Venues must declare under-18 restrictions pre-season.

  • League Committee must be informed of any changes immediately.

  • If multiple teams share a venue → must be approved at AGM.

  • No transfers allowed between co-host teams during a season.

5. Rearranging Fixtures

  • Teams must give 48 hours’ notice to opponents & League Committee.

  • Rearranged matches must be played within one month of original date.

  • No matches allowed after final League fixtures.

6. Match Rules

  • If a team cannot field 6 players, missing frames count as losses.

  • Captains are responsible for completing scorecards via app:

    • First 5 matches by 9:00pm

    • Remaining 4 matches by 10:00pm

  • Scoring:

    • 1 point per frame won

    • +1 bonus point for overall team win

    • Example: Team A beats Team B 5–4 → Team A = 6 pts, Team B = 4 pts

7. Communication & League Business

  • Each team must provide at least one email contact.

  • Proposals for rule/regulation changes, nominations, and sponsorship offers must be submitted 1 week before AGM.

  • Dates, venues, and fees for the new season are finalised at the AGM.

8. Disputes

  • Disputes are dealt with on the night (captains, referee, and players involved only).

  • Must also be reported to Secretary.

  • Only written rules apply:

    • Published League Rules of Play, or

    • Minuted changes agreed at an Official League Meeting.

  • Rules cannot be applied retrospectively.

  • All disciplinary and dispute matters are handled by League Committee – their decision is final.

  • Warnings for harassment carry over to the following season unless a full season is completed without issues.

9. Fees & Entries

  • All bonds, registration, raffle, and K.O. fees (set at AGM) must be paid at the first League Meeting (unless stated otherwise).

  • Defending champions of paid-entry K.O.s may defend their title free of charge the next season.

  • No entries accepted after a K.O. Preliminary Round draw.

10. Knockout (K.O.) Competitions

  • Matches start on agreed date & time:

    • Frame may be claimed after 15 minutes

    • Match may be claimed after 30 minutes

  • Cancellation requires 48 hours’ notice and agreement of both parties (names recorded).

  • Failure to report results by cut-off → match becomes a bye.

  • Captains are ultimately responsible for ensuring matches are played.

  • If a match is unplayed without exceptional reason → both eliminated.

K.O. Format Rules

  • 3-Man K.O.: Teams may replace registered players (max 4) with unused players. Once replaced, a player cannot return.

  • Doubles & Scotch Doubles: No talking with partner once oncoming player addresses the cue ball.

11. Bonds & Withdrawals

  • Teams not completing fixtures forfeit their bond.

  • Re-entry to League may be jeopardised.

  • Points from all matches involving that team are void and removed from tables.

12. League Standings

  • Placings decided on:

    1. Points

    2. Frames won

    3. Aggregate score between tied teams

    4. If still tied → play-off fixture at neutral venue

  • Promotion/Relegation: normally 3 up / 3 down, but final decision rests with League Committee based on entries and transmitted at annual general meeting.

13. League Structure

  • Maximum 42 teams, split into 2 divisions (max 22 per division).

  • Premier Division must not be smaller than Division 1.

  • If odd number of teams, only lowest division carries extra team.

  • Teams moving venue retain divisional status.

  • New teams always enter lowest division.

14. Knockout Eligibility

  • Players must have played minimum 10 league matches in the previous season to enter individual K.O.s.

  • Exceptions:

    • Team Knockout → open to all

    • New players (never registered before) → eligible for all knockouts

    • Under-21’s Knockout → Entrants must be under 21 years of age as of the first day of the season.

    • Over-65’s Knockout → Entrants must be 65 years of age or older as of the first day of the season.