Stroud and District Skittle League

STROUD AND DISTRICT SKITTLES LEAGUE

Founded 1935

League News

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The Stroud and District Skittle League would like to thank the following for their Sponsorship

There Support Helps to cover the Leagues Running Costs

27th Jun 2011	PRSENTATION PHOTOS AVAIABLE TO PURCHASE
18th Jun 2011	PRSENTATION EVENING A SUCESS
18th June 2011	CHANGE OF DATE FOR AGM
4th April 2011	CANCELLATIONS BECOMING AN ISSUE
21st January 2011	RESULT CARD ERRORS ON THE INCREASE
12th January 2011	CANCELLATION CARDS
11th November 2010	TEAM PLAYER LISTS NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE
5th November 2010	SUBMITTING RESULT CARDS AND LATE SIGNINS BY EMAIL
15th September 2010	ALTERNATIVE TEAM CONTACT NUMBER
9th August 2010	NEW TEAM FOR MIXED LEAGUE
3rd August 2010	RULE CHANGES INTRODUCED FOR 2010-2011
19th March 2010	LEAGUE INTRODUCES BRIAN FREAM MEMORIAL AWARDS
12th November 2009	PUBS AND CLUBS
18th March 2009	TEAMS REMINDED ON START TIME

PRESENTATION PHOTOS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

Photos from the Presentation evening should be available at the AGM. The League Secretary is planning on Bringing a printer along to print 7" by 5" copies of Team or Individual photos. Pictures will printed for Ł1 each. Should teams wish to print their own copies the original file can be purchased by simply making a donation. Half of any profits made will be shared betwwn the charities the league supports.

PRESENTATION EVENING A SUCCESS

With a number of different teams winning awards this season the 2010/2011 Stroud and District Skittle League Annual Dance and Presentation evening saw a healthy turnout. We hope everyone enjoyed the evening, if you have any comments the Secetary would be pleased to hear them. The raffle raise Ł356 which will be shared between Cancer Research UK and the Bristol Heart Institute.

CHANGE OF DATE FOR AGM

Due to work commitments it have been necessary to change the date of the 2010/2011 Stroud and District Skittle League Annual General Meeting. This will now be held on Tuesday 12th July 2011; at Stroud Rugby Club, commencing at 7:30pm; one week later than advertised. All teams are encouraged to attend.

CANCELLATIONS BECOMING AN ISSUE

Whilst the Stroud and District Skittle League allows teams to cancel fixtures, it has been noticed that the matter is becoming a major issue as it is causing problems for teams, with the committee having faced a number of complaints. The majority of cancellations are by the away team, and whilst many are for a genuine reason, it results in disruption for the home team who has to cancel the alley and stickers then rearrange the fixture. On some alleys this is not always possible. However there appears to be a growing number of cancellations which do not comply with league rules, such as late notice (i.e. less than 3 days), whilst others are due to factors such as player unavailable due to attending Rugby games, or the increasing problem of Friday night games.

In many cases it would be possible for resolutions to be found with a little bit of assistance from the team which is unable to find enough players.

For Instance, with teams who have players who watch Rugby; Check Ahead. Rugby Fixtures are published before the skittle season commences; they are available in the press, Matchday programmes and on websites. Check the dates with the Skittle Fixtures and if necessary notify the opposition early of the potential problem and see if they can accommodate you. The game could be switched to another night in the same week or even brought forward. An example was a game this season which was cancelled with minimum notice the first week of the second half of the season due to a clash with a Gloucester Rugby game. The league had just completed a five week break in which alleys were free and the game could have been played. The home teams’ alley was available on other nights during the week so another option was to move the game to another night; however having not received suffiient notice this was not possible.

Friday night games are also becoming an issue; one team having suffered 3 cancellations because their home night is a Friday. For Season 2010-2011, in the Ladies Sections there are no games on a Friday night so this is not a problem, however in Sections A-F there are 4 teams (Section A), 3 teams (Sections B and C), and 1 team (Sections D E and F) over a 30 week season who play on a Friday night. This is not an excessive number, and again the key here is to Check Ahead. Your Teams fixtures can be found on the website so check and notify your players early of a forthcoming Friday fixture. Don't wait until the week before to tell your team the next game is on a Friday. If team members know a Friday game is approaching surely they could make alternative arrangements for that week and uphold the fixture.

Late Cancellations are also an issue; the league has a rule whereby a minimum of 3 days notice MUST be given by the team cancelling. Unless there is a valid reason for the game being cancelled at late notice (e.g. weather); the team cancelling faces the risk of losing the game by walkover; the points being awarded to the opposing team.

I would also point out that BOTH Teams MUST submit a cancellation card. Please don't complain about a cancelled game if you haven't done so. Cancellation Cards are issued at the start of the season along with Result Cards; or you can use the On Line Cancellation Card by CLICKING HERE; any player can submit a card on behalf of their team; it doesn't have to be the Captain/Secretary. Failure to submit a Cancellation Card will result in a point’s deduction as of next season. When submittimg a Cancellation Card please put a reason why the game is cancelled, we can then see where problems may arise. Please don't state "Lack of Players", or something similar; this is not a reason and will not be accepted.

Team members are strongly advised to read rules 32 to 38, next season we shall be applying these rigidly in an effort to reduce such problems due to the numerous complaints.

We all want everyone to enjoy their game of skittles, however this issue is causing problems and annoying teams. The alternative, which the league is reluctant to apply, is to introduce a NO CANCELLATION RULE.

RESULT CARD ERRORS ON THE INCREASE

The Result Secretaries have started receiving numerous Result Cards with errors, these primarily consist of Half Total not agreeing with the total of the Individual Player Scores. In a number of cases this has altered the outcome of the fixture, meaning a game you thought your team had won ends up as a loss.

More than once teams have disputed a result, however correcting these takes time, and inconvenience, as the scores need to be checked with both teams.

There are rules regarding incorrect Result Cards , which the league have not imposed due to the minimal number received; however due to recent events the committee are considering the option of imposing fines and even points deductions for corrections.

The Result Card is signed by both the home and away team, it is therefore both teams responsibility to ensure they are correct, so please check your car before posting.

CANCELLATION CARDS

Can I please ask teams if you are cancelling a fixture to please be more specific when submitting your Cancellation Card, so we can ascertain why games are being cancelled.

Many cards just state "Lack of Players" when there is often reasons behind this, one common example being Gloucester playing rugby. This is benificial to the committee as we are then aware of such issues.

TEAM PLAYER LISTS NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE

Team Player Lists for all except 6 teams (3 Sections A-F and 3 Ladies Teams) are now available on line. The lists have been updated to include all players who have been signed on since the start of the season.

Select your team from the drop Down Menu and you will view a list of the players registered for the selected team, the list is printable offering major benefits to Team Captains and Secretaries. This can be used as a checklist to confirm if a player is registered, whilst it can also be printed off and used as a Players List for the following Season.

Additions to the list, through Late Signings, will be made during the season. Teams wishing to add players must do so through the usual format, by telephone followed by written confirmation, or using the on line form as written confirmation. Changes can only be made by Result Secretaries.

To access the form please visit the View Team Lists Option under the Results and Tables then Team Lists Menu. Registration is required to access these pages, which is carried out instantaneously.

All Teams are strongly advised to log in to this page and check your lists. If your list is missing players please notify the League Secretary by email at .

SUBMITTING RESULT CARDS AND LATE SIGNINS BY EMAIL

Can I ask all teams who either Submit their Result Card or Sign On new players via the Internet to use the relevant pages on the website rather than submit result cards or player names to the leagues email address.

The Links to the relevant forms can be found in the top left hand corner of the website, the top link PLAYER SIGNING ON FORM is for New Player Registrations, whilst the SUBMIT RESULT CARD BY EMAIL Link is for submitting Result Cards. Submitting Player Registrations usuing this form is written confirmation of a new player. Please note should you need to transfer a player from a team you cannot use this form, as notification needs to be put in writing to the players former team and a fee of Ł1 needs to be submitted to the league.

The advantage in using the forms is that they are sent directly to the relevant Result Secretary, as well as copied to the League Secretary; In addition confirmation email is sent back to the to the submitter.

Sending an email directly to the League Secretary results in the details being forwarded on.

I would thank teams who take advantage of theses forms and hope that you find them of assistance.

ALTERNATIVE TEAM CONTACT NUMBER

All Teams are strongly advised to provide a contact number for a Second Member of their team, or an Alternative number, such as a Mobile, in which teams can be contacted.

It has been noted that there are times when teams need to contact their opponents but find they are unable to do so as the Secretary listed in the Handbook is away (on holiday etc). This has already occured twice this season.

This can result in teams making unnecessary trips to alleys only to find out the game is not being played
As a result i would strongly advise teams to register an alternative Telephone number so that a second member of a team can be notified if the first point of contact is not avaiable.

RULE CHANGES INTRODUCED FOR 2010-2011

All temas are strongly advised to look at the Rule Changes for Season 2010-2011 so they are aware of what action needs to be taken.

At the AGM Rules 32, 34, 36, 37 and 38 were amended. These affect notification of canceled games and rearranging of fixtures, along with the submission of Result cards; with points deductions for a failure to comply.

The reason for the changes is due to a growing increase in the lack of notification of canceled fixtures; along with late result cards; requiring Result Secretaries to chase up fixtures.

In addition there has been a change to Rule 18 regarding playing bowling off.

LEAGUE INTRODUCES BRIAN FREAM MEMORIAL AWARDS

In recognition of his great service along with his enthusiasm and commitment to the Stroud and District Skittle League, the commitee have decided to present new awards in memory of Brian Fream

As Brian served all teams across all Sections, it was decided to introduce two awards; a Ladies Award and a Mens Award. These will be presented to the player who has recorded the greatest number of Top Scores for any single team* over the season.

Teams are invited to submit their players name if they consider they have qualified for this award.

* - The award is for a player who records the greatest number of top scores for a single team, if a player plays for more than one team they cannot add both sets of top scores together.

PUBS AND CLUBS

Can I please remind teams that clubs and pubs which host Stroud Skittle League teams are a business and for the Landlord or owner is their lively hood.

It has been highlighted to me that there have been instances where members of teams have either brought their own drinks or not purchased any refreshments during the game.

Whilst the league accepts under the current climate people are careful with there expenses, such actions can have an adverse effect on the league damaging it's reputation.

TEAMS REMINDED ON START TIME

I wish to remind teams even at this late time of the season that games must start no later than 8:15pm. I am aware that there are some teams that do not turn up or start on time, particularly in Sections A-F; but if I don't receive any details regarding offending teams little action can be taken. Verbal communication to team members, other teams, or committee members will not resolve the issue as if I get to find out it is third hand and generally months later. If you wish for me to deal with the problem I need to be notified in writing so I can ascertain the offending teams. This can be communicated by email .