LEAGUE CONSTITUTION
C	1	The League shall be called the Great Yarmouth and District Table Tennis League (GYDTTL) and participating clubs must be within a 10 mile radius of Gt. Yarmouth Town Hall.
C	2	The objectives of GYDTTL are the fostering and promotion of organised participation in the game of Table Tennis.
C	3	The League shall adopt the playing rules of the ETTA in force as at 31st March 2003.
C	4	The League shall be governed by a Committee which shall consist of the following Officers and who shall retire annually and be eligible for re-election:
		Chairman
		Vice Chairman
		General Secretary
		Treasurer
		Match Records Officer
		Tournament Officer
		Press Officer
		Minutes Secretary
		Duties & Functions of Officers:
		In addition to their specific roles all officers will act appropriately under the direction of the Committee.
C	5	Chairman (also Vice-Chairman in Chairman's Absence)
		- Preside over Committee meetings & facilitate orderly, timely & efficient disposition of the business to be discussed per published agendas.
		- Rule on "points of order".
		- Provide advice and guidance to the Committee where appropriate.
		- Chairman is Non-Voting on those items that require a vote, however in the event of a tied vote he may cast a vote to decide the issue.
C	6	General Secretary
		- Receive items for discussion by the Committee and to produce agendas.
		- Convene and attend all Committee meetings.
		- Deal with all correspondence not specifically dealt with by other officers in their capacities.
		- To take minutes of meetings in the absence of the Minutes Secretary.
		- On retiring from office to hand over to the Chairman all documentation belonging to the League.
C	7	Treasurer
		- Responsible for all monies received, their proper banking and all disbursements of the League.
		- Keep proper Books of Account.
		- Prepare the League's Annual Statement of Accounts, to run from May 1st to April 30th, for adoption at the Annual General Meeting.
		- Maintain records of all Registered Teams and Players.
		- On retiring from office to hand over to the Chairman all books, monies etc. belonging to the League.
C	8	Match Records Secretary
		- Prepare an annual Fixture List for all Divisions in the League.
		- Receive Match Result cards and report to the Committee any breaches of the League's rules pertaining to them.
		- Compile statistics of Team and Player standings on a timely basis as required by the General Committee and Handicap Committees.
		- On retiring from office to hand over to the Chairman all documents, records etc. belonging to the League.
C	9	Tournament Officer
		- Ensure availability of venues and equipment for the League's published schedule of tournaments.
		- Coordinate the running of tournaments and ensure compliance of tournament rules and to adjudicate where necessary.
		- Liaise with the Press Officer the results of tournaments.
		- Prepare an annual list of trophy winners for the Trophy Officer.
C	10	Press Officer
		- Receive League Match & Tournament reports from the appropriate Officers.
		- Submit match reports for publication in the local press and the League's website.
		- to arrange under the direction of the Committee any other items that require publication or publicity.
C	11	Minutes Secretary
		- Attend Committee meetings and the Annual General Meeting to accurately record the business transacted and decisions made.
		- Prepare final written Minutes for adoption at the next appropriate meeting.
C	12	Webmaster
		- To maintain and develop the League's website in accordance with the League's Code of Practice.
		Duties & Functions of Committees:
C	13	General Committee
		- Shall meet no less than bi-monthly and at other times as necessary.
		- Cause the arrangement of an appropriate annual programme of team and player events.
		- Deal with all reports, disputes or protests submitted by clubs, teams or players.
		- Deal with all cases of misconduct by clubs, teams or players.
		- May co-opt other persons to assist in certain matters if deemed appropriate.
		- Deal with any other League matters arising.
		- All officers are ex-officio members of all other sub committees.
		- Where appropriate form sub committees to handle specific and on-going matters of business.
		Current sub committees are shown in sections C15 to C18
C	14	Sub Committees
		Sub Committees are autonomous in the matters directly delegated to them.
		They may also co-opt other Committee members should the situation require it.
C	15	Registrations Committee
		- To receive directly or via the Treasurer all applications for Team and Player registrations.
		- Determine the suitability of teams and players for inclusion in the League.
		- Determine the appropriate Division in which newly formed teams will play in by reference to the ability of it's players.
C	16	Match Claims Committee
		- Receive and adjudicate on protests and disputes reported to them regarding League Matches.
		- Advise relevant Team Secretaries, General Committee and Match Records Officer as appropriate their findings and decision.
C	17	Handbook Committee
		- Cause the League's annual Members Handbook to be published in timely manner.
		- Ensure the contents of the Handbook include the following minimum information:
		- Names & contact details of League Officers & General Members
		- Current League Rules & Constitution
		- Coming season's participating Teams and Fixture List
		- Team contact details.
C	18	Handicap Committee
		- Establish players handicaps for the start of each season and to review at least on one further occasion during the season.
		- Receive and consider applications for a review of any player's handicap during the season from players or Committee members.
		- Ensure that all Team Secretaries are in possession of current player handicap information.
C	19	Tournament Committee
		- With reference to the League Match fixture list, set dates for the coming season's existing tournaments and ensure notification to Team Secretaries.
		- Design the format of tournaments and the rules under which they are played.
		- Amend tournament rules as necessary.
		- Recommend to The Committee any tournaments that should be discontinued or suggest new tournaments for review.
		- Ensure that the Tournament Officer has possession of all relevant information to ensure successful organisation of tournaments.
		Annual & Special General Meetings
C	20	The League shall call an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held not later than the last Friday in May.
		Minimum items for presentation and discussion are :
		- Minutes of previous AGM to be read & adopted.
		- Presentation of Annual Statement of Accounts.
		- Election of Officers and General Committee.
		- Any proposed alterations to Rules.
C	21	Proposed additions, alterations or revisions of Rules shall be submitted in writing to the League Secretary at least twenty eight days prior to the AGM or Special General Meeting and Rules shall only be amended by such meetings.
C	22	Each registered team must have at least one representative attending the AGM.  A fine of £5 will be imposed on any team which fails to comply.
C	23	Only registered League members are allowed to vote at Annual General Meetings or Special General Meetings.
C	24	Any proposed alterations to the rules are to be subject to a Vote at the AGM of the GYDTTL. A simple majority vote is required for any motion to be carried.
C	25	The General Committee may convene a Special General Meeting by giving seven day's notice to all registered teams.  Additionally, by giving 14 days notice to the League Secretary a Special General Meeting may be convened upon a requisition of one third of registered teams. The convenors to specify in writing the resolution or resolutions they intend to submit to such a meeting.  No other business will be discussed other than that stated in the depositions.
C	26	Dissolution of the League.
		If at any General Meeting of the League a resolution be passed calling for the disolution of the League then a Special General Meeting shall be held not less than a month thereafter to discuss and vote upon the resolution.  If at that meeting the resolution is carried by at least two thirds of those present then the Committee shall proceed to realise the assets of the League and discharge all the debts and liabilities of the League.  Any remaining funds to be allocated in a manner as seen to be fair and to be agreed by all members of the League.
		GYDTTL RULES & REGULATIONS
		MEMBERSHIP
		Team Registration
M	1	All applications for registration must be authorised by the committee who shall have the power not to accept any registration.
M	2	Each team shall pay an annual registration fee to GYDTTL and shall be remitted with a properly completed official application form to the League Treasurer.  Team registration payments are not refundable.
M	3	Clubs with more than one team must register players for a specific team.  A minimum of four players must be registered per team unless able to call on Club members from teams in a lower division in which case three is the minimum.
		However there should be no more than five players registered per team in Division 1.
M	4	Each team shall be responsible for notifying the Match Records Secretary and all the Secretaries in their particular Division of any change which may occur in the secretaryship, playing venue or home playing night of their team.
		Player Registration
M	5	All applications for registration must be authorised by the committee who shall have the power not to accept any registration.
M	6	Every player shall pay an annual registration fee to GYDTTL and shall be remitted with a properly completed official application form to the League Treasurer.
M	7	The registration fee for the Junior players is half the Senior fee.  To qualify as a Junior a player must be under 17 years of age preceeding the start of season.
M	8	No player may play in more than one division of the League (except in rules M9 & M10) or for more than one club unless granted a transfer by the committee.  Transfers may be granted at the discretion of the committee up to the 7th March in any one season provided that a written request is submitted giving full circumstances of the request to the Match Records Secretary.  A period of three days from approval must elapse before any registered player be allowed to play in a match.
M	9	Teams in the Senior League may call upon a Junior player from the Coaching Clubs to play for them but need not necessarily register them.  However, no league match that a junior would otherwise play in will be cancelled due to a call from a Senior league club.  A list of such juniors should be made available.
M	10	All teams in the higher divisions may call on any player from lower divisions to represent them in a higher division League Match.  However, any such lower divisional player may not play more than six matches for that team in the higher division, and may only play for the one team in any division.  If the player exceeds this number he shall only be entitled to continue playing in such higher division. There is no limit for the number of matches for Juniors.
M	11	The Committee has the power to make discretionary grants to individual League members for coaching purposes, dependant upon the League's financial situation at the time.
		Player Conduct
M	12	Expulsion of members.
		Members of a club whose behaviour is inappropriate or who decline to abide by any of the League's Rules may be disciplined by the Committee and have their subscriptions forfeited. Members shall have the right to appeal in person to the League Committee with regard to any decision affecting themselves provided that notice of such an appeal be submitted in writing within seven days of the decision by the committee.
M	13	No Smoking is to be allowed in the room where a Table Tennis match is being played.
		DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE
D	1	Subject to total player membership, the Committee shall arrange Teams in an appropriate number of Divisions to ensure that each team plays a minimum of 16 league matches per season.
		Promotion & Relegation
D	2	The team finishing top of a lower division will receive automatic promotion to the division immediately above and the team finishing bottom of a division will be relegated to the division immediately below.
D	3	The team finishing as "runner-up" in a lower division shall have the right of promotion. Should this team not wish to exercise that right, the reasons for that decision shall be placed in writing and presented to the Committee no later than 30th June. The Committee will then decide in which division that team shall participate.
D	4	In the event of teams being level on points and games average, then to determine promotion and relegation issues a play off consisting of 9 singles shall take place at a neutral venue unless previously agreed otherwise between the two captains.
D	5	Ultimately, the Committee shall decide which teams, other than those affected by Rule D2 are to be promoted and relegated and in which division any new teams will participate.
L		LEAGUE MATCH PLAY
		Completion of Fixtures
L	1	All matches to be completed by dates fixed annually by the Committee and shown on the fixture list.
L	2	The Committee has the authority to discipline any team which fails to complete it's fixtures by the end of each half of the season by a fine not exceeding £5 or expulsion.
L	3	During the last three weeks of each half of the season it is not permissable to postpone any match for any reason (other than those in Rule L7) unless both teams firstly agree a rearranged date within the prescribed time limit. The Match Results secretary to be informed of any such arrangements.
		Player Eligibility
L	4	Any team playing an ineligible or non registered player shall concede the singles ties (and doubles if applicable) of the player concerned. The team will be liable to a fine not exceeding £5
		Match Starting Times
L	5	All matches must be commenced by 7.30 pm and at least two players from each team must be present by 8.00 pm and the third player present by 8.30 pm unless a mutual arrangement has been made by the two captains. If by 8.30 pm only two players of each team are present the match shall be void unless by prior arrangement between the two captains further players are expected.
L	6	Subject to the provisions of rule L5, any team which has less than 2 players present for any match will concede the match 0-10 and be fined £5.
		Match Postponements
L	7	Matches shall be played on the dates stated on the fixture list unless a postponement is agreed by both teams.  A team may however postpone a match which clashes with a date on which a member or members of it's team are playing in an event sponsored by the League or if a fixture falls on a Bank Holiday, and the opposing team must agree to the postponement. Not later than 10 days after the date of the original fixture the Home team must offer opponents at least two alternative dates which do not clash with a scheduled fixture, giving a minimum of five days notice taken from the time of the earliest of the dates offered.  The Match Records Secretary must be informed of any postponements or rearrangements.  Opponents must accept one of the dates offered. Any team defaulting on a rearranged match shall concede the match 0-10.
L	8	The postponing team is responsible for notifying the Match Records Secretary of any match postponement. Teams not complying with this rule will receive a written warning after the first offence and a £1 fine for each subsequent offence and any such fine must be paid within 14 days and the defaulting team will forfeit each succeeding match 0-10 until it is paid.
		No show
L	9	Should any team not appear to play a match on it's scheduled date or agreed rearranged date then the opposing team shall be entitled to claim the match 10-0.  The Committee will review all such occurrences.
		System of Play
L	10	Each League match shall consist of 9 singles and 1 doubles.  Each team shall play every team at least once, or if twice, then on a home and away basis, unless specifically varied by the Committee. League match order of play is (home team first):- 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 2v1, 1v3, 3v2, 2v3, 3v1, 1v2 and doubles.
L	11	The home team shall nominate their players names against the playing order first.
L	12	The score for each tie in every match shall be provided alternatively by the Home team and the Away team.
L	13	ETTA officially approved table tennis balls must be used in all matches, the home team to provide the ball used.
		Points Scoring System
L	14	The award of points for League matches will be 1 point for every game won for both sides. ie. a result of a 7-3 win would be 7 points to the winning side and 3 points to the losing side.
		Submission of Match Result Cards
L	15	The Home team is responsible for sending match result cards to the Match Records Secretary within seven days of a match.
		Disputes
L	16	Details of all claims protested and disputes shall be submitted in writing to the Match Records Secretary and will only be considered provided that they are received within 5 days of the date of the match.
T		TOURNAMENTS - GENERAL RULES
T	1	No entry will be accepted unless submitted on the appropriate League Tournament Entry form, except as otherwise determined by the Tournament Committee.
T	2	No late entries will be accepted - deadline dates will be clearly shown.
T	3	No entry will be accepted unless the appropriate fees are forwarded with the entry.
T	4	Any player not available at the printed starting time is liable to be scratched from the tournament.
T	5	In junior tournaments players will only be allowed to enter a maximum of 3 events consisting of 2 Singles and 1 Doubles.
T	6	Championship events - all registered players who have played in at least 40% of League & Cup matches by the end of February or one week before the closing date for entries whichever is the earlier, are eligible to play. However this restriction does not apply to junior players.
T	7	For all Tournaments the Entry Fees for Juniors & full time students under the age of 21 years shall be 50% of the Senior Fees.
T	8	League Cup - all team secretaries will be notified of the fixtures involved in each round of the competition and of the particular rules relating therein.  Whenever possible this information will be included in the annual Handbook together with tournament format details.
T	9	Divisional Singles - this comprises of a separate event for each Division in which players are registered.
T	10	All Tournament & League championship cups shall be returned to the Trophies Officer by the end of February. All trophies to be returned in a clean & satisfactory condition.
T	11	All points not covered by these Rules shall be dealt with by the Committee whose discretion shall be final and binding in all cases.
		LEAGUE  ADOPTED LAWS OF TABLE TENNIS
		Bat Blade covering : The surface of one side of the racket shall be bright red and the surface of the other side shall be black whether or not both sides are used for striking the ball.
		Volley : A point will no longer be lost if the ball is volleyed from behind the table.
		Ball colour :  White, Yellow or Orange
		Net Clamp : The clamp is part of the net assembly so that if the ball bounces only on the net clamp the return is good.
		"Gluing - up" : A player must not "glue - up" a racket inside the venue of a Tournament or a match except in part of the premises designated for that purpose. "Gluing - up" must not take part during a game. (Note time limit of one minute's rest between games).
		Uncovered bat blades : It is no longer permissable for any player to use a racket with an uncovered blade.
		Service : From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by any part of the body or clothing of the server or his doubles partner.
		Scoring : A game shall be won by the player or pair scoring 21 points unless both players or pairs reach a score of 20 points each ("deuce"), when the game shall be won by the first player or pair then subsequently gaining a lead of two points.  A match shall consist of an odd number of games.
		SPECIAL NOTES