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4.1 Each team shall pay an entry fee to the League as set by the League Officers, (Men’s £50.00, Ladies £50.00 and all second teams at £25.00) plus a deposit of £30.00 per club to be held against fines or other financial commitments outstanding at the end of the season. This deposit must be topped up when asked to do so by the League Treasurer and will be forfeited by any team that withdraws during a season. All entry fees, deposits and outstanding fines must be paid in full by September 30th. Following this date clubs with outstanding fees will be suspended and any games missed during the suspension will be forfeit.
4.2 Entry fees for any competitions offered during the season shall be as directed by the Committee. Existing clubs will be re-entered to play the following season. All new applications for membership of the League shall be submitted to the Treasurer by the 31st July with their entry fee.
4.3 A late admission fee of £10.00 per team shall be charged to teams accepted into the League who fail to meet the deadline.
4.6 No team shall be allowed to enter the cup competitions unless they also enter the League unless by special arrangement with the League Committee.
4.8 The number of teams to be promoted or relegated will be declared before the first game of the season. This will normally be two up and two down, but may be varied at the discretion of the League Executive
4.9 All games shall be played according to the rules as laid down by England Basketball.
In the event of a tie, positions shall be decided by the results of matches between the teams involved in the tie. If the teams are still tied the point's difference in these matches will decide. If still tied then point's difference in all league games shall decide. If more than two teams are equal in the placing, a second classification will be established taking into account only the results of the games between the teams that are tied.
4.10 League fixtures shall be spread evenly between September and April with only a minimal break for the Christmas/New Year holiday period. Any team failing to complete their fixtures by Cup Finals Day shall forfeit any points such games unless the season is extended for any reason. The League Executive at their discretion may extend the season.
4.12 A player becomes active when his / her name appears on a score sheet. Once active they will not be able to transfer to another club without permission of the League Committee. Transfers will not normally be approved after January 31st.
4.13 No player may play his/her first game of the season after 31st January, without Committee consent. However such players may not take any part in cup competitions during that season.
4.14 If a club enters more than one team in the same division it must register a separate list of players for each team. Where a club enters more than one team in the same cup competitions, a “cup tied” rule will apply and players may only play for one team.
The team list must be kept up to date and the League Committee have the power to request changes before and during the season.
4.15 The Committee shall be empowered to rule that a club playing an unregistered, ineligible or disqualified player shall forfeit the match and be fined (See Appendix)
4.16 Female players may not play in the Men’s Leagues and male players may not play in the Ladies League
4.17 No team (Men’s or Women’s) is permitted to play more than 2 senior players who hold a National League players licence (as defined by England Basketball). In other competitions run by the Northants League, the organisers may choose to draw up different regulations to benefit that competition.
Any player who holds a National League licence must also obtain a Local league licence before partaking in any Northants league game or cup match.
5.1 The playing season will finish on 31st March and all league fixtures must be completed by that date. The League Executive at their discretion may extend the season.
5.2 Once the official fixture list has been issued, alterations will not be accepted unless permission is sought from the League Secretary.
5.3 In the event that a team is unable to fulfil a scheduled fixture, they should notify the League Secretary, the opposing team and match officials as soon as possible. Cancellations will only be accepted for the following reasons:-
i) The home court becomes unavailable at very short notice, or
ii) Bad weather prevents the away team travelling.
In these circumstances, the game will normally be re-scheduled otherwise the game will be forfeited and the offending team held liable for any expenses incurred and any other penalty imposed by the League Committee. (i.e. Total court hire costs and referees travelling costs plus a fine of £5.00)
5.4 League points will be awarded as follows: Win 3 points; Loss 1 point; Default 0 points, Forfeit 0 points. (Teams forfeiting a game shall receive no league points and their opponent's a win).
5.5 In the event of a team withdrawing and/or failing to complete 75% of its fixtures, the record of that team shall be deleted from the League Table and their guarantee fee shall be forfeited. The Committee shall be empowered to consider exceptional circumstances.
6.1 The League Officials Officer will appoint officials for each fixture. The home team will confirm with both officials at least seven days before the game. If an official is unavailable the Officials Secretary must be informed immediately and a replacement will be appointed. A failure to inform match officials of arrangements will result in a fine of £5.00 plus payment of their travel costs.
6.2 Where an official becomes unavailable after the home team has confirmed, he / she should notify the Officials Officer who will appoint and confirm a replacement.
6.3 Officials fees should be added together and split equally between the two teams. Clubs will receive notification of the fees at the start of each season. The scale of match fees payable to referees in any given season shall be in accordance with the England Basketball rate. Travelling expenses shall be as agreed by the Committee and shall reasonably reflect the actual costs incurred by officials in attendance at matches, but shall not exceed the current England Basketball rate
6.4 All clubs must provide a qualified referee
6.5 The home team at every game shall provide (and pay) for one qualified table official to a minimum level of NATO 1 plus a second efficient table official. Clubs will receive notification of the fees at the start of each season
7.1 Games will be played over 4 x 10 minute quarters stopping the clock as required. In the event of a game being drawn at the end of normal time, 5 minute overtime periods will be played until a decisive result is achieved.
7.2 Clubs must book their court for a minimum of two hours to ensure that adequate time is available to complete all games. The latest tip-off time for any game will be 9.00pm and should allow for a minimum of 15 minutes warm up time.
7.3 In the event that a result has not been achieved, the League Committee will determine what action should be taken and if necessary order the game to be replayed (i.e. cup competitions)
7.4 The home team along with the table official will ensure the following equipment is provided per game:-
· Official England Basketball score pad.
· Time Clock (with visibility available to both teams).
· Two different audible signals (e.g. bell, horn).
· Inflated match ball.
· Personal foul indicators (1 to 5).
· Team foul (4) signals.
· Directional play arrow
7.5 The running score must be kept on a board clearly visible from the playing area and some form of visual clock or flip chart showing the minute of play must be available for use at the game.
7.6 The game officials and the table officials shall not participate in the game, either as a player or coach.
7.7 Match officials shall complete an expense claim form in respect of match fees and travelling expenses at the approved rates and present them to the home team who shall be responsible for payment of it BEFORE the start of the match.
7.8 If an appointed official fails to arrive by the published Tip-Off time, the two teams and the remaining official will decide on how the game should be covered. The game should go ahead wherever possible.
7.9 Should either team wish to make a protest, they should inform the officials and sign the score sheet accordingly. A letter with full details should then be sent to the League Secretary within seven days along with a deposit of £10.00.
7.10 Should an official want to make a written report, (This should always be done following a disqualification) brief details must initially be noted on the back of the white copy of the scoresheet. The official is then responsible for sending that scoresheet to the League Secretary followed by a letter with full details within seven days.
7.11 The Home team shall post the white copy of the official scoresheet along with the officials expenses form to the League Secretary (Brian Henderson) within 5 working days of the game being played (See Appendix)
7.12 The score sheet must carry: - The signature of the referee, the umpire, table officials and coaches. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure the score pad is completed correctly and with all relevant information i.e. match number etc. (See appendix). It is the responsibility of the away team coach to check the score sheet in respect that his / her player registration numbers have been entered correctly.
7.13 Uniforms must comply with the requirements of England Basketball, in that vests must be legally numbered front and back. (I.e. numbers 4 to 15, 20 to 25, 30 to 35, 40 – 45) All kit must be in matching team colours. Where there is a colour clash, the visiting team shall change. “T'' shirts may not be worn under a vest.
For referees: grey shirt, black trousers and black footwear.
Table officials: red top.
7.14 See Section 15 for a correctly completed example of a typical score sheet highlighting key information required
8.1 All clubs presented with perpetual trophies shall be fully responsible for their security and maintenance in good condition, and return to the Competitions Secretary by 1st March of the current season.
9.1 In the event of a player or coach disqualification, that person shall be automatically suspended from his/her team’s next match played under the jurisdiction of the Northants Basketball League. Also a report based on the officials report shall be made to the Disciplinary Officer and all referees to be notified of the fact. Further disciplinary action may follow as a result of these reports, at the discretion of the League Committee. In the event of an adverse report on a team or spectator(s) the Disciplinary Committee shall take appropriate action. Each team is deemed responsible for its supporters / followers.
9.2 All appeals against an automatic one match ban should be made within 24 hrs of the incident to the Disciplinary Officer who will investigate the incident and decide a course of action. Any appeals against additional disciplinary action should be made in the first instance, in writing, to the League Chairman of the Northants League within 7 days of receiving notification of the penalty and thereafter to the Secretary of the Northants Basketball Association. All appeals should be accompanied by a fee of £25.00, which will be returned ONLY if the appeal is upheld.
9.3 The League Committee may suspend any team that constantly breaches these rules.
9.4 Misconduct – All cases will be considered individually but persistent incompetence will be treated accordingly.
10.1 These rules are for Northants Basketball League and may vary from those issued by other local leagues. Where no specific rule is laid down reference should be made to the FIBA rulebook.
11.1 Club Obligations - Participation in the League signifies acceptance of the Constitution and League Rules and agreement to abide by them.
A) All clubs applying for entry and partaking in the Northants League will provide at least one candidate for a referee’s course whenever arranged.
B) All teams applying for entry and partaking in the Northants League will provide at least one candidate for a NATO course to be arranged before and / or during the season.
C) A club may register any number of teams.
D) Each team Men and Women shall play a minimum of 2 games against the other teams in the same division.
E) Each club is to have a minimum of one active official. These officials will be appointed to NBBL games on non-club nights. The following officials will continue to remain unattached: - Rob Williams, Jim Harris, John Collins, Richard Nuttall, Brian Henderson, Phil Ireson, Nick Peel, Dan Herrin, Brian Johnson & Colin Lavin.
F) All clubs must send a representative to the Annual General Meeting. Rules concerning the notification and voting procedures at the AGM are laid down in the League Constitution. (See Appendix)
11.2 Any player who is bleeding must immediately leave the court until the bleeding has stopped or the wound has been covered to the satisfaction of the Match Officials.
11.3 Power of Interpretation - The League Officers/Committee shall have sole power of interpretation of these rules and to make decisions on any matter not specifically covered within. The decision of the League Officers/Committee shall be final.
4.4 £1.00 fine for each player / coach on the scoresheet with no registration number.
4.15 £5.00 fine for fielding unregistered / ineligible / disqualified players and forfeiture of game (ie un-registered, ineligible, illegally transferred or disqualified players)
7.11 £5.00 fine for scoresheet arriving late (5 days after fixture from home team)
11.1 (F) £25.00 for not sending a representative to the AGM.