HANDBOOK SEASON 2008/09
The LONDON AMATEUR BASKETBALL LEAGUE (the League) is a central venue league. The League provides a central venue, officials, registration forms and equipment.
A- AFFILIATIONS & REGISTRATION
1-All clubs must register their team(s) with the League and with England Basketball, with the appropriate fees, by the set date in order to play in this competition. There is no maximum number of players that can be registered per team. Team followers, a coach and assistant coach can be registered, too.
2- No clubs or individuals will be allowed to participate in our activities/competitions without settling their accounts with this league or any other league within the national governing body, England Basketball.
3- Playing clubs will only be accepted after the set date at the league committee’s discretion, and in the best interest of the league.
4-All new clubs, or existing clubs wishing to change their name, must submit their proposed name to the secretary for approval by the league committee. Players may change clubs providing that they inform the secretary with at least two weeks notice. Players are not allowed to change more than once in the season.
5- There are no age or nationality restrictions on players and coaches. Priority is given to the youth, ethnic minorities and newly registered players with the league.
6-All teams must have a nominated club secretary and a coach.
B- COMPETITIONS
1-The league will organise the competition and provide fixtures and appointments. Once the League sends the appointments and fixtures, all the games showed in the document are confirmed. Please see below for postponements. Teams are required to be punctual to avoid unnecessary delays.
2-Teams will play each other twice in the league tournament. The league committee may decide to alter this format, and organise a knock-out cup tournament.
3-The court shall be available for both teams and officials at least fifteen (15) minutes before the official tip-off, unless the court supervisor decides to shorten this time.
4-Games will be played according FIBA rules and regulations, unless stated in this handbook, or further instructions from the technical secretary and/or court supervisor.
5-The league will keep a £70 goodwill deposit from each team that will be returned at the end of the summer season, unless this amount had been forfeited. The league reserves the right to penalise teams for loosing a game by forfeit, disqualifications, incidents, ineligible players, etc. Please see below for fines.
6-Dispute of discrepancies is to be dealt with by the organizers at the appropriate time. Organizers’ decisions can be appealed. This does not affect table officials and/or referee's duties and responsibilities, and the role of the court supervisor.
7-Uniforms. Shirts and shorts must have plain numbers of solid colour contrasting with the colour of the shirt. It should be numbered at least 20 cm. high. Each team are required a dark and a clear colour top to avoid colour clash. Players are not allowed to wear any kind of jewellery or objects that can cause an injury.
8-The league will play all its games in one division; the top 4 teams will play the play-offs. Participating teams will pose with the sponsor’s logo when required. The league may change this format if necessary.
9- All players participating in play-offs (i.e. Quarterfinals, semifinals, final) should have played at least half of the regular season fixtures with their team.
C- MANAGING COMPLAINTS & SIGNING UNDER PROTEST
1-The league will deal with complaints that might have caused a team to be in disadvantage such as late arrival of officials, defaulted equipment, incidents, etc. Teams are invited to contact the league and negotiate the presence of independent commissioners.
2-Sign Under Protest- Clubs that want to protest the result of a game need to follow this procedure. The captain must inform of their protest to the senior league representative in the game before the scoresheet is signed by the referee. The senior league representative on court will be the referee/crew chief, unless there is an appointed commissioner present.
3-The protesting team(s) must submit a full detailed written report to the league in the first twenty four (24) hours after the incident and a £50 deposit (cash or cheque made payable to the London Amateur Basketball League). The team will forfeit this payment if its protest is not sustained.
4- It is a disciplinary offence to approach the referees, and/or table officials after the game. The league will appoint commissioners or court supervisors to assist teams and participants with their inquiries.
5- The League Appeals Officer. Their role will be limited to ensure that League officials have applied league regulations within the spirit of the basketball rules, and have acted fairly. Teams may ask to have their case seen by the Appeals Officer after the Disciplinary Committee have made their decision.
D- POSTPONEMENTS, FORFEITS & DEFAULTS
1-Fixtures may not be cancelled or postponed unless there is exceptionally inclement weather, transport strike or circumstances out of the participants’ control.
2-Any team that considers they have grounds for postponement must get permission from the league secretary. The Club Secretary will inform the league secretary (in his absence, the vice-secretary) of any postponement with at least two (2) weeks notice.
The communication about a postponement can be verbal but must be confirmed in writing. It is not acceptable text messaging or leaving a voicemail message. Failure to comply with this policy will incur in a fine of £50 and re-arranging costs.
3-Normally the requesting club must re-arrange the game within fourteen days of the original date and inform the league secretary of the new date. The league may charge the requesting club court and officiating fees.
4-The decision to suspend or not to initiate a game relies on the Referee/Crew Chief only, as per FIBA regulations. League officials may decide to suspend or not to initiate a game without interfering with FIBA regulations and in the best interest of the league.
5- The league will impose fines to teams for the following:
- Loosing a game by forfeit (i.e. arriving more than 15 minutes to a scheduled tip-off). The team responsible will pay the referees and table officials’ fees from its deposit or a £40 fine, whichever is the highest.
- Disqualification. Each disqualification will result in the team of the offender paying £40 from its deposit for the first individual disqualification (as a result of a direct disqualification or two unsportsmanlike fouls). This will increase to £70 for the second individual disqualification (coach, assistant coach, player or team follower). The league reserves the right to increase the penalty.
- Pre/Post-game Incident: Every gross incident happening before or after a game will result in the team(s) responsible paying £40 for each incident.
- Each player not wearing a matching uniform as per League rules, £10 per player and match.
6-All communication between the league and the clubs will be between the league secretary and the club secretary. Email is the preferred mean of communication to send fixtures, updates or any official message.
7- The League has a zero tolerance policy towards verbal/physical abuse towards anybody participating in the game or any other kind of unsportsmanlike behaviour. Acts of racial assault/insult will result in the perpetrator(s) being banned from all competitions.
8- The League is not responsible for any injury or theft that may occur while practicing basketball in our premises.
F- DUTIES OF A CLUB SECRETARY
1-Contact Person. You will be our point of contact; we will inform you of fixtures, appointments, and any other relevant information. You will need to have access to an email account and use of a mobile telephone. You are responsible for the management of your email account.
2-Postponements. You will inform the League in writing about any postponements with at least two (2) weeks notice.
3-Registration. The club secretary will send the club, players and coach(es) registration forms properly filled in and payment of the appropriate fees to the League.
4-AGM. The club secretary or its representative must attend the AGM of the League. The club secretary represents their club and can speak, present motions in writing and vote on their behalf. A minimum of fourteen (14) days notice is expected to present motions to the League.
5-Discipline. The club secretary will be informed of any disciplinary issue regarding their club. The club secretary may be asked for a report of their version of the facts under investigation.
6-On the day of the game, at least 30 minutes before tip-off, the coach or club secretary or their representative shall give the list of players to the table officials.
This list of duties is not a complete one. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any doubt. Unless it is clearly specified in this handbook, the London Amateur Basketball League will apply FIBA rules & regulations. Participation in this competition requires all teams to agree to these terms and conditions mentioned above.
The League will be successful if all teams, committee members and officials have good communication skills and follow the guidance and advice in this handbook.
All correspondence to be sent to the League Secretary, Jose L Celorio, amateurbasketball@yahoo.co.uk
© London Amateur Basketball League 3rd September 2008
CONSTITUTION OF THE LEAGUE
1-TITLE- The organization shall be called the London Amateur Basketball League (the League). The League is a founding member of The London Basketball Partnership Group and is registered with the national governing body, England Basketball.
2-AIMS- The object of the League shall be to promote and encourage the playing of basketball within the City of London and London Boroughs, not exclusive.
The League will support the development of officials, coaches and club managers. The League will provide support and guidance to teams linked to the communities in the area specified above.
3-MEMBERSHIP- Any team or/and individual may enter the League subject to the following conditions:
a) Each team must be registered with England Basketball.
b) Individuals must be registered with England Basketball.
c) Payment of the relevant fees for entry into the League competitions.
d) Membership is conditional on Clubs/individuals agreeing to abide by this Constitution and the League Playing Rules as laid out in its Handbook.
e) A Membership Registrar shall be kept with the General Secretary or Registrar.
4-THE LEAGUE COMMITTEE: ITS OFFICERS
a) The officers of the League Committee (the Committee) shall be: a President, Vice-President, Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Technical Secretary, Register and up to three ordinary members.
b) All the officers shall serve for a period of 2 years, and shall be eligible for re-election at the AGM following their term of office. Officers who wish to resign shall give one month notice to the Secretary.
5-THE LEAGUE COMMITTEE:
a) The Committee shall consist of those persons described at 4.
b) The Committee shall manage the affairs of the League in all matters appertaining to it, and any which are not expressly provided for in this constitution.
c) Any other persons may be co-opted at the discretion of the Committee but the co-opted members will not have voting rights.
d) Subject to the above, each Committee member shall be entitled to one vote at any Committee meeting. The President or Chair shall have the casting vote in the event of the voting being equal.
e) Five members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary, or a person they had previously delegated duties, must be present at any meeting.
f) The Committee shall have the authority to draw up, revise or amend the rules of all and any competition within the League.
g) The Committee shall decide upon the composition of the League and approve its fixtures.
h) The Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Sub-Committee to deal with any matters referred to it. The Sub-Committee shall normally consist of the Vice-Chair, the Secretary (Conveyor) and the Technical Secretary. No person who is concerned in any dispute of subject of any discipline may sit on the Sub-Committee.
i) The Committee will have the powers to punish a defaulter in the event of any breach of rule or constitution, following guidance from the League Handbook and England Basketball policies and codes of conduct.
j) Teams and individuals shall have the right to appeal to the Committee, provided written notice is given with fourteen (14) clear days to the Secretary.
6- FINANCIAL AFFAIRS-
a) The financial year for the League will be on the last day of the month following the end of the playing season.
b) The accounting records for this year will be presented at the AGM by the Treasurer and shall always be open to the inspection of the Members of the League Committee.
c) The League bank account will require the signatures of the Secretary and the Treasurer to pay in or withdraw money.
7- ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM): PROCEDURES.
a) The AGM will be held as soon after the end of the playing season as possible.
b) The Officers of the League Committee shall be elected at this meeting once at least in every year.
c) At least twenty eight (28) days notice of this meeting must be given by the Secretary to all participant clubs and officers.
d) Each participant club/team must be represented at the AGM, and no person may vote in more than one capacity.
e) Persons entitled to vote shall be the League Committee Officers and one representative of each club participating in the League. Except for the election of League Committee Officers, when only Club Representatives can vote.
f) Decisions shall be made by simple majority voting, except for amendments to the constitution. See 9 below.
g) The Chair of the AGM shall have a second or casting vote.
h) Proposals for changes to the League Constitution and nominations for posts on the League Committee must be lodged in writing with the Secretary within seven (7) days of receiving notice of an AGM. Any changes or nominations must be proposed and seconded by at least one voting member.
8- SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (SGM): PROCEDURES.
A Special General Meeting can be convened whenever it may be considered necessary by the Committee or on requisition in writing signed by not less than one third of the League members, addressed to the Secretary and stating the purpose of the meeting. Sections 7[c] and [d] will apply at such a meeting.
9- AMMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION- No alterations to this constitution shall be made except by the voting majority of at least two thirds of the voters present. Section 5[e] will apply.
10- POWERS OF INTERPRETATION- Powers of interpretation shall be vested in the Committee except during an AGM/SGM, when the President or Chair may interpret alone.
11- DISOLUTION- In the event of dissolution, all assets and moneys will be given to other organizations with similar aims as the London Amateur Basketball League.
Amended on
26th January 2008
