The Constitution of the
Three Shires
Pétanque League

1 PURPOSE:
The purpose of "THE LEAGUE" is to promote the game of pétanque within a prescribed district.

2 NAME:
"THE LEAGUE" shall be known as the "THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE" (hereinafter referred to as "THE LEAGUE" for the purposes of this document).

3 HEADQUARTERS:
"THE LEAGUE" shall have its Headquarters at: "The Engine Public House Baldock"

4 COMMITTEES:
Two Committees elected annually by the Club Representatives shall control the business of "THE LEAGUE"
a. The Management Committee - who shall be responsible for the running of "THE LEAGUE"

I.   The Management Committee will be formed from the four Officers of "THE LEAGUE" plus 4 other ex officio members, who shall be elected at the AGM following the resignation of a member. Any club may nominate a person to stand as an ex officio member. If there are not enough nominations a person may be co-opted onto the committee by an existing Officer. They will then be proposed and seconded.

II.   The Members shall elect the following Officers annually:
            Chairman
            Hon. Secretary
            Hon. Treasurer
            Competition Secretary

III.   Terms of Reference for these posts are at Annex A. The Terms of Reference for Club Representatives are at Annex B.

b.    The Competition Committee - who shall be responsible for the organisation of all League Matches, tournaments etc.

I.   The Competition Committee shall consist of the Competition Secretary, the Treasurer, the Secretary and Four other ex officio persons elected annually as in 4a (1) above.

II.   The Competition Secretary shall be the Chairman of the Competition Committee. This Committee will be quorate when three members attend and will be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Committee.

III.   The Terms of Reference for Competition Committee members are at Annex c.

5. ELIGIBILITY:
a.    Any Public House, Club or Institution within a radius of 15 miles of the Headquarters of "THE LEAGUE" may form a Pétanque Club and apply to join "THE LEAGUE" Applications must be made to The Competition Secretary who will make his/her recommendation to the Competition Committee

b.    Exceptionally Pétanque Clubs outside "THE LEAGUE" radius may apply to join "THE LEAGUE" and must apply as defined in rule 5.

6. MEETINGS:
a.    "THE LEAGUE" shall hold an Annual General Meeting in November of each year at which the Representatives of the Clubs should attend in accordance with the Terms of Reference at Annex B to this constitution. THREE representatives of three different Clubs may call an Extraordinary General Meeting provided that they notify the Chairman and the Secretary in writing. TWENTY -ONE day's notice must be given before such a meeting can take place.
b.    Only items specified in the request for an Extraordinary General Meeting may be discussed at the meeting.
c.    The Competition Committee shall hold meetings as and when necessary to ensure the smooth running of league matches and tournaments. Any member of the Competition Committee can request any such meeting by contacting the Competition Secretary.
7. REGISTRATION FEES:
a.    The annual Registration Fee for each Club entering "THE LEAGUE" shall be determined by the Treasurer and offered for ratification at the Annual General Meeting.
b.    The registration fee for competitions, tournaments etc shall be determined from time to time.
c.    All fees as defined above should be sent to the Treasurer for payment to the "THE THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE". Fees for Open Tournaments will be accepted in advance or on the day.
8. CLUB MEMBERSHIP AND REGISTRATION:
a.    Each Club shall have THREE elected Officers who shall be Chairman/President, Secretary & Treasurer. The Club and its THREE elected Officers must be registered with the English Pétanque Association (EPA). Such fees payable to the EPA should be paid in accordance with EPA regulations currently in force.
b.    Pétanque Club members should be encouraged to register with the EPA, but such registration, other than that defined in 8a, is not a condition of playing in "THE LEAGUE" or in any events organised by The Competition Committee.
c.    All Pétanque Club Members must be registered with THE LEAGUE" on the Registration Form provided. Players' full names should be used on the form.
d.    Where a Pétanque Club has more that one team in THE LEAGUE the Competition Secretary shall be given the name of the TEAM members in addition to the Club Registration. No club member may play for more than one team in THE LEAGUE. Club players registration is at Annex D.
e.    Players may only change Clubs during the season with the approval of both the Club Chairman concerned and the Competition Committee. Requests for a change of Club shall be given in writing, with the reasons for such a request.
f.    A Team shall comprise of a minimum of SIX and Maximum of TWELVE players. New players may be registered at any time, (subject to rule 8e) but their name(s) must be given to the Competition Secretary prior to their inclusion in their first League Match.
9 DISCIPliNARY ACTION:
a.    Any disciplinary matters arising shall be dealt with at the discretion of the Competition Committee. All Clubs will be notified of any decisions of the Competition Committee in such matters.
b.    A Club failing to appear for THREE matches consecutive or otherwise during the season will be asked to explain their reasons to the Competition Committee who may, at their discretion, expel the Club from "THE LEAGUE" .If a team is expelled, all its scores will be erased from the results for the season.
10 AREA AVAILABLE FOR MATCHES:
a.    Clubs must provide at least TWO pistes for match play.
b.    The size of a piste shall be at least 12 metres long by 2,5 metres wide. Clubs having Pistes smaller than this should notify the Competition Committee who may, at their discretion agree to their use.
c.    Pistes should be lit to a standard such that ends in play can be clearly seen.
11 COMPETITIONS.
a.    There shall be a Summer League with matches played from April to the cut-off point in October. Where appropriate this league will be split into divisions of no more than twelve teams.
b.    There shall be a Winter League where matches will be played from December to April inclusive.
c.    There shall be Knockout Tournaments, of which details will be announced during the current season.
12 TROPHIES
Trophies will be awarded as follows: -
a.    To the Club for;
Summer League Divisional Winners and Runners Up
League Cup Main & Plate Winners and Runners Up
Winter League Main & Plate Winners and Runners Up
Open Competition Winners and Runners Up #
Club Champions Winners and Runners Up (321)
b.    To individuals:
Winter League Finalists Main & Plate
Open Competition Winners and Runners Up
League Cup Main & Plate Winners & Runners Up
Champions Winners & Runners Up
The League will supply where necessary 6 trophies. Any number above that amount must be paid for by the Clubs requesting them, at a cost that the Committee deems necessary to cover for same.
c.    To teams for:
Open Competition Winners and Runners Up#
(# where a team comprises a mixture of players from different clubs )
13. LEAGUE MATCH RULES:
The rules to be applied to League matches are explained in "THE THREE SHIRES PETANQUE LEAGUE MATCH RULES".

14. INSURANCE:
Attention is drawn to the requirement of adequate insurance cover. This may be achieved in three ways: -
a.    The individual Public House, Club or Institution is responsible for providing cover.
b.    The Club's registration with the EPA will provide cover,
c.    The individual players' registration with the EPA will provide cover.
League Name Changed and Constitution Amended
January 19th 2003
EPA Updates 10th February 2005
John Deaville - Competition Secretary Three Shires Petanque League
Ratified at: