Ahead of the news season, the Officers of the Association thought it might be helpful to offer a brief review of the Rules affecting player eligibility, as they stand following the changes made at last year’s AGM.

Firstly and most importantly, players can only take an active part in any fixture provided they have been registered before they take the field.  This can be done by message on my Answering Machine (01224 822835) and followed up by an updated copy of the club’s Registration List at the start of the week.

While individuals can be registered by any number of clubs, they can PLAY for only one club unless one of the sub-sections of Rule 13 applies.  Rule 13(a) allows players from Clubs whose First Elevens are in Grade 2 or below to play up to two games on a trial basis for a Club whose First Eleven is in a higher grade; but the consent of the donor club must have been secured, and both clubs must have advised the Association Secretary in advance.  Rule 13(c) allows players to transfer;  BUT ONLY IN THE FIRST SIX WEEKS OF THE SCHEDULED SEASON, ONCE LETTERS HAVE BEEN LODGED BY BOTH CLUBS, THE TRANSFER HAS BEEN SIGNED OFF BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE PLAYER HAS LODGED (AND HAD RECEIPTED) AN ADMINISTRATION FEE OF £25. ANY OUTSTANDING DEBTS TO THE PREVIOUS CLUB MUST ALSO HAVE BEEN SETTLED.  Players who move under either of these Rules may not appear for two different teams in the same Cup Competition in the same season.  New players, who have not previously played this season, may be registered at any time – but it is the responsibility of clubs before they register any player to check s/he has no outstanding debts from the previous season – failing to check is no defence.

Restricted rules, as set out in Rule 12, apply to persons who have not been ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area for the 6 months (183 days) prior to any match.  Unless they fall in one of the exempt groups Clubs may field only ONE such player in any game.  Other special provisions apply to over-21 players who have appeared in the National League in current season, to Grade 4 and to players in junior competitions; or to clubs that fold during a season.

Players who have appeared in First Class Cricket, as evidenced by the Association of Cricket Statisticians Yearbook in the current or two previous calendar years may not appear in the Grades under any circumstances.  Nor may anyone whose amateur status has been compromised by their receiving assistance in either cash or kind to induce or to facilitate the playing of cricket.  It is the understanding of the Officers that this includes not simply direct financial payment; but equally the provision of free or subsidised accommodation or employment (whether by a Club directly or otherwise) without which a player from overseas would be unable to support her/himself in the UK; and equally financial concessions by Clubs which are not related to, or reflect, reimbursement of expenses actually directly incurred.

The penalties if Rules on player eligibility are breached are the same as those available to the Disciplinary Committee and are set out in Rule 23(f).

On an unrelated issue, this opportunity is taken to remind clubs that the Toss for Innings must by the Laws of the Game take place ON THE FIELD OF PLAY not later than 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START OF PLAY [allowing for any wet weather delay]: under Grade Rules any team for whom a representative is not available on the Field at that point may be adjudged to have lost the Toss.

D M Jones
Hon Secretary