Attached below is a copy of the proposed Changes to Rules that the Rules Committee will be submitting for consideration, along with an appendix thereto which reviews the position of league games which were washed out twice this past season.

Should clubs wish to propose any changes to Rules these should reach me by 5pm on Thursday October 20^th, so that Clubs may receive 28 days’ notice of the same. Notice of any such proposals will be posted on the Association Web site.

Notice of any amendments to the proposals made by the Rules Committee, other than direct negatives, or to any other proposals which may be submitted by Clubs, must likewise be submitted to me by 5pm on Thursday November 3^rd, for circulation with the AGM papers.

In terms of Association Rule 26 any proposed changes to Rules, or amendments thereto, must be proposed by a minimum of three member clubs.

Finally, can I remind you that any Club wishing to enter additional teams into the league, or to withdraw an existing team, is required to give notice of this by Tuesday November 1^st 2011.

Yours sincerely

David M Jones

Honorary Secretary

Clubs are reminded that the deadline is fast approaching for the submission of their relative Club averages and nominations for the "Fair Team" award. So far the response has been very poor. Please, please, please could you submit the relative information now and not wait for the deadline to David Jones (d.jones@abdn.ac.uk) or/and Robin Taylor (robin.taylor4566@hotmail.co.uk). NB Please ensure that you receive acknowledgement of your email as we can not be held responsible for "lost" emails. Many thanks.

So Far we have had response: 
For the Grades Averages from 1st & 2nd AGSFP's, Bon Accord, Crathie, Crescent, Cults, Cults-Artisans, Dunecht, 1st Ellon, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverurie, Kemnay, 1st & 2nd Knightriders, 1st &2nd Methlick, QX-SD, SD-QX, 1st & 2nd Stonehaven.
For the Fair Team award from 1st & 2nd AGSFP's, Bon Accord, Crescent, Dunecht, Fraserburgh, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gordonians, Huntly, Inverurie, 1st & 2nd Knightriders, 2nd Methlick, SD/QX, 1st & 2nd Stonehaven.

• Send back club averages (last date FRIDAY 30th September 2011) NB Averages recieved after this date will not be included in awards
• Send back you nomination for the "Fair Team" award (last date FRIDAY 30th September 2011) NB Nominations recieved after this date will not be included in awards
• Winners of last years trophies to return trophies back to Trophies International (last date FRIDAY 30th September 2011)
• Respond back to your Grades Rep on numbers attending Grades Dinner and if Transportation is required ASAP

• Grades Dinner is on Friday 21st October 2011
• AGM is on Sunday 20th November 2011

The 2010 AGM has been postponed as a result of the severe weather. It will now be held at an as yet undecided date in the first half of January.

Attached is formal Notice of the Rule Changes for 2011 drafted by the Rules Committee on which Clubs will be asked to vote at the AGM on Sunday November 28th.

Any amendments, which must be proposed by a minimum of three clubs, must be submitted by 5pm on Friday November 12th in order that clubs may get 14 days' notice of the same.

Clubs are reminded that the remit of the Rules Committee is solely to maintain under review the Rules of Competition of the Association, and to afford an opportunity to member Clubs to express their views on issues which have arisen, or on which it is suggested clarification of practice may be desirable.  Proposals are therefore drafted by the Committee in a technical capacity; and do not necessarily represent the views of its members, either individually or collectively.

David M Jones
Association Secretary
19 October 2010.

Clubs are reminded that the 2009 AGM of the Association will take place at Mannofield on Sunday November 29th 2009 at 3.00pm; and are advised that the Spring Meeting 2010 has been provisionally arranged for the penultimate Sunday in February.

CHANGES TO RULES
The proposals received from the Rules Committee to Changes to the Rules of Competition for 2010 are as set out below.  These have also been posted to all Clubs; but in view of the current industrial action affecting the Royal Mail are also being published on the Web to ensure that, so that so far as can be achieved, Clubs have the normal 28 days’ notice of them.

Any amendments to the proposed changes, in the names of three clubs, must be submitted by November 14th, and will similarly be published on Web thereafter, as well as distributed by post.

The proposals already received from the Rules Committee are as under:

Rule 13 Players
For the existing Rule 13 (c) substitute:

“If for any reason during a season a player wishes to change Clubs he may be allowed to do so provided s/he has permission from the Management Committee after having forwarded written statements to them from both Clubs explaining the reasons why; provided no more than six weeks have elapsed from the scheduled start of the season; and provided also that s/he has settled all debts to her/his previous Club and returned all property of that Club.  The player in question has also to pay to the Association a £25.00 fee, and this has to be paid and receipted before he can play for the new Club.”

To the existing Rule 13(g) substitute

“Where a club has two or more teams in the Grades, they shall be required to inform the Secretary of the Association before the start of each season, and the other teams in the Grades they are about to participate in, of the names of a number of members to be determined by the Executive at its Annual General Meeting from time to time [currently six] who will be allowed to play only for the Club's recognised 1st Grade XI during that season. This rule will apply to all teams who run 2nd and 3rd Grade XI's.”

Rule 25 Standard Ball
To the existing Rule add:

“Subject to endorsement by the Annual General Meeting, the ball to be used in fixtures at Grade 1 level shall be of the quality specification next above [Thistle Sports to advise of exact specification and price].”