Rules of the Cambridgeshire Senior Squash Leagues 2024-25

1. League Membership
1. Any club based within Cambridgeshire shall be eligible to enter teams. Other clubs may be eligible to enter teams, subject to a two-thirds majority in a ballot of team captains.
2. Each team must pay the annual Cambridgeshire league subscription which currently stands at £50/team.
3. Any team applying for league membership must offer at least a two court facility.
2. Team Management and Player Eligibility
1. SportyHQ is used to manage the leagues with access through https://www.sportyhq.com/league/view/127.
2. Clubs may be represented by anyone who has not played for any other club during the current season.
3. If a player wishes to change clubs during the season he/she must request the permission of the league secretary.
4. In the case that a club does not have a ladies' team, a female player who wishes to play in different clubs in the Open division and the Ladies may seek special permission from the league secretary.
3. Merit order, club ranking, and registration of players
1. Players must be added to the club's ranking prior to their first appearance for the club. Players should be added to their team on SportyHQ prior to the end of the match on their first appearance so that results can be inputted. Team captains have a further 24hrs to add their new players to the overall club ranking by emailing the league secretary. 
2. Club rankings will be managed in a Google sheet viewable by all captains which the league secretary will update with new players.
3. Teams must play in order of merit and club rankings must reflect that order. Players may not change order without permission of the league secretary. The temporary indisposition of a player does not justify that player being played in a lower position. Any changes in order will be done between the first and second half of the season, unless special permission is applied for from the league secretary.
4. In the case of players not being added prior to their appearance in a match, on the first occasion, a 48hr grace period subsequent to the start time of the fixture may be permitted. On subsequent occasions for the same team, a 3 point penalty per player will be applied.
5. In the case of a merit order not being submitted prior to the first match, a 10 point penalty will be applied. Best practice is to submit a club ranking list, including all potential team players in order of merit, by emailing the league secretary. 
4. Nominations
1. Five players shall be nominated for each team.
2. Nominations may be submitted prior to the first match of the season, or alternatively will be the five players who play the first match for a team. 
3. Nominated players should be players who are expected to play regularly for the club. Nominated players must play at least four matches (two matches in the case of the ladies division) across the season for the club. If a nominated player does not meet these requirements, a 20 point penalty will be applied to the team. In special circumstances, changes in nominations may be considered (e.g. player moves away, long-term injury, etc.), with permission of the league secretary.
4. Nominated players are not permitted to play for a lower team but are permitted to play up.
5. Nominations are not required for the lowest team in a club.
5. Clubs with more than one team
1. Representing a higher club team: A player nominated for a lower team, or not nominated, may represent a higher team on three occasions whilst still being allowed to represent a lower team and without informing the League Secretary. On the fourth occasion, they become committed to the higher team and will no longer be able to represent any lower teams.
2. If the club has three or more teams, the player may represent any of the higher teams, but will be unable to represent the lowest team that they were representing, when their combined appearances for the higher teams reaches four. They may continue to represent the lowest of the higher teams they were representing, until they play four times for a team that is higher still. E.g. Club has 4 teams, Div. 1, 2, 3, 4. Player nominated for team 4 plays 2x for team 3 and 2x for team 2. Player is now ineligible for team 4 but can continue to play for teams 3, 2, & 1. If he then played another 2x for team 2 (total 4x appearances for team 2), he then becomes ineligible for team 3. See also rule 5.6 for further restrictions on highly ranked non-nominated players. 
3. Representing a lower club team: A nominated player or a player who has been committed to a higher team as per "Representing a higher club team" can only represent a lower club team with special permission from the league secretary. The change of team will be deemed permanent for the rest of the season and the player will not be able to represent any higher teams for the rest of the season.
4. Clubs with more than one team in the same division: Players nominated or committed to either of the teams cannot play for the other team within the division. Players not nominated or committed can play for either team until they become committed to one team, on the fourth appearance for that team. Those playing at string 2 or higher are deemed to be committed on their first appearance.
5. Ladies: A player nominated for the ladies' team may represent any Open division team in their club. The same rules apply on how many matches they may play before becoming committed. They can continue to play for the ladies' team regardless of how many matches they play in the Open division. A lady can be nominated or committed to a team in the Open division and remain eligible for the Ladies.
6. Higher ranked non-nominated players: in the case where a player is not nominated for a team but is ranked above the 3rd string nominated player in a given team, that player shall not be permitted to play for a lower team. 
7. Where matches are played with less than a full team, a player receiving a walkover will count towards playing for that team.
6. Infrequent player rule
1. No player can play for a team in the last four matches, as defined by the original fixture list, unless he/she has played at least twice for the club (including ladies fixtures) in the current season. Any postponed matches that fall after the 4th last match according to the original fixture list will have this rule applied. 
2. For the Ladies' Division, given their shorter fixture list, the above rule will apply to the last two matches.
3. This rule may be waived in cases where the result will not affect promotion or relegation, with the permission of the league secretary. 
4. Appeals to this rule, where the new players coming in are below the nominated players in the merit ranking for the lowest team in a club, will also be considered.
7. Matches
1. Matches are played from September to April. Each club is required to play every club in its division twice during that period on a home and away basis.
2. Teams must have a home match night of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
3. Open Division 1 must play on Wednesday, unless a particular fixtures conflict demands a re-arranged night.
4. Unless otherwise agreed, matches will be assumed to start at 7:30pm. Start times must not be before 7pm or after 7:45pm. Two courts must be available to start at latest 8pm.
5. The provisional fixture list will be circulated 3 weeks prior to the first match. Team secretaries have until the first match of the season to re-arrange matches and to notify the league secretary of any change. After that date matches should be played as set out in the fixture list. Matches can only be re-arranged in exceptional circumstances and only with the approval of the league secretary. Exceptional circumstances may include adverse weather conditions or a major traffic incident which prevents the entire team from travelling. The absence of individual players is not an exceptional circumstance, however far in advance this is known. Each team’s squad should be sufficient to handle illnesses and absences.
6. In exceptional circumstances which require matches to be rearranged, the team who remained available must offer two alternative dates within the same half (with two extra weeks allowed after the last fixture for 2nd half matches). 
7. For the University teams, for fixtures that fall outside of term time, if requested, the opposition team must offer two alternative dates within that half and within the Cambridge University term time. The University must accept one of these alternative dates or play on the original date.
8. Any rearranged matches from the 1st half should be played by Christmas and from the 2nd half should be played by the end of the fixture list.
9. The league secretary must be informed of any rearrangement within 24hrs of the original fixture date. 
10. Teams from the same club in the same division must play each other as the first match in each half of the season, if possible.
11. Courts must be in playable condition. This includes but is not limited to: a minimum temperature of 15°C; a minimum light level of 300 lux measured 1m above floor level at the T; fair condition of both walls and floor including clean, non-slippy floors, and walls free of condensation.
12. In the event of courts being unplayable in the opinion of one or both captains, a re-arrangement will be permitted. This may be rearranged to a later date at the same venue, or at another venue. In the case where the hosting team is unable to provide playable courts, any court costs incurred at the rearranged fixture will be covered by the original host team as well as entertainment costs (food and drink) and balls.
13. In the event that temperatures on court are below 15°C, alternative balls may be used (such as single yellow, red dot, and so on), at the discretion of the away captain.
14. In the event that the condition of the courts prevents a match being played, a default will be awarded to the away team, and a 5 point penalty applied to the host team.
15. Home teams are responsible for providing brand new Dunlop double yellow dot balls, unless both captains agree to use another.
16. Double headers are not permitted for league matches. Cup matches may be double headers with league matches.
17. The rules of squash as approved by England Squash shall apply.
8. Defaults
1. Any team defaulting a match will lose 20 points and will be considered as having played the match. The non-defaulting team will be considered to have played the match and will be awarded full points (20). 
2. A team of 2 or fewer players is considered to be a default and will incur the same penalty.
3. In the case of a default at short notice (less than 24hrs) and in cases where costs for food or courts have been incurred, the defaulting team may be fined up to £50 to compensate the home team.
4. Should any team drop out of the league in the season, any points differential between remaining teams due to matches with the dropped team will be equalised.
5. In the event of a team playing with fewer than 5 players, the top player will be drawn against the opponent’s top player, etc. Defaulted strings will be scored 3-0.
6. Teams who default two times will be ejected from the league and must reapply for entry next season. 
9. Being on time
1. At least three players from each side should make every effort to be present and available to play at the published match start time. All players should make every effort to be present and available to play within 30 minutes of the start time. If any players are absent or unavailable to play after this time without prior agreement between the captains, the opponents can claim the string and all lower strings.
2. Effort should be made to avoid this default situation by communication between captains at least 24hrs in advance of the match. This communication should include the League Secretary if necessary in order to resolve any disputes.
3. Published start time means ‘players changed ready to play’. It does not mean ‘players at the club ready to change’.
4. The default order shall be: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Changes to this order are permitted if availability of players demands it but should be followed if possible. 
5. At least three players from each team should be available until the end of the match as well as at the start.
6. Marking is the responsibility of the home team and sufficient personnel should be available throughout the match to cover this.
7. If there is insufficient court time to complete a match, the balance of any incomplete games will be awarded against the team that caused a delay in the start time. If both team were on time, then the home side shall forfeit any incomplete games.
10. Results
1. One point is awarded for each game (best of five games). The team winning three or more rubbers is awarded five bonus points.
2. Points total will decide league positions. In the event of a tie, positions will be determined by matches won, then games won, then games lost. 
3. No points will be awarded to teams for matches played after the due date for league subscriptions, should the team be late in paying their subscriptions, and points will only be awarded for matches played after subscriptions have been paid.
4. For Open and Ladies’ divisions PAR scoring to 15 is to be used (2 clear points if 14-14 is reached). Open Division 1 is PAR to 11 (2 clear points if 10-10 is reached)
5. Results should be inputted into SportyHQ within 6 days of a match being played. For results submitted later than 6 days of the listed or postponed match date, the teams late in submitting their results will be penalised one point per day. E.g. if a match was played on Wednesday, results must be inputted by midnight on the following Tuesday. If results are then inputted on the following Wednesday, the team responsible for the late input of results will be penalised 1 point, and so on for each subsequent day.
11. Promotion
1. Open Division 1 and 2: The bottom team in Division 1 will be relegated and the top team in Division 2 will be promoted. The runner-up in Division 2 will play the second bottom team on Division 1 on a neutral ground before the end of April. The default date will be the last Wednesday in April (a different date may be arranged with agreement of both team captains). The winner will be Division 1 the following season.
2. Other Mixed Divisions: Two teams from each division will be promoted and two relegated, although variation may be necessary.
3. A bye will not count as a team for the purposes of relegation. (The policy of the League is to relegate the requisite number of teams and fill vacancies by promotion from lower divisions.)
12. New Teams
1. New teams shall normally start in the lowest division unless they make a successful application to the league secretary for commencement in a higher division.
2. Should a club close down during the season, any proposal to deploy teams to other existing clubs must be submitted to the league secretary in writing.
13. Disputes and Conduct
1. Players must conduct themselves in a seemly fashion at all times (on- and off-court).
2. Markers must mark to the best of their ability and in an unbiased fashion. They should familiarise themselves with the rules of squash as approved by England Squash.
3. Supporters must conduct themselves in a seemly fashion and should not attempt to influence the marker or the play.
4. Disagreements on- and off-court should be dealt with in a reasoned fashion between team captains.
5. Details of any disputes or reports of any misconduct must be reported in writing to the league secretary within one week (7 days) of the incident. Issues will be considered by the league secretary and action taken if it is felt necessary. This may include suspension from one or more week's play.
14. Appeals
1. In exceptional circumstances appeals may be considered on the above rules by the league secretary. 
2. In cases where captains wish to appeal against the decision of the league secretary, appeals must be made in writing within one week of the decision of the league secretary. The Cambridgeshire SRA committee will consider and rule upon any such appeals.

RULES OF THE CUP COMPETITIONS 2024-25

1. Format
   1. The Light Blue, Hereward & Portway Perpetual Cup will remain as separate competitions, with a Plate event added to ensure a minimum of 2 matches for each entered team.
   2. Clubs may enter more than 1 team into any of the cup competitions.
   3. Matches will be randomly drawn as home or away for all rounds except the Finals.
   4. Finals Day will be Saturday 5^th April 2025 (Venue t.b.c).
2. Eligibility
   1. To be eligible to play in the cup you just need to be a member of the club you arerepresenting. You do not have to have played in the leagues during the current season.
3. Team Order
   1. Clubs must submit a team list of a minimum of 4 players for each team entered.
   2. Players can not swap teams once they have represented a team.
4.  Matches
   1. The cups will trial a 4-string match format.
   2. PAR 11 scoring for the Light Blue, PAR 15 for the Hereward Cup & Portway Perpetual Cup.
   3. In the case of a draw (2-2), the result will be decided first by a game count back, and if still a draw, then a total point scored count back.
5.  Results
   1. Results will be sent to the league secretary to be published on a spreadsheet for everyone to view.
   2. A google sheet will be provided to all captains with the draws/dates/times.
6.  Entry
   1. Clubs must confirm their team entries by 31/10/24 with the League Secretary.
   2. There are no entry fees for the cup competitions in the 2024/25 season.