1. Title
1.1)This Association of Cricket interests shall be called the Yorkshire Cricket Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association). The Association shall be members of the E.C.B.

2. Objects
2.1)To bring together through periodic meetings representatives of all member organisations.

2.2)To promote interest in cricket at all levels and to foster and develop active participation in the game.

2.3)To endeavour at all times to uphold the high traditions and spirit and Laws of the game.

2.4)To act as the advisory body on the provision of cricket facilities with particular reference to liaison and consultation with Local Authorities.

2.5)To have close consultation and liaison with whoever may be concerned or need to be consulted for consideration of cricket problems and development taking into account not only the game itself but the umpiring, club and ground maintenance, financial considerations and general administration.

3. Membership
3.1)The membership of the Association shall be composed of the Leagues and other bodies of cricket clubs operating within Yorkshire , the Yorkshire Women's Cricket Association and the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

3.2)The Yorkshire Senior Schools Cricket Association, the Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association, the Joe Lumb Cricket Competition, the Yorkshire Cricket Board Coaches Association  (the foregoing shall have voting rights), Yorkshire branches of the Association of Cricket Umpires & Scorers.

3.3)Cleveland Schools Cricket Association, East Yorkshire & North Lincoln Schools Cricket Association, Lord Taverners Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival, Yorkshire Youth Charity Trust, the Yorkshire Institute of Groundsmen, Junior players under 18 years of age. Leagues or Competitions where participating Clubs are already affiliated through the membership of other Leagues together with Sport England shall also be members (the foregoing shall be non-voting).

3.4)Individual Clubs who are not members of the League or other member body shall be entitled to associate membership (non-voting).

3.5)Members, ex-officio members or associate members wishing to resign from the Association must do so in writing to the Chief Executive not later than 31st October in any year. A resignation cannot be accepted until current and past obligations have been met.

3.6)Menbership shall be open to all, irrespective of age, disability, race, origin, colour, social status and sexual orientation.

4. Finances
4.1)The Annual Subscription for Clubs who are members of organisations as defined in 3.1 excluding the Y.C.C.C. and Y.W.C.A. shall be as determined from time to time by the Association.

4.2)The voting organisations referred to in rule 3.2 shall pay an annual subscription as shall be determined from time to time and the non-voting organisations referred to in Rule 3.3 shall not pay a subscription.

4.3)The subscription for individual Clubs shall be the same as prescribed in rule 4.1 subject to an additional amount as shall be determined from time to time by the Association to cover the additional administration of individual membership.

4.4)All subscriptions and donations shall be due and payable on 1st March  and must be paid by 30th June to the Honorary Treasurer. Failure to make payment by the prescribed date may incur a fine of up to £5.00 payable within 14 days of receipt of the notice and withdrawal of  membership rights until all obligations have been met. If full and complete settlement is not made within the additional period the matter will be referred back to the Council of the Association whose decision will be final until the next A.G.M. when expulsion shall be the ultimate decision.

4.5)The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds of the Association through an account or accounts in the name of the Association. At the discretion of the Council of the Association   accounts may be opened for the deposit of funds with any one or more suitable financial, institutions. Cheques may be drawn and signed by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Treasurer or Chief Executive, two out of four may sign.

4.6)The Association shall provide each Area Council with a sum of money equivalent to 20% of the subscription monies retained by the Association  in each year.

4.7)The financial year shall end on 30th November, after which accounts shall be audited by the Honorary Auditor who shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

4.8)Honoraria , if any, to be paid to any individual shall be agreed at the Annual General Meeting. Such Honoraria shall be awarded in respect of the previous year.

5. Officers Of The Association
5.1)The Officers of the Association shall consist of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Treasurer and Chief Executive, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

5.2)Secretaries may be appointed at the discretion of the Council of the Association , who will clearly define the duties of the office.

6. General Meetings Of The Association
6.1)The Annual General Meeting of members (as defined in Rules 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4) shall be held not later than 28th February in any year.

6.2)Nominations of Officers must be received in writing on or before 31st December. Nominations may also be made by the Council of the Association. The intention of existing Officers shall be made known to the members not later than 31st October.

6.3)Proposals for alterations to these Rules at the Annual General Meeting shall be received in writing by the Chief Executive not later than 30th November. The proposals shall be considered by the Council and shall be circulated with the Agenda for the meeting with the  Council's comments appended, together with any supporting remarks of the proposer. The Council and Area Councils may also make proposals for alterations to the Rules. All proposals will require to be seconded in the Annual General Meeting before they can be put to the meeting for voting.

6.4)The Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be forwarded to the members so that it is received at least 21 days before the meeting. It shall include the nominations of Officers and shall provide for the election of two Honorary Solicitors, two Honorary Rating Surveyors and  Valuers and an Honorary Auditor. It shall include any proposals for alterations to the Rules and the Honorary Treasurer's Audited Financial Statement.

6.5)An Extraordinary General meeting shall be called within 21 days of a request in writing by at least six members being received by the Chief Executive. The object of the meeting shall be fully stated in the request and in the notice convening the meeting. A Special General Meeting may also be convened by decision of the Council. The provisions regarding the notice to members shall be as for the Annual General Meeting.

6.7)A two-thirds majority of members present, and voting, shall be required for a proposed alteration to rule to be carried. In all other matters a simple majority of members present, and voting, shall suffice.

6.8)Officers, Secretaries and other members of the Council shall be present but shall not have voting rights at General Meetings except as a representative of a member organisation. The Chairman of the meeting  shall have a casting vote only. Representatives of members at General Meetings shall be based on the numbers of Clubs fully affiliated to them , always provided that a Club may be counted only once and that in respect of its first or senior team. This applies to fully affiliated Leagues and Organisations . except the Y.C.C.C. as referred to in Rule 3.1 and representation shall be as follows:

1-25    Clubs affiliated    1 representative
26-50  Clubs affiliated    2 representatives
over 50 Clubs affiliated  3 representatives

The Y.C.C.C. shall be entitled to 2 representatives. The voting  organisations in Rules 3.2 and 3.3 shall be entitled to 1 representative. The other organisations as in Rules 3.2, 3.3 and the individual Clubs as in Rule 3.4 shall be entitled to 1 representative (all non-voting).

6.9)The quorum for General Meetings shall be 20 other than Officers, Assistants and other members of the Council except where they represent a member organisation.

7. Council Of The Association
7.1)The size of the Association makes it necessary for it to be divided into Area Councils as and when required by, or with the approval of the Council of the Association.

7.2)The Council of the Association shall comprise the Honorary Officers and Secretaries as detailed in Rule 5.1 and 5.2 and the following:

Area Councils

Up to 75 Clubs                   1 representative
76-150 Clubs                    2 representatives
151-225  Clubs                  3 representatives
226-300  Clubs                  4 representatives
over 300 Clubs                   5 representatives

Yorkshire Women's Cricket Association  1 Representative
Yorkshire Senior Schools Cricket Association 1 Representative
Yorkshire Schools Cricket Association  1 Representative
Joe Lumb Cricket Competition 1 Representative
YCB Coaches Association  1 Representative
Yorkshire County Cricket Club  2 Representatives
Sport England  1 representative
Yorkshire branches of the Association of Cricket Umpires & Scorers.
                                                          1 Representative
Institute of Groundsmanship (Yorkshire area) 1 Representative
Cleveland Schools Cricket Association  1 Representative
East Yorks & North Lincs Schools Cricket Association
                                                          1 representative
Lord Taverners Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival
                                                          1 representative
Yorkshire Youth Charity Trust  1 Representative
                                           
The representatives from the Area Council shall always be selected from within the particular Council.

The Representatives of Organisations other than Area Councils to be advised to the Chief Executive by March 1st in each year.

7.3)In determining the number of Area Council representatives only Clubs affiliated to member organisations which have fully met their financial obligations may be included and a Club may only be included in one area ( Rule 6.8 and 7.2)

7.4)The Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his own vote at Meetings of the Council.

7.5)The appropriate Honorary Solicitor or Honorary Rating Surveyor and Valuer may be asked to attend a particular meeting or meetings to deal with a specific subject but will not have a vote.

7.6)There shall not be power of co-option to the Council.

7.7.1)At its first meeting following the Annual General Meeting the Council shall appoint five delegates to the Yorkshire Cricket Board.

7.7.2)At its first meeting following the Annual General Meeting the Council shall recommend to the Yorkshire Cricket Board the delegate to the Recreational Forum of the E.C.B. They shall also nominate delegates to such other organisations of a County or Regional basis as shall be considered by the Council to be appropriate.

7.8)The Council shall meet quarterly and at such other times as may be necessary to conduct the business of the Association. Members of the Council must be provided with a detailed Agenda together with appropriate supporting papers and at least 14 days notice of meetings.

The Council shall co-ordinate with the Area Councils so that Area Council's business shall be reported to the Council. The Chief Executive shall ensure that matters relating to the area of an Area Council shall be brought to the notice of that Area Council for attention and for reporting back to Council.

7.9)The Council shall have the power to form Sub-Committees to deal with membership and finances, coaching facilities, educational links, umpires and umpiring, public relations and legal matters and such other matters as they deem necessary, at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. Sub-Committees may also be appointed to deal with the above and other subjects at other meetings of the Council and shall continue in office until the first Council Meeting following an Annual  General Meeting or until dissolved by the Council. The Council shall be empowered to co-opt members who are not members of the Council for this purpose but shall always elect a Sub-Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman from Members of the Council. The Council shall also appoint a Sub-Committee Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Council ( see Secretaries - Rule 5.2). Sub-Committees shall consist of not less than four and not more than ten persons.

Council shall also have the power to form Joint Sub-Committees with the Yorkshire Cricket Board to cover any of the above or other matters. One of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of such bodies shall be a Member of Council .

7.10)An Emergency Sub-Committee shall be formed comprising the Officers of the Association ( as detailed in Rule 5.1) and the Sub-Committee Chairmen who shall be empowered to deal with matters of urgency that  cannot be delayed for action at the next meeting of the Council or of the Sub-Committee which has power to deal with them. Such actions shall be ratified at the next meeting of the Council.

7.11)The quorum for a Council meeting shall be one half of its members other than officers.

7.12)The Council shall complete a list of Standing Orders which shall be decisions reached in General Meetings and in the Council and which are not contained in these Rules.

8. Area Councils
The following Rules 8.1. to 8.11 are for the guidance of the Area Councils providing that Area Councils shall conform within the framework of the Association

8.1)The member organisation of the Clubs within a particular Area Council's geographical area shall be entitled to forward nominations for the Area Chairman, Area Vice-Chairman and Area Secretary/Treasurer to be received by December 31st. The Area councils may also make nominations. The intentions of the existing Officers shall be made known to members not later than October 31st.

8.2)Representation on an Area Council shall  be on the following basis:

Area Chairman
Area Vice-Chairman
Area Honorary Secretary/Treasurer
Members with  1 to 15 clubs - 1 representative
Members with 16 to 30 clubs - 2 representatives
Members with over 30 clubs - 3 representatives

8.3)A member will have representation on each Area Council to which its Clubs have been allocated. The other bodies referred to in Rule 3.2 and 3.3 shall have one representative on each Area Council. The Junior Leagues referred to in Rules 3.2 and 3.3 shall have one non-voting representative on the particular Area Councils according to their geographical situation. The Schools organisations referred to in Rule 3,2 and 3.3 shall have one representative ( non-voting) on each Area Council and individual clubs not associated with a League or similar body shall have the same rights as Junior Leagues. Area Councils shall meet quarterly and at such other times as may be necessary in order to  transact the general business of the Area Council and shall co-ordinate with the Council in the manner prescribed in Rule 7.8.

8.4)Rules 7.3,7.4,7.6, and 7.10 shall be applicable in the manner  prescribed but confined to an Area Council while Rule 7.7 shall apply but in respect of local Sports Councils and other appropriate bodies within the geographical limits of the Area Council.

8.5)The Area Council shall deal with general business within its Area reporting back its findings to the Chief Executive of the Association and at meetings of the Council. Its functions shall be advisory except in carrying out specific decisions of the Council or acting at the request of the Council. Rule 7.8 provides for communications from the Council.

8.6)The Area Council shall also be responsible for furthering knowledge of the E.C.B. and the Association within its Area and for compiling a complete record of unattached Clubs which shall include approach and guidance to them.

8.7)There shall be an Annual Meeting of each Area Council not later than 21st February in each year at which the Area Chairman, Area Vice-Chairman and Area Honorary Secretary/Treasurer will be elected. Representatives to the Council may represent their member organisations on this occasion but the organisation may choose to send a different person. In that event the representative to the Area Council shall be entitled to be present but shall not vote. Matters for discussion at the General Meeting must be received by the Area Honorary Secretary/Treasurer not later than November 30th.

8.8)The Agenda for the Annual Meeting shall be forwarded to the members  so that it is received at least 21 days before the meeting. It shall include the nomination of Officers and any subject for discussion by the meeting. A simple majority of the members present and voting shall suffice for adoption of resolutions.

8.9)Representation at Annual Meetings shall be in accordance with Rule 8.2 and 8.3 and the quorum for such meetings shall be one half of the representatives from the Leagues and other bodies of Cricket clubs.

8.10)The Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his own vote at meetings of the Area Council except that at the Annual Meeting he shall only have a casting vote.

8.11)The Area Council shall notify the names and addresses of their representatives to the Council and the Chief Executive not later than March 1st in any year. An Area Council shall have the power to fill vacancies which may occur amongst its Officers between Annual General Meetings.

9. Honorary Life Members
9.1)Honorary Life Members may be appointed in recognition of valuable service to the Association normally within the Council or an Area Council  or to the Executive of one of its predecessors ( in part), after they have retired from office and it is clearly established that it is unlikely that they will return in any capacity. They shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting only on the nomination of the Council.

9.2)They shall receive all papers which are issued to members, shall be  entitled to attend General Meetings but shall not have a vote.

10. Communications
The Chief Executive shall circulate to all members (in sufficient quantity that their own affiliated members can have copies and their own Officers and Management/Executive Committee can have one copy each) all literature of an informatory or explanatory nature received from E.C.B.together with statements of decisions made by the  Council and statements which will be useful in keeping organisations and their Clubs up-to-date. Copies of such communications shall be sent to the members of the Council and to members of Area Councils.

11.Relations Between Members And In Respect Of Individuals
11.1)Discipline

11.1.1)Suspension
No member organisation shall accept into membership,association or service any person who after official enquiry and investigation shall have been adjudged guilty of such conduct as to have justified his expulsion or suspension from any organisation affiliated, directly or indirectly, to the Association until the period of such disciplinary action  has been completed and then only on the person being able to produce a Clearance Certificate where this is appropriate. Such persons shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Panel of the Council of the Association whose decision shall be final.

11.1.2)In the event of a player, Club, or League or Association official, or any other person or Club or League or Association being adjudged guilty of misconduct by word or action or showing dissent or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute in any activity organised by or under the control of the Yorkshire Cricket Association or one of its Area Councils, the organising Sub-Committee of the Association or the appropriate Area Cricket Council shall take such action which they consider appropriate against the player , Club, League or Association official or any other person or Club or League or Association concerned. Such penalties as are imposed shall be binding on Clubs, Leagues or Association affiliated to the Yorkshire Cricket Association itself and to all its Area Cricket Councils. There shall be right of appeal to the Appeals Panel of the Council of the Association in respect of any decision and their decision shall be final. The Appeals Panel of the Council called to adjudicate on any appeal shall not include any member of the organising Sub-committee, appropriate  Area Cricket Council nor other member of the Council with an interest in the case. The contents of 11.1.2 except in respect of " any other person" shall be associated strictly with 11.1.1.

[NB Standing Orders state that the Emergency Committee shall be responsible for appointing any Appeals Panel of the Council].

11.1.3)Disputes between Members - Appeal hearings
In the event of a Member Organisation as defined in rules 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 being in dispute with another Member Organisation over any matter which cannot be settled directly between the parties concerned, then either party shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Panel of the Council of the Association. all parties  shall abide by the decision of  that panel which shall be final.

The Appeal Panel of the Council of the Association called to adjudicate in any such appeal shall not include any member with any interest in the case.

[NB Standing Orders state that the Emergency Committee shall be responsible for appointing the Appeals Panel of the Council. Procedure to be based on that published in the Association's Disciplinary Bulletin.]

11.2)Transfer Of Players
11.2.1)A Club affiliated to a member League as in 3.1 or a member being an individual Club as in 3.3 ( which in all circumstances implies Officials, members or society interested in that Club) shall not approach or negotiate with any player of any other Club similarly associated with the Association for the purpose of securing his services without asking the player's Club, in writing, for permission to do so. The permission may only be withheld if there is an outstanding obligation by the player and must, otherwise, be sent in writing or in the case of a player moving to a club in another League be sent on an official YCA Player Transfer Form, to the requesting Club within 14 days. Complaints arising under this Rule should normally be settled by the Clubs and/or Leagues involved. Failing settlement, appeal should be made to the Council of the Association whose decision shall be final.

11.2.2)A player shall not negotiate with a Club affiliated to a  member or with a member being an individual club unless he can produce written permission from his present Club. Such permission must be provided within seven days unless the player has outstanding obligations to that Club and in the case of the player moving to a club in another League be sent on an official YCA Player Transfer Form.

The player shall have the right of appeal to the Council of the Association whose decision shall be final should he consider permission is being withheld without just cause.

11.2.3)Where a player is a bona-fide member of two or more clubs, affiliated to (a) Member Saturday League(s) ,his./her registration shall only be held by one of those clubs. Any movement for playing purposes between these clubs shall comply with all the transfer requirements of other sections of the rule.

When a Club has teams in more than one League, arrangements for the movement of players between the Leagues concerned should be agreed with the respective Leagues prior to the commencement of the Season.

11.2.4)Should a player registered with any Member club, being under the age of 21 and not being capped by any County Club, be invited to play with the Yorkshire Academy team, he may do so and subsequently return to the club with which he is registered without the need for a  YCA Player Transfer Form to be completed in either case.

11.2.5)A player moving clubs for the following season must have the necessary YCA Player Transfer Form, letter or certificate from his previous club certifying that he has no obligations, financial, disciplinary or otherwise to that Club. In the case of a player moving to a Club in another League, an official YCA Player Transfer Form MUST be used. This form constitutes a registration with a new club for the following year and the player is registered with his new club upon completion of the form. Any further change of club can only be by consent of the parties concerned following the procedure in the first paragraph. Where a player has entered into a written contract with a club for the following year and in the event of a subsequent wish to further change clubs, the club for which he has signed the contract is deemed to be his previous club and the contract, unless terminated by consent, means he has an obligation to that club. Copies of all completed transfer forms must be submitted to the League Secretary concerned.

11.3)Transfer Of Clubs

A Club affiliated to a member (League) shall not negotiate with another member(League) with the intention to leave the former to join the latter without first obtaining permission , in writing , from the member(League) to which it is affiliated. Such permission shall only be withheld if the Club has failed to fulfil its financial obligations or  has failed to observe the Rules of the member (league) in respect of withdrawal of membership which should not conflict with the Rules of the Association. If a member(League) does not provide the necessary written permission within fourteen days , the Club shall have the right of appeal to the Council of the Association.

Permission to negotiate shall not be interpreted as resignation or  dismissal but should the date  by which resignations are due to be received pass without further written notification of future action from the Club, the written permission to negotiate shall then be deemed to be invalid without further action being necessary by the member (League).

Clubs wishing to resign from any League or Association should give notice in writing before 30th April in the year previous to the season in which they intend to play in that League or Association.

NB Council comments this rule would first operate fully for season 2002 from April 2001.

NB  Any League receiving applications from a Member Club to move from another Member ( League) must inform YCA so that the Association can monitor club movement

[Council of the Association strongly advises that no member(League) should consider an application for membership nor negotiate with a Club affiliated to a member League without  first receiving a copy of the written permission of the Clubs present member league outlined above].

11.4)Mid-Week And Sunday Matches
Rules 11.2 and 11.3 shall not prevent any players from taking part in Mid-week and Sunday matches organised by any properly constituted and independent  Mid-Week and Sunday League, except in so far as the Rules may relate to the transfer of players and Clubs within such Leagues

[On 9th January 1989 the Council of the Association  gave the following ruling and interpretation: "Where a Member Saturday League has a separately organised Sunday Section , then for the purposes of Rule 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 this Section shall be regarded as an independent  Sunday League".]

11.5)Unacceptable Transfer Requests
Should a Member or any of its affiliated Clubs consider that an unacceptable number of approaches is being made by another member in  respect of its players (through that member's affiliated Clubs) there shall be a right of appeal by the Member to the Council of the Association which has a bounden duty to protect the interests of all its members. There shall be no appeal from the Council's decision.

12.Dissolution
The Association shall not be dissolved except at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association specially convened for the purpose at which the votes in favour of the resolution comprise at latest three-quarters of the total votes cast. In the event of such dissolution any assets shall be divided between the organisations then in membership in proportion to the total subscriptions paid by them over the past five years. Any deficiency shown at the time of dissolution shall be borne by  the organisations in membership in like proportion.

13.General
The Council shall be empowered to act as deemed necessary in respect of any matter not otherwise covered by these Rules.

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