LEAGUE RULES
MANAGEMENT RULES
1 LEAGUE TITLE
1.1 The combination of clubs will be called ‘ECB YORKSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE NORTH’ which may be preceded by a sponsor’s name if appropriate and will be hereinafter referred to as ‘The League’.
1.2 The York & District Junior Cricket Association, Yorkshire Women’s Premier Cricket League North, and The Scarborough & Ryedale Women’s Cricket League are part of ECB Yorkshire Premier League North but may compete under different names..
2 MANAGEMENT, AIMS & OBJECTIVES
2.1 To ensure that the ECB Anti-Discrimination and Safeguarding Policies are implemented and adhered to by the league and all clubs to provide an environment where every individual and club is treated equally and with respect.
2.2 The League will be administered by a Management Board which will comprise the following Executive Officers:
Chair
Vice-Chair
General Manager
League Manager
Deputy League Manager
Assistant League Manager
Equality Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Treasurer
Disciplinary Chair
Fixture & Results Manager
Grounds & Facilities Manager
Cup Competition Manager
Registration Manager
League Safeguarding Officer
Umpire Manager
Scorers Manager
Sunday League Manager.
Other board members may include Annual Dinner Manager, YCB Rep, Representative Teams Manager, Rules Secretary, and general board members co-opted as necessary.
Non-Executive Officers may include, Honorary Solicitor, Honorary Auditor, or others co-opted as necessary.
2.3 All Executive Officers will be elected annually at the AGM. Nominations for the Executive Officers roles should be submitted to the Secretary by October 1st each year. Non-Executive Officers will be appointed by the Management Board who will also have the power to co-opt Assistant Secretaries and appoint Sub-Committees as necessary.
2.4 In order for a meeting of the Management Board to be quorate a minimum of four members must be present.
2.5 To maintain the highest standard of club cricket (and enhance it wherever possible).
2.6 Help and support member clubs to play at the highest level they aspire to.
2.7 Support the development of the ground and facilities standards at all member clubs.
2.8 To assist the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in promoting initiatives aimed at the growth, engagement, and advancement of the sport of cricket, including, where deemed suitable, the support and oversight of additional aspects of recreational cricket, specifically those related to women's and girls' cricket as well as youth cricket.
2.9 To ensure all the requirements set down by ECB for Premier League status are met, including mandating relevant clubs to be fully compliant with all current requirements.
2.10 To adopt the Sports Governance process (Sport England).
3 MEMBER CLUBS
3.1 Joining YPLN
I. New clubs will be elected by gaining a majority of ballot votes at an AGM, or EGM.
II. Unless a team is joining via an official Yorkshire cricket pyramid, a club must move all it's senior teams [including all womens teams] to YPLN.
III. YPLN will not accept new applications unless all other senior teams [including women] are included.
IV. Existing member clubs will be able to add additional teams with Management Board approval.
V. Clubs will only be eligible for membership if their ground fully meets the criteria [G&F Criteria are form part of these League Rules] laid down in respect of Grounds & Facilities.
VI. There will be no limit to the number of teams from an individual club but third and subsequent teams will only be eligible for membership from a club whose second ground fully meets these criteria.
3.2 Clubs with teams in one or more of the other ECB Premier Leagues will not be eligible for membership unless the management board give special approval.
3.3 The Management Board will review the status of clubs that do not meet the established minimum standards concerning Facilities, Ground Marks, Disciplinary Records, and administrative requirements. Any club failing to meet these standards will be informed of the need to seek re-election by September 30th at the latest. These clubs must submit a written application by October 7th, which should include a ‘Plan of Action’ outlining how they intend to address the issues that resulted in the need for re-election. If a club fails to submit this application within the specified timeframe, it will be considered a voluntary resignation from the League.
3.4 Club Migration
I. Teams moving into the League from official feeder leagues may join following the end of their current season.
II. Clubs wishing to join from ‘non-feeder’ leagues will follow the procedure laid down by the Yorkshire Cricket Board.
III. Clubs and teams in leagues not in the Yorkshire Pyramid may transfer via the YCF process.
IV. Clubs and teams who compete in leagues within the ‘pyramid’ can appeal to the YCF if requests to transfer are not approved providing that they have a valid excuse for wishing to migrate.
3.5 The Management Board will allocate new teams to an appropriate Division one year in advance where possible and promotion and relegation within the lower Divisions will be adjusted accordingly.
3.6 The acceptance of a new club will be on a two-year probationary basis and subject to an end-of-season assessment. Failure to meet the League’s requirements may result in membership of the League being cancelled.
3.7 Withdrawing From YPLN
I. Teams wishing to withdraw from the ECB Premier Divisions (I & II) must submit a written notice to the General Manager no later than June 30th.
II. Furthermore, these teams are required to fulfil all scheduled games and to satisfy all financial responsibilities associated with the current season.
III. Failure to adhere to these conditions will incur a fine of £2000 for the club.
IV. Teams that choose to withdraw from either division between June 30th and October 30th for the upcoming season will incur a financial penalty of £2000.
V. Teams that choose to withdraw from either division after October 30th for the subsequent season will incur a penalty of £5,500. This penalty is imposed to provide compensation to the eleven other teams in the division for the revenue lost from home games as a result of the withdrawal.
VI. Please be advised that this requirement is not applicable to teams that are facing relegation.
VII. If a team intends to request a move to a lower division because of extraordinary circumstances, such a request must be submitted to the league prior to June 30th; otherwise, rule 3.7 iv will be enforced.
VIII.
3.8 The League and its member clubs will conduct their operations as follows: In accordance with player qualification regulations, membership shall be available to all individuals without regard to age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, colour, social status, or sexual orientation.
4 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
4.1 The Annual General Meeting will be held no later than December each year. The League will notify all clubs of the AGM, giving 21 days’ notice.
4.2 Attendance at the Annual General Meeting is voluntary, voting is mandatory.
4.3 Proposing Rule Changes
I. The agenda for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be established by the Management Board, which has the authority to recommend modifications to either the League Rules or the playing conditions.
II. Whilst any club is entitled to propose changes to the League Rules or playing conditions, only clubs currently participating in the ECB Premier Division are permitted to submit proposals specifically concerning changes to the playing conditions within that division.
III. Clubs that intend to present proposals at the AGM must submit their suggestions to the General Manager by September 30th each year.
IV. Unless the league Board give approval, a rule cannot be re-proposed for a further three years.
V. The Management Board is authorised to implement changes related to the administration of the League’s rules known as ‘Administration Rules’.
4.4 Voting Procedure
I. All clubs must vote in advance by electronic submission in a process as directed by the General Manager or appointed deputy.
II. Clubs will be sent a ballot paper in advance.
III. Executive Officers as listed in Rule 2.2 will have full voting rights. Any person holding more than one position will only have one vote.
IV. All matters voted upon will be decided by a simple majority with the Chairman having a casting vote in the event there not being a majority.
V. Any decision made at the Annual General Meeting will be binding.
All clubs are entitled to one vote per club on every resolution or matter coming before the meeting except for;
VI. those relating to the ECB Premier League playing conditions which will be voted on only by clubs who will have a team in the ECB Premier League in the following season or where the board have decided that voting is only applicable to a certain level or division.
VII. Those relating to playing conditions at other Levels of the League where the proposing club has proposed that they are voted on only by clubs who will have teams playing at those Levels in the following season.
4.5 Once a resolution has been passed at an AGM or EGM, no proposals for changing that resolution will be accepted by the Management Board for a period of 3 years without the Board’s agreement.
5 OTHER MEETINGS
5.1 Procedure
I. The League Manager or appointed deputy will convene meetings at such times as is deemed necessary or within seven days of the receipt of a request from any 50% of member clubs.
II. Three clear days’ notice of all meetings will be given to clubs by the League Manager or appointed deputy.
5.2 Attendance at any meeting that is designated as an ‘Extraordinary General Meeting’ is voluntary, voting is mandatory.
5.3 The voting procedure at an Extraordinary General Meeting will be as for an Annual General Meeting.
5.4 A Pre-Season Meeting (or a series of regional meetings) will be held each year when attendance is mandatory.
6 FINANCE
6.1 Payment Obligations
I. Each team will pay an annual subscription of an amount as agreed at the Annual General Meeting plus relevant affiliation fees.
II. This amount must be paid to the Treasurer within 14 days of the date of issue of the invoice or of the AGM.
III. Any club failing to make payment by the stipulated date will suffer a penalty.
IV. The League will issue invoices to clubs, but ultimately it is the individual club’s responsibility to ensure that fees are paid by 15 December or the date on the invoice, whichever is the earlier.
V. Clubs should not use the lack of an invoice as a reason to avoid payment.
VI. All invoices must be paid within 14 days of the issue date. These will be sent via email to the Club Treasurer and the Club Secretary.
6.2 Payment For Panel Umpires
I. Clubs with teams in the divisions covered by the Umpires’ Panel (not including ECB Premier Division) are required to pay a further amount in respect of their expenses.
II. This amount must be forwarded to the Treasurer within 14 days of the date of issue of the invoice. Any club failing to make payment by the stipulated date will suffer a penalty.
6.3 By paying the League fees, a club acknowledges and agrees to the authority of the Management Board. This payment signifies the club's commitment to adhere to both the League Rules and the League Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.
6.4 Financial Year
The financial year will run from 1st October to 30th September each year
6.5 Applicable to ECB Premier Division I Only
I. The treasurer will assign a specific portion of the ECB funding to clubs that participate in the ECB Premier Division each season, as decided by the Management Board.
II. Teams that have been relegated will only be eligible for ECB funding for the most recent season, if applicable.
III. Any funds, either in full or in part, will not be distributed to any club that has not met its responsibilities, which may include, but are not limited to, failing to submit necessary reports, not following the correct procedures for player registration, administration failures, and failing to vote at league meetings. Please note that this list of responsibilities is not exhaustive.
IV. Failure to meet Premier League standards also includes not having 3 junior sides playing hardball cricket. This list is not exhaustive.
7 MERIT TABLE
7.1 Criteria Marking
I. Clubs will be assessed and marked with regard to facilities, ground marks, submission of results, scorecards, captain’s reports, discipline, and sportsmanship marks where applicable.
II. All financial penalties carry a merit table deduction of 1 point per £1 levied.
III. It is individual clubs responsibility to ensure that the league are made aware of any facility changes which may affect markings.
IV. Any team which suffers a total of 500 or more merit table points deduction (de merit) will be required to seek re-election.
7.2 Protocols
I. The League has the authority to require any club or team to undergo re-election if it is deemed incapable of operating at the required standard.
II. Furthermore, the League will provide a recommendation to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) based on this assessment. In making this recommendation, the Management Board will evaluate all aspects of the club or team's performance, including but not limited to facilities and grounds, administration, discipline, player strength, sustainability, and any other pertinent factors.
III. Throughout the season, the League will monitor clubs and will collaborate with those identified as underperforming in order to help them improve their standing to an acceptable level.
Should any club continue to fall short of the required standards, the League will bring these clubs to attention at the AGM and seek support from member clubs for recommendations that may include:
IV. A probationary period of one year, contingent upon demonstrated improvements in designated areas.
V. A one-year notice of termination of membership in the League.
VI. Immediate termination of membership.
7.3 Clubs are required to ensure that the marking of grounds and umpires (where appropriate) is undertaken by a responsible person using the appropriate guidelines.
8 ALLOCATION OF TEAMS
8.1 The League will operate a number of Levels, each with its own playing regulations and criteria.
8.2 The league will operate a second division to the ECB Premier Division positioned between the ECB Premier Division and Three Championship Divisions.
8.3 Below the two ECB Premier Divisions the following divisions will be in place:
I. Three Championship Divisions [Central, East & West]
II. Four Division One’s [Beckett, Ebor, Galtres, and Holderness]
III. Four Division Two’s [Beckett, Ebor, Galtres, and Holderness]
IV. In the Championship and below the league management will organise divisions to enable the most effective arrangements in terms of travel and geographical placement.
V. Pursuant to Premier II, the league management shall organise divisions in a manner that optimises travel arrangements and geographical proximity among participating teams.
8.4 End of Season Team Review
I. At the conclusion of each competitive season, the Management Board shall conduct a comprehensive review of the qualifications of all teams that have not met the eligibility criteria to participate at each level for the ensuing season.
II. Pursuant to this review, should the Management Board determine that a particular team demonstrably lacks the requisite resources or capacity to engage in effective competition at its current level, the team shall be relegated to a lower level of competition.
III. This review shall encompass an assessment of the club's administrative capability, or lack thereof, as a relevant factor in the determination.
IV. Conversely, if a team qualifies for advancement to a higher level, yet the Management Board finds that the team lacks the necessary resources or capability to compete effectively at the elevated level, the team shall not be promoted.
8.5 Teams per Division
I. Each Division will consist of 12 teams, provided that it is feasible, or unless a specific group of regional or divisional teams has collectively decided on a different number of teams.
II. Where there are 12 teams in a division, each team will play each other team twice on a home and away basis unless there are exceptional circumstances or the clubs elect to have more or less teams.
III. In Divisions where there are not 12 teams, clubs will play each other team at least once but may meet opponents on two or three occasions in order to ensure a full and meaningful fixture programme.
IV. At times divisions may play with less or more teams dependent on teams’ late withdrawal from the league or the number of teams within the league or other factors taken into consideration by the league.
V. All Beckett divisions below D1 will consist of 10 teams except the bottom division where numbers may vary. Each team will play each other team twice on a home and away basis unless there are exceptional circumstances
8.6 The League Management reserves the right to reassign teams to alternate divisions of equivalent level as necessary for the purpose of achieving balanced competition among the divisions.
8.7 In instances where multiple Divisions exist at any Level, the Divisions shall be organised in such a manner as to take into account the geographical locations of the clubs involved, whenever feasible or possible, with the objective of minimising travel distances.
9 FIXTURES
9.1 All competitions will be organised by the designated officials of the League, who will also be responsible for keeping the schedule of fixtures up to date.
9.2 In exceptional circumstances, matches may be played on a ground other than that specified in the fixture list. The alternative ground and facilities must fulfil the criteria set down by the Management Board.
9.3 No venue switch may be implemented without prior approval.
9.4 A match may only be rescheduled due to the unsuitability of the playing grounds if prior approval is obtained from the league authorities.
9.5 New Re-Scheduling Fixtures - Applicable to Premier, Premier II, & Championship Divisions Only
I. Matches may only be rescheduled under extraordinary circumstances.
II. These circumstances include participation in a national competition or unavailability of the playing ground due to a commitment to a county match.
III. Such rescheduling must be approved by the League Manager (or their designated representative) and must also be agreed upon by the opposing team.
IV. If the opposition decline to re-schedule the fixture the club requesting must find an alternative ground that meets the ground & facility requirement for that particular division.
V. If re-scheduling or an alternative ground cannot be found the result will be recorded as a home team conceded fixture.
VI. All re-scheduled matches must be completed prior to the last day of the normal League fixture calendar.
VII. Clubs looking to re-schedule fixtures must ask the opposing club, not present them with a fait accompli.
9.6 Re-Scheduling Fixtures - Applicable to Division One & Below
I. In the First Division and below matches may be re-scheduled only after agreement has been reached with the League Manager and opposing club.
II. The re-scheduled match will be subject to the normal rules relating to cancelled matches and may not be re-arranged due to a weather cancellation.
III. All re-scheduled matches must be completed prior to the last day of the normal League fixture calendar.
9.7 Checking Fixtures
I. Clubs are required to inspect all fixtures for any irregularities at the time of issuance.
II. Any anomalies identified must be communicated to the League Fixture Manager within a maximum of 14 days from the date of issuance.
III. Any issues discovered after this 14-day period shall be the responsibility of the respective club(s) to resolve.
9.8 Conceded Fixtures
Teams that concede more than two league fixtures in a single season will be relegated to the division below.
10 PROMOTION & RELEGATION
10.1 Promotion and relegation will be carried out as instructed by the League at the beginning of each season, in accordance with the established guidelines where possible, unless there are substantial alterations to the existing structure currently being considered.
10.2 The League retains the authority to reassign teams to different divisions within the same tier in order to address geographical concerns, whenever it is feasible to do so.
10.3 Yorkshire Cricket Pyramid
I. Promoted Nidderdale League teams will enter no higher than either Galtres or Ebor First Division's unless there are substantial alterations to the existing structure currently being considered.
II. This will require an additional team to be relegated from either division.
10.2 Final League Table Positions
Where teams are equal on points at the end of the season, league table precedence shall be determined by virtue of:
i. the team gaining the highest percentage wins (excluding cancelled and abandoned matches, but including conceded matches)
ii. the team gaining the higher number of points, including bonus points, in the league matches between the teams.
iii. the team gaining the highest total bonus points in the season.
iv. net run rate across the whole season.
10.3 Promotion & Relegation Issues
I. A team shall retain the discretion to decline promotion to any division at their own preference.
II. Any team declining promotion will be replaced by promoting the next highest qualifying club.
III. If a team is eligible for promotion to the same level as a higher-ranking team within the same club, that promotion will be halted. In this situation, the higher-ranked team that would typically be relegated will maintain its current division status.
IV. In the event that a team is scheduled to be relegated to the same level as a lower-ranking team from the same club, both teams shall be relegated to the subsequent lower division, provided that this lower division is not the lowest tier available.
V. In instances where a team is relegated or a team is unable to be promoted, resulting in a club having two teams competing in the lowest division, the Management Board will consult with the affected club to determine the most appropriate course of action. The primary goal will be to prevent a situation in which a club fields two teams in the same division, if feasible, while also ensuring that each team competes in a sustainable league environment to guarantee its continued existence.
VI. In the event that a new club is assigned to a division that is not the lowest tier, the Management Board will determine the implications for the processes of promotion and relegation. All clubs will be notified of these implications no later than the Pre-Season General Meeting.
10.4 If a team does not receive promotion because of issues related to the ground, facilities or substandard administration, the next eligible team in line, up to and including the team that placed fourth, will be promoted, unless the League Management Board states otherwise. In the event that none of the top four teams qualify for promotion, the Management Board will determine the most appropriate course of action.
11 SAFEGUARDING
11.1 All Clubs must comply with the ECB Child Protection Policy requirements relating to junior players.
11.2 Every club is obligated to designate a Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) who has been officially approved and is in full compliance with the current requirements set forth by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This includes possessing a valid ECB Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. The appointed CSO will be responsible for ensuring that all ECB safeguarding requirements are implemented and adhered to within the club. Furthermore, the details of the CSO must be regularly updated and maintained on the club’s Play-Cricket website.
11.3 All Captains and umpires who regularly participate must undergo an ECB DBS check before the beginning of the season, or at the time of their appointment. It is the responsibility of the club to ensure that all relevant personnel are in full compliance with this requirement.
11.4 The League will appoint a Safeguarding Officer (LSO) who will be a member of the Management Board. The LSO will be responsible for:
I. Maintaining a Register of Club Safeguarding Officers.
II. All administrative duties relating to Safeguarding.
III. Fulfilling the role of Club Safeguarding Officer for League Representative matches and other League activities involving juniors.
11.5 All clubs are required to complete and return a Safeguarding declaration (or accreditation agreement depending on division) within the timescales set by the league.
11.6 All member clubs must be fully complaint on the ECB Safe Hands Management System, prior to 24th March each year.
11.7 Clubs who host League Representative Matches or Cup Finals must ensure that a CSO is in attendance for the duration of the match.
12 ADMINISTRATION
12.1 League Trophies
I. League officials will attempt to present trophies to winners of the top divisions where possible.
II. Any club or individual that wins a generic League trophy is responsible for keeping it safe and will be required to reimburse for any loss or damage that occurs.
III. Winners are required to obtain sufficient insurance coverage for the trophy and must ensure that it is correctly engraved.
IV. All trophies, having been suitably engraved, must be returned to the League by 1st August, or when requested by a League Official in order to be available for presentation to the new winners.
V. Failure to return engraved trophies by the required date will result in a penalty and recovery costs.
VI. The Management Board reserves the right to charge clubs for damage sustained to trophies and lack of engraving.
VII. It is totally a club’s responsibility to return any relevant trophy, and not for league officials to have to collect them.
12.2 Discipline
I. The General Conduct Regulations of the League will operate in all matches under the jurisdiction of the League and clubs are required to ensure that all players, officials and members act within these rules at all times.
II. This requirement also applies to compliance with the England & Wales Cricket Board’s ‘Code of Conduct’, Spirit of Cricket and Anti-Racism & Race Equality Statements.
III. The General Conduct Regulations of the League are a separate document and club officials should ensure that they are fully aware of them and their contents.
IV. All clubs must possess an approved set of “Club General Conduct Regulations”, which must be sent immediately by email to the Disciplinary Officer in the event of a disciplinary hearing.
V. All disciplinary incidents should be reported only to the League Disciplinary Officer and not to other League Officials.
VI. Disciplinary, EDI or Safeguarding decisions involving player bans or suspensions issued from within other International Cricket Council member countries will be recognised and applied.
12.3 Administrative Penalties
I. There are penalties for failing to fulfil administrative tasks which can be found on the League Website . Administration Penalties
II. These penalties will be applied by the League where appropriate, and clubs will be notified.
III. Clubs receiving an administrative penalty have the right to appeal. Such an appeal must be submitted to the Disciplinary Officer within 7 days of the date of the notice of the penalty along with a payment of £250, of which £200 will be refunded if the appeal is successful.
IV. If the appeal involves safeguarding or ineligible players, the administration charge will be higher.
12.4 Play-cricket
I. All clubs are required to maintain current and complete contact information for all Officers, Captains, and general club details on their Play-Cricket website at all times. The Name, Email address & contact number are required for the following club officials:
II. Club Chair
III. Club Secretary
IV. Club Treasurer
V. Women & Girls Co-ordinator
VI. Club Safeguarding Officer
VII. All team captains applicable to YPLN
VIII. Website Administrator
IX. Clubs can select the "hide" option next to the officials' details so they are not visible to the public, while still being accessible to the league and YCF. Clubs are encouraged not to hide contact details for captains.
Play-cricket non-compliance.
X. If a club fails to display the full details of any of the above it will incur a penalty of £50 for each action required notice issued by the League.
XI. Upon the commencement of the first match of each season, the complete and updated details of the captains must be displayed on the Play-Cricket site, and this information must be kept current throughout the entire season. Non-compliance will result in a £50 penalty and then £50 for each action required notice issued by the League.
Registered players on play-cricket.
XII. Clubs must remove any player from their on-line players’ register once they have left the club.
XIII. Player "display names" in Play Cricket must be either identical to their real names, or close enough to allow easy identification of a player's genuine identity. The use of a false player display name in Play Cricket is only allowed, with prior league approval, where the use of a player's real name could endanger their safety.
XIV. All players must be fully registered members of their club’s Play-Cricket website (or of Play-Cricket) before trying to register. The league will not approve any player unless they meet this requirement, except for some junior players who have been flagged to the league by their club.
XV By 10 April 2026 clubs with teams in the top three YPLN divisions [Premier, Premer II & Championship] must ensure that every player from their club who will compete in these divisions is a fully registered member on play-cricket. Two league points will be deducted each time a non registered member makes a league appearance in 2026 and beyond in the top three divisions. For guidance on this please contact Simon Hird auditmanager@yplncricket.co.uk
XVI By 10 April 2027 all clubs must ensure that every player who competes in YPLN is a fully registered member on play-cricket.Two league points will be deducted each time a non registered member makes a league appearance in 2027 and beyond in theses divisions. For guidance on this please contact Simon Hird auditmanager@yplncricket.co.uk
12.5 Protests & Complaints
I. Any club lodging a protest [other than a disciplinary issue] against another club or other issue should send such protest to the Disciplinary Officer only by email within 24 hours of the end of the match unless there are exceptional circumstances, together with the administration charge of £250 required via BACS to the League bank account. Of this £200 will be refunded if the protest or complaint is upheld.
II. Any club or individual wishing to lodge a formal protest or complaint regarding another club, its officials, players, or spectators is required to submit written forensic evidence prior to the initiation of any investigative proceedings.
III. A mere email indicating a participant's desire to file a complaint will not suffice. The complaint must be supported by relevant evidence and/or statements to be considered by the Disciplinary Officer.
IV. Clubs, or any other parties making a complaint, are required to designate a single individual as the official point of contact between themselves and the league.
V. In the case of a dispute, representatives of the club, or clubs, concerned will be eligible to attend the hearing but will not be able to vote.
VI. All protests & complaints will be considered by a panel put together by the Disciplinary Officer or appointed Deputy.
VII. Unless there are exceptional circumstances all hearings will be via ‘zoom’.
VIII. Where a protest or complaint fails there will also be a further charge to cover expenses.
IX. Under no circumstances should any other person attempt to communicate with the league, or any other parties involved in the matter, unless prior consent has been obtained from the Disciplinary Officer or their designated representative.
X. Clubs have a right to appeal to a further independent panel appointed by the Disciplinary Officer or appointed Deputy.
XI. There will be a minimum administration charge of £250 for any appeal. Of this £200 will be refunded if the protest or complaint is upheld.
XII. Expenses will be charged in addition to the administration charge.
XIII. The Management Board may call on any club to produce their DBS Register, Meeting Minutes, Cash Book, Team card, Photocard Government ID, or other items to prove the bona-fides of any player against whom a protest has been made.
XIV. Protests and complaints are categorised as administrative matters. In instances where a hearing is necessary, including in the case of an appeal hearing, the panel must consist of a Chairperson and at least two additional members.
12.6 Administration Panel Hearing Procedure
I. email the appropriate form and supporting information related to the complaint or protest to the league's Disciplinary Officer within 24 hours following the conclusion of the game.
II. Arrange for the fee to be paid to the league via BACS within 24 hours of making the protest or complaint.
III. Upon receipt of the necessary fee and supporting documentation, the league will initiate the investigative process.
IV. You will receive updates regarding the status of the investigation only through email correspondence.
V. After the Disciplinary Officer has collected submissions from all involved parties, and upon determining that there is sufficient supporting evidence to continue, the Officer shall notify both clubs of the scheduled date for the panel hearing, which will be conducted via Zoom. Additionally, the Officer will coordinate the distribution of invitations and provide the names of the individuals who will serve on the panel.
VI. Submissions and positioning statements from all participants that are submitted after the designated deadline will be accepted until 24 hours before the scheduled meeting.
VII. The panel Chair will make all participants aware of the hearing result as soon as possible, although this may not be the same day as the hearing.
VIII. Further discussion on any aspect of the case is strictly prohibited unless a participant submits an appeal.
IX. Should a participant choose to persist in arguing or discussing the hearing after the hearing, the involved club will be deemed non-compliant with the league's inquiry and face relevant disciplinary charges.
12.7 Administration Appeals Procedure
I. Participants have seven days from the notification of the verdict in which to appeal the decision made by the panel.
II. To initiate an appeal, it is required that the request be submitted via email to the league's Disciplinary Officer. The appeal must include a detailed explanation of the specific reasons for the appeal, as well as the requisite fee submitted to the league.
III. Please note that dissatisfaction with the outcome does not constitute a valid basis for an appeal.
IV. If there is fresh evidence this must be provided with the reason for wishing to appeal as late submissions and positioning statements etc will not be accepted.
V. Upon receipt of submissions from all involved parties, the Disciplinary Officer shall notify both clubs of the scheduled date for the panel hearing, which will be conducted via the Zoom platform. Additionally, the Disciplinary Officer will coordinate the distribution of invitations and provide the names of the individuals serving on the panel.
VI. The panel Chair will make all participants aware of the hearing result as soon as possible, although this may not be the same day as the hearing.
VII. The result of this hearing will be final and binding on all sides. Should a participant choose to persist in arguing or discussing the appeal hearing after the hearing, the involved club will be deemed non-compliant with the league's inquiry and face relevant disciplinary charges.
12.8 Ground & Facility Inspections
I. A Ground Inspection Team will visit all grounds whom the Grounds & Facilities Committee feel have dropped below the required criteria and will be empowered to suspend grounds which are considered to be unfit.
II. During the course of the season further inspections will be made if clubs have received adverse ground marks or unfavourable reports.
III. Clubs will be charged travel expenses where extra visits are required.
IV. The Grounds & Facilities Manager will inform the club concerned of any recommendations for improvement and a report will be received from the club within one month regarding the carrying out of such recommendations.
V. If such recommendations are not carried out, the matter will be referred to the AGM for its decision.
VI. All clubs’ facilities may be assessed during the season by League Appointed Assessors, along with individual clubs own submissions [supported by photographical evidence] and marks will be incorporated into the Merit Table.
VII. Clubs will be advised of shortcomings at the end of the season
12.9 Expulsion & Re-Admission to the League
I. The Management Board holds the authority to pursue the expulsion of any club that they determine has committed a serious violation of the League Rules or the League Disciplinary Rules.
II. In such instances, an Extraordinary General Meeting will be called, during which member clubs will review the Management Board's recommendation alongside the club's defence. A conclusive decision will be made through a majority vote, which will be final and binding for all parties involved.
III. If a club is expelled from the League under these circumstances, it will not be allowed to reapply for re-admission for a period of seven years.
IV. For a former club to be considered for re-admission, the Management Board must be thoroughly convinced that the club will contribute positively to the League and that all potential for repeating the original violations has been addressed.
V. Any club that is re-admitted will be on probation for a duration equal to the number of years it was absent from the League.
VI. Any club or team that fails to be re-elected due to inadequate ground or facilities marks will only be eligible to apply for re-admission when such inadequacies have been suitably rectified.
VII. Any club or team which is excluded from the League under Rule 7.2 may apply for re-admission at the following AGM at which time its application will be treated, on merit, as a ‘new applicant’.
VIII. Any team that fails to be re-elected to the league following a failure to meet rule 7 may apply for re-admission at the following AGM at which time its application will be treated, on merit, as a ‘new applicant’.
IX. Any club or team that fails to be re-elected at an Annual General Meeting will be free to negotiate with any other league and accept immediate membership, providing it has fulfilled all financial and disciplinary commitments to the League.
X. Where a team withdraws from the league, the league management board has the discretion to hold that team's membership in reserve, avoiding the need for that team to reapply at an AGM in future, at the board's discretion.
12.10 Live Streaming of Matches
I. Clubs who wish to Photograph, Live Stream or Record matches (or parts of matches) must follow the guidance given in the document ‘ECB Live Streaming Guidance’.
II. The act of taking photographs, live streaming, or recording games, or any portion of such games, by any player or official engaged in the game on the playing field is expressly forbidden.
III. Any individual found to be engaging in this activity, along with their respective Club, will face disciplinary measures.
IV. While the league endorses the use of live streaming for matches, each individual club is responsible for ensuring that they, as well as anyone else wishing to live stream, adhere to the live streaming guidelines set forth by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
V. A copy of these guidelines can be found in the General Information section of the YPLN website.
VI. Any club or individual participating in the game has the right to formally request that a match not be live-streamed. This request must be honoured, or else the league may impose disciplinary actions. To ensure compliance, such requests should be submitted via email at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled game.
VII. The email should be directed to the Safeguarding Officer and Chair of the opposing club, as well as to the League at administration@yplncricket.co.uk.
VIII. Requests submitted after the 48-hour window, including those made at the toss, are strongly discouraged; however, they are still required to be followed. Umpires are tasked with verifying whether the match is being live-streamed during the toss but bear no responsibility for either facilitating or preventing live streaming.
IX. The league will maintain a centralised database of clubs that express a desire to live stream their events.
X. This database will be accessible for public viewing on the league's official website.
XI. Clubs that engage in live streaming without prior notification to the league will be subject to disciplinary measures.
XII. To register, clubs must submit their request via email to administration@yplncricket.co.uk.
XIII. Footage captured during a match shall not be utilised for the purpose of contesting the decisions made by the match umpires. Furthermore, any inappropriate remarks made during or subsequent to the game will be addressed in accordance with the disciplinary regulations set forth by the league.
12.11 League Action
I. The Management Board has the authority to make decisions regarding any claims of violations of the League Rules and to impose penalties as specified in the Schedule of Administrative and Other Penalties.
II. This process will follow the established procedures currently in place, which include the option for an appeal.
III. There is no time limit on action that can be taken by the league.
IV. The Management Board shall have the authority to address any issues not specifically outlined in the League Rules and to take suitable actions, which may include the application of penalties.
12.12 Dissolution
I. In the event of the dissolution of the League, the Management Board will become the trustees of the assets of the League and will distribute those assets equally to the member clubs at the time of the dissolution.
II. If a club stops being a member of the League for any reason, it will immediately lose any automatic rights to receive any distributions from the League's assets.
12.13 Defibrillator
Clubs with teams Championship divisions and above must have a defibrillator located at their ground or any ground that they play on for use in emergencies.
13-34 Playing Conditions
Playing conditions (Rules 13-34) are shown separately here
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
35 PLAYER CATEGORIES
35.1 Players must be registered in one of the following categories:
Category 1 – Eligible Player
- A British Citizen born in England or Wales, OR
- A person who is does not meet the above criteria but who has been resident in this country for a minimum of 210 days (not necessarily continuously) between the preceding 1st April and 31st March and who has not played as a ‘Home Player’ in another country.
Category 2 – Contracted player
A player (capped or uncapped) qualified to play for England under the current ECB regulations and, currently, under contract to a First-Class County Club or MCC Young Cricketers. For the purposes of clarification, a contracted player is one who has a current full playing contract, a summer contract or a development (scholarship) contract but not an Academy contract (16-19 years).
Category 3 – Unqualified player
A player who does not meet the criteria for either Category 1 or Category 2.
36 GENERAL REGISTRATION RULES
36.1 Player Loans – see rule 41
Dual Registrations – see rule 42
Category 3 players – see rule 39
36.2 Player Transfers
I. All players (including loan players) must be correctly registered online via the League play-cricket website.
II. Players who remain registered with other clubs, or who are otherwise deemed ineligible due to circumstances such as disciplinary suspensions, will not be permitted to participate.
III. Clubs must satisfy themselves into which category each player falls prior to registration and make sure that all required paperwork including visas, work permits, etc, where required, is complete and accurate. Neither ECB nor the League are registered immigration officials and cannot offer definitive advice.
IV. Player transfers must be completed at least 24 hours before the player concerned appears in a League or League Cup match unless otherwise allowed by the league General Manager.
V. The onus and responsibility for ensuring that all players are fully eligible rests totally with each individual club.
36.3 Registration Responsibility
I. The club assumes the obligation to register a player and is accountable for ensuring that all players are accurately registered and qualified to participate in the applicable competitions.
II. Should any member club have questions regarding the eligibility of a player, it is advised to contact the General Manager prior to the player participating in any competitive match for the club.
III. Throughout the season, the League will perform random audits of scorecards posted on play-cricket.com.
IV. Clubs must remove any player from their on-line players’ register once they have left the club.
V. Any violations discovered will be reported to the Disciplinary Committee, which holds the authority to impose sanctions, including but not limited to, the deduction of points, financial penalties, or the relegation of teams, at its discretion.
36.4 Refusing to Transfer a Player
I. A player is prohibited from transferring to any other affiliated club if they have not settled any fines that have been imposed on them either through a summary penalty or by a league disciplinary panel.
II. Clubs are permitted to deny a player transfer request only in cases where the player has not met all financial and contractual responsibilities or is facing disciplinary measures.
III. Clubs that provide alternative justifications for denying a player's transfer request may face disciplinary measures from the league.
IV. Assertions, such as claiming ignorance regarding a player's transfer request, are not acceptable grounds for refusal if the request has been officially submitted through the play-cricket platform.
V. A player may submit a formal appeal to the General Manager in the event that their transfer request is denied or postponed without a valid reason.
VI. Any objections to a transfer must be submitted through the designated player transfer option on the play-cricket platform within five days of the initial transfer request being made.
36.5 Registration Accountability
I. The club assumes the obligation to register a player and is accountable for ensuring that all players are accurately registered and qualified to participate in the applicable competitions.
II. Should any member club have questions regarding the eligibility of a player, it is advised to contact the General Manager prior to the player participating in any competitive match for the club.
III. Throughout the season, the League will perform random audits of scorecards posted on play-cricket.com.
IV. Any violations discovered will be reported to the Disciplinary Committee, which holds the authority to impose sanctions, including but not limited to, the deduction of points, financial penalties, or the relegation of teams, at its discretion.
36.6 By registering as a player in the League, each player hereby acknowledges and agrees to adhere to the following terms:
I. The ECB Code of Conduct and the principles underpinning the Spirit of Cricket.
II. The established Rules of the League, along with the general Conduct Regulations and Playing Conditions.
37 REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY (ALL DIVISIONS)
37.1
I. All players must be fully registered online via Play-Cricket before playing in any League or Cup match.
II. No transfer will be permitted after midnight on August 15th except with the specific permission of the League.
III. Registration of all players will take place in accordance with ECB guidelines.
IV. Player transfers must be completed at least 24 hours before the player concerned appears in a League or League Cup match (but see “Post Match Registrations” section below for Division 1 and below) .
V. All players must be members of their club’s Play-Cricket website before registration is attempted.
VI. Clubs are responsible for determining the appropriate category for each player before registration.
VII. Registration will be via Play-Cricket.com. The information required will contain full player name (surname, forenames and initials); current address including postcode, date of birth, country of birth (if outside UK date of most recent entry to UK), previous club(s); registered category plus player and club administrator’s authorisation.
VIII. See separate “Player Transfers”, “Player Loans”, “Dual Registration”, “Team Strengthening” and “Category 3” sections for rules on those areas.
IX. Teams in the Premier Division, Premier II and Championship only may play County contracted players provided that in any season the player plays for only one club in any one season.
X. Clubs must check an approved photocard identification when a previous club or player history cannot be found.
XI. All bona-fide members of a club will be regarded as eligible, irrespective of whether they receive financial or other reward for playing cricket, from any source.
37.2 Post Match Registrations
I. In Division 1 and below only, post-match registrations will be allowed in certain circumstances.
II. Registration will only be permitted following a match if a player has been enlisted as a last-minute substitute and has not previously participated in any capacity for another club. Furthermore, any registration of this nature must be finalised within 48 hours after the conclusion of the match.
38 U12 & U13 AGE GROUP PLAYERS
38.1 Under 12 age group players or younger may not play, or act as substitute fielder, in matches played under the auspices of the League, unless they have previously been selected in a County U12 or Area U12 squad, are a minimum of 11 years old on 1st September in the year preceding the current season and the club holds explicit written consent for them to play.
38.2 Under 13 age group players may play in matches played under the auspices of the League provided that the club holds explicit written consent for them to play.
39 CATEGORY 3 PLAYERS
39.1 Overview
I. Category 3 players will be categorised as either Category 3 Professional or Category 3 Amateur (see sections below for definitions).
II. Category 3 Professionals may only play in the Premier Division, Premier II and Championship. Category 3 Amateurs may play in any division.
III. Teams in the Premier Division, Premier II and Championship may field a maximum of one Category 3 Professional.
IV. Teams in the Premier Division and Premier 2 must always field a minimum of ten Category 1 players.
V. Teams in the Championship and below must always field a minimum of eight Category 1 players.
39.2 Visa’s & Immigration
I. Any player adjudged by the ECB, UK Visa’s & Immigration, the Home Office, or other official body to be on an incorrect visa or in the UK illegally will be deemed to be ineligible.
II. League points will be deducted for the current season unless official notification is received after 1st November, in which case the league points will be deducted from the following season.
III. Neither the league nor its Officers are licensed to give advice on visas and immigration issues.
IV. In the event of an investigation there will be administration charges of £250 which reflects the
amount of work in time hours, and professional advice the league may have to take.
39.3 Category 3 (Professional)
I. A Category 3 Professional player is defined as any Category 3 player who does not qualify as a Category 3 Amateur (see section 39.4).
II. Premier Division, Premier II & Championship Division clubs may register a maximum of one Category 3 Professional player for each team they have in these divisions.
III. No Category 3 Professional player shall be allowed to play in any division other than the Premier, Premier II or the Championship.
IV. All Category 3 (Professional) players must be registered with the League each season in writing by means of the appropriate ‘Professionals Registration Form’ before playing a game.
V. The responsibility for registering a player shall be with the club and it is the club’s responsibility to ensure that all players are correctly registered and eligible to play in the relevant competitions before they make any appearance.
VI. If a member club has any doubts about the eligibility of a player, it should contact the General Manager BEFORE the player participates in a competitive match for the club.
VII. The league will conduct random checks of scorecards published on play-cricket.com throughout the season and will report any infringements to the Disciplinary Team, which has the power to deduct points and/or impose financial penalties and/or relegate teams as it sees fit.
By so registering a club warrants that:
VIII. The player has been made aware of and understands that he or she is bound by the League’s rules, regulations and disciplinary procedures, and that he or she agrees to abide by the ECB Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket.
IX. The club has complied with all the procedures and regulations as laid down by the Home Office and the ECB and hold all the applicable authorisations and permits, and that all other requirements specified under the Overseas Coaches Procedures have been undertaken.
X. If called upon they must produce documentary evidence to the League.
XI. The League shall have power to cancel the registration of any Overseas Player.
XII. A Category 3 (Professional) player is not permitted to play for more than one Club in the League in any season.
XIII. Players must be registered prior to playing, using the appropriate registration form before playing.
XIV. All Category 3 (Professional) players must play in at least one league or cup game before the 30 June to be eligible for the rest of the season.
Replacing A Category 3 (Professional) Player
A substitute overseas professional shall only be permitted when the registered overseas professional is unable to play cricket before 30th July:
XV. through genuine injury or illness confirmed by a medical certificate or
XVI. due to selection at international or first-class level or equivalent the confirmed in writing by the appropriate body and where the anticipated absence is long term. (the definition of long-term absence to be determined solely by the league board) or
XVII. due to other circumstances deemed beyond the control of the club and confirmed in writing and where the anticipated absence is long term.
A substitute overseas professional shall only be permitted to play in the YPLN if:
XVIII. they are not of a higher standard than the player they are substituting for (this to be determined solely by the League). When considering this current and/or recent playing status will be taken into consideration.
XIX. they shall be entitled to play until such time as the registered overseas professional has recovered or is able to resume their duties.
XX. the substitute must be registered in writing by means of the ‘Overseas Professionals Registration Form’, which form must be accompanied by a request detailing why a substitute is being sought. It should also be accompanied by appropriate documentary evidence as indicated above, and comparisons of the career playing records of the two players.
XXI. once registered in this way a club may only have an additional substitute professional in that period if injury or illness, certified as previously mentioned, renders the original substitute incapable of playing.
39.4 Category 3 (Amateur Player)
I. All clubs may apply to register an unlimited number of Category 3 players who meet the qualifying criteria for Category 3 Amateur status (see below).
II. Such a player may play in any division providing the League’s player qualification regulations are met.
III. This authorisation will only be granted for players who fail to meet the Category 1 criteria because they have only recently moved to this country for genuine reasons involving work, study, holiday, or migration purposes and are not being paid by the club or receive any benefits in kind.
IV. Clubs must provide written evidence of this when making the application for permission.
V. Players must be registered prior to playing, using the appropriate registration form before playing which must be signed by both the club and player.
VI. The responsibility for registering a player shall be with the club and it is the club’s responsibility to ensure that all players are correctly registered and eligible to play in the relevant competitions before they make any appearance.
VII. If a member club has any doubts about the eligibility of a player, it should contact the General Manager BEFORE the player participates in a competitive match for the club. However, clubs must take into account that the neither the league nor its officials are licensed or able to give advice regarding visa’s and immigration etc.
VIII. The league will conduct random checks of scorecards published on play-cricket.com throughout the season and will report any infringements to the Disciplinary Team, which has the power to deduct points and/or impose financial penalties and/or relegate teams as it sees fit.
To qualify as a Category 3 (Amateur) Player the following criteria must be met:
IX. Playing sport is incidental to the reason for coming to the UK.
X. The player has never received, is not intending on receiving, or has not received within the previous four years, payment, including payment in kind, for playing or coaching that is covering all, or the majority of, their costs for travelling to, and living in the UK.
XI. The player is not currently registered to, or who has not been registered within the previous four years to a professional or semi-professional sports team. This includes all academy and development age groups.
XII. The player has not represented their nation or national team within the previous two years, including all youth and development age groups from Under 17’s upwards.
XIII. The player has not represented their state or regional team within the previous two years, including all youth and development age groups from Under 17’s upwards.
XIV. The player has not within the last twelve months engaged an agent or representative, with the aim of find opportunities as a sportsperson, and / or developing a current or future career as a sportsperson.
In so signing the player and club warrant that:
XV. The player has been made aware of and understands that he is bound by the League’s rules, regulations and disciplinary procedures and that he agrees to abide by the ECB Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket.
XVI. That the player has complied with all the procedures and regulations as laid down by the Home Office and ECB in respect of permits and visas.
XVII. That the player does not receive any payment for playing from the club, any other club, any third party or other source, and that he does not receive any benefits in kind. This includes, but is not exhaustible, airfares, accommodation and employment.
XVIII. If called upon clubs must produce any documentary evidence requested by the League for inspection and any players registered in this way will not be allowed to play a game until such time as the League have confirmed the registration.
40 TEAM STRENGTHENING
40.1 No club is permitted to enhance its second or lower team at any point during the season by including a player who has consistently participated in one or more of its higher teams. Clubs must obtain prior authorisation from the League Manager, or an appointed representative, before making such changes. The League Manager [or appointed deputy] has the discretion to permit players to be assigned to a lower team but may impose restrictions on batting and/or bowling based on the player’s performance.
40.2 A player shall be designated as a regular player for the team for which they have participated in the highest number of matches during the current season. A player will only attain the status of a regular player for a particular team after having participated in four matches for that team within the current season. Players representing their county or international teams shall be considered regular first team players at all times.
40.3 Clubs are permitted to assign a player to a lower team for valid reasons, which may include loss of performance, return from injury, acquisition of new players, or increased player availability. However, prior approval must be obtained from the League Manager or an authorised deputy before the scheduled match occurs. The League Manager (or designated deputy) has the authority to allow players to be moved to a lower team but may establish limitations on batting and/or bowling depending on the player’s performance history.
40.4 In the event that a team within the club does not have a scheduled match, regardless of the reason, any player who has consistently participated as a regular member of that team is prohibited from competing with any of the club's lower-tier teams unless prior authorisation is obtained from the League Manager or an authorised deputy. Such authorisation may include conditions or restrictions regarding the player’s role in the match.
40.5 Any player who has participated in 10 or more matches for specific teams by August 15th shall be permitted to compete only for a lower-tier team for the remainder of the season, provided that they obtain prior approval from the League Manager or an appointed deputy before the scheduled match occurs.
41 PLAYER LOANS
41.1 All players may transfer on a loan basis in order to assist short-handed clubs subject to team strengthening rules.
41.2 Loan players will only be allowed to play for the club’s lowest team in YPLN.
41.3 Teams can only loan players if they are in Division One or below.
41.4 A club’s lowest ranked or single team in Divisions 1 to 5 will only be able to loan players who are regular players in the same or a lower division.
41.5 Loan players must be fully registered on Play-Cricket with a 'parent' club in YPLN or other league agreed with the Registration Manager and must also be registered as a Loan Player by the borrowing club within 24 hrs of the match being played.
41.6 Any player, whether adult or junior, involved in a loan transfer will not be permitted to sign for the borrowing club for the current or subsequent season without the specific permission of the loaning club and approval by the League’s Registration Manager.
41.7 No loan players will be permitted to play in re-arranged Saturday League matches. Note: This rule is to prevent teams from being strengthened by the use of the number of loan players who could be available if the match were to be re-arranged to be played on a Sunday for example.
41.8 The maximum number of loan players that can play in any single appropriate league fixture is four.
42 Dual Registrations
42.1 Dual registration will be permitted only under the condition that the player is enrolled in full-time education and the Registration Manager determines that it is not feasible for the player to return to their home club to play each weekend.
42.2 Dual registration is only allowed in Division One and below and/or in related Cup competitions.
42.3 Dual-registered players will not be permitted to permanently join any other club they have played for under this rule for a period of 12 months after the agreement has been terminated unless both clubs agree, and the league agree.
42.4 Team strengthening rules will apply to all dual registered players.