Norfolk Bowls Association
Men’s Rules – December 2024
Rule 1 – Administration
The male affairs of the Association shall be conducted through a Men’s Annual Meeting, a Men’s Management Committee, Groups and a Selection Committee as follows:
(a) Men’s Annual Meeting
(b) Men’s Management Committee
(c) Groups
(d) Men’s County and National Team Selection
(e) Election Format
Men’s Annual Meeting
Those persons empowered to vote at the Men’s Annual Meeting or Special General Meeting are:
All members of the Men’s Management Committee
County Coach
Group Competition Secretaries
League Chairman
Norfolk Past Presidents and Associate Members Bowling Association Delegate
Norfolk Vice Presidents Delegate
Greens Maintenance Advisory Officer
Greens Inspection Committee Members
Benevolent Fund Committee Members
Men’s Past Presidents and Honorary Life Members of Norfolk County EBA Association and Norfolk Bowls Association
Middleton Cup Manager
Visiting Tourist Liaison Officer
County Tour Manager
EUBA (Eastern Area) Committee Representative
Eastern Counties Co-ordinator
Safeguarding Officer
Plus one delegate from each affiliated club, except that clubs with a membership of between 100 and 200 may have two delegates, and clubs with over 200 members may have three delegates.
Any person shall only have one vote, even if they hold more than one office within the County.
The General Meeting may appoint from its members such Special Committees or Authorities as may be necessary to deal with specific matters.
Men’s Management Committee
The Men’s Management Committee shall consist of the following Officers:
Chairman
President
Senior Vice President
Junior Vice President
Retiring President (for one year following their term)
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
Match Secretary
Assistant Match Secretary
Competition Secretary
League Secretary
Bowls England Delegate
Delegate appointed by the NCIBA
Four Group Representatives (one from each Group)
The Committee shall deal with all matters relating to the proper conduct of the Men’s game as part of the Association, and any matters delegated to it by the Executive Board or an Annual Meeting.
Five members shall form a quorum.
The Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy arising during the year. In an emergency, the President, Senior Vice President and Secretary may assume responsibility for a vacant role until a full Committee meeting is convened.
The Committee shall meet in January, April, July, September and October, and at any other time when required.
The Committee will receive and discuss proposals for amendments to the Men’s Rules or Regulations at the Men’s Annual Meeting, and amendments to the Association Constitution at an Executive Board Meeting.
Groups
A Group shall consist of member clubs comprising the County Competition Group for the previous year.
Group Representatives shall convene at least one meeting of member clubs annually. One meeting must take place before 1 October to nominate the Group Representative to serve on the Management Committee. This nomination must be submitted to the Men’s County Secretary by 1 October for confirmation at the Men’s Annual Meeting.
Groups shall deal with other relevant matters and provide reports of meetings to the Men’s County Secretary.
The Men’s County Competition Secretary shall appoint a Competition Secretary to represent each Group. This appointment does not require ratification at the Men’s General Meeting.
Men’s County and National Team Selection
Presidents’ Invitation Matches
Teams shall be selected by the President and Match Secretary from nominations received on the official forms provided.
County Friendly and Tourist Matches
The Selection Committee shall consist of the Honorary Match Secretary and Honorary Assistant Match Secretary, with the assistance of the President. Teams shall be selected from official nominations, with the power to invite suitable players who have not been nominated.
National Team Selection
A Team Manager shall be appointed by the Men’s Management Committee for a period of three years.
The Team Manager shall be responsible for selection of the Middleton Cup, Eastern Counties League, Balcomb Trophy and White Rose Trophy teams, and any other events as directed.
The Manager shall:
Appoint a Captain for each team
Appoint four assistants, one from each Group
Have no restriction on playing eligibility
Ensure assistants are not eligible to play
The Manager shall maintain records of team and player achievements and provide copies to the Honorary County Secretary.
General administration and communications shall be handled by the County Match Secretary or other delegated officers.
At the conclusion of each season, the Manager shall submit a written report to the Men’s Management Committee.
Election Format
Nominations for the following positions must be submitted in writing by club secretaries to the Men’s Honorary Secretary by 15 September:
Management Committee
Junior Vice President
Middleton Cup Manager
Visiting Tourist Liaison Officer
County Tour Manager
Benevolent Committee Members
Greens Maintenance Advisory Officer
Greens Inspection Committee
Eastern Counties Co-ordinator
Honorary Life Members
Safeguarding Officer
The Bowls England Delegate shall be appointed by the Management Committee.
If no nominations are received, recommendations shall be submitted for election at the Men’s General Meeting.
The following officers are elected by their respective organisations and advised to the Men’s County Secretary by 1 October:
League Chairman
Norfolk Vice Presidents Association Delegate
Group Representatives
Norfolk Past Presidents and Associate Members Bowling Association Delegate
These appointments are reported but not voted upon.
Automatic appointments apply for NCIBA and ECBA roles as defined.
Rule 2 – Men’s Annual Meeting
The Men’s Annual Meeting shall be held on or before the second Sunday in December.
Twenty-eight days’ notice shall be given. Fifteen members shall form a quorum.
Notices of Motion must be submitted to the Men’s County Secretary by 15 October. Late submissions may be discussed under Any Other Business at the Chairman’s discretion, but no decision may be taken.
Every agenda item shall be discussed and put to the vote.
A Special General Meeting must be convened upon requisition by an affiliated club if sufficient cause is shown. Only those listed in Rule 1(a) may vote.
Rule 3 – Management Committee in Appeal
The Management Committee shall adjudicate disputes arising between Affiliated Clubs or members regarding rules, regulations, practices or complaints within its jurisdiction.
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Men’s County Secretary. Parties may be heard, and the decision of the Management Committee shall be final.
Rule 4 – Alterations to Rules and Regulations
The Men’s Rules may be amended, rescinded or added to at a Men’s Annual Meeting or Special General Meeting convened for that purpose.
No proposal shall be deemed carried unless supported by at least two thirds of the votes cast.
Approved changes shall be advised to the Norfolk Bowls Association Executive Board for ratification.