***********************************************************************************
1. BYES
The Problem:
· If a string is conceded with a bye the points are awarded 3 : 0 to the other
team.
· If a match is conceded with a bye the points are awarded 20 : 0 to the other
team, i.e. 3 : 0 for each string plus 5 team points.
· At the end of the last leagues the average match score was around 14 points.
· A team being awarded a win 20 : 0 win as a result of a bye is therefore given
a significant advantage over all the other (innocent) teams in the league.
· The conceding team suffers no worse loss than is possible, but rare, in team
matches.
· There is no incentive for the other team to re-arrange the match as they can
not better a 20 : 0 score.
The Proposal:
· For each string conceded 1 team point is deducted from the conceding team as a
penalty, rather than being awarded to the other team as a bonus.
· Example 1: If the whole match is conceded with byes the points are awarded 15
: -5 to the other team, i.e. 3 - 0 for each of the 5 strings, but the team
points are deducted from the conceding team as a penalty of -5 rather than
being given to the winning team as a further 5 team points.
· Example 2: If one string is conceded as a bye the points to be awarded for
that string would be 3 : 0 to the other team, as is currently the case, but
only 4 team points to be awarded for the match, the 5th would be a penalty of
-1 against the team conceding the bye.
· This would give a small, but significant incentive for both teams to rearrange
the match, particularly if relegation, or winning the league, was a possibility
for either of them.
***********************************************************************************
2. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The problem:
A clearly defined procedure would have facilitated the resolution of the
grievance brought to the GSA in the last winter league:
The proposal:
1. Any complaint, or grievance, submitted to the GSA for resolution is to be put
in writing.
2. The defendant is to be informed by the GSA that a grievance against them has
been brought against them and a copy of the Grievance Procedure given to them,
and all other parties involved, along with what level of sanctions could be
levied if the grievance is upheld.
3. The GSA Grievance Committee will collect witness statements, if appropriate.
4. The written grievance, along with copies of all the statements received, is
to be copied to the defendant.
5. The defendant must then submit a written response.
6. The GSA Grievance Committee will determine, and advise all the parties
involved, whether the grievance is to be dealt with by correspondence only, or
a hearing is to be convened at which the plaintiff , defendant and witnesses
are to attend. If a hearing is required then a mutually convenient date is to
be arranged.
7. If a hearing is held then the plaintiff will start by putting forward their
grievance, any witnesses will then present their statements, the defendant will
then respond. The plaintiff will then be given the opportunity to question /
challenge anything the defendant and the witness have said, then finally the
defendant will then be given the opportunity to question / challenge anything
the plaintiff and the witnesses have said. The hearing will then be closed.
8. The GSA Grievance Committee will judge the case and publish their conclusion
to all parties involved.
***********************************************************************************
3. Junior Involvement in the Leagues
The GSA wish to support the inclusion of juniors in the leagues where they want
to participate and have earned their place in their club's team. However,
having selected a junior, it is then the team captain's responsibility to
ensure the player is supervised at all times by either a parent or guardian, or
another adult appointed by the parents or guardian. The nominated adult must be
present and supervise the junior at all times, including whilst oncourt (from
the viewing gallery), off-court and in the changing rooms.