This is the statement issued at the beginning of the season to captains who have players moving to different teams – but it still applies at any point of the season. (Just substitute the team name to suit your own club’s circumstances. i.e. 2nd team to 3rd team, 3rd team to 4th team etc…).
The basic rule that the League adopts is that if a player moves down into a lower team, then we expect that player to play the majority of the season’s matches in the lower team. We also appreciate that these players are usually the first to be asked to play occasionally in the higher team when there is a shortage.
So, for example, if Player A, who was a 1st team player in 2022, is now a 2nd team player in 2023, it’s no problem, provided that the majority of his/her matches are now played for the 2nd team – if this situation is likely to change, (longer term injuries, illness, work commitments of the higher team players etc), please let the relevant NECLTL Match Secretary know IMMEDIATELY.
For example;
1. “Player A” plays 7 times for the 2nd team and 4 times for the 1st team – ok, as he/she has played the majority of their matches for the 2nd team.
2. “Player A” plays 4 times for the 2nd team and 4 times for the 1st team – not ok as he/she hasn’t played the majority of their matches for the 2nd team. The 2nd team will be penalised for every time he/she plays “down”.
3. “Player A” plays 3 times for the 2nd team and 6 times for the 1st team – not ok as he/she hasn’t played the majority of their matches for the 2nd team. The 2nd team will be penalised for every time he/she plays “down”.
If you need any further help or guidance please email the relevant NECLTL Match Secretary and include the player’s name(s) and which team they are moving down into in order to receive an accurate response.
Val Bowen; NECLTL Ladies Match Secretary; lms@necltl.org
John Collins; NECLTL Mens Match Secretary; mms@necltl.org
