TERMS AND CONDITIONS (T & Cs) Version 2 - March 2011
1 GAMES
1.1 Game Start Times
Games MUST kick off at the time listed. Teams must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game (at least one needs to be female). For every 2minutes a team is unable to start, a Touchdown will be awarded to the opposition. If at half time the opposition are not in a position to start, the game will be abandoned with a 10:0 score.
The team that is present for the game will record a 5:0 win (4 points), the scratched team will record a forfeit (0 points) 10:0 loss.
1.2 Games
Summer league games will be 40min in length. Winter league games will be 32min in length.
In the knock out stages drop-off extra time will be played if the score is drawn at the end of normal time.
Should your team not be able to make an evening’s scheduled game for whatever reason you will unfortunately forfeit that game, which will not be replayed
1.3 Scoring and game points
A touchdown will be scored by a player grounding the ball on or over the opposite teams score line.
1.4 Touchdowns
Male = 1 pt, Female = 1 pt.
1.5 League points
Win = 4pts, draw = 2pts, loss = 1pt, bye = 1pt, forfeit = 0pts.
2 TEAM & PLAYER INFORMATION
2.1 Team Lists
You are required to register all players details (full name, email address and a contact number) prior to the first game they play in. This can be done by logging into the Bristol Touch Sports Management System. If it is discovered that you have played with an unregistered player you will record a forfeit (0 points) 10:0 loss. The opposition will record a 5:0 win (4 points).
It is the Captain's responsibility to ensure that only members on the Team List who have accepted the relevant terms and conditions take the field of play for league games. Bristol Touch reserve the right to make checks on any/all Team Lists.
Players can NOT be registered for two teams in the same league.
2.2 Team members
On field teams consist of 6 players (teams consist of minimum 6 players, maximum 14 players). Teams can consist of up to 14 players (no more than 14 players down on any one night). A minimum of 4 players are needed to start a game (one of which needs to be female)
2.3 Team Composition
Mixed teams must have at least 2 female players on the field at all times. Female players can play in the men's leagues. Male players cannot play in the Women's leagues. The Venue Manager/ Official's decision on any disputes will be final.
2.4 Borrowing Players/Ringers
Definition of a ringer: A player who is NOT registered to play for your team on the player database.
Male Players
A team may only borrow MALE players from another league team when they have less than 5 male players.
If they have less than 5 male players you will be allowed to borrow enough players to take you up to 5 male players. If this involves you needing to borrow more than one player, they must be from different teams.
If the team has 5 male players on match night, they are NOT allowed to borrow any more male players.
Female Players
A team may only borrow FEMALE players from another team when they have less than 3 female players.
If they have less than 3 female players you will be allowed to borrow enough players to take the team up to 3 female players. If this involves them needing to borrow more than one player, they must be from different teams.
If your team has 3 female players on match night, you are NOT allowed to borrow any more female players.
Women's League
A team may only borrow players from another team when they have less than 8 female players.
If they have less than 8 players you will be allowed to borrow enough players to take the team up to 8 players. If this involves them needing to borrow more than one player, they must be from different teams.
If your team has 8 players on match night, you are NOT allowed to borrow any more players.
If a team will be using a ringer/ringer(s), the team captain MUST inform both the referee and opposition captain prior to the game starting.
This is a sporting gesture and also so that the referee can ensure that ringers are being used in line with the rules as detailed below. This avoids any issues at the end of the game.
If it is discovered that a team has played breaking the rules above you will record a forfeit (0 points) 10:0 loss. The opposition will record a 5:0 win (4 points), or the opposition result will stand if it is a greater victory.
2.5 Team Registration Fees
A team’s place is not guaranteed unless the deposit or full amount is paid. If you withdraw prior to the season starting you will forfeit any monies paid up to that point. If you or your team plays in at least one game (including any grading game), you and your team's players will forfeit any monies paid and be held jointly and severally liable for the full league registration fee including, but not limited to, any and all damages and costs incurred by Bristol Touch caused by you or your teams withdrawal.
The full registration fee for a team entry is due 14 days after the relevant leagues start date. If any monies remain owing 21 days after the relevant league start date, an administration fee of £20 will be added to your team fees. For each additional 7 day period that the fees remain unpaid an additional fee of £20 per week will be charged until the full outstanding amount is paid.
One league point will be deducted if the team entrance fee is unpaid after the payment deadline of 14 days after the league start date. For each additional 7 day period that the fees remain unpaid an additional league point will be deducted.
3 HOUSE RULES & GENERAL INFORMATION
3.1 Participant Behaviour
Foul play and abuse of Bristol Touch officials will not be tolerated under any circumstances. It is incumbent on all team members to observe the rule of the competition and not indulge in any behaviour that would be unruly or unsportsmanlike in nature. Bristol Touch management and referees reserve the right to eject anyone from the competition should they be seen to be indulging in such behaviour with no right of recourse or re-imbursment of any monies paid.
3.2 Sending off of players.
A player who is dismissed for the remainder of a game will serve a minimum of a one league night suspension. Captains must be aware of any player serving a ban and must not field that player until his suspension is complete. Any team who fields a suspended player will record a forfeit (0 points) 10:0 loss.
For more serious offences, a disciplinary team made up of Bristol Touch management, a senior referee from the league and the ETA National Director of Referees will decide on an appropriate suspension period and/or course of action.
3.3 Playing kit
All teams entering into the Bristol Touch Leagues will need to ensure that they wear identical playing shirts, which are individually NUMBERED on the back.
If after 2 warnings you fail to wear the correct players kit, at the discretion of Bristol Touch, your team may forfeit competition points (1 point) or be excluded from the competition (without refund of fees).
3.4 Jewellery and Fingernails
Players are not to participate in any match while wearing any item of jewellery, which might prove dangerous. Long or sharp fingernails are to be trimmed or taped.
3.5 Footwear: Shoes with screw-in studs or cleats are not to be worn by any player
Light leather or synthetic boots with soft moulded soles are permitted, provided individual studs are no longer than thirteen millimetres (13 mm) in length, the measurement being taken from the sole of the boot. Football or Rugby studs are not permitted. If you have any doubt please contact Bristol Touch.
3.6 Protests
Should a team wish to protest regarding an opposing team and its members, it should do so by bringing the protest to the attention of the referee prior to the first whistle to commence the game being sounded. The referee will inform the offending Team and if the Protest is not resolved will mark 'Protest' on the scorecard - (Team Captain to ensure this is carried out). The Team Captain is then to inform the Official at the end of the evening. The Official will bring the matter to Bristol Touch management’s attention who will inform the offending and offended team of the decision after consulting with the attending referee and reviewing the necessary rules & policies.
3.7 Scorecards
Scorecards MUST be checked and signed by team captains, or a designated member of the team. Failure to sign the card by the end of the league night will mean no disputes can be made the following day and the result will stand.
3.8 Results dispute
If there are any disputes with the results, team captains or the nominated representative for the team are to query the result by emailing Bristol Touch within 2 days of the disputed game being played. Bristol Touch will check the Game Score Cards, review your dispute with the attending referee and inform you of his/her final decision within 5 days.
3.9 Wet weather/Game Cancellation
Bristol Touch, after consulting with the grounds person and checking the weather forecast, will make a decision as early as possible on the day concerned.
Only if the decision is taken to cancel or postpone a game will an e-mail will be sent out to all team captains and players registered on the Bristol Touch Sports Management System and a message will also be posted on the Bristol Touch website and Facebook page informing them of this decision. It is incumbent on all players and captains in these teams to inform their fellow players of this decision.
In the event that games are called off due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, these games may be rescheduled or cancelled depending on the availability of both time and grounds. This will be at the sole discretion and decision of Bristol Touch. Any cancelled games will be entered as a 0:0 draw.
3.10 Game Abandonment
In the event that a game is abandoned before the end of the allocated game time, due to the weather or other unforeseen circumstances, there are two outcomes:
If the game is abandoned either in the first half or at half time, these games may be rescheduled or cancelled depending on the availability of both time and grounds. Any cancelled games will be entered as a 0:0 draw.
If the game is abandoned in the second half, the score at the time the game was stopped will stand.
3.11 First Aid
Initial First Aid for minor injuries will be administered at the venue. Any injuries that require specialist services including ambulances or the attendance of medical staff will be carried out at the cost to the individual concerned. Individual treatment including, but not limited to, blisters or provision of strapping tape is up to the Individuals.
3.12 Insurance
Bristol Touch carry Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance. Please be advised that Players insurance is not included in the fees paid to participate in any of the leagues.
3.13 Data Protection
All data on the database will ONLY be used for Touch related activities and will NOT be passed to any third parties.
WAIVER, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
By entering and playing in the Bristol Touch leagues and associated activities, you accept the following Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement.
In consideration of me (and team members) being allowed to participate in any way in the upcoming league and associated social events to take place during 2011 (the "Touch Activities"), I hereby acknowledge and agree that:
1. In this participant declaration:
i. "Claim" means and includes any action, suit, proceeding, claim, demand, damage, cost or expense however arising including but not limited to negligence but does not include a claim against a Touch Organisation under any right expressly conferred by its constitution or regulation.
ii."Competition" means the league, tournaments and associated social events owned and operated by Bristol Touch.
iii. "Touch Activities' means performing or participating in any capacity in any authorised or recognised Touch organisation activity including, but not limited to, a game of Touch.
v. "Touch Organisation" means Bristol Touch and, where the context so permits its respective committee members, Officers, members, servants or agents.
2. If the personal registration/team entry is accepted, which will have deemed to have occurred upon my personal or my teams participation in Touch Activities, I acknowledge that I will be bound by and agree to comply with the rules, regulations and policies of the Touch organisation which relate to the Competition.
3. Warning: Touch Activities are inherently dangerous. I acknowledge that I am exposed to certain risks during Touch Activities and that accidents can and often do happen which may result in me being injured or even killed, or my property being damaged. I have voluntarily read and understood this warning and accept and assume the inherent risks in participating in the Touch Activities.
4. Exclusion of Implied Terms: I acknowledge that where I am a consumer of recreational services, as defined by any relevant law, certain terms and rights usually implied into a contract for the supply of supply of goods or services may be excluded. I acknowledge that these implied terms and rights and any liability of the Touch Organisation flowing from them, are expressly excluded to the extent possible by law, by this participant declaration. To the extent of any liability arising, the liability of the Touch Organisation will, at the discretion of the Touch Organisation, be limited in the case of goods, to the replacement, repair or payment of the cost of replacing the goods and in the case of services, the resupply of the services or payment of the cost of having the services supplied again.
5. Release and Indemnity: Regarding participating in Touch Activities as run by the Touch Organisation, I, to the extent permitted by law:
i. Release and will release the Touch Organisation from all Claims that I may have or may have had but for this release arising from or in connection with my participation in any Touch Activities; and
ii. Indemnify and will keep indemnified the Touch Organisation in respect of any Claim by any person arising as a result of or in connection with my participation in any Touch Activities.
6. Fitness to Participate: I declare that I am medically and physically fit and able to participate in the Touch Activities. I will immediately notify the Touch Organisation (Bristol Touch) in writing of any change to my medical condition, fitness or ability to participate. I understand and accept that the Touch Organisation will continue to rely upon this declaration as evidence of my fitness and ability to participate.
7. Medical Treatment: I consent to receiving any medical treatment that a Touch Organisation reasonably considers necessary or desirable for me during my participation in Touch Activities. I also agree to reimburse the relevant Touch Organisation for any costs or expenses incurred in providing me with medical treatment.
8. Right to Use Images: I acknowledge and consent to photographs and electronic images being taken of me during my participation in any Touch Activities. I acknowledge and agree that such photographs and electronic images are owned by Bristol Touch and that the Touch Organisation may use the photographs or electronic images for promotional or other purposes without any further consent being necessary. Further, I consent to the Touch Organisation using my name, image, likeness and also my performance in the Touch Activities, at any time, by any form of media, to promote the Touch Activities.
9. Privacy: I understand that the information I have provided above is necessary for the objects of the Touch Organisation. I acknowledge and agree that the information will only be used for the objects of the Touch Organisation, Touch Organisation general business and to provide me with services. I understand that I will be able to access the information through the Touch Organisation. If the information is not provided, this application may be rejected. I acknowledge that the Touch Organisation may also use my personal information for the purposes of providing me with promotional material from Touch Organisations which they feel are relevant. Information will NOT be passed to other Organisations, sponsors or third parties.
10. Severance: If any provision of this participant declaration is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the phrase or clause is to be read down for the purposes of that jurisdiction, if possible, so as to be valid and enforceable. If the phrase or clause cannot be so read down it will be severed to the extent of the invalidity or unenforceability. Such severance does not affect the remaining provisions of this participant declaration or affect the validity or enforceability of it in any other jurisdiction.
11. I have provided the information required above and signed this declaration. I warrant that all information provided is true and correct. I acknowledge this participant declaration cannot be amended. If amended will mean your application will be null and void. It cannot be accepted by the Touch Organisation.
I have read, understood, acknowledge and agree to the above terms including the warning, exclusion of implied terms, release and indemnity.