The Norfolk Bowls Association Hansells County
League
Changes proposed for 2014
Changes to the format of the Hansells
County League are being proposed for the 2014 season and will form part of the
Agenda for the League AGM on 8th December.
The main change is the introduction of a new level
between the Premier League and the Regional Zones – a Championship League split
into East & West sections. This will in turn result in changes to the
composition of the regional zones
As a County we want to retain a competitive and viable
fours league. We are one of only a few counties that have this and it is
considered that Norfolk’s strength and success in the Middleton Cup over recent
years is partly due to our league where players compete in the fours format
regularly over the season. Therefore the league needs to be kept fresh and
competitive and hence the reason why a review has been carried out and the
proposals made.
Various issues have been considered that have led to
the proposals being made. These include non competitiveness in some of Zones
where the title is often contested by the same teams each year. The
Championship Leagues should address this issue with the stronger teams
competing against east other. Similarly with the leading clubs in Zone 1 moving
into the Championship it should make the Regional Zones more open.
Travelling distances between competing Clubs is an
issue but with a County the size of Norfolk this is an issue that is difficult
to overcome. It is appreciated that there may be more travelling in the
Championship Leagues but with an east/west split in the league this is somewhat
less than in the Premier League to which each Club is striving to reach.
Proposal for presentation to AGM in December
2013
Proposed new league structure
Premier League comprising
of 8 teams
Championship
League (East) comprising
of 8 teams
Championship
League (West) comprising
of 8 teams
Regional zones comprising
the remaining teams split into North, South, East, West & Central and
comprising Zones 1 & 2 (if
appropriate depending on the number of teams)
The
new structure will be put in place for the 2014 Season
Details
Premier League
to comprise:-
·
the top 7 teams from the 2013 season
·
the winner of the 2013 WP Baker Cup Zone 1 play off (RG Carter ‘A’ BC)
Championship to
comprise:-
·
the top 3 teams in each of the North, South, East, West
& Central zones in the 2013 season (excluding the WP Baker Cup winners who
are promoted to the Premier League – see above)
·
the best 4th placed team on points to matches
played average in the 2013 season (Mundford)
·
the bottom
team in the Premier League in the 2013 season (Hunstanton EBA ‘A’)
The
teams comprising the East & West leagues will be determined by the League
Management Committee
Regional Zones all
remaining teams are to be allocated to Regional Zones.
The
teams comprising each zone will be determined by the League Management
Committee
Please see the proposed structure of
the leagues below BUT this may be subject to change depending on the teams
entering the league
Following
completion of the 2014 league programme and in
subsequent years, promotion & relegation will be as follows:-
Premier League the
team finishing bottom will be relegated to Championship East or West League as
determined by the League Management Committee
Championship the
teams finishing top of the Championship East & West Leagues to play off for
the WP Baker Cup with the winners promoted to the Premier League. The runners
up will be presented with the CPS Gas Cup.
The
two teams finishing bottom of the Championship East & West Leagues will be
relegated to the Regional Zone 1 North, South, East, West or Central as
determined by the League Management Committee
Regional Zone 1 the 5
teams that finish top of the North, South, East, West & Central Zone 1 plus
the winners of the Zone 2 East, South & West Zones will play off for the Hansells Cup. The runners up will receive the Hansells Runner up Cup.
The winners & runners up of the above play off will be promoted to
the Championship East & West Leagues as determined by the League Management
Committee
The
teams finishing bottom and second bottom of the North, South, East, West &
Central Zone 1 will be relegated to Zone 2 (if such Zone exists)
Regional Zone 2 The
teams finishing top and second of Zone 2 will be promoted to Zone 1.
Appendix
1.
The League
constitution & rules will need to be revised to reflect the new format
provided this is adopted at the League AGM.
2.
The composition
of the Championship East & West Leagues and the Regional Zones will be
reviewed each year depending on the geographical location of the teams being
promoted and relegated to and from the Premier League, the Championship Leagues
and from the Regional Zones. Such review will be carried out by League
Management Committee.
3.
In the
existing rules promotion to the Premier League is by invitation. An invitation
to join has never been declined so it is proposed that this rule be removed.
4.
For the
proposed League structure for 2014 please see below BUT
this may be subject to change depending on the teams entering the league.
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Proposed League Structure for 2014 |
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Premier League |
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Norfolk
BC A |
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Acle St Edmunds A |
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Wootton Park |
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Wymondham Dell A |
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County
Arts A |
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North
Walsham A |
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Downham Market A |
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R
G Carter A |
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Championship East |
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Championship West |
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Freethorpe A |
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Hunstanton EBA A |
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Caister A |
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Shipdham |
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Cantley |
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G
W Staniforth A |
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Reepham Nomads |
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Fakenham |
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Gissing
A |
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Upwell |
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Gissing
B |
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St
Lawrence |
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Diss & District A |
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Swaffham Town A |
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Hingham
Rectory A |
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Mundford |
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South One |
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East One |
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North One |
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Central One |
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West One |
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Aldiss Park |
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Bradwell A |
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Cromer |
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G
W Staniforth B |
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Castle
Acre |
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Ashill |
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Martham |
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Lakeside |
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Watton |
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Feltwell A |
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Honingham |
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Thorpe
Rec |
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Suffield
Park |
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Mattishall |
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Kings
Lynn |
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Wymondham Dell C |
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Bradwell B |
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North
Walsham B |
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Wicklewood |
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West
Winch |
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Norfolk
BC C |
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Caister B |
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Cawston |
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Harling Rec |
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Hunstanton EBA B |
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County
Arts C |
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Acle St Edmunds B |
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Holt |
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Bradenham |
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Northwold |
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Norfolk
BC B |
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Norwich
Union |
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R
G Carter B |
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Dereham St Nicholas |
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Shouldham A |
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Wymondham Dell B |
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County
Arts B |
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Aylsham |
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Hingham
Rectory B |
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Swaffham Town B |
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â |
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â |
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â |
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â |
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â |
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â |
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South Two |
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East Two |
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West Two |
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Connaught
A |
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Gorleston |
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Feltwell B |
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Dickleburgh |
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Norwich
Police |
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Hunstanton Cliff Parade |
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Long
Stratton |
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Freethorpe B |
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Downham Market C |
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Wortwell |
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Fleggburgh |
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West
Lynn |
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Connaught
B |
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St
Marks |
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Shouldham B |
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Shotford |
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Thorpe
Rec B |
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Downham Cons B |
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Diss & District B |
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Gt Plumstead |
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Downham Market B |
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Harleston Rec |
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Downham Cons A |
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Scole & District |
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