1. The Name of the League shall be the NORTH MIDDLESEX TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE

2. The objects of the North Middlesex Table Tennis League shall be to assist and encourage the formation of table tennis clubs, to conduct annual competitions between member clubs, teams and players and to promote the game in every possible way.

3. The League shall also be affiliated to the Middlesex Table Tennis Association and the English Table Tennis Association. Competitions shall be conducted under the English Table Tennis Associations Approved Laws of Table Tennis, and only such International Table Tennis Federations Regulations for International Competition as specifically included in this Handbook.

4. (a) A President, Vice-Presidents and one or more Auditors shall be elected yearly at the Annual General Meeting. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees.
(b) The distinction of Life membership may be conferred for special or long service in connection with the affairs of the League upon nomination by the Executive Committee at the Annual General Meeting.

5. The league shall be governed by the Executive Committee

6. (a) The Executive Committee shall be eight in number, consisting of the Officers, a majority of those elected to form a quorum
(b) The Officers of the League shall be the Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, Representative Match Secretary, Registrations Secretary, Tournaments Secretary, Press and Publicity Officer and Coaching and Development Officer. If possible offices shall not be combined.
(c) A Deputy Chairman shall be appointed by the Executive Committee from amongst its number.
(d) Sub-Committees of the Executive Committee shall be formed to be known respectively as the Rules Committee and the Appeals Committee. A Chairman, Deputy Chairman and at least two other members (not necessarily being members of the Executive Committee) shall be appointed by the Executive Committee to serve on such Committees. Other sub-committees shall be formed as and when required.
(e) Standing Orders for the proceedings of the Executive Committee and its Sub-Committees shall be laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee.

7. (a) The Following Standing Committees (S. C.) may be formed – Secretariat, Finance, Representative Match, Divisions, Tournaments, Press and Publicity and Coaching and Development.
(b) Where appropriate the Secretariat S. C. shall consist of the General Secretary (Chairman) and up to three others; the Finance S. C. shall consist of the Treasurer (Chairman) and up to two other; the Representative Match S. C. shall consist of the Representative Match Secretary (Chairman) and up to three others; the Division S. C. shall consist of the Registrations Secretary (Chairman) and up to eight others; the Tournaments S. C. shall consist of the Tournaments Secretary (Chairman) and up to four others; the Press and Publicity S. C. shall consist of the Press and Publicity Officer (Chairman) and up to three others; the Coaching and Developments S. C. shall consist of the Coaching and Development Officer
(Chairman and such other members as may be co-opted from time to time to serve with him).
(c) The Chairman of the league shall be ex officio a member of all Standing Committees and Sub-Committees.
(d) Terms of reference detailing the functions of the Standing Committees and Standing Orders for their proceedings shall be laid down by the Executive Committee at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting and a copy thereof supplied to each Club on request.

8. The Executive Committee and all Standing Committees shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

9. The Executive Committee shall have power to fill vacancies in the Executive Committee or any Standing Committee arising between Annual General Meetings or any Standing Committee arising between Annual General Meetings and to compel the resignation of any Officers or Standing Committee member who fails to carry out his duties without satisfactory explanation.

10 (a) The league shall be open to all Clubs, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
(b) Application forms for membership of the Leagues shall be completed annually by all Clubs and returned to the General Secretary not later than 31st July.

11. (a) The Annual Subscription shall be payable before the start of the season and shall be £10.00 for each team entered plus any outstanding fines due to the League and the affiliation fees payable to the E.T.T.A. and the M.T.T.A.
(b) It shall be compulsory for each Club within the League to purchase at least 1 copy of the League Magazine. This shall be paid for when the Affiliation Fees are paid to the League on or before the 31st July. The magazine will be sent to the General Secretary of the Club unless the Press & Publicity Sec. is otherwise informed.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
12. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in May and at least one month’s notice shall be given.

13. (a) Clubs must be represented at the Annual General Meeting. Their representative(s) shall sign an Attendance Book; such signatures shall constitute proof of representation. A fine of £10.00 shall be imposed on any Club unrepresented.
(b) Not more than three representatives from each Club may vote. The President, Vice President, and Life Members, Officers and Standing Committee members not representing their Clubs shall have individual votes.
(c) Standing Orders for the conduct of the Annual General Meeting shall be laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee and a copy thereof supplied to each Club attending the Annual General Meeting or beforehand on request. Such Standing Orders shall be presented for adoption as the first item on the Agenda.
(d) Nominations for positions of Officers of the League must be received by the General Secretary in writing, duly seconded at least 21 days before the date of the AGM. All nominations shall be circulated to all affiliated Clubs.

14. Representatives from at least 2/3rds of the Clubs entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting (Excluding Officers of the League) must be present in order to form a quorum.

15. No alteration to rules shall be made except at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting in accordance with Rule 16. Any suggested alterations to rules must be made in writing and must reach the General Secretary by the 24th March or be contained in a letter sent in accordance with Rule 16. Details of proposed alterations to rules shall be circulated to all affiliated Clubs at least one month before the Annual General Meeting or be contained in the notice convening the Special General Meeting as the case may be. Amendments to these proposals may be accepted at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting as the case may be providing the said amendments do not negate the basic intentions of the proposals.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.
16. A Special General Meeting shall be called by the General Secretary if instructed by the Executive Committee or within six weeks after receipt of him of a letter signed on behalf of a minimum of four Clubs. Such letter shall state the purposes of the Meeting and set out in detail any proposed alterations to rules. Rule 13, 14 and 15 shall, where appropriate, apply to Special General Meetings.

PRE-SEASON MEETING.
17. A Pre-season Meeting for all clubs shall be called by the Registrations Secretary not earlier than two weeks and not later than one week before the start of the season. The purpose of such meeting shall be to receive from the clubs fully completed registration forms, as supplied by the League and the required fees in exchange for handbooks, score cards and score books. Each club must send a representative to attend this meeting; a fine of £10.00 may be imposed on any club unrepresented.

REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS.
18. (a) Registrations will be designated as “Initial Registrations” and “Subsequent Registrations”. “Initial Registrations” shall be made at the Pre-Season Meeting. “Subsequent Registrations” shall be made in writing, before the player is eligible to play, by letter, ‘fax’ or any other method acceptable to the Registrations Secretary. A fee of £7.00 will be payable for all registrations of senior members and re-registrations, £5.00 for all members under 18 years of age at 1st September.
(b) Fees shall not be refundable except when a club registering a player at the Pre-Season (Initial Registration) Meeting who subsequently is unable to play in the League, for whatever reason, may claim a refund of that fee, provided that the claim is received in writing by the Registrations Secretary prior to the opening day of the season.
(c) No player shall be eligible to play until 24 hours after receipt of the registration except in the case of a player being registered prior to the opening day of the season.
(d) No player may play for more than one club per season except a player leaving a disbanded club. Subject to Rule 18(f).
(e) A player may apply to transfer his registration to another club if he has not played during the current season for his existing club except as provided for in Rule 18(d) and if such application is submitted in writing by the secretary of his new club accompanied by a transfer fee equivalent to the registration fee quoted in Rule 18(a).
(f) No registrations for transfers will be accepted after January 31st except in circumstances acceptable to the Executive Committee.
(g) The Executive Committee shall have the right to reject any registration.
(h) A League Handbook shall be issued to all registered players.

19. (a) Prior to the commencement of the season, at least three players must be registered for any team.
(b) If two or more Teams are entered by the same Club the players shall be registered for the team in which they intend to play.
(c) Where a Club enters more than one team the registration of players shall conform to the principle that the registered playing strength of each team shall not be weaker than the registered playing strength of any lower-ranked team of the same Club.
(d) The Registrations Secretary shall refuse any registrations not in accord with this principle. Clubs may appeal in writing to the Executive Committee against the Registrations Secretary’s ruling but pending a decision by the Committee the ruling shall stand.

RE-REGISTRATIONS.
20. (a) Clubs having two or more teams may re-register players from one team to another.
(b) Notice of each re-registration shall be given to the Registration Secretary, by an official of the club, in writing by letter, ‘fax’ or any method acceptable to the Registrations Secretary.
(c) No such notice shall be accepted after January 31st except in circumstances acceptable to the Executive Committee.
(d) Re-registration shall take effect 24 hours after receipt of such notice.
(e) No player may re-register more than once during the season.
(f) The Executive Committee shall have the right to reject any re-registration.

PLAYING UP.
21. (a) A player may play for teams higher than that for which he is registered.
(b) Such playing up may take place no more than three occasions in each season.
(c) A player having been re-registered from a higher team to a lower team cannot again play for a higher team that season.
(d) Playing up will not be permitted from a team that has been expelled or withdrawn. A player belonging to such a team must be re-registered in accordance with the rules before playing for any other team.
(e) This rule shall be applicable to League matches only.

FORFEITURE OF SETS.
22. Teams will forfeit sets won by any player or players not complying with Rules 18, 20 or 21.

PLAYING REGULATIONS.
23. In order to be eligible for membership of the League, a Club must have a table complying with the Laws of Table Tennis and will also be required to have reasonable lighting, run back and side room.

24. All League matches shall be played with a make and grade of ball approved by the English Table Tennis Association for the current season.

25. (a) Teams competing in the League shall consist of three members. Each member of the home team shall play each visiting player the best of five games.
(b) When playing League matches, the home team shall be known as A, B, C, and the Home Team Captain shall first write on the score-card the names of his team in order and then pass the card to the Visiting Team captain for him to add his players’ names in order. The visiting team shall be known as X, Y, Z. Unless mutually agreed otherwise between the two Captains, matches shall be played in the following order: (1) A v X , (2) B v Y, (3) C v Z, (4) B v X, (5) A v Z, (6) C v Y, (7) B v Z, (8) C v X, (9) A v Y.

26. (a) The match must be played to a finish and ten League points shall be awarded as follows 1 point for each set won, plus a bonus point to the winning team.
(b) If a team is short of a player or players half-an-hour after the fixed or arranged time for commencing a match, these players sets shall be awarded to their opponents except by mutual agreement between the team captains (recorded by them on the result card) or in exceptional circumstances. Unless otherwise arranged matches shall commence at 7.30 p.m.
(c) If neither team has three players present at the venue half-an-hour after the fixed or arranged time for commencing a match, or such time as mutually agreed by the team captains (recorded by them on the result card) the match shall not take place. The facts must be submitted in writing, with the result card, by the home team to the Divisional Secretary to reach him within seven days of the match date as fixed in the Handbook. The Divisional Secretary shall either (i) order the match to be played within twenty-eight days of his decision (subject to rule 31) or (ii) declare the match void with no points to either team or (iii) place the facts before the Divisions Committee for its ruling.

27. League fixtures shall be arranged by the Executive Committee and shall be published at least one week before the first match is due to be played. Teams shall nominate only one Home Night, which shall not be a Saturday or Sunday. Any alterations thereto must be notified in writing by letter or ‘fax’ by the Club Secretary concerned, at least seven days before the change, to the General Secretary, the Divisional Secretary and all Team Captains affected. Result cards shall be provided by the League. Correspondence regarding matches shall be addressed to the Team Captains as listed in the Handbook.

28. All matches shall be played on or before the date fixed in the Handbook and a result card forwarded to the Divisional Secretary by the Home Team, to reach him within 7 days of the said date. Should a Divisional Secretary not receive within the said time limit the result card or a written statement of the circumstances for the match not being played, he shall award the points to the away team.

POSTPONEMENTS.
29. There shall be no postponements other than in exceptional circumstances. The following procedure shall apply: (a) a team seeking a postponement shall if possible request prior approval from the divisional Secretary, stating the circumstances; it shall be the duty of the team making such a request to inform its opponents immediately of the ruling of the Divisional Secretary. (b) In cases where it has been impossible for a team to make such a request, both teams shall send a written statement to the Divisional Secretary of the circumstances for the match not being played, such statements to reach him within seven days of the match date as fixed in the Handbook; the Divisional Secretary shall then decide (i) to order the match to be played within twenty-eight days of his decision (subject to Rule 31) or (ii) to award 10 points to the opponents of the team originally seeking a postponement or (iii) to place the facts before the Divisions Committee for its ruling.

30. Where it is impossible for any reason to complete a match, the facts must be submitted in writing with the result card, by the Home Team to the Divisional Secretary to reach him within seven days of the match date as fixed in the Handbook; The Divisional Secretary shall then decide (i) to order the match to be completed with the same six players and from the point at which the match was interrupted unless mutually agreed otherwise by both teams or (ii) to place facts before the Divisions Committee for its ruling. Should the Divisional Secretary not receive within the said time limit the result card and the written statement of the circumstances for the match not being completed, he shall award the points to the away team.

31. All postponed League Matches shall be played by the date shown at the foot of the fixture chart.

WALKOVERS AND WITHDRAWALS.
32. (a) A team conceding a walkover, failing to fulfill a fixture, or having a match awarded against it, will be liable on each occasion in the same season to a fine of up to £6.00 on the first occasion, up to £9.00 on the second occasion, up to £12.00 on the third occasion. Should a fourth occasion occur, the Team shall be deemed to have withdrawn and will be liable to be fined under Rule 33.
(b) Should a team withdraw or be expelled from the League before completing its fixtures or be deemed to have withdrawn under Rule 32a then all matches shall be deemed void and the League table amended accordingly.
(c) Where a fixture does not take place, and the divisions Committee decides that each team is partly responsible, the match will be treated as void, and as if both teams had conceded a walkover. No points will be awarded and Rule 32(a) will apply.
(d) Should a team wish to withdraw from the League then the ‘teams; club secretary must inform, in writing, the League’s General Secretary and the team captains of all opponents remaining to be played at least seven days before the next scheduled match.

33. Should any Team of a Club be withdrawn either prior to the commencement of or during the season, or shall not complete its fixtures, or be deemed to have withdrawn, the Club concerned shall be liable to pay a fine up to £20.00 not withstanding any fines already imposed under Rule 32(a). In any of these circumstances the club concerned will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid pursuant to Rules 11 and 18 hereof.

34. The Executive Committee shall have power to require any Club to pay a deposit not exceeding £25.00, which will be refunded upon the satisfactory conclusion of the League fixtures.

LEAGUE POSITIONS.
35. (a) Divisions shall be formed for teams of three players. The Executive Committee shall have the power to form as many divisions as they deem necessary, provided that there are not less than six and not more than twelve teams in any one division.
(b) There shall be a Premier Division followed by consecutively numbered divisions, the first of which shall be designated Division 2.
(c) The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill vacancies in any division.

36. Positions in the League shall be decided by the number of league points obtained. In the case of two or more teams having an equal number of league points, positions shall be decided by the number of matches won, or, if still equal, by the sets difference. If teams are still equal, and promotion or relegation is involved, then the position shall be decided by a play-off.

37. (a) The two top teams from each division may be promoted.
(b) The two bottom teams from each division may be relegated except in a division where a team has withdrawn or been expelled during the season. For the purposes of this rule a team so withdrawn or expelled shall be deemed a team relegated.
(c) The composition of each Division shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

SUMMER COMPETITION.
38. The Executive Committee may organise a Summer Competition, for the purpose of conducting such a competition a Summer Competition Committee shall be formed which (a) shall first devise and submit a constitution, rules and regulations to the Executive Committee for approval and (b) shall be accountable to the Executive Committee on matters of finance and organisation.

CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIP.
39. (a) A tournament may be organised annually by the Executive Committee. Registered players are entitled to enter and must have played in at least 4 League, K.O. Team Competition or League Representative matches in the current season prior to the stated closing date for entries. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to accept, restrict or refuse entries at its discretion.
(b) Competitions which the Executive Committee may include in the tournament are:-
Singles:- Open, Men’s, Ladies, Junior, Veterans, Senior Veterans, Handicap, Hardbat and any other singles competitions approved by the Executive Committee.
Doubles:- Open, Men’s, Ladies, Junior, Veterans, Senior Veterans, Mixed, and any other doubles competitions approved by the Executive Committee.
In Cadet (under 15) events, players shall be under 15 years of age on the 31st of December of the current season.
In Junior (under 18) events, players shall be under 18 years of age on the 31st of December of the current season.
In Veteran (Over 40) events, players shall be over 40 years of age on the 1st January of the current season.
In Senior Veteran (over 60) events, players shall be over 60 years of age on the 1st January of the current season.
(c) A group system may be instituted for any event.
(d) All events shall be the best of five games.
(e) The Executive Committee shall appoint a Tournament Organiser and an Honorary Referee, either of whose decisions shall be final.

TWO A SIDE COMPETITION.
40. (a) The Executive Committee may organise a Two a Side Competition and shall have the power to rule on matters not covered below and shall apply the same principles pertaining to three a side competition.
(b) The Team entry fee for the competition shall be £5,00 and a match fee of £1.00 per match per senior player shall be paid.
(c) The Teams shall consist of two players, and matches shall comprise of five sets (each the best of five games on the eleven points format), four singles sets and one doubles set.
(d) The home team captain shall first enter on the scorecard the names of his/her team, then pass the scorecard to the visiting team captain to add the names of his/her team. Games shall be played in the following order: (1) A v Y, (2) B v Z, (3) AB v YZ, (4) A v Z, (5) B v Y. The score card shall be returned to the Secretary for the competition by the home team captain within 7 days of the date of the match.
(e) All matches shall be played at Ellenborough T.T.C. on Wednesdays commencing at 8.15 pm. unless mutually agreed.
(f) Unless otherwise agreed, the home team side shall provide an umpire for the doubles set, and each team shall umpire two single sets.
(g) Where appropriate, all rules relating to the three a side match system shall apply to the two a side competition.

K.O. TEAM COMPETITIONS.
41. (a) The following Team Competitions may be organised annually by the Executive Committee.
(i) A cup competition for each division with entry restricted to those teams of the said division
(ii) Ladies
(iii) Handicap
(b) The Team entry fee for each competition shall be £4.00
(c) No team or players may play in more than two competitions including the Handicap Cup.
(d) Players must be registered in accordance with Rule 19 and will automatically
be registered for the same team as for League play unless the Tournament Secretary is advised otherwise at the time of registration in accordance with Rule 41(e).
(e) Only players registered at least seven days prior to the Monday of the week printed in the league Fixture Chart for the first round of the particular team competition shall be allowed to participate.
(f) Players may only play for the club for which they are registered in pursuance of Rule 18 and for the team of that club in which they are included as per sub-paragraph (d) hereof, “Playing-up” will not be permitted.
(g) A player being re-registered above the Divisional limit of the competition for which he has been registered will thereafter be ineligible for that competition and may be replaced by another at the discretion of the Tournaments Committee.
(h) No player may take part in the semi-final or final rounds unless he/she has already played in at least four League, K.O. Team Competition or League Representative matches at the time either of these stages is reached.
(i) Up to four teams may be seeded, and one draw shall be made for each competition. In each match the first team drawn shall be the home team. Unless otherwise agreed between the teams, and with the Tournament Secretary’s approval, matches shall be played on the usual Home Night of the home team during the week fixed for the same to be played.
(j) Each final shall be played at a venue and on a date to be fixed by the Tournaments Committee.
(k) Any Team which indicates via its Captain or Club Secretary that it is unable or unwilling to fulfill any fixture referred to in Rule 41(i) or final referred to in Rule 41(j) shall forfeit such fixture or final and same shall be awarded to its opponents. In any such instance the Captain or Club Secretary of the opponents shall inform the organiser of the competition in question within seven days of the date upon which the match should have taken place that the same shall have been forfeited. Thereafter Rule 44 shall not apply.

42. Teams shall consist of three players and matches, shall comprise nine sets (each the best of five games), six single sets and three double sets. The two Captains shall toss for the right to A, B, C or X, Y, Z, and this determined, they shall write the names of their players down in any order on separate sheets of paper. The names shall then be entered on the official score sheet provided for the purpose by the League. Games shall be played in the following order: (1) BC v XZ, (2) A v Y, (3) B v Z, (4) C v Y, (5) A v X, interval, (6) A B v XY, (7) C v Z ,(8) B v X, (9) AC v YZ. If only 2 players are in attendance for either team, they shall play as A, B or X, Y as the case may be.

43 (a) In the Handicap Cup Competition each Team shall consist of three players and the match shall comprise of 9 sets (each best of the three games) six single sets and 3 double sets. The two Captains shall toss for the right to be ABC or XYZ, and this determined they shall write the names of their players down in any order on separate sheets of paper. The names shall then be entered on the official score sheet provided by the League. Games shall be played in the following order (1) BC v YZ (2) A v X (3) C v Y (4) B v Z (5) AC v XZ (6) A v Y (7) B x X (8) C v Z (9) AB v XY. If only two players are in attendance for either team, they shall play as A,B or X,Y as the case may be.
(b) Each set shall up to 21 points with serves changing every 5 points.
(c) The handicap of each individual player will be decided by the Tournament Committee who will if necessary change any Individual`s handicap for each round.
(d) The Net difference in handicaps of each opposing player or doubles pairing will determine the start of each set (e.g. If the handicap of player A is plus 3 and X is plus 9, X will start 6-0 and if the combined handicap of B plus 6 and C plus 7 = plus 13 and is rounded down to plus 12 and halved equalling plus 6 and the combined handicap of Y plus 4 and Z plus 11 = plus 15 and is rounded down to plus 14 and halved equalling plus 7. YZ will start 1-0).

44. In all competitions the official score shall be returned by the Home Team to the organiser named thereon within seven days of the date of the match. Failure to do so shall be treated by the Tournaments Committee as if the away team were the winners.

45. Where appropriate all Rules relating to league matches shall apply to K.O. Team Competitions.

46. Any matter which arises that is not covered by Rules 40 to 44 shall be decided by the Tournaments Committee

100+ CLUB.
47. (a) The Executive Committee may organise a 100+ Club.
(b) The Promoter shall be a member of the Finance Committee.
(c) Membership shall be limited to 150 persons, Clubs or Organisations all of whom automatically become Members of the N.M.T.T.L. 100+ Club and will be given a unique number.
(d) The annual subscription shall cover the period commencing on the 1st April each year and shall be £12.00, payable monthly (£1.00), quarterly (£3.00) or annually (£12.00), the allocation of three (£1.00) monthly payments or one (£3.00) quarterly payments shall be the minimum requirements for entering a draw.
(e) All subscriptions shall be paid by a Standing Order unless otherwise agreed.
(f) Every member shall be a participant in a private Lottery (promoted in accordance with section 4 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976) to be held 4 times a year.
(g) The prizes for the four Lotteries shall be as follows
(i) For Lotteries other than the one referred to in (ii) hereafter. 1st prize £100.00, 2nd prize £20.00, 3rd, 4th, 5th prizes £10.00. each and a special attendance prize of £10.00.
(ii) For the Lottery held at the A.G.M. of the league 1st Prize £150.00, 2nd prize £30.00, 3rd, 4th, 5th prizes £15.00 each and a special attendance prize of £15.00.
(iii) Should there be less or more than 100 participants the prize money will be reduced or increased proportionately according to the number of participants, which in the case of a member Club or Organisation, shall only be paid to a nominated person attending on its behalf.
(h) Every member shall be notified of the date, time and venue of each draw, and shall be entitled to attend.
(i) The net profit from the 100+ Club shall be for the benefit of the registered players of the League. Note: benefit for registered players (as Rule 47(i)) could mean:-
(ii) Payments of the Open Tournament expenses, should a sponsor not be found.
(iii) Possible subsidies to Clubs who are badly in need of new equipment.
(iv) A pegging back or even possible a reduction in League affiliation fees which will be reviewed annually. Better prizes to divisional and closed tournament winners.
(v) Better and cheaper league magazines. Money could be made available for league coaching schemes, etc.

TROPHIES.
48. Trophies shall be awarded annually in respect of the competitions organised by the League as follows.
Divisions, Two-a-side, K.O. Team: One trophy per player who has played at least 50% of matches in that competition subject to a minimum of two trophies per team for the Two-a-side and three trophies for Divisions and KO Team.
Closed Tournament – Winners and Runners-up
Additional trophies may be purchased, not later than fourteen days prior to the A.G.M. by application to the Tournament Secretary.

BREACH OF RULES AND COMPLAINTS.
49. (a) Any breach of rules by a club shall be reported in writing by a letter or ‘fax’ to the appropriate Standing Committee which shall have power to warn or fine such Club or punish it by deprivation of points, in cases of flagrant disregard of rules by a club, the Chairman of the Standing Committee to which the same shall have been reported shall refer the matter to the Executive Committee which may expel such Club from the League or take such other action against such club as it thinks fit.
(b) Any complaint against a club, club member, or league committee member shall be made in writing by letter or ‘fax’ without delay to the General Secretary, who shall refer the same to the next convenient meeting of the Executive Committee. Within seven days of it’s receipt, the General Secretary shall send to the Complainant and to such Club, Club Member or League Committee Member invitations to attend such meeting or (in the case of such Club, Club member or League Committee Member) to submit a response in writing by letter or ‘fax’ to the said complaint not later than seven days before the date of the said meeting.

APPEALS.
50. Any Club or individual player wishing to make an appeal against a decision of a Standing Committee shall, within twenty-one days of being notified of the decision, do so in writing by letter or ‘fax’ to the General Secretary who shall refer the matter to the Appeals Sub-Committee.

DISSOLUTION.
51. In the event of any dissolution of the North Middlesex Table Tennis League owing to any circumstances a Liquidatory Committee, composed of the Treasurer, Chairman and General Secretary (at the time) be automatically appointed to realise the assets of the League and after all debts are settled and expenses paid that the remainder should be equally divided for distribution to all affiliated Clubs proportionally to the number of teams which have been in continuous membership of the league for the preceding three seasons.

GENERAL POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
52. The Executive Committee shall have the power to deal with all matters arising from and not covered in these rules and to take such action, as it shall in its discretion think fit, providing that such matters are reported to the Annual General Meeting.

THE USE OF MORE THAN ONE TABLE - A RULING BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
1. There is no compulsion to play on more than one table; it is a matter for agreement between the two captains involved.

2. If either captain does not wish to play on more than one table; that is the end of the matter, there must be no accusations of being unsporting if a captain so decides.

3. Because the away team would probably be under more of a handicap than the home team if more than one table is used, the away captain must be allowed to choose the order of play. If the home captain does not agree with that order of play the agreement to play on more than one table becomes void.

2.01.02 The playing surface shall not include the vertical sides of the tabletop.

2.01.03 The playing surface may be of any material and shall yield a uniform bounce of about 23cm when a standard ball is dropped on to it from a height of 30cm.

2.01.04 The playing surface shall be uniformly dark coloured and matt, but with a white side line, 2cm wide, along each 2.74m edge and a white end line, 2cm wide, along each 1.525m edge.

2.01.05 The playing surface shall be divided into 2 equal courts by a vertical net running parallel with the end lines, and shall be continuous over the whole area of each court.

2.01.06 For doubles, each court shall be divided into 2 equal half-courts by a white centre line, 3mm wide, running parallel with the side lines; the centre line shall be regarded as part of each right half-court.

2.02 THE NET ASSEMBLY
2.02.01 The net assembly shall consist of the net, its suspension and the supporting posts, including the clamps attaching them to the table.

2.02.02 The net shall be suspended by a cord attached at each end to an upright post 15.25cm high, the outside limits of the post being 15.25cm outside the side line.

2.02.03 The top of the net, along its whole length, shall be 15.25cm above the playing surface.

2.02.04 The bottom of the net, along its whole length, shall be as close as possible to the playing surface and the ends of the net shall be as close as possible to the supporting posts.

2.03 THE BALL
2.03.01 The ball shall be spherical, with a diameter of 40mm.

2.03.02 The ball shall weigh 2.7g.

2.03.03 The ball shall be made of celluloid or similar plastics material and shall be white or orange, and matt.

2.04 THE RACKET
2.04.01 The racket may be of any size, shape or weight but the blade shall be flat and rigid.

2.04.02 At least 85% of the blade by thickness shall be of natural wood; an adhesive layer within the blade may be reinforced with fibrous material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre or compressed paper, but shall not be thicker than 7.5% of the total thickness or 0.35mm, whichever is the smaller.

2.04.03 A side of the blade used for striking the ball shall be covered with either ordinary pimpled rubber, with pimples outwards having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 2.0mm, or sandwich rubber, with pimples inwards or outwards, having a total thickness including adhesive of not more than 4.0mm.

2.04.03.01 Ordinary pimpled rubber is a single layer of non-cellular rubber, natural or synthetic, with pimples evenly distributed over its surface at a density of not less than 10 per cm2 and not more than 30 per cm2.

2.04.03.02 Sandwich rubber is a single layer of cellular rubber covered with a single outer layer of ordinary pimpled rubber, the thickness of the pimpled rubber not being more than 2mm.

2.04.04 The covering material shall extend up to but not beyond the limits of the blade, except that the part nearest the handle and gripped by the fingers may be left uncovered or covered with any material.

2.04.05 The blade, any layer within the blade and any layer of covering material or adhesive on a side used for striking the ball shall be continuous and of even thickness.

2.04.06 The surface of the covering material on a side of the blade, or of a side of the blade if it is left uncovered, shall be matt, bright red on one side and black on the other.

2.04.07 The racket covering shall be used, without any physical, chemical, or other treatment.

2.04.07.01 Slight deviations from continuity of surface or uniformity of colour due to accidental damage or wear may be allowed provided that they do not significantly change the characteristics of the surface.

2.04.08 At the start of a match and whenever he changes his racket during a match a player shall show his opponent and the umpire the racket he is about to use and shall allow them to examine it.

3.04.02.02 A racket shall not be replaced during an individual match unless it is accidentally damaged so badly that it cannot be used; if this happens the damaged racket shall be replaced immediately by another which the player has brought with him to the playing area or one which is handed to him in the playing area.

2.05 DEFINITIONS
2.05.01 A rally is the period during which the ball is in play.

2.05.02 The ball is in play from the last moment at which it is stationary on the palm of the free hand before being intentionally projected in service until the rally is decided as a let or a point.

2.05.03 A let is a rally of which the result is not scored.

2.05.04 A point is a rally of which the result is scored.

2.05.05 The racket hand is the hand carrying the racket.

2.05.06 The free hand is the hand not carrying the racket; the free arm is the arm of the free hand.

2.05.07 A player strikes the ball if he touches it in play with his racket, held in the hand, or with his racket hand below the wrist.

2.05.08 A player obstructs the ball if he, or anything he wears or carries, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched his court since last being struck by his opponent.

2.05.09 The server is the player due to strike the ball first in a rally.

2.05.10 The receiver is the player due to strike the ball second in a rally.

2.05.11 The umpire is the person appointed to control a match.

2.05.12 The assistant umpire is the person appointed to assist the umpire with certain decisions.

2.05.13 Anything that a player wears or carries includes anything that he was wearing or carrying, other than the ball, at the start of the rally.

2.05.14 The ball shall be regarded as passing over or around the net assembly if it passes anywhere other than between the net and the net post or between the net and the playing surface.

2.05.15 The end line shall be regarded as extending indefinitely in both directions.

2.06 THE SERVICE
2.06.01 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the open palm of the server’s stationary free hand.

2.06.02 The server shall then project the ball near vertically upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls without touching anything before being struck.

2.06.03 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it touches first his court and then, after passing over or around the net assembly, touches directly the receiver’s court; in doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court of server and receiver.

2.06.04 From the start of service until it is struck, the ball shall be above the level of the playing surface and behind the server’s end line, and it shall not be hidden from the receiver by the server or his doubles partner or by anything they wear or carry.

2.06.05 As soon as the ball has been projected, the server’s free arm and hand shall be removed from the space between the ball and the net. Note: The space between the ball and the net is defined by the ball, the net and its indefinite upward extension.

2.06.06 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the umpire or the assistant umpire can be satisfied that he complies with the requirements for a good service.

2.06.06.01 If either the umpire or the assistant umpire is doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first occasion in a match, interrupt play and warn the server.

2.06.06.02 Any subsequent service of doubtful legality of that player or his doubles partner will result in a point to the receiver.

2.06.06.03 Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the requirements for a good service, no warning shall be given and the receiver shall score a point.

2.06.07 Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements for a good service where he is satisfied that compliance is prevented by physical disability.

2.07 THE RETURN
2.07.01 The ball, having been served or returned, shall be struck so that it passes over or around the net assembly and touches the opponent’s court, either directly or after touching the net assembly.

2.08 THE ORDER OF PLAY
2.08.01 In singles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter server and receiver alternately shall each make a return.

2.08.02 In doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return, the partner of the server shall then make a return, the partner of the receiver shall then make a return and thereafter each player in turn in that sequence shall make a return.

2.08.03 When two players who are in wheelchairs due to a physical disability are a pair playing doubles, the server shall first make a service, the receiver shall then make a return but thereafter either player of the disabled pair may make returns. However, no part of a player’s wheelchair shall protrude beyond the imaginary extension of the centre line of the table. If it does, the umpire shall award the point to the opposing pair.

2.09 A LET
2.09.01 The rally shall be a let

2.09.01.01 if in service the ball, in passing over or around the net assembly, touches it, provided the service is otherwise correct or the ball is obstructed by the receiver or his partner;

2.09.01.02 if the service is delivered when the receiving player or pair is not ready, provided that neither the receiver nor his partner attempts to strike the ball;

2.09.01.03 if failure to make a service or a return or otherwise to comply with the Laws is due to a disturbance outside the control of the player;

2.09.01.04 if play is interrupted by the umpire or assistant umpire.

2.09.01.05 if the receiver is in wheelchair due to a physical disability and in service the ball, provided that the service is otherwise correct,

2.09.01.05.01 leaves the receiver’s court after touching it in the direction of the net;

2.09.01.05.02 comes to rest on the receiver’s court;

2.09.01.05.03 in singles leaves the receiver’s court after touching it by either of its sidelines.

2.09.02 Play may be interrupted

2.09.02.01 to correct an error in the order of serving, receiving or ends;

2.09.02.02 to introduce the expedite system;

2.09.02.03 to warn or penalise a player or adviser;

2.09.02.04 because the conditions of play are disturbed in a way which could affect the outcome of the rally.

2.10 A POINT
2.10.01 Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point

2.10.01.01 if his opponent fails to make a correct service;

2.10.01.02 if his opponent fails to make a correct return;

2.10.01.03 if, after he has made a service or a return, the ball touches anything other than the net assembly before being struck by his opponent;

2.10.01.04 if the ball passes over his court or beyond his end line without touching his court, after being struck by his opponent;

2.10.01.05 if his opponent obstructs the ball;

2.10.01.06 if his opponent strikes the ball twice successively;

2.10.01.07 if his opponent strikes the ball with a side of the racket blade whose surface does not comply with the requirements of 2.4.3, 2.4.4 and 2.4.5;

2.10.01.08 if his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or carries, moves the playing surface;

2.10.01.09 if his opponent, or anything his opponent wears or carries, touches the net assembly;

2.10.01.10 if his opponent’s free hand touches the playing surface;

2.10.01.11 if a doubles opponent strikes the ball out of the sequence established by the first server and first receiver;

2.10.01.12 as provided under the expedite system (2.15.2).

2.11 A GAME
2.11.01 A game shall be won by the player or pair first scoring 11 points unless both players or pairs score 10 points, when the game shall be won by the first player or pair subsequently gaining a lead of 2 points.

2.12 A MATCH
2.12.01 A match shall consist of the best of any odd number of games

2.13 THE ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING AND ENDS
2.13.01 The right to choose the initial order of serving, receiving and ends shall be decided by lot and the winner may choose to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end.

2.13.02 When one player or pair has chosen to serve or to receive first or to start at a particular end, the other player or pair shall have the other choice.

2.13.03 After each 2 points have been scored the receiving player or pair shall become the serving player or pair and so on until the end of the game, unless both players or pairs score 10 points or the expedite system is in operation, when the sequences of serving and receiving shall be the same but each player shall serve for only 1 point in turn.

2.13.04 In each game of a doubles match, the pair having the right to serve first shall choose which of them will do so and in the first game of a match the receiving pair shall decide which of them will receive first; in subsequent games of the match, the first server having been chosen, the first receiver shall be the player who served to him in the preceding game.

2.13.05 In doubles, at each change of service the previous receiver shall become the server and the partner of the previous server shall become the receiver.

2.13.06 The player or pair serving first in a game shall receive first in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a doubles match the pair due to receive next shall change their order of receiving when first one pair scores 5 points.

2.13.07 The player or pair starting at one end in a game shall start at the other end in the next game of the match and in the last possible game of a match the players or pairs shall change ends when first one player or pair scores 5 points.

2.14 OUT OF ORDER OF SERVING, RECEIVING OR ENDS
2.14.01 If a player serves or receives out of turn, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with those players serving and receiving who should be server and receiver respectively at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match and, in doubles, to the order of serving chosen by the pair having the right to serve first in the game during which the error is discovered.

2.14.02 If the players have not changed ends when they should have done so, play shall be interrupted by the umpire as soon as the error is discovered and shall resume with the players at the ends at which they should be at the score that has been reached, according to the sequence established at the beginning of the match.

2.14.03 In any circumstances, all points scored before the discovery of an error shall be reckoned.

2.15 THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM
2.15.01 Except where both players or pairs have scored at least 9 points, the expedite system shall come into operation if a game is unfinished after 10 minutes’ play or at any earlier time at the request of both players or pairs.

2.15.01.01 If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached, play shall be interrupted by the umpire and shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally that was interrupted.

2.15.01.02 If the ball is not in play when the time limit is reached, play shall resume with service by the player who received in the immediately preceding rally.

2.15.02 Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the game and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 returns the receiver shall score a point.

2.15.03 Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation until the end of the match.