1.

Competition, Management & Structure

1(a)

This section of the rules describes how the league is managed and organised

1.1.

The Competition Summary

1.1.1.

Competition 

1.1.1.1.

Name of Competition

1.1.1.1.1.

The competition shall be named The Greater Manchester Cricket League ("The League" or "GMCL")

1.1.2.

Management of The Competition
(enquiries to secretary@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk)

1.1.2.1.

Greater Manchester Cricket League Ltd

1.1.2.1.1.

The Competition, and the format, structure and numbers of participating clubs in each tournament within the League, falls under the management of the Board of Directors (“The Board”) of The Greater Manchester Cricket League Ltd (“The Company”),who may from time to time delegate such areas of responsibility to The Executive (“The Executive”) as the Board determines.

1.1.2.1.2.

The Company is limited by guarantee, registered with Companies House and created for the sole purpose of running The Greater Manchester Cricket League for the benefit of all its members, its participating clubs.

1.1.2.1.3.

All decisions regarding the interpretation and implementation of the rules lie with the Board and the Executive.

1.1.2.2.

GMCL - The Board

1.1.2.2.1.

The Board will be engaged in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

1.1.2.2.2.

All Directors are volunteers giving their time for the benefit of the League and the member clubs.

1.1.2.2.3.

The Board can appoint new Directors when considered appropriate to do so.

1.1.2.2.4.

The Board will welcome volunteers wishing to join the Board from within the member clubs to take on required duties in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company.

1.1.2.2.5.

The Board can engage experts and make payment for specialist skills in specific areas where it is deemed necessary.

1.1.2.3.

GMCL - The Executive

1.1.2.3.1.

The Executive is charged with managing and organising the day to day running of the GMCL cricket competitions and activity. The extent of its remit will be determined by the Board from time to time. References to the Executive taking decisions under these Rules is subject to the ongoing delegation of such matters to the Executive from time to time and the Board reserves the right to change or return any such delegated matter to the Board from time to time.

1.1.2.3.2.

The Executive will be led by a Director with other Directors and officers deemed necessary to carry out the functions of the body.

1.1.2.3.3.

The Executive can appoint new officers when considered appropriate to do so.

1.1.2.3.4.

The Executive will be responsible for the Club to League Memorandum of Understanding or any replacement of this, Grounds & Facilities, Discipline, Competition Structure & Fixtures amongst the range of duties.

1.1.2.4.

Communication with the Board & League Functions

1.1.2.4.1.

There are a number of lines of communication with The Board available:

1.1.2.4.1.1.

The main e-mail addresses are listed on our website https://www.gtrmcrcricket.co.uk/pages/contact-us-new

1.1.2.4.1.2.

The league central e-mail of enquiries@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk can be contacted at any time

1.1.2.4.1.3.

Formal Communication with the league for legal or official business only should be sent to secretary@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk

1.1.2.5.

Feedback & Suggestions

1.1.2.5.1.

The Board will seek opinion and proposals from all members when considered appropriate to support the decision-making process.

1.1.2.5.2.

The Board have a feedback and suggestions page on the website https://www.gtrmcrcricket.co.uk/pages/feedback-suggestions this is available 24/7 365.

1.1.2.6.

Sponsor Agreements

1.1.2.6.1

The Board shall add sponsors’ and partners’ names to the competition and the tournaments within the League, as such agreements arise.

1.2.

GMCL Competition

1.2.1.

GMCL- Cricket structure
(enquiries to webadmin@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.1.1.

GMCL - Number of Tournaments within the competition
(This section updated Winter 23/24)

1.2.1.1.1.

GMCL will provide league cricket competitions for open age teams on Saturday and Sunday, league cricket competitions for age restricted junior teams on allocated weekdays, Cup competitions for all ages and pool cricket and finals days for open age 20 over competition.

1.2.1.1.2

There are no gender bars to playing in our competition however the league has developed a separate women and girls competition (enquiries to womenandgirls@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk) and is committed to developing this further. 

1.2.1.2.

GMCL Tournaments - Annual Amendments & Reviews

1.2.1.2.2.

The Saturday and Sunday League structure will be reviewed annually by the Executive to consider any movement of clubs in the region into or out of GMCL and changes in the number of teams from within clubs already registered to take part in the GMCL.

1.2.1.2.3.

The Cup and Pool Tournaments (e.g. GMCL20 - our 20 over competition) will be reviewed annually by the Executive to ensure maximum participation for the changing member clubs registered.

1.2.1.2.4.

As well as the tournaments listed in this section the league will seek to add tournaments as appropriate to support national and county board development initiatives. Any suggestions for additional tournaments or competitions are welcome, please submit to ExecLead@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk 

1.2.2.

League Competition - Open Age League Cricket, overview

1.2.2.1.

The GMCL Saturday League competition is a “pyramid” structure

1.2.2.1.1.

The structure will contain 3 groups of multiple tiers (Premiership, Championship and Regional) based on ability, each with one or more divisions, providing promotion and relegation throughout and between groups..

1.2.2.1.2.

Divisions above the lowest tier will be constructed with a minimum of 12 teams and each team in each division will play all other teams in the division Home and Away wherever possible.

1.2.2.1.3.

The lowest tier will vary in number annually depending on the number of teams entering annually.

1.2.2.2.

The GMCL Sunday League structure will contain several mini-structures
(This section updated Winter 23/24)

1.2.2.2.1.

One structure will provide promotion and relegation throughout and provide the "Sunday Champions"

1.2.2.2.2.

A second will be regionalised divisions with no promotion or relegation. 

1.2.2.2.3.

A third will be targeted at those who wish to play younger development teams only with fewer games

1.2.2.2.4.

A fourth provides a more open Sunday competition with fewer restrictions on eligibility.

1.2.2.2.5

Any further structures in the Sunday competition or changes to the above will be introduced by Executive Decision from time to time as deemed appropriate and useful for the development of the game.

1.2.2.3.

The GMCL Women’s and Girls Softball League
(This section updated Winter 23/24)

1.2.2.3.1.

The Summer competition will be regionalised tournaments for the teams that enter 

1.2.2.3.1.1.

Match Days and rules will be reviewed annually

1.2.2.3.2.

The Winter competition will be organised where sufficient teams are registered

1.2.2.3.3.

All communications via womensandgirls@gtrmcrcricket.co.uk 

1.2.3.

Cup Competitions - Open Age Cup Cricket
(enquiries to fixtures@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )
(This section updated Winter 23/24)

1.2.3.1.

GMCL will organise multiple open age Cup competitions

1.2.3.1.1.

There will be one or more Sunday Cups which are open for annual application to all Third XIs, Fourth XIs and those teams below playing in the Sunday League.

1.2.3.1.2.

There will be one or more cup competition(s) open for annual application to all Second XI teams playing on Saturday or Sunday, Second XIs entering the cup must play in the Second XI Cups.

1.2.3.1.3.

Entry into 1st XI cup competitions shall be compulsory for all 1st XI teams playing on Saturday or Sunday.

1.2.3.2.

First XI Cup Competitions

1.2.3.2.1.

The number of First XI cup competitions will vary (as determined annually by the Executive to take account of changing numbers of First XIs) with the aim of limiting the number of Sunday games for first teams but also providing clubs at all levels with the real opportunity of winning a trophy against clubs of a similar standard but aims to provide, as a minimum, the following:

1.2.3.2.1.1.

The highest placed First XI teams (ranked at end of the previous season before any promotions and relegations occur) shall compete for “The Derek Kay Cup”. The number of teams is dependent on Lancs KO teams requiring a bye in the first round of this cup in order to create 8 ties in the second round - Round of 16

1.2.3.2.1.2.

16 teams, the lowest placed First XI teams and any First XI teams playing in the Sunday League in any season, shall compete for “The John Barrow League Cup” in the following season.

1.2.3.2.1.2.1.

If, after removing the Derek Kay Cup entrants and 16 John Barrow Trophy entrants as described above there are more than 32 clubs remaining then  the number of 1st XIs in the John Barrow Trophy shall be increased to leave 32 teams for the cup described at 1.2.3.2.1.3.

1.2.3.2.1.3.

The remaining 32 First XI teams shall compete for “The 1st XI Championship Cup”.

1.2.3.3.

Second XI Cup Competitions

1.2.3.3.1.

The number of Second XI cup competitions will vary (as determined annually by the Executive to take account of changing numbers of Second XIs entering) to give clubs at all levels the real opportunity of winning a trophy against clubs of a similar standard but aims to provide, as a minimum, the following

1.2.3.3.2.

A Premier 2nd XI Cup for the 32 highest placed 2nd XIs at the end of the previous season (before any promotions and relegations occur).

1.2.3.3.3.

A Championship 2nd XI Cup for the remaining 2nd XIs entering the cup

1.2.3.4.

Sunday Cup Competitions

1.2.3.4.1.

The number of Sunday cup competitions will vary (as determined annually by the Executive to take account of changing numbers of 3rd, 4th or 5th XIs entering) to provide clubs at all levels with the real opportunity of winning a trophy against clubs of a similar standard but aims to provide, as a minimum, the following

1.2.3.4.2.

A Premier Sunday Cup for the 32 highest placed teams at the end of the previous season (before any promotions and relegations occur).

1.2.3.4.3.

A Championship Sunday Cup for the remaining teams entering the cup.

1.2.4.

GMCL20 - 20 over tournament, overview
(enquiries to registrations@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.4.1.

GMCL20 - Competition Structure
(This section updated Winter 23/24)

1.2.4.1.1.

The GMCL20 shall be under the control of the Executive, the number of competitions and their format will be reviewed annually based on the number of entrants. The competition is open to all GMCL clubs upon annual application.

1.2.4.1.2.

The structure will be set to provide pool games to maximise an equal number of home games for each club, the number of pools will determine how the knockout rounds will be determined, from quarter-finals (8 teams).

1.2.4.1.3.

The final four teams in each competition will play on a single final’s day, featuring two semi-finals and a final.

1.2.4.1.4.

The winner of the highest grade competition finals day will be given a place in the National ECB T20 club tournament which takes place in the same season 

1.2.4.1.4.1.

If the competition cannot be completed in time or if the fixture schedule otherwise dictates then the previous season’s winner will be given the place.

1.2.5.

Fixture Overview
(enquiries to fixtures@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.5.1.

Fixture Generation

1.2.5.1.1.

Clubs are required to register their teams annually (See 1.3.1.1. below) and fixtures will be generated after the club registrations deadline.

1.2.5.1.2.

This may be delayed where changes to the division structure are required in the event of multiple new teams or new clubs joining theLeague at the deadline date, and where divisional numbers are more than the standard 12. in which case up to an extra month’s preparation may be required.

1.2.5.1.3.

The aim is to publish all fixtures within a month of the final registration date for each tournament with fixtures uploaded to the scoring app for publication. Clubs can download their fixtures for all teams from there..

1.2.5.2.

Fixture Changes

1.2.5.2.1.

The League reserves the right to change fixtures or divisional placements, this can happen where there are unavoidable late team withdrawals, additions or changes at clubs affecting the level at which they can play.

1.2.5.2.2.

Fixture changes requested by clubs to avoid clashes and ground unavailability can usually be accommodated except in the Saturday competition where this cannot be guaranteed. For the Saturday competition entrants have to commit to being available for every Saturday of the season, however requests to play away on specific dates can usually be accommodated as long as submitted at the time of team registration.

1.2.6.

Junior Competitions overview
(enquiries to juniors@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.6.1.

Junior Competitions

1.2.6.1.1.

The Executive, through the Juniors Director, will organise and manage junior cricket divisions and tournaments and determine the structure of competitions annually following receipt of the annual entry forms recognising the number of teams entering the junior competitions changes year on year in each age group.

1.2.6.1.2.

Regionalised Junior Leagues and Cups for all age groups with multi team match nights for Under 9s

1.2.6.1.3.

Summer performance competitions across the region where teams of equal standard meet

1.2.6.2.

Junior Entries

1.2.6.2.1.

Clubs are free to choose which age groups and competitions they enter, there is no mandatory entry except that the clubs at the top of the pyramid must enter a minimum 3 age groups in order to meet ECB regulations for Premier Leagues.