Rules-1-2

1.2. GMCL Competition

1.2.1. Cricket tournaments within the GMCL structure (enquiries to cricketdirector@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.1.1. GMCL - Number of Tournaments within the competition

1.2.1.1.1. GMCL will provide league cricket competitions for 

1.2.1.1.1.1. Open age teams, with no gender restrictions, on Saturday and Sunday, 

1.2.1.1.1.2. League cricket competitions for age restricted junior team, with no gender restrictions, on allocated weekdays, 

1.2.1.1.1.3. Cup competitions for juniors and open age teams, with no gender restrictions and 

1.2.1.1.1.4. Pool cricket and finals days for open age 20 over competition, with no gender restrictions.

1.2.1.1.2 There are no gender barriers to playing in the above competitions but the league has developed a separate women and girls only competition (enquiries to womenandgirls@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk) and is committed to developing this further. 

1.2.1.2. GMCL Tournaments - Annual Amendments & Reviews

1.2.1.2.1. 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.

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

1.2.1.2.3. 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. 

1.2.1.2.4. Any suggestions for additional tournaments or competitions are welcome, please send details to your Club Liaison Officer. 

1.2.2. League Competition - Open Age League Cricket, overview
                  (enquiries to your CLO - https://www.gtrmcrcricket.co.uk/pages/message-page-club-liaison-officers )

1.2.2.1. The GMCL Saturday League competition is a linear structure at the top end of the competition, below this we have a mini “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 until we reach a position of 12 per division throughout.

1.2.2.2. The GMCL Sunday League structure will contain several mini-structures

1.2.2.2.1. One structure, “The Sunday Competition”, will provide promotion and relegation throughout and provide the "Sunday Champions"

1.2.2.2.2. A second will be “Sunday Regional”, several regionalised divisions with one tier and no promotion or relegation. 

1.2.2.2.3. A third, “Sunday Development”, will be targeted at those who wish to play younger development teams only with fewer games

1.2.2.2.4. A fourth, “Sunday Open”, 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 24/25) communications via womensandgirls@gtrmcrcricket.co.uk 

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. (New for 2025) The Board have agreed to follow ECB guidance on Women & Girls cricket for the 2025 season. 

1.2.2.3.3.1.All clubs in the top two divisions must have at least one game of womens or girls cricket played by a club team in the 2025 season. Should you need assistance with arrangements please contact Olivia on WomenandGirls@gtrmcrcricket.co.uk 

1.2.2.4. detailed Information on each competition is now available on the separate rule pages from Rule 4.1 onward

1.2.3. Cup Competitions - Open Age Cup Cricket
(enquiries to your CLO - https://www.gtrmcrcricket.co.uk/pages/message-page-club-liaison-officers )

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, provided there is no ban in place.

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, 

1.2.3.1.2.1. Second XIs wishing to play in the cup, where no ban is in place, can only 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, provided there is no ban in place for a team.

1.2.3.2. Cup Competitions - detailed Information is now available on the separate Cups rule pages from Rule 4.30 onwards

1.2.4. GMCL20 - 20 over tournament, overview (enquiries to gmcl20@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.4.1. Detailed Information is now available on the separate GMCL20 rule page, Rule 4.40.

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

1.2.5.1. Detailed Information is now available on the separate Junior rule page, Rule 7.1. 

1.2.6. Team Registration and Fixture Overview (enquiries to fixtures@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk )

1.2.6.1. Team Registration & Fixture Generation

1.2.6.1.1. Clubs are required to register their teams annually on the league form - https://forms.gle/amWL9JvzwoCQSEHTA and fixtures will be generated after the teams registrations deadline (usually 31st October).

1.2.6.1.2. This may be delayed where changes to the division structure are required in the event of multiple new teams or new clubs joining the League 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.

1.2.6.1.3. The aim is to publish all fixtures within a month of the final registration date for each tournament with fixtures uploaded to play-cricket. 

1.2.6.1.3.1. Clubs can download their fixtures for all teams from there.

1.2.6.2. Ground Unavailability

1.2.6.2.1. For the Saturday competition entrants have to commit to being available for every Saturday of the season however 

1.2.6.2.1.1. requests to play away on specific dates for ground works to take place at your own ground may be accommodated as long as submitted at the time of team registration, but is very much dependent on the availability of opponents grounds. 

1.2.6.2.1.2. if an opponent's ground is not available then the home club must arrange an alternative venue.

1.2.6.2.1.3. The league officers will acknowledge the request and consider this and notify agreement or otherwise as soon as possible.

1.2.6.2.2. For the Sunday competition, clubs may notify the league of the dates where their  ground is unavailable on a given date for the season ahead but

1.2.6.2.2.1. The reason must be for ground works or for a long standing large scale fundraising event or traditional holiday event and will not be allowed for club hires or bookings 

1.2.6.2.2.2. This must be notified every season before 31st October for the following season

1.2.6.2.2.3. This must be done by e-mail to webadmin@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk stating the date, the teams unavailable, the nature of the event and the reasoning that the club believes this should be eligible for exemption.

1.2.6.2.2.4. The league officers will acknowledge the request and consider this and notify agreement or otherwise as soon as possible.

1.2.6.2.3. For cup competitions, the cup dates are reasonably static from season to season and are displayed on the league’s fixture calendar https://www.gtrmcrcricket.co.uk/pages/gmcl-season-fixture-calendar and clubs should avoid ground unavailability on those dates. If unavoidable then the use of reserve dates will come into play. Clashes with reserve dates will mean the matches must be completed on the original dates.

1.2.6.3. Fixture Changes

1.2.6.3.1. 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.