Wednesday, 29th March 2023
Wednesday, 29th March 2023
It gives us immense pleasure to introduce our British Tamils Cricket League (BTCL) conducting cricket league matches from 2006 among British Tamils. Since inception in 2005, organisers of BTCL have been duty-bound to ensure its future growth and continuity. They also work very hard to make BTCL's effective service continue year after year to our British Tamils and the diaspora. As part of our plans to further enhance our structure and to promote sports, we have taken a constructive step to develop a comprehensive and dynamic website. As you are already aware this site can bring you updated league tables and the ability to view fixtures, score cards as well as clubs and divisions based individual performances to a greater extent. It is our responsibility to develop such a sports organisation and leagues set-up where sports and sportsmanship are truly developed and sustained at the same time. We can re-emphasise the need of sports by remembering the famous quote by modern Olympic creed founder Pierre de Coubertin"The most important thing... is not winning but taking part" - a typical expression of the sports sentiment. Such motivational phrases increase the need for leagues as a great opportunity to collectively get everyone to participate as well as promote and exploit the standards of the sports. “Sportsmanship is an attitude that strives for fair play, courtesy towards team mates and opponents, ethical behavior and integrity, and grace in losing”. So the need of sportsmanship for the Tamil diaspora’s younger generation is vital to maintain our future generation as a vibrant community in the 21st century. It has been a long journey to develop BTCL and we have encountered many challenges. However, we are all very much pleased and content with our deep commitment to the organisation, which in turn now delivers a successful service to our community. Currently, more than 1000 young British diaspora players are actively taking part on the fields, on Sundays. We can proudly and undoubtedly note here that our determination and commitment have now further strengthened us to advance our leagues in a more professional and effective way. We wish to thank all our supporters, well wishers and participants.
| 1. | TITLE |
| The title shall be the British Tamils Cricket League (hereinafter called “the League or BTCL”). At the discretion of the Committee & general body, the League title may be amended to incorporate words or symbols referring to a sponsor or other appropriate body. | |
| 2. | VISION |
| The purpose of the League shall be to organise cricket on a league basis for Member Clubs of the League, with the object of playing club cricket in the spirit of the game as it now exists. | |
| In particular, the League shall encourage, | |
| 2.1. | Co-operation with British Tamils Cricket League committee (hereinafter called “the BTCL- COM”) and any other body having similar objectives to the League. |
| 2.2. | To promote, assist and aid in the provision of sports, health, social and educational facilities within the Tamil community in the UK and the Tamils in Sri Lanka. |
| 2.3. | To work in conjunction with other sports, health and educational related organisations both in the UK and globally to achieve the visions of BTCL. |
| 2.4. | BTCL shall act to the benefit of all Tamil people, without distinction of gender, or of religious and political opinions. |
| 2.5. | Co-operation with the provision of assistance and advice to Member Clubs on any matter affecting the interests of the Member Clubs and the League. |
| 2.6. | Consideration of any means of promoting the best interests of the League and Promotion of high standards of behaviour and conduct on and off the field of play. |
| 2.7. | Create and develop the youth cricket activities and opportunities for Tamil community both UK and globally. |
| 3. | MEMBERSHIP |
| 3.1. | Full Member Club |
| The initial full members of the BTCL are the clubs completing the 2011 season with the required minimum no of matches played. Thereafter, Full membership would be added for the clubs playing three consecutive seasons. Clubs would lose the Full membership if they fail to enter a season. Each Full Member Club shall have one vote and shall be entitled to send two delegates one of whom may vote on its behalf. | |
| 3.2. | Affiliated Member Club |
| Any playing clubs including Junior Clubs participating in any tournaments conducted by the BTCL would be classified as the Affiliated Members. Each Affiliated Member shall be entitled to send two delegates and shall be entitled to speak but not to vote. | |
| 3.3. | Associate Member |
| Any non-playing individual personals identified by the BTCL – COM to work cordially towards the progress of the BTCL would be classified as the Associate Members. Each Associate Member is entitled to be in the BTCL - COM but not to vote, unless they are elected in the BTCL - COM. | |
| 3.4. | Honorary/Life Member |
| An Honorary/ Life Member shall be a person who has made “distinctive contributions” towards the development of Sports amongst the Tamils. Each Honorary/Life Member is entitled to be in the BTCL – COM, but not to vote, unless they are elected in the BTCL-COM. | |
| Any Full Member Club or Honorary/ Life member wishes to propose such a person shall forward the credentials of that person to the secretary of BTCL – COM 28 days before the date of the AGM. Two thirds majority of the BTCL – COM and the Honorary/ Life Members together required for the proposals to be present at the AGM. Two thirds majority of the Full Club Members and Honorary/ Life Members together required to be elected as Honorary/ Life Member. The initial members of the Honorary/Life members are listed in appendix 1. | |
| 3.5. | Expelling a Club |
| A club may be expelled from the league by forwarding a proposal to the Secretary of the BTCL – COM by the Full Member Club 14 days prior to the AGM which shall require a majority of two thirds of full member clubs present and voting. | |
| 3.6. | Entry and withdrawal from the League |
| Applications for membership of the League or a proposal that an existing Member Club shall withdraw or be expelled from the League shall be made in writing to the Secretary not later than 10 weeks before the league commence and the Member Club affected shall be informed immediately. | |
| 4. | ORGANISATION |
| The BTCL “the Organisation” shall have the following compositions within the framework of BTCL. | |
| 4.1. | The Patrons |
| Five Patrons who have rendered outstanding and invaluable services to the Tamil community especially in the field of sports or an outstanding Sports Personality would be nominated as Patrons. Any member who wishes to propose such a person shall forward the credentials of that person. The BTCL¬ - COM shall consider each proposal at its merit and present the names at the AGM with their recommendations for the adoption. The patrons shall be appointed for 4 years from the date of adoption by the BTCL. The initial members of the Patrons are listed in appendix 2. | |
| 4.2. | Board of Governance |
| The Board of Governance will consist of 9 members* from the Honorary/ Life Member. A person will have to serve 3 years* as a Honorary/Life member to be elected as a member of Board of Governance. The property and effects of the League (Other than cash which is under the control of the Treasurer) shall be vested in the Board of Governance. When any vacancy occurs it shall be filled by the fellow members of the Board of Governance. One of the members of the Board of Governance shall be elected as the Chairman of the BTCL-COM prior to the AGM every year. The Board of Governance will be elected amongst the Honorary/Life Members prior to the AGM every 3 years*. In the absence of the chairman in any of the meetings, a fellow nominated member of Board of Governance would be conducting the meetings as the acting Chairman. Each member of Board of Governance is expected to attend the meetings of BTCL – COM, but not to vote in decision making of running the League unless they are elected in the BTCL-COM. Members of Board of Governance should be prepared to fill in any vacancy arises in the BTCL-COM with an immediate effect to take the BTCL forward without any interruptions. The initial members of the Board of Governance are listed in Appendix 3. (* 9 Members , 3 year period- adopted in 2015 AGM) | |
| 4.3. | Committee of Management |
| The League shall be governed by a Committee of Management (hereinafter called “the BTCL - COM”). The Committee shall consist of the Officers and a maximum of 21 Members.( 21 Members _ adopted in 2014 AGM) | |
| 4.3.1. | The BTCL-COM shall be responsible for the efficient running, and shall control the finances of the BTCL. |
| 4.3.2. | The BTCL-COM shall have the power to create Sub-committee as it considers necessary. |
| 4.3.3. | The BTCL-COM is elected to implement and interpret the Constitution of the League. In the event of any dispute, the matter shall be referred for arbitration to the Committee whose decision, by a simple majority vote of all its members, shall be final. |
| 4.3.4. | The BTCL-COM shall meet as necessary at least four times a year and minutes of the each meeting shall be distributed to all members. All the BTCL-COM members and Board of Governance must be notified in writing at least giving 7 days notice for the committee meetings. |
| 4.3.5. | Any Nominations for the posts BTCL - COM can be submitted by member clubs in writing to the League Secretary by proposed date. The nominations must include with nominees profiles and references. In the event of no nominations being received by proposed date and the incumbent Officer retiring, an Officer may be nominated by the BTCL-COM for the post, that nominee will be elected automatically. |
| 4.3.6. | Any office bearer, except the Patrons and Board of Governance, who fails to attend three consecutive committee meetings without valid reasons shall be deemed to have vacated his post. |
| 4.3.7. | Board of Governance shall fill any vacancy that might occur in the BTCL – COM before the next AGM. |
| 4.3.8. | An Office Bearer may be suspended till the AGM/SGM with the two thirds majority of the BTCL-COM if he is found breaching the objectives of the BTCL and established conflict of interest. |
| 4.3.9. | The Office Bearers of Committee of Management must not be in the working/management committee of another Tamil Cricket League in the UK to prevent conflict of interest. |
| 4.3.10. | Committee of Management |
| The BTCL-COM will have the following Office Bearers | |
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| 4.4. | General Body |
| 4.4.1. | Maximum of two members from all the Cricket clubs will participate in the general body. |
| 4.4.2. | Any of the changes including committee appointments, league rules and constitution changes can be amend or removed by two third majorities of the full member clubs at AGM only. |
| 5. | GENERAL MEETING |
| 5.1. | Annual General Meeting |
| 5.1.1. | The Annual general meeting shall be held every year not later than 31st December and the inaugural General Meeting will be held at end of the 2011 season and before the 31st October 2011. The BTCL-COM shall notify all Member Clubs giving a minimum of 28 days’ notice of the date, time and venue of the meeting. |
| 5.1.2. | The following business shall be attended |
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| 5.1.3. | The chairman of the meeting’s decision on any procedural matter shall be final. The Chairman will only have the casting vote. |
| 5.1.4. | Proposals made to the Annual General Meetings |
| All proposals to be considered by an Annual General Meeting may be made by: | |
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| 5.2. | Special General Meetings |
| 5.2.1. | Special General Meetings may be convened at any time by, |
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| 5.2.2. | Upon receipt of such a written communication the BTCL-COM shall within 21 days arrange for the meeting to take place and shall notify all Member Clubs giving a minimum of 7 days’ notice of the date, time and venue of the meeting and informing them of the reason for which the meeting has been convened. |
| 5.2.3. | The written submission of any proposal(s) to be discussed shall be in a format set out by the League. At such a meeting the only matter(s) to be discussed shall be the matter(s) raised in the written communication that caused the meeting to be called. No other business may be dealt with. |
| 6. | FINANCE |
| 6.1. | Each Member Club shall be required to pay, on or before the prescribed each year, an annual subscription to be decided at the General Meeting. |
| 6.2. | The funds of the BTCL shall be invested or lodged in the name of British Tamils Cricket League (BTCL) with any bank/banks or building society/societies in the UK as determined by the BTCL – COM. The account/accounts with the bank/banks and/or building Society/Societies shall be operated by the Treasurer and either the Chairman or Secretary. Signatures of the Treasurer and either the Chairman or Secretary are required to withdraw/debit funds from the Bank Account. |
| 6.3. | The funds collected to special projects shall be deposited in the BTCL’s account in such a manner that the amounts are easily identifiable or kept in a separate account of the Association. The fund shall be disposed off in accordance with the objective set and whenever required. |
| 6.4. | An Audited Account for the particular year will be submitted by Treasurer at the AGM. |
| 6.5. | Any profits after holding £3000 for the following year’s expenses shall be spent with majority of the votes including the member clubs voting. Any sports projects can be submitted to BTCL – COM by any member clubs and will be decided by the votes. |
| 7. | QUORUM |
| 7.1. | The quorum for a BTCL-COM meeting shall be a minimum of 10 persons, at least 2 of whom shall be from the Board of Governance. |
| 7.2. | The quorum for general meeting shall be minimum of forty percentages of the full members. |
| 8. | WINDING UP |
| "In the event of the League being wound up, the Board of Governance shall prepare forthwith an audited Statement of Accounts, including Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Debts. In case of any surplus remaining, the Board shall distribute and apply such surplus in such a manner as will, in its opinion; best effectuate the purpose of the League." | |
| 9. | GENERAL |
| Any matters not covered by this Constitution will be covenant with by the BTCL – COM whose decision shall be final. | |
| 1. | CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET |
| 1.1. | Code of Conduct |
| 1.1.1. | British Tamils Cricket League is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the British Tamils Cricket League. |
| 1.1.2. | The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws. |
| 1.1.3. | Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator. |
| 1.1.4. | Players and team officials shall not intimidate assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator. |
| 1.1.5. | Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent. |
| 1.1.6. | Players and team officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. |
| 1.1.7. | Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs. |
| 1.1.8. | British Tamils Cricket League will take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and umpires. |
| 1.2. | Spirit of Cricket |
| Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains. | |
| 1.2.1. | There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain. |
| Responsibility of Captains | |
| The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws. | |
| Player’s Conduct | |
| In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, requesting the latter to take action. | |
| 1.2.2. | Fair and Unfair Play |
| According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required. | |
| 1.2.3. | The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of: |
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| 1.2.4. | The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for: |
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| 1.2.5. | It is against the Spirit of the Game: |
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| 1.2.6. | Violence |
| There is no place for any act of violence on and off the field of play during match days. | |
| 1.2.7. | Players |
| Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this. | |
| 1.3. | Failure to comply with the provisions of this Paragraph 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the League. |
| REGULATIONS FOR CRICKET LEAGUES | |
| 2. | AIMS AND JURISDICTION |
| These regulations shall apply to any player who plays for any club at any level under the auspices of the British Tamils Cricket League and are intended to provide assistance and uniformity to all Clubs and Leagues in dealing with any alleged breach of the British Tamils Cricket League Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket (Paragraph 1). It is intended that any breach of Paragraph 1 should in the first instance be dealt with by the player’s club who shall notify the Secretary of the League of the result of any action taken against its player. | |
| 3. | PROCEDURE |
| 3.1. | Any alleged breach of Paragraph 1 above shall be notified in writing (to be known as ‘a Complaint’) to the Secretary of the League. |
| 3.2. | Any complaint so initiated must be referred to the League Disciplinary Committee. |
| 3.3. | Upon receipt of such complaint, and as soon as reasonably practicable, the League Disciplinary Committee shall consider the complaint and resolve either: |
| 3.3.1. | To take no action except to record the complaint and notify the club; or |
| 3.3.2. | To endorse the disciplinary action taken by the club; or |
| 3.3.3. | To refer the matter for a Disciplinary Hearing this shall be convened by the League Disciplinary Committee as soon as practicable. |
| 4. | DISCIPLINARY HEARING |
| 4.1. | The League Disciplinary Committee shall convene a hearing as soon as is practicable and in any event within 7 days of the decision to refer. Any adjournments may be granted at the discretion of the Chairman of the Disciplinary Hearing. |
| 4.2. | The player and club shall be entitled to attend the hearing, state their case (in the case of a club by its Secretary or other official), to be supported by a colleague and to call witnesses. |
| 4.3. | The Hearing shall be conducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the League which shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach. |
| 4.4. | The disciplinary committee’s decision is the final. |
| 5. | PENALTIES |
| 5.1. | If at the hearing the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate: |
| 5.2. | In the case of a player: |
| 5.2.1. | To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time |
| 5.2.2. | To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct. |
| 5.2.3. | To impose a fine. |
| 5.2.4. | To suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated period of time. |
| 5.2.5. | To deduct League points from the player’s team. |
| 5.2.6. | To expel the player from the League. |
| 5.3. | In the case of a club: |
| 5.3.1. | To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time. |
| 5.3.2. | To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct. |
| 5.3.3. | To impose a fine. |
| 5.3.4. | To deduct League points from the club’s team(s) |
| 5.3.5. | To relegate to any lower division of the League. |
| 5.3.6. | To expel the club from any competition of the League. |
| 5.3.7. | To expel the club from the League. |
| 5.4. | The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to suspend the operation of any part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate. |
| 5.5. | Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee (a finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty) shall be by majority vote; where necessary the Panel Chairman shall have a casting vote. |
| 6. | Umpire’s decision shall be the final. If the player/club likes to appeal against the umpire’s decision, they can write to Disciplinary Committee with the £100 deposit. If the particular player or club wins the appeal the deposit will be refunded. |
British Tamils Cricket League (BTCL)
14 Elm Road , Chessington , Surrey KT9 1AW