WELSH PICKLEBALL CLUB LEAGUE

SEASON 2 RULES & REGULATIONS

Season: 1 February – 30 June

Registration: 15 October – 15 January

Team Entry Fee: £30

 

1. Objectives & Principles

1.1 The Welsh Pickleball Club League (WPCL) exists to provide competitive team pickleball between clubs and groups across Wales and the surrounding area.

1.2 The WPCL aims to provide competitive matches between teams of a similar standard while maintaining a friendly, fair and enjoyable environment.

1.3 All Clubs, Teams and Players are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with normal pickleball etiquette and accepted standards of fair play.

1.4 Players participate in the WPCL at their own risk and are responsible for ensuring that they are fit and appropriately equipped to play.

1.5 The League Organiser is responsible for the administration of the WPCL and may amend or clarify these Regulations where necessary for the smooth running of the League. Any significant changes will be communicated to participating Teams.

1.6 Where a situation arises which is not covered by these Regulations, or where a Regulation is open to interpretation, the League Organiser will determine the appropriate outcome. The League Organiser's decision will be final for the purposes of the WPCL.

 

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Regulations:

WPCL means the Welsh Pickleball Club League.

League Organiser means the person or persons responsible for administering the WPCL.

Club means the club or organised pickleball group from which a Team is entered.

Team means the group of Players representing a Club in the WPCL.

Squad means all Players registered to a Team.

Fixture means the complete contest between two Teams.

Game means one individual doubles game within a Fixture.

Pair means two Players representing a Team in an individual Game.

Division means a group of Teams competing against each other within a particular region and League.

Home Team means the Team designated as the Home Team for a Fixture.

Away Team means the opposing Team.

 

3. League Structure

3.1 The WPCL will consist of:

• Open League

• Women's League

3.2 Both Leagues will operate across the established WPCL regions.

3.3 The Women's League will use the same Fixture structure and scoring system as the Open League.

3.4 Divisions should ideally contain four to six Teams, with a maximum of six Teams in any Division.

3.5 The final number and composition of Divisions will depend upon the number of Teams registered.

3.6 Where registration produces an odd or otherwise unsuitable number of Teams, the League Organiser may merge or restructure Divisions as necessary.

3.7 The League Organiser will determine the final Division structure after registration closes.

 

4. Season

4.1 Season 2 will run from 1 February to 30 June.

4.2 Each Team will play both a Home and Away Fixture against every other Team in its Division.

4.3 All Fixtures should be completed during the Season.

4.4 The League Organiser may permit a postponed Fixture to be played after 30 June where necessary.

4.5 Any such extension will normally be limited to one to two weeks after the end of the Season and will only apply to Fixtures which were previously scheduled and subsequently postponed.

 

5. Team Registration

5.1 Registration will take place through PickleBook.

5.2 Registration will open on 15 October and close on 15 January.

5.3 There is no minimum or maximum Squad size.

5.4 Teams are recommended to register approximately 10 Players to provide cover for injuries, illness, holidays and other absences.

5.5 A Player must be a registered member of the Club or group they represent.

5.6 A Player does not need to be Welsh to participate in the WPCL.

 

6. Player Eligibility

6.1 A Player may represent only one Team in each League during a Season, subject to the substitution provisions in Section 7.

6.2 A Player may represent different Clubs in the Open and Women's Leagues.

6.3 A Player may therefore play for one Club's Open Team and another Club's Women's Team.

6.4 The WPCL does not use DUPR ratings for Player eligibility.

6.5 Teams will be placed into Divisions using a combination of:

a. the Team's self-assessed standard at registration; and

b. previous WPCL results, where available.

6.6 The League Organiser may adjust Team placement where necessary to create an appropriate competitive structure.

 

7. Playing Up and Substitutions

7.1 A Club with more than one Team may use Players from a lower Team as substitutes for a higher Team, subject to these Regulations.

7.2 A Player may only substitute upwards.

For example:

• Team B Player → Team A: Permitted

• Team C Player → Team B: Permitted

• Team A Player → Team B: Not permitted

7.3 A Player may play for a higher Team once without changing their original Team registration.

7.4 Following one substitute appearance, the Player may return to and continue playing for their original Team.

7.5 If the same Player makes a second substitute appearance for the higher Team, they will be regarded as a Player of that higher Team for the remainder of the Season.

7.6 Following a second substitute appearance, the Player may not subsequently represent their original lower Team during that Season.

7.7 Captains are responsible for keeping an accurate record of substitute appearances.

 

8. Fixture Format

8.1 Six Players from each Team will participate in each Fixture.

8.2 The six Players will be divided into three Pairs:

• Pair A

• Pair B

• Pair C

8.3 Each Pair must be identified as A, B or C before the Fixture begins.

8.4 Each Pair will play against every Pair from the opposing Team.

8.5 Each Fixture will therefore consist of nine Games:

Opposing Pair AOpposing Pair BOpposing Pair C

Pair AA v AA v BA v C

Pair BB v AB v BB v C

Pair CC v AC v BC v C

8.6 Each Game will be played to 11 points, winning by 1 point.

8.7 There is no requirement to win a Game by two points.

8.8 There will be no Dream Breaker.

8.9 The Team winning the greatest number of Games wins the Fixture.

 

9. League Standings

9.1 Teams will be ranked within their Division according to the following criteria:

1. Number of Fixtures won;

2. Total points scored across all Games;

3. Head-to-head Fixture result.

9.2 Total points scored means the total number of points scored by a Team across all individual Games played during the Season.

9.3 Example: a Game won 11–8 contributes 11 points to the winning Team's total and 8 points to the losing Team's total.

9.4 If the above criteria do not determine a clear position, the League Organiser will determine an appropriate additional tiebreaker.

 

10. Arranging Fixtures

10.1 Captains are responsible for arranging Fixtures directly with the opposing Captain.

10.2 Each Team will have one designated Home Fixture and one Away Fixture against each opposing Team.

10.3 Captains should make reasonable efforts to agree Fixture dates and communicate promptly with one another.

10.4 Teams should give at least seven days' notice when cancelling or requesting the postponement of a Fixture wherever reasonably possible.

10.5 If Teams cannot agree suitable dates, the League Organiser must be contacted as soon as possible.

10.6 The League Organiser may arrange for the Fixture to take place at a neutral venue.

10.7 Where appropriate, both the Home and Away Fixtures between two Teams may be played at the same venue and/or on the same day if both Captains agree beforehand.

 

11. Venues, Courts & Equipment

11.1 The Home Team is responsible for providing:

• Suitable pickleball courts;

• Pickleball nets;

• Suitable pickleballs; and

• A safe and playable venue.

11.2 Courts must have appropriate pickleball markings, including kitchen/non-volley-zone lines.

11.3 Outdoor courts must be adequately lit where required.

11.4 Courts must be free from significant cracks, holes or other dangerous surfaces.

11.5 The Home Team is responsible for ensuring that its chosen venue is suitable for competitive pickleball.

11.6 Venue costs will be shared 50/50 between the two Teams.

11.7 The Home/Away designation does not alter the 50/50 division of venue costs.

 

12. Postponements & Cancellations

12.1 Teams should give at least seven days' notice when requesting to cancel or postpone a Fixture.

12.2 Player availability is the responsibility of the Team and Club.

12.3 A shortage of Players does not automatically entitle a Team to postpone a Fixture.

12.4 Where a Team does not have sufficient Players to fulfil a Fixture, it may request a postponement.

12.5 Where the request is made less than seven days before the Fixture, the opposing Captain may decline the request.

12.6 If the request is declined and the Team cannot fulfil the Fixture, the Fixture will normally be recorded as a forfeit.

12.7 Captains should consider the time and reason for any postponement when deciding whether a Fixture can reasonably be rearranged.

12.8 If Captains cannot agree how or when a postponed Fixture should be rearranged, the League Organiser should be contacted.

 

13. Weather

13.1 Teams choosing an outdoor venue accept the additional risks associated with weather conditions.

13.2 Where an outdoor Fixture is cancelled due to weather with less than seven days' notice, the Home Team will normally forfeit the Fixture.

13.3 The Home Team is responsible for considering the suitability and weather risk of its chosen outdoor venue when arranging the Fixture.

13.4 Player safety takes priority over avoiding a forfeit. Teams must not be expected to play where court conditions are unsafe or unsuitable.

13.5 Where severe or exceptional circumstances occur which are outside the reasonable control of either Team, the League Organiser may review the circumstances and determine an appropriate outcome.

 

14. Venue Closures

14.1 If a venue unexpectedly closes or becomes unavailable through circumstances outside the reasonable control of either Team, neither Team will be penalised automatically.

14.2 The Fixture should be rearranged at a suitable alternative date and/or venue.

14.3 Where necessary, the League Organiser may assist in arranging an alternative venue.

 

15. Failure to Attend

15.1 A Team that fails to attend a scheduled Fixture without an accepted reason will forfeit the Fixture.

15.2 The opposing Team will be awarded the maximum result available under the WPCL scoring system.

15.3 Repeated failures to attend may result in additional disciplinary action.

15.4 A late cancellation will normally result in a forfeit unless caused by exceptional circumstances outside the reasonable control of the Team.

15.5 Examples of exceptional circumstances may include:

a. serious road accidents preventing attendance;

b. unexpected venue damage;

c. severe weather causing an unexpected venue closure; or

d. other genuinely unforeseen circumstances making attendance impossible or unsafe.

 

16. Rearranged Fixtures

16.1 Teams must make reasonable efforts to rearrange postponed Fixtures promptly.

16.2 If a Fixture cannot be rearranged, the League Organiser must be contacted.

16.3 Where time permits, the League Organiser may allow postponed Fixtures to be played towards the end of the Season.

16.4 The League Organiser may permit an approved Fixture to take place after 30 June in accordance with Section 4.

16.5 The League Organiser may determine that a Fixture should instead be recorded as a forfeit where a suitable rearrangement cannot be achieved.

 

17. Results

17.1 Captains are responsible for submitting Fixture results through the official WPCL website.

17.2 Details of the result submission system will be published separately.

17.3 League results and standings will be updated following submission.

17.4 A paper Fixture template will be provided by the WPCL.

17.5 Both Captains should complete and agree the Fixture record and sign it where required.

17.6 Both Captains should retain a copy of their Fixture records for the duration of the Season.

17.7 The final deadline for completing and submitting all Season 2 results is 30 June, unless an extension has been approved by the League Organiser.

 

18. Fair Play & Conduct

18.1 All Games must be played in accordance with proper pickleball etiquette and accepted standards of fair play.

18.2 Players must show appropriate respect towards:

• Opposing Players;

• Teammates;

• Captains;

• Officials;

• Venues; and

• Other participants.

18.3 Clubs are expected to take responsibility for the behaviour of their Players.

18.4 Serious or repeated breaches of expected conduct may be referred to the League Organiser.

 

19. Disputes

19.1 Captains should attempt to resolve any Fixture dispute between themselves where possible.

19.2 Where a dispute cannot be resolved, it must be referred to the League Organiser.

19.3 The Captain referring the matter should provide as much relevant information and evidence as possible.

19.4 This may include:

• Fixture sheets;

• Game scores;

• Written communications;

• Photographs;

• Witness accounts; or

• Other relevant evidence.

19.5 The League Organiser will review the available information and determine the outcome.

19.6 The League Organiser's decision will be final for the purposes of the WPCL.

 

20. Disciplinary Action

20.1 Clubs are encouraged to manage and discipline their own Players where appropriate.

20.2 The League Organiser nevertheless reserves the right to take disciplinary action against Players and/or Clubs where necessary.

20.3 Possible sanctions include:

• Formal warnings;

• Fixture penalties;

• Player suspensions;

• Player bans;

• Team penalties;

• Club penalties; and

• Other sanctions considered appropriate.

20.4 The nature and severity of any sanction will depend upon the circumstances of the incident.

 

21. Promotion & Relegation

21.1 Promotion and relegation will be determined at the conclusion of each Season.

21.2 The number of Teams promoted or relegated will be determined following registration for the subsequent Season.

21.3 The League Organiser may take into account:

• The number of registered Teams;

• New Teams entering the League;

• Teams withdrawing;

• Regional distribution;

• Division sizes; and

• The overall structure required for the following Season.

21.4 The League Organiser will confirm the promotion and relegation arrangements following registration.

21.5 Promotion and relegation from Season 1 will apply when establishing the Season 2 structure.

 

22. Entry Fees

22.1 The Season 2 entry fee is £30 per Team.

22.2 The Captain is responsible for payment of the entry fee during registration.

22.3 Teams may divide the cost of the entry fee between their Players as they choose.

22.4 Payment is due upon registration.

22.5 Registration closes on 15 January.

 

23. Refunds & Team Withdrawal

23.1 Team entry fees may be refunded up to 15 January.

23.2 No refund will be available after 15 January.

23.3 A Team withdrawing after 15 January will:

a. receive no refund of its entry fee;

b. have all Fixtures already played recorded as maximum losses; and

c. have all remaining Fixtures recorded as maximum losses.

23.4 A withdrawing Team will remain in the league table with these results.

23.5 The League Organiser may impose additional penalties where a withdrawal causes significant disruption to the League.

 

24. Captain Responsibilities

24.1 Captains are responsible for:

a. registering their Team;

b. ensuring Players are eligible;

c. arranging Fixtures;

d. confirming venues and dates;

e. communicating postponements and cancellations;

f. maintaining appropriate Fixture records;

g. submitting results;

h. monitoring substitute appearances; and

i. contacting the League Organiser where a matter cannot be resolved.

24.2 Captains are expected to communicate promptly and reasonably with opposing Teams.

 

25. League Administration

25.1 The League Organiser will oversee the administration and operation of the WPCL.

25.2 This includes:

• Team registration;

• Division structure;

• Fixture administration;

• League standings;

• Promotion and relegation;

• Disputes;

• Exceptional circumstances;

• Disciplinary matters; and

• Interpretation of these Regulations.

25.3 The League Organiser may make reasonable decisions on matters not expressly covered by these Regulations where necessary to protect the integrity and smooth running of the League.

 

26. Interpretation of the Regulations

26.1 These Regulations are intended to provide a consistent framework for the operation of the WPCL.

26.2 Where a circumstance arises that is not specifically addressed, Captains should first seek a reasonable solution between themselves.

26.3 Where no agreement can be reached, the matter should be referred to the League Organiser.

26.4 The League Organiser may take into account the purpose and principles of the WPCL when determining an outcome.

26.5 Any decision made by the League Organiser will apply to the specific circumstances under consideration and will not automatically constitute a permanent amendment to these Regulations.

26.6 Any permanent amendment to the Regulations will be communicated to participating Clubs and Teams.