END OF SEASON AND PLAY-OFFS
Games can only be arranged up to and including 30th April.
The period from 1st May until 15th May (end of season) can be used for re-arranged matches only.
The only end of season play-offs will be to decide places 1 & 2 in the Division only if 2 teams finish equal on match points.
In exceptional circumstances, teams may agree to share the 1st position instead.
TEAM & PLAYER REGISTRATION
Teams must ensure that the Results Secretary has their contact details and fixtures before they leave the Annual Fixture Meeting.
All player registrations which must include individuals’ photos, must be sent ELECTRONICALLY to the Results Secretary before their first match or the end of October, whichever is first.
New players during the season may be registered ELECTRONICALLY up to the beginning of a match, providing that the player’s registration details and photo have been sent to the Results Secretary, and their opponents have been made aware of this.
RESULTS
Pre Match – it is the responsibility of the home team to provide a downloaded paper copy of the MVL scoresheet for matches. It is recommended, however, that both teams should take paper copies of the MVL scoresheet to all matches.
The official MVL scoresheet must be used and properly completed during and after the match.
The winning team must send a photo of the scoresheet, ideally immediately after the match (but definitely within 48 hours) to the League Results Secretary & to the losing team.
The winning team must also keep the original copy for possible future reference in disputes.
CLAIMS, DISPUTES, PROTESTS & COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Timetable for above:
– Submit above by email to MVL Chair within 7 days.
– Committee to adjudicate & reply within 14 days.
– Any appeal within 7 days (Appeal Fee £20)
– Committee to decide if appeal can be allowed within 7 days.
– Appeal Decision within 14 days (i.e. further 7 days).
NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS
National League Players may play for MVL Division 1 teams, but should be identified at the Annual Fixture Meeting.
National League Players may be registered for MVL Division 1 teams later in the season, but only with the prior permission of the MVL Committee (via the Chair).
Only in very exceptional circumstances may NVL players play for a MVL Division 2 team, and only if agreed at the Annual Fixture Meeting. NVL players may NOT subsequently join a MVL Division 2 team
STARRED PLAYERS
A club with 2 or more teams or “A Twinned Club” must “Star” 4 players in the higher team who cannot play for the lower team.
“Starred Players” may only play down 1 level (A=B; B-C)
TWINNED CLUBS
2 clubs may apply for the status of “Twinned Clubs” at the AFM, where a decision will be made by a majority vote of teams in the relevant division(s).
This rule is to enable clubs with a low number of Registered Players to “borrow” players from another club and use them, if likely to be short of players, as if they were members of the same club.
Such “Twinned Clubs” must “Star” players in the higher team who may play only for the team for which they are starred.
There must be no more than 2 clubs in the “Twinning”.
PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR 2 CLUBS
At the Annual Fixture Meeting, clubs may apply for individual players to play for 2 clubs in the League.
This will only be allowed in special circumstances on the vote of the meeting.
5 PLAYER RULE
If short of players, a team may play with only 5 players. A win by the team of 5 is awarded 2 points only. This rule should perhaps be considered more often, as a way to prevent postponements / cancellations.
TEAM’S RESULTS EXPUNGED IF A TEAM FAILS TO PLAY AT LEAST 75% OF MATCHES
Committee will review teams’ position at the end of March, for any team that has not played 50% of its matches by then.
Teams should have played at least 4 matches by Christmas.
DOUBLE HEADERS
ONLY IF BOTH TEAMS AGREE AT THE FIXTURE MEETING, then the home & away fixtures may be played as a “Double Header” at the same venue on the same evening.
“Double Headers” will be played the best of 3 sets, starting at 1 set all (25 – 0; 0 – 25).
IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN AGREEING THE FIXTURES, THE MVL CHAIR SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR A COMMITTEE DECISION.
POSTPONEMENTS / CANCELLATIONS
In EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY, teams may request a postponement of a match.
If both teams agree to change the date in advance, they may do so if the relevant Results Secretary is informed by both teams in advance.
If one team disagrees to the change of date, the matter should be referred to the League Chair & Committee for arbitration.
Fixtures may only be rearranged once by each of the teams involved, after which it is declared void with no points for either team.
Any team wishing to rearrange a fixture for a second time (i.e. a fixture which that team has already rearranged) will concede the match.
Games cancelled less than 72 hours before the date agreed at the AFM will be automatically conceded by the cancelling team.
REFEREEING REMINDER
Referees should ask teams at the start of the warm up whether they wish to share the net for spiking practice, or not.
11 October 2017