Kent Senior League Rules

KENT SENIOR SQUASH LEAGUE RULES

These Rules are in addition to the Rules of Kent SRA. They take effect at the start of the 2026 Summer League.

1. GENERAL

1. These Rules are in addition to the Rules of Kent SRA.
2. The competition shall be open to clubs in Kent and adjoining counties.
3. All clubs and players must be affiliated to England Squash & Racketball Association (ESR) and Kent SRA, and membership must be maintained.
4. Participating clubs must have at least two courts that comply with ESR specifications.
5. Changes to these Rules may be made at meetings of Kent SRA.
6. Voters must be in attendance at the meetings and must represent a participating club.
7. The league is operated in two sections: North West and South East Kent.
8. Each section shall appoint its own administrators as required, subject to the approval of Kent SRA.
9. There will be a winter and a summer season.
10. Players may play in both the North West and the South East leagues.

2. OBJECTIVE

1. The objective of the League is to organise and encourage the playing of team squash in Kent.
2. This shall be conducted in a fair and sporting manner.
3. There shall be an emphasis on socialising after matches.

3. COMPETITION FORMAT

1. The Rules shall be those of the World Squash Federation 2014, as modified by these rules.
2. The scoring in Divisions 1–3 shall be PAR 11. Lower divisions shall use PAR 15.
3. Balls shall be as approved by WSF (Kent SRA recommends Karakal Double Yellow Spot).
4. A Single Yellow Spot may be used if both captains agree court temperature warrants it.
5. The league shall be played as a divisional structure.
6. Each team shall play all other teams’ home and away. The bottom two teams shall normally be relegated. The top two teams shall normally be promoted. Between Divisions 1 and 2, only one team may move.
7. The League Secretary may balance teams between divisions at their discretion.
8. Vacancies caused by teams ceasing to compete shall be filled at the League Secretary’s discretion.
9. Teams shall consist of 4 players. Each match shall be the best of 5 games.
10. The league is run on League Master.
11. Clubs must enter captain, team and player details.
12. The league is monitored by LMS, which issues notices and error alerts.

4. ELIGIBILITY AND NOMINATIONS

1. An entry fee shall be charged for each team. The fee shall be set at the Kent SRA AGM. It must be paid 2 weeks before the first tie. Failure to pay will result in withdrawal from the league.
2. Players must be nominated in order of merit. Number 1 shall be the strongest player.
3. Clubs may re-nominate players before the first fixture of the second half of the season.
4. The League Secretary may amend nominations where genuine mistakes occur.
5. Players must be entered into League Master club’s playing list with their ES numbers.
6. Players may only be added before the last 4 weeks (winter) or 2 weeks (summer). This requires League Secretary approval.
7. Clubs must nominate at least 4 players per team. At least 3 must have played in the previous winter or summer Kent leagues. Clubs with multiple teams may balance players across teams.
8. Players may play for their nominated team or a higher team. Players may not play for a lower team. Players may play up twice per half-season. A third time ties them to the higher team. If playing for multiple higher teams, they are tied to the lower of those.
9. Captains must confirm team order before each tie.
10. Non-nominated players result in that match being void. All matches below also become void. Points will be awarded to the opposition. Players must play in club nominated order. Incorrect order results in forfeited points including all players below where the error occurred.
11. Double-header matches require 7 days approval and if approved will have limitations in terms of players eligible if nomination orders have been changed from 1^st to 2^nd half periods.
12. Players cannot be nominated for two clubs. Transfer to another club requires agreement from both clubs and league secretary.
13. No player may play in last 3 fixtures unless eligibility rules are met. Breach results in forfeiture of the tie and all lower matches.

5. FIXTURES, VENUES AND COURT TIMES

1. All matches must be played at the same venue. Matches must start and finish within agreed times.
2. Matches are scheduled for Tuesdays. Division 1 must be played on Tuesdays.
3. Fixture changes must be updated in League Master. Changes must be made at least 5 days before the season starts. Fixtures must be confirmed on league master by home captains.
4. Rearranged matches require agreement from both teams and League Secretary. If no agreement, the fixture must be played or conceded. Conceded matches result in points awarded to the opposition.
5. Clubs with teams in the same division must play each other in the first 2 fixtures of each half of the season. These fixtures cannot be rearranged later in the season.
6. Default start time is 7:30pm. Three players per team must be present at the start time. Start times (if different from 7.30pm) must be confirmed in League Master.
7. Late players may result in walkovers. If a player does not arrive until all other matches have been completed, lower matches may also be forfeited. Arriving more than 30 minutes late is considered exceptional. No players present after 30 minutes = match forfeited. Missing players at end of tie must concede their match and any matches below.
8. Home team must provide sufficient court time. Minimum: 2 courts for 2 hours. Failure to provide courts results in forfeited matches.

6. LEAGUE RESULTS

1. Home captain must enter results within 2 days. Away captain must validate 2 days after result entered.
2. Disputes must be raised immediately with league secretary.
3. Late entry results in a (At midnight 2 days after fixture was scheduled the match will ‘lock’) 5-point penalty being applied.
4. Incorrect entries result in a 1-point penalty per error.
5. False player names result in a 20–0 loss.

SCORING SYSTEM

1. 1 point shall be awarded for each individual game won.

BONUS POINTS (4 PLAYER TEAMS ONLY)

1. 3 bonus points shall be awarded for a match won 4–0 or 3–1.

DRAWN MATCHES (2–2)

1. The team winning the greater number of games shall be awarded 1 bonus point.
2. If games are equal, the team winning the greater number of points shall be awarded 1 bonus point.
3. If matches, games, and points are equal, no bonus points shall be awarded.

7. LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Determined by total points scored.
2. If tied: number of ties won. If still tied: then number of games won.
3. Division winners receive a trophy or plaque.

8. PENALITIES

1. A 2-point penalty will be awarded for each walkover i.e. 2 points per string, 8 points for a team walkover. The penalty will double where a name is entered instead of ‘walkover’.
2. Where a team gives more than 2 complete fixture walkovers in any one half of a league, they will be deemed to have withdrawn from the league and all fixtures in that half will be set to a 0-0 result.
3. Where a team gives more than 20 individual player walkovers over the whole league, they will be deemed to have withdrawn from the league, and all fixtures will be set to a 0-0 result.
4. Where a team gives ANYwalkover (even a single string) within the last 3 fixtures of the second half of the league, and where such a walkover may affect the promotion or relegation of another team, the points awarded for the walkover may be subject to adjustment by the Competition Secretary in the interest of fairness. The offending team may also be withdrawn from the league and relegated. [This would particularly be the case where a team gains points for the walkover which they would almost certainly not have done if the fixture had been played.]
5. A club that does not pay ESR affiliation or Kent County Subscription fees within 30 days of receiving the invoice will receive penalty points to drive their teams to the bottom of their league. Penalty points will be removed when due payments are made.

9. MARKING

1. All matches must be marked. Home team provides two marked. Away team provides two markers. Unless otherwise agreed between captains.
2. In the event of a referee being called for, he/she must be from the opposing team to the marker.

10. DISPUTES, DISCIPLINE & RULES OF PLAY

1. Disputes must be submitted in writing to the League Secretary.
2. The League Secretary may decide or refer to the KSRA Committee.
3. Rules of Play shall be those of England Squash.
4. Players must behave in a sporting and respectful manner.
5. No abusive or unsporting behaviour will be tolerated.
6. Conduct issues may be escalated to KSRA disciplinary committee.
7. The League Secretary has authority to take certain actions as specified in the KSRA or England Squash Code of Conduct.

11. MISCELLANEOUS

35. Teams failing to host return fixtures must contribute food costs. Minimum contribution £35. Failure to comply may result in removal from the league.
36. Disputes to be sent to league secretary and may be referred to KSRA.
37. Bar bills shared equally unless agreed otherwise. Abuse of bar bill must be reported.
38. Home team provides balls, courts, and refreshments.
39. Away players must notify absence from food 48 hours prior to the fixture to the home captain
40. Players are responsible for travel costs.

12. CUP SPECIFIC RULES

1. These rules are in addition to league rules.
2. Division winners represent the league in the Cornwallis Cup. Winner represents the county in further competitions.
3. Cup competitions run in winter period 2. Player eligibility based on second half nominations. Clubs are not allowed to merge league teams together to strengthen.
4. Players tied to first cup team they play for. Players cannot play for multiple teams. If a player is team tied in the 2^nd half of the league then they’re only eligible for teams tied to and not lower teams.
5. Any player playing in a semi-final or final must have played 3 matches in the current league or cup.
6. Home captain must arrange fixtures. Results must be entered within 48 hours.
7. Home team provides courts and balls.
8. Food and bar costs shared equally.

13. CODE OF CONDUCT

1. All participants must adhere to England Squash Code of Conduct.
2. Full rules available at:
   https://www.englandsquash.com/competitions/competition-rules-and-regulations