PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & EXEMPTION RULES
The Slam's principle objective is to provide MORE CRICKET FOR MORE PEOPLE and every one of its 12 competitions across the southeast of the country deploys player eligibility rules to achieve just that.
Without them, the same stronger clubs are likely to dominate for a prolonged period of time, eventually leading to other teams electing not to bother going forward. Its not that every team expects to win, but everyone wants to feel like they are able to compete, and when it comes to getting more people materially involved in the game we love, its no different, nobody wants to feel uncomfortable in their playing environment as no enjoyment comes from that.
Our eligibility rules are designed to try and create as level a playing field as possible by excluding those players materially above the standard that competition is aimed at and in some cases restricting the involvement of those just slightly above it. Through the virtually universal use of PlayCricket in the recreational game a player's true standard can be ascertained and their appropriate level of participation in The Slam adjudged accordingly.
Without them, the same stronger clubs are likely to dominate for a prolonged period of time, eventually leading to other teams electing not to bother going forward. Its not that every team expects to win, but everyone wants to feel like they are able to compete, and when it comes to getting more people materially involved in the game we love, its no different, nobody wants to feel uncomfortable in their playing environment as no enjoyment comes from that.
Our eligibility rules are designed to try and create as level a playing field as possible by excluding those players materially above the standard that competition is aimed at and in some cases restricting the involvement of those just slightly above it. Through the virtually universal use of PlayCricket in the recreational game a player's true standard can be ascertained and their appropriate level of participation in The Slam adjudged accordingly.
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THE RULES THEMSELVES
You can find the eligibility rules for each competition via the county and competition submenus above and as with any rule (or law) there needs to be a clear black & white approach, that is why, as they are written, a player who has played at a particular level that season will either be excluded or restricted within a particular competition. There really is no other way to set the precedent of what standard each competition is catering for other than this, HOWEVER... |
THE EXEMPTION PROCESS
...we all know that the level at which a player may play at over the course of any given cricket season isn't that clear! Particularly within multi-team clubs, players will often play above their appropriate level in the name of making up numbers, doing the captain a favour, swapping with someone who can't make the lengthy away trip that day etc.
The Slam recognises that it is NOT appropriate to deny someone to play in a competition that is befitting their true level just because they've played a mere handful of games at a higher level for any of the reasons above. It is because of this that we deploy an exemption process for EVERY competition. Any team who believes that they have a player who should be able to participate in a particular Slam competition, but by the letter of the rule(s) they are either excluded or restricted due to the odd game here or there at a higher level, they can submit an exemption request via the online form available.
Each application is judged on its own merits by scrutinising that player's PlayCricket record. The nuances of cricket statistics means it can't be done as simply as if they have a batting average below a certain number or they haven't taken more than a particular amount of wickets, but the initial position will always be one of trying to find a way that player CAN play and not how to deny them so long as doing so doesn't undermine the principle objective, or set a precedent that could. It may be that in borderline cases a player is enabled to play but under certain restrictions, and/or any decision will be reviewed after a certain amount of time later that season.
...we all know that the level at which a player may play at over the course of any given cricket season isn't that clear! Particularly within multi-team clubs, players will often play above their appropriate level in the name of making up numbers, doing the captain a favour, swapping with someone who can't make the lengthy away trip that day etc.
The Slam recognises that it is NOT appropriate to deny someone to play in a competition that is befitting their true level just because they've played a mere handful of games at a higher level for any of the reasons above. It is because of this that we deploy an exemption process for EVERY competition. Any team who believes that they have a player who should be able to participate in a particular Slam competition, but by the letter of the rule(s) they are either excluded or restricted due to the odd game here or there at a higher level, they can submit an exemption request via the online form available.
Each application is judged on its own merits by scrutinising that player's PlayCricket record. The nuances of cricket statistics means it can't be done as simply as if they have a batting average below a certain number or they haven't taken more than a particular amount of wickets, but the initial position will always be one of trying to find a way that player CAN play and not how to deny them so long as doing so doesn't undermine the principle objective, or set a precedent that could. It may be that in borderline cases a player is enabled to play but under certain restrictions, and/or any decision will be reviewed after a certain amount of time later that season.
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PUBLISHED EXEMPTION DECISIONS
Whatever the decision that is made on an exemption request, the decision is published on this website so that both the team it applies to and their opponents can clearly see what a player is, or is not, permitted to do within a Slam match to avoid any confusion or contention. The Slam commits to providing a decision within 48 hours of a request being submitted, but in the vast majority of cases that decision is issued in half the time, so even if you have a late change to your line-up it can still be managed. |
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PLAYERS CAN PLAY FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
The Slam recognises that some clubs will want to enter teams in more than one tier of Men's or Women's competitions where such an opportunity exists. To help clubs achieve this their players MAY play for both sides in the same season, so long as they meet the eligibility rules associated with that tier when then play in it. Note that this only applies to teams within the same club, players are NOT permitted to play for a team associated with one club in (say) The Cup and for one associated with a completely different club in The Plate. |
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ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS YOUR CHALLENGE(S)
Whatever challenge you are experiencing with regards to adhering to the eligibility rules, whether it be for a particular player, or more broadly as a club, then the best route to a solution is to discuss it, so please do not hesitate to contact us via the details below, particularly so if its a matter that is effecting your decision on whether to enter a team or not. MORE CRICKET FOR MORE PEOPLE!! |
