RULES GOVERNING THE EUROPEAN NATIONS CHALLENGE CUP (Amended following ESF AGM in May 2009 and ESF Board Meeting in June 2009)
DEFINITIONS AGM is a General Meeting of the ESF (normally held annually)
CAP is the Championships Adjudicating Panel CHAMPIONSHIPS are European Team Championships (ETC) for Men and Women
EDP is the European Disciplinary Panel ESF is the European Squash Federation
ESF OFFICERS are members of the ESF Management Board
ESF OFFICIALS are ESF Officers, employees and members of ESF Committees
FINAL SUBMISSION DATE shall mean the latest date for submission of changes to squad names and/or changes to squad orders
MATCHES are between individual players MNA is a Member National Association of the ESF SQUADS are Teams plus reserves nominated for the Championships
START DATE shall mean the day of the start of the Championships TEAMS are players nominated to play in a specific Tie TIES are between opposing teams WSF is the World Squash Federation
PREFACE
Changes to the Rules that make a significant difference to the financing or organisation of these Championships or the cost of entering these Championships can be made only with the approval of an AGM. The AGM in 2007 approved annual increases from 2009 in the Levy (see Rule A3), and from 2008 in Entry Fees (see Rule A9) and Package Fees (see Rule D2) based on Eurozone inflation (rounded to the nearest €1). Changes that make a significant difference to the financing or organisation of an event cannot be imposed on a Host Association without its consent in writing after its Application has been accepted. Changes that make a significant difference to the cost of entering or playing in an event cannot be imposed on an MNA without its approval in writing after its Entry has been accepted. Other changes may be made by the ESF Management Board on the recommendation of a Committee and may come into effect immediately without having to wait for an AGM. All payments to/from the ESF and to/from MNAs or Host Clubs are expressed net of all bank charges. The ESF Officers shall have the power to rule on any matter relating to the Championships not covered by the Rules. MNAs have the right of appeal to the EDP in line with the Code of Conduct - see Appendix E. Words only importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender.
A. CHAMPIONSHIPS ORGANISATION
1. The Championships shall be run by one MNA under the control of the ESF. They shall consist of separate competitions for Men’s and Women’s teams.
2. MNAs can apply to hold the Championships not more than 4 years ahead. Applications must be submitted in writing having regard to the ESF event conditions (Appendix A), using the Tender Form (Appendix B), to the ESF Office 90 days before an AGM; and will be handled as a Motion at that Meeting. If the Championships are planned to take place before, or less than 180 days after, the next AGM, then the ESF Board may award the Championships after consulting MNAs. The Tender Form will be legally binding.
3. The MNA responsible for holding the Championships must pay a levy of €341 to the ESF within 90 days of the AGM at which the Championships are awarded to the MNA or from the date the ESF Board awards the Championships after consulting MNAs. If the levy is not paid on time, it will be increased by 1% per month. The levy came into force in 2008 and may not be increased thereafter (except by annual Eurozone inflation – see Preface) without the approval of an AGM.
4. When a MNA is given an option to host the Championships, acceptance of the event must be confirmed within 90 days of being granted the option. Failing this, the ESF Officers reserve the right to take whatever action they deem necessary.
5. If an MNA withdraws from hosting the Championships, once allocated the Event, the MNA will pay the ESF the following penalty in addition to the Levy under Rule A3:
i. 360 days or more before the Start Date 1 times the Levy in A3
ii. 180 to 359 days before the Start Date 2 times the Levy in A3
iii. Less than 180 days before the Start Date 3 times the Levy in A3
6. The Host Association shall submit draft Invitation and Entry Forms, confirming the venue and proposed time frame for the Championships to the ESF Office for approval not less than 180 days before the Start Date.
7. The ESF approved Invitation and Entry Forms shall be submitted by the Host Association to the ESF Office for circulation to eligible MNAs not less than 120 days prior to the Start Date.
8. Entries close 60 days before the Start Date. Each entry will be acknowledged in writing within one week of receipt.
9. MNAs must send Entry Forms and Entry Fees to the ESF Office as specified in the Invitation. The Entry Fee shall be €138 per Men’s team and €138 per Women’s team. If the Entry Form and Fee are not received by the closing date, the entry will be handled as a late entry. The Entry Fees above came into force in 2010 and may not be increased further (except by annual Eurozone inflation – see Preface) without the approval of an AGM. MNAs must send the Package Fees specified in the Invitation to the Host Association by the deadline specified.
10. Any MNA failing to enter a team for the Championships by the closing date may apply to the Host Association for its late entry to be accepted. The Host Association, with the approval of the ESF Technical Director, may accept late entries provided all are treated alike. If late entries are not to be accepted or will not be accepted after a certain date, this shall be specified in the Invitation. Late entry fees must be paid to the ESF and shall be published (if applicable) in the Invitation and Entry Form as follows:
i. 30 to 59 days before the Start Date Entry Fee doubled per team
ii. Less than 30 days before the Start Date Entry Fee trebled per team The CAP (see B5) shall deal with any dispute over late entries.
11. The ESF shall impose a penalty fee, additional to the entry fee, to cover the extra costs incurred when an MNA withdraws a team from the Championships. This penalty fee shall be calculated as a % of the Entry Fee: i. 30 days or more before the Start Date 100% of Entry Fee per team ii. Less than 30 days before the Start Date 200% of Entry Fee per team The Host Association also reserves the right to retain the 25% “standard package” deposit for accommodation should a team withdraw or should a member of a squad or associated official withdraw without being replaced.
12. The ESF shall be responsible for invoicing and collecting penalty fees. All fees are calculated in Euro (€) and shall be net of bank charges. The ESF shall retain any Host withdrawal fees but will pass any Team withdrawal fees to the Host Association. The EDP shall deal with any dispute over penalty fees.
B. CONTROL OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. At least 6 months before the Start Date, the ESF Officers shall appoint a Technical Director who will act as the principal contact with the Host Association and will be responsible to the ESF for the overall organisation of the event. The Technical Director may not officiate in any match during the Championships.
2. At least 6 months before the Start Date, the Host Association shall nominate a Championships Director who will be responsible to the Host Association for the overall conduct of the Championships. He will also be responsible for all scheduling and administration at the venue including the tournament office, computer input, draw printouts and a results service (for participants, public and Press). The Championships Director may not officiate or play in any match during the Championships. The Championships Director must ensure that team orders are checked for each Tie, that the names of players in each Tie are displayed before the Tie starts and that referees are provided with score sheets naming both players in each match.
3. At least 60 days before the Start Date, the Host Association shall nominate a Championships Referee who will be responsible for scheduling the referees. He may not play in any match during the Championships. His decision shall be final for matters arising in matches on court that relate to the Rules.
4. The Host Association shall ensure that at least one of its key organisers attends the preceding staging of the ENCC.
5. The CAP will be chaired by the ESF Technical Director who will appoint at least 2 other members of the Panel at least 30 days before the Start Date from event organisers or team managers with ENCC experience who are expected to attend the event. The CAP shall be responsible for final decisions on all appeals during the Championships. If a member of the CAP is from an MNA that is involved in or associated with an appeal, then the ESF Technical Director shall co-opt a neutral person for that appeal from one of the Teams in attendance.
6. Players enter and play in the Championships at their own risk. Neither the ESF, the Host Association, nor the Host Club will accept any responsibility for injury or other damages arising from participation in the Championships. Players may be required to sign a disclaimer to this effect.
7. The Championships shall be played under the latest Rules of the Singles Game of Squash as published by the WSF. All matches shall be played on courts with 19 inch tins.
8. The ESF and Host Association reserve the right to implement compulsory dope testing for any player participating in the Championships. A notice to this effect shall be included on the Entry Form. The doping regulations shall be those published by the WSF.
9. MNAs are responsible for informing all their participants (including managers and coaches) about the latest WSF policy on doping; and must impose the standard WSF suspension from all forms of competitive squash upon a player who has used banned substances or practices.
C.ELIGIBILITY FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. Members of ESF, who have settled all financial obligations by the closing date of entry to the Championships and have not been prohibited from entering this Event under the provisions of the Code of Conduct (see Appendix E) or for any other reason, shall be eligible to enter an official team in the Championships provided:
• the MNA is a Full Member of the ESF or
• the MNA is a Provisional Member of the ESF and has not played twice before in these Championships and
• the team has not finished #15 or better in the ESF European Team Championships (ETC) in the last 5 years or
• the team has not won the ENCC on two occasions as an official entry in the last 5 years – unless the team entered the previous ETC and finished lower than #28.
MNAs may enter a maximum of two official men’s teams and two official women’s teams. The teams must be independent of each other and players are not interchangeable between the teams. Any squad arriving with less than three eligible players will not be allowed to take part in the Championships.
2. A player shall be eligible to represent a Country in the Championships only:
a. if he has not represented another country, in a recognised international squash team event in any age group, in the 36 months preceding the Start Date and
b. if he represents:
i. the Country of his birth or
ii. the Country in which he is a citizen or
iii. the Country in which he has been resident for a minimum of three years immediately preceding the Start Date. A properly qualified player, who has once represented a Country in a recognised international squash team event, shall be eligible to represent that Country thereafter, until such time as he exercises a qualification to represent another Country, thus making him no longer eligible under Rule 3a or 3b.
3. In all cases where a player's eligibility is in doubt, it is obligatory upon the MNA for which the player wishes to play, to prove eligibility to the satisfaction of the ESF Officers before the Start Date.
The Host Association shall:
1. Be responsible for provision of twin-bedded accommodation and food starting with accommodation on the night before the Start Date and ending with breakfast on the morning following the finals. In exceptional circumstances when requested by the Host Association, 3 people may share a room with the prior approval of the ESF Technical Director. In such circumstances, the cost of the “standard package” will be reduced per person. [The Host Association is not obliged to help find or provide accommodation, offer “packages” or provide local transport for supporters but may do so if approached directly by an MNA, provided priority is given to nominated players and officials].
2. Offer a “standard package” that shall not exceed €296 per person to include: transportation between airport, venue and official hotel; accommodation for 4 nights in twin-bedded rooms; 10 meals and a final evening party/function; welcome pack and admission to all court viewing areas. Extra nights (bed and breakfast) shall not exceed €54 per night; and the extra charge for single rooms (if available) shall not exceed €42 per night. Offer an alternative “basic package” that shall not exceed €74 per person for those teams that wish to make their own arrangements for local transport, accommodation and food. This package fee shall cover organisation of the event, a welcome pack, admission to all court viewing areas and final evening party/function. Have the right to request payment of package fees in local currency provided this is indicated on the Entry Form and provided that all fees are converted from Euro at the time that the Entry Form is distributed to MNAs by the ESF Office. The package fees above came into force in 2010 and may not be increased further (except by annual Eurozone inflation – see Preface) without the approval of an AGM.
3. Pay for one Inspection Visit of an ESF Official, including cost of accommodation, meals and travel. This Inspection should take place at least 6 months before the event, preferably during a major tournament at the venue at which the Championships are to be held.
4. Pay for a 2nd Inspection Visit if so directed by the ESF Officers. Such an inspection will only be required if the Officers are convinced by the ESF Technical Director that previous recommendations and instructions have not been followed; and that preparations for the Event 30 days before the Start Date are inadequate.
5. The ESF shall pay all costs incurred by its Officials during the event, except for those incurred by the ESF Technical Director. Accommodation and meals for the Technical Director shall start with lunch on the day before the Start Date and end with breakfast after the end of the event, if required.
6. Arrange and pay for all transport for competitors and officials covered by the “standard package” between the official hotel(s) and the match venue; and between the venue and the specified arrival/departure point, as designated in the Invitation.
7. Arrange and pay for practice facilities from 14:00 hours on the day before the Start Date and during the Championships; and make available practice balls, identical to the ones to be used in the Championships, for teams to purchase.
8. Provide reasonable medical facilities for competitors to include, as a minimum, a qualified nurse capable of dealing with a serious accident, particularly to the head, and capable of supervising the transfer of the player to suitable medical facilities. Prior arrangements must be made to ensure that facilities are available during weekends.
9. Arrange for team photographs to be taken during the Championships. These must be provided at reasonable cost and be ready by the time of the final function.
10. Ensure (through the Championships Referee) that every match in the Championships is refereed. Players will be required to act as referees.
11. Create a Championships website at least by the time that the Invitation is distributed and establish a Tournament Office with suitably experienced staff to run the Championships, supported by a computer system that will:
• ensure that the website is updated throughout the Championships;
• generate and update all draws;
• produce court schedules, orders of play, referee and marker allocations;
• print referees’ scorecards and match display cards with space for game scores;
• print detailed results of all Ties and maintain an up-to-date public display board in the main venue during each day showing detailed game scores; and at the main hotel at the end of each day’s play;
• ensure results remain accessible on the website for at least 4 weeks after the event.
12. Prepare the match venue(s) for the Championships including all facilities. All court floors must be unsealed or sanded; and all court lights must be working.
13. Arrange and pay for a Conference Room in which to hold a Managers Meeting before the start of the Championships.
14. Display the current Rules of the Championships.
15. Produce a Players Manual, approved by the ESF Technical Director, giving relevant information for participants.
16. Include the ESF’s and main sponsors’ logos on all entry forms, posters, programmes and official papers, copies of which shall be submitted to the ESF Technical Director for approval. Place “tin stickers” with ESF’s and main sponsors’ logos on all courts to be used in the Championships as directed by the ESF Technical Director. Provide space for exhibition stands for ESF’s main sponsors close to the main spectator court. [All sponsors’ logos, advertising materials and exhibition stands will be supplied, shipped and installed at no cost to the Host Association].
17. Nominate a suitably experienced Press Officer at least 60 days before the Start Date.
18. Provide the ESF Media Director, MNAs and Press Agencies with advance information on the event, followed by detailed results in electronic “text” format on a daily basis. Update the event website, at the end of each day’s play and provide Team Managers and ESF Officers in attendance with detailed printed results daily on request. Produce complete, detailed results and final placings of the Championships in electronic format (on CD-ROM, DVD or in an email attachment) and distribute to competing MNAs and the ESF Office within 7 days of the end of the event. The organising MNA shall ensure that all score sheets relating to the Championships are safely retained for a period of at least 3 months after the Championships. [MNAs shall provide addresses/fax numbers of their Offices/Press Officers and the ESF Office shall provide a list of Press Agencies].
19. Provide the ESF Office with a detailed report from the Championships Director and Championships Referee as soon as possible and, in any event, within 60 days of completion of the Championships.
20. Provide the ESF Office with a detailed financial statement of its expenditure (see Appendix C) within 60 days of completion of the Championships.
E. DUTIES OF COMPETING MNAs
Competing MNAs shall:
1. Take one of the Packages offered and pay the Host Association the Package Fees by the deadline specified (which may not be more than 60 days or less than 30 days before the Start Date).
2. Be responsible for transporting their players and any officials to the specified arrival point and from the specified departure point, as designated by the Host Association in the Invitation.
3. Ensure that their players and officials pay for all expenses incurred; be responsible for their behaviour at all times throughout the Championships; and ensure they uphold the good name of squash.
4. Pay for transportation within the Host Country and all accommodation and food if they take the “basic package” offered by the Host Association.
5. Supply a photograph and a short biography of all likely squad members 30 days before the Start Date if requested.
6. Ensure that their players referee matches as requested by the Championships Referee.
F. TIMETABLE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. Ties shall be played over a period not exceeding 3 days, normally Thursday to Saturday. Ties shall be scheduled so that players can arrive on the Wednesday evening and leave on the Sunday morning (thus requiring only 4 nights’ accommodation).
2. The playing schedule shall be organised, where possible, to ensure that all teams have an equal rest period between Ties.
3. All Ties shall be played on a maximum of 2 courts per Tie.
4. Teams may be required to play two Ties per day. In which case, there shall be a minimum of three hours between the scheduled start times of each Tie.
5. Both semi-final Ties in each event shall take place on the same day.
G. SEEDING OF TEAMS
1. Not applicable.
2. The CAP will seed Official Teams based on their final placings in the last ENCC. Any new Official Teams will be placed below the seeded teams by the CAP, based on players’ PSA/WISPA Rankings and results in recent ENCC events.
3. The Technical Director shall make the draws and the ESF Office shall publish them in time for the competing MNAs to receive them no later than 21 days before the Start Date. MNAs have no right of appeal against seedings or draws.
H. OVERALL FORMAT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1. A maximum of 16 Men’s and 16 Women’s teams may compete in the Championships. If more than 16 teams enter, the basis of acceptance shall be decided by the ESF Technical Director with preference being given to the first string team nominated by each MNA then on a “first come, first served” basis. Teams shall comprise either 3 Men or 3 Women.
2. At the first stage, all teams will normally play in Pools on a “round-robin” (all play all) basis. In the second stage, teams will normally play on a knock-out basis. All teams that have been defeated will be required to play-off to produce a final order covering all competing teams. If teams are required to play on a round-robin basis at the second stage, then results between teams at the first stage are carried forward so that teams do not play each other again.
3. All teams will normally be scheduled to play a minimum of four Ties. Each Tie shall consist of one match for each member of the team, played between players nominated in order of strength. Each match shall be played the best of 5 games - except when the score is 2-0 at the Group stage in a knock-out (rather than round-robin) Tie, when the final match shall be played the best of 3 games. In this case, either team manager may change his player by substituting a reserve from his official squad before the match starts after first advising the match referee and the opposing team manager. [Note that in this case the result shall be reported showing the actual players’ names as opposed to those originally nominated].
4. Not applicable.
5. WHEN NO MORE THAN SEVEN TEAMS COMPETE:
Teams will play in a single Pool on a round robin basis to decide all places, with the top 2 seeds scheduled to play each other last.
6. WHEN EIGHT to TEN TEAMS COMPETE:
Teams will play in 2 Pools according to their seeding as follows:
Pool A teams seeded 1, 4, 5, 8, 9
Pool B teams seeded 2, 3, 6, 7,10
Teams play off for places 1 to 4 as follows:
Semi-finals Final
1st Pool A
|
2nd Pool B | |
|1st/2nd places
2nd Pool A |
| |
1st Pool B |
Losing semi finalists play off for places 3 and 4.
With 8 Teams, the remaining teams play off for places 5 to 8 as follows:
3rd Pool A
|
4th Pool B | |
|5th/6th places
4th Pool A |
| |
3rd Pool B |
Losers play off for places 7 and 8.
With 9 Teams, 3rd in Pool A plays 3rd in Pool B for places 5 and 6, remaining teams play round robin for places 7 to 9.
With 10 Teams, 3rd and 4th in Pools A and B play off for places 5 to 8 as with 8 Teams (above), remaining teams play off for places 9 and 10.
7. WHEN ELEVEN to SIXTEEN TEAMS COMPETE:
Teams will play in 4 Pools according to their seeding as follows:
Pool A teams seeded 1, 8, 9, 16
Pool B teams seeded 2, 7, 10, 15
Pool C teams seeded 3, 6, 11, 14
Pool D teams seeded 4, 5, 12, 13
After completion of all Ties in the Pools, Teams play off for places 1 to 8 as follows, with C and D being drawn randomly as X and Y below.
Quarter finals Semi finals Final
1st Pool A
a |
2nd Pool B | |
|
2nd Pool X | |
b | | |
1st Pool Y | |
|1st/2nd places
1st Pool X |
c | |
2nd Pool Y | | |
| |
2nd Pool A |
d | |
1st Pool B |
Losing semi finalists play off for places 3 and 4.
Losing quarter finalists play off for places 5 to 8 as follows:
Loser a
|
Loser b | |
|5th/6th places
Loser c |
| |
Loser d | Losers play off for places 7 and 8
With 11 Teams, remaining teams play round robin to decide places 9 to11.
With 12 Teams, remaining teams play round robin to decide places 9 to12.
With 13 Teams, remaining teams play off for places 9 to 13 as follows:
3rd Pool A
e |
3rd Pool D | |
|9th/10th places
3rd Pool C |
f | |
3rd Pool B |
Losers e, f and 4th in Pool D play round robin for places 11 to 13
With 14 to 16 Teams, remaining Teams play off for places 9 to 16 as follows:
3rd Pool A
e |
4th Pool B | |
|
4th Pool X | |
f | | |
3rd Pool Y | |
|9th/10th places
3rd Pool X |
g | |
4th Pool Y | | |
| |
4th Pool A |
h | |
3rd Pool B | Losers play off for places 11 and 12.
Remaining teams play off for places 13 to 16 as follows:
Loser e
|
Loser f | |
|13th/14th places
Loser g |
| |
Loser h |
Losers play off for places 15 and 16.
J. FINAL ORDER OF TEAMS
1. The following are scored by each team: Match Points for each Match won in the Tie Game Points for each Game won in each Match Single Points for each Point won in each Game.
2. The final positions in a Pool shall be decided on all the results of that Pool:
a. if 2 or more teams have won the same number of Ties, then by the greater number of Tie Points won;
c. if 2 or more teams are still equal, then by the greater positive difference of Match Points won and lost;
d. if 2 or more teams are still equal, then by the greater positive difference of Game Points won and lost;
e. if 2 or more teams are still equal, then by the greater positive difference of Single Points won and lost;
f. if 2 or more teams are still equal, then the result of the match(es) between the #1 players (in order of games then points) of the Tie(s) between them;
g. if 2 or more teams are still equal, then the result of the match(es) between the #2 players (in order of games then points) of the Tie(s) between them;
h. if 2 or more teams are still equal, then the result of the match(es) between the #3 players (in order of games then points) of the Tie(s) between them.
3. At any knockout stage, the result of a Tie between two teams shall be decided by the greatest number of Matches won.
4. A team that is disqualified for any reason during the Championships will be placed last. If disqualification takes place during the first stage, then the results of all Ties in which the team has played up to the point of its disqualification will be deleted. If the disqualification takes place during the second stage, then the results of all Ties in which the team has played up to the point of its disqualification will stand.
K. TEAM MANAGEMENT
1. Upon arrival at the Championships, the Team Manager shall act for all members of his squad in receiving and giving instructions; and shall be the official and sole representative of his team in all matters, except when an individual match has started, when the Rules of the Game shall apply.
2. The Team Manager must report to the Championships Director by the scheduled start time of the Managers’ Meeting at the latest.
L. TEAM AND SQUAD ORDER
1. MNAs must lodge with the ESF Office in writing (by post, email or fax) at least 30 days before the Start Date the names of the players in their Squads in descending order of strength, using the pro forma provided with the Entry Form. Orders must be based on the latest published PSA Top 100 and WISPA Top 50 rankings with other players inserted based on latest published National Rankings or on placings in the last National Championships. Not more than 4 men and/or 4 women may be nominated; and only those players who have been officially nominated may play in any match.
2. MNAs may lodge with the ESF Office in writing (by post, email or fax) with copy to the Championships Director up to 9 days before the Start Date (the Final Submission Date), changes to their squad members and/or changes to their squad orders justified by changes in current rankings.
3. The Championships Director will publish all squad orders 7 days before the Start Date on the official event website.
4. Objections to player eligibility or playing order must be lodged with the Championships Director 5 days before the Start Date; must be in writing by email with a copy to the ESF Technical Director; and must be justified with evidence. Any objection to playing order must be based on latest PSA Top 100/WISPA Top 50 rankings, current National Rankings or results of latest National Championships.
5. The CAP will scrutinise nominations and will consider any objection lodged with the Championships Director. The CAP reserves the right to amend any squad order without formal objection. Team Managers must be available between 18:00 and 22:00 hours on the day before the Start Date to give evidence to the CAP if required. The Team Manager will be advised immediately if his squad is subject to objection or amendment; or if he is required to justify player eligibility or playing order to the CAP. The CAP will hear his justification with the objecting manager(s) invited to be present. The decision of the CAP will be final and will be announced by the start of the Managers’ Meeting. Written details of the decision will be provided to Team Managers involved in the objection. All Team Managers will be advised if any squad is changed. All squad orders approved by the CAP will be displayed in the Tournament Office. There is no right of appeal.
6. The squad playing order must be adhered to throughout the Championships. Any player can be omitted from a Tie provided the others play in the order of merit approved by the CAP. Unless the Championships Director is notified otherwise in writing at least one hour before the scheduled start of a Tie or within 10 minutes of completion of the previous Tie (whichever is the later), Managers shall be deemed to have selected their top players. The CAP reserves the right to allow changes to player nominations after the deadline for each Tie in exceptional circumstances.
7. A Team Manager may request permission from the CAP to replace a member of his squad at any time from the Final Submission Date through the Championships. Such permission will be given only if the reason is considered by the CAP to be legitimate (e.g. illness, injury or force majeure) and provided that the replacement player is accepted by the CAP as being of lower strength than all members of the squad previously nominated. The Championships Director will advise all Team Managers in writing if a player is being replaced. Any appeal against the decision to replace or not replace a player during the Championships must be made within two hours to the CAP. All player privileges and facilities will be passed on to any replacement player, on arrival at the Championships, by the player being replaced; and the replaced player may not rejoin his squad during the Championships. A Team Manager may, at any time during the Championships, appeal to the CAP if he has evidence that a player, in an opposing squad, is likely to compete, or has competed when unfit. If this appeal is upheld, then the player in question may not be nominated to compete in any Tie until approved by the CAP; and appropriate action may be taken against the squad concerned.
8. Summary Timetable for Team Managers 30 Days before the Start Date Squad orders must be lodged with the ESF Office 21 Days before the Start Date ESF Office will publish the draws 9 Days before the Start Date (Final Submission Date) Changes to squad members and/or orders may be lodged with the Championships Director 7 Days before the Start Date Championships Director will publish all squad orders 5 Days before the Start Date Objections to squad orders and player eligibility must be lodged with the Championships Director By the start of Managers’ meeting Championships Director will announce all final decisions of the CAP. There is no right of appeal During the Managers’ Meeting Championships Director will draw by lot and publish the daily playing orders (see M1)
M. PLAYING ORDER OF TIES
1. The playing order of matches will be drawn for each day of the Championships by the Championships Director at the initial Managers Meeting. Details of the playing order shall be posted in the Tournament Office. All Ties played each day will use the same playing order. The #1 Player must play 1st or 2nd – giving 4 possible playing permutations (1-2-3, 1-3-2, 2-1-3, 3-1-2).
2. Players will be required to complete all matches in a Tie even if the result of the Tie has already been decided.
3. The Team Manager and all members of his team for that specific Tie must be at the designated court(s) ready for the scheduled start of the Tie. If the whole team fails to arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time or within 10 minutes of the first court becoming available for that Tie (if later), the Tie shall be conceded with the Team earning no Match, Game or Single Points. If a member of the team fails to arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time or within 10 minutes of the first court becoming available for that Tie (if later), the player must be replaced by the nominated member of the team ranked immediately below this player. In which case the “bottom” match in the Tie shall be conceded. Any player not on the designated court and ready to play within 10 minutes of the completion of the preceding match in the Tie, will be scratched. If after another 10 minutes the next scheduled player is not on court ready to play, then that player also will be scratched. The Team Manager has the right of appeal to the CAP in the event of force majeure.
N. TROPHIES AND PRIZES
1. The European Nations Challenge Cups, which cannot be won outright, shall be available by the Start Date and shall be presented with any prizes that the Host Association may wish to present at the conclusion of the Championships. MNAs that “hold” the Cups shall be responsible for engraving them and returning them clean and undamaged to the Host Association by the Start Date of the next Championships.
2. ESF Medals will be provided free of charge by the ESF and shall be awarded to all members of official squads that finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Championships.
O. RIGHTS OF THE ESF
1. The ESF Officers have the right to select the squash balls to be used in the Championships. The ESF Office will provide the Host Association with a sufficient number of squash balls for the Championships. The ESF shall retain any sponsorship received from the squash ball supplier. The Host Association will provide space free of charge for such sponsor's advertising (e.g. tin stickers on all courts) as notified by the ESF Technical Director.
2. The ESF Officers have the right, subject to approval by the AGM, to negotiate and execute the main sponsorship contract for the Championships. The Host Association shall abide by all the details of any such sponsorship agreement, provided such sponsorship has been approved before the Host has been confirmed.
3. The ESF has the right to retain all Entry, Late Entry and Host Withdrawal Fees; and shall pass all Team Withdrawal Fees to the Host Association.
4. The ESF shall retain the rights to all international TV coverage of its events. The Host Association shall retain the rights and income from transmission within its own country but must ensure that any future contracts with local TV companies protect the ESF’s international rights and provide the ESF with master copies of all footage should programmes be marketed worldwide - in which case the ESF shall have the right to at least 50% of any net profit.
5. The ESF shall retain the exclusive right to broadcast, re-broadcast or transmit recordings of the event, except on domestic TV, by any means and in any media (including video, internet, webcasting and wireless transmission).
P. DUTIES OF THE ESF
The ESF shall:
a. Appoint a Technical Director who will appoint other members of the CAP
b. Provide ESF and ESF sponsors’ logos
c. Supply address lists of MNAs, Press Agencies and photographers
d. Help the Host Association prepare the Invitation and Entry Forms
e. Circulate the Invitation and Entry Forms to all eligible MNAs
f. Not applicable
g. Not applicable
h. Collect entry fees and control entries
i. Collect late entry and withdrawal fees, and pass team withdrawal fees to the Host
j. Supply the Host Association with details of entries
k. Do the seeding and make the draws (through the CAP)
l. Assist with the scheduling of matches and allocation of referees
m. Not applicable
n. Provide squash balls
o. Provide medals for the top three Men’s and Women’s Squads p. Ensure that perpetual trophies (which cannot be won outright) are available for presentation to both winning teams.
Q. CLOTHING AND ADVERTISING
1. The WSF clothing and advertising regulations of the WSF will be adhered to. In all matters of judgment or opinion arising from the interpretation of this clothing rule, the decision of the Championship Referee shall be final, except that he may not rule illegal or unacceptable an item or a design which has been approved by the WSF.
2. The sponsor(s) of the Championships shall have no automatic right of exposure on players’ clothing unless such exposure is stipulated on the Entry Form and with the approval of the ESF Officers. MNAs are advised to ensure that their contracts with individual players specify that selection will require the use of national team kit in team events and that players’ personal sponsors have no right of exposure on such kit. Where the manufacturer of clothing is also the sponsor of the player or team wearing the clothing, he shall additionally be allowed to utilise some or all of the advertising space granted to sponsors.
R. LANGUAGE 1. The official language of the Championships shall be English and this language must be used in all literature relating to the Championships. There shall be at least one results board displaying team names in the draws in English.
S. CODE OF CONDUCT
1. The Code of Conduct is defined in Appendix E to the Rules governing all European Championships.
