CONDITIONS OF PLAY
Australian Open
Updated: May 13, 2015
Distributed by: Bowls Australia
Controlling body:
Bowls Australia Ltd.
Event:
2015 Australian Open
Dates:
Saturday, June 13 – Thursday, June 25, 2015
Venue:
Appointed clubs across the Gold Coast
1. ENTRY CONDITIONS
1.1.
Affiliation
Open to all bowlers registered with a State or Territory Association (STA) that is affiliated to
Bowls Australia or affiliated to an international body that is a member of World Bowls.
1.2.
Eligibility
As a condition of entry to compete in this event, all competitors must:
1.2.1. not be currently under disqualification or suspension by their STA or their national
authority.
1.2.2. satisfy the eligibility criteria of the member STA.
1.2.3. comply with all applicable Laws of the Sport, Domestic Regulations and policies
of Bowls Australia.
1.2.4. Bowlers with a Disability entrants only - must be deemed eligible to play by the
appropriate disability association:
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Vision Impaired Singles & Pairs: Australian Blind Bowlers Association
(ABBA)
Intellectual Disability Singles: AUSRapid
Physical Disability Singles: Disability Sports Australia
Hearing Impaired Singles: Deaf Lawn Bowls Australia
Vision Impaired Pairs: Australian Blind Bowlers Association (ABBA)
Multi Disability Pairs: At least one of the above
1.2.5. For Under 18 entrants, playing in the Under 18’s, must be under 18 as of June
26, 2015.
1.2.6. Players within teams do not have to be affiliated with the same club.
1.2.7. Players may enter multiple disciplines within the Australia Open. The controlling
body with endeavour to avoid clashes, but in some instances it will be
unavoidable and players will have to choose which discipline they wish to forfeit.
2. EVENT STRUCTURE
2.1.
Disciplines
Singles:
 Open men and women,
Under 18 boys and girls
and Bowlers with a
Disability men and
women.
Pairs:
 Open men and women,
Bowlers with a Disability
vision impaired and
multi disability (hearing
impaired, intellectual
disability and wheelies).
Fours:
 Open men and women.
Under 18s and Bowlers with a Disability may enter the Open disciplines (singles, pairs and
fours), however their entry is subject to section 1.2.7.
2.2.
Competition format
The format of competition will be conducted by sectional play followed by knockout finals.
2.2.1. Sectional play: Entry numbers will determine the number of players/teams in
each section. Game points will be awarded as outlined in section 6. Each entrant
will be allocated to sections at random.
Where there are less sections than the number of positions in the knockout draw,
the vacant positions in the first round will be filled by the next best ranked
players/teams from all sections within a discipline as described in section 7.2.
2.2.2. Knockout: All qualifiers from sectional play will be placed randomly into a
knockout draw to progress through to the finals.
2.3.
Match format
All events will be played in a modified traditional format, mirroring that played at
Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
Singles: Four bowls per player. 21 shots up (in excess of 21 will not count).
Pairs: Three bowls per player. 15 ends.
Fours: Two bowls per player. 15 ends.
All disciplines have a time limit of two and a quarter hours (not including trial ends). This time
limit will apply to all sectional matches and the initial knockout rounds. Quarter finals, semifinals and finals will not incur a time limit.
Any player/team arriving after the official start time, shall lose the right to play trial ends. Any
player/team arriving at the green more than 15 minutes after the official starting time shall
forfeit the game and the points for that game (during sectional play), and/or not progress
through to the next round (in knockout play) .
2.4.
Respotting of the jack
2.4.1. If a jack in motion passes completely outside the boundaries of the rink of play,
comes to rest in any hollow in the face of the bank, or rebounds to a distance of
less than 18 metres from the mat line, the end should not be declared dead.
Instead, the jack should be placed with the nearest point of the jack to the mat
line at a spot on the rink which is two metres from the front ditch and on the
centre line, and play should continue.
2.4.2. If the spot mentioned in paragraph 2.4.1. is partly or completely covered by a
bowl, the jack should be placed as close as possible to the covered spot, in line
with that spot and the corresponding spot at the opposite end of the rink, without
touching a bowl.
2.4.3. The spot(s) mentioned in 2.4.1. should be marked using spray chalk or some
other suitable method.
2.5.
Procedure for applying time limit
2.5.1. Trial ends
An announcement will be made over the venue’s PA system (or equivalent) for
the commencement of trial ends 15 minutes before the scheduled match start
time.
2.5.2. Start of play
Play will commence with an announcement signalling the start time over the
venue’s PA system. Those who finish trial ends early must wait for this
announcement before commencing their match.
2.5.3. End of play
At the completion of the allocated time, the end time of play will be announced
over the venue’s PA system. At this time players will complete the current end
they are playing. (The start of an end is determined by the delivery of the jack by
the first player in that end).
2.5.4. Should a venue be unable to use their PA system for any reason, all matches in
play should be made aware of the announcements in sections 2.5.1, 2.5.2 and
2.5.3 by any necessary method as soon as practically possible.
2.5.5. Incomplete matches
Should a match not be completed as per the Laws of the Sport (Law 27) or the
Format of Play, then the score stands as at the completion of the end in play, with
the below clauses.
2.5.4.1
Sectional matches: A tie remains should scores be level at the
completion of play, with game points awarded accordingly.
2.5.4.2
Knockout matches: In the event that the scores are tied, an additional
end will be played to determine a winner (as per law 28).
2.6.
Alterations to the format and length of games (law 55.3.4)
2.6.1. The Controlling Body reserves the right to alter the format, times of play and
greens to suit local unforeseen circumstances, giving as much notice as practical.
2.6.2. Where a program is interrupted or cannot be completed due to inclement weather
or local conditions, the Jury of Appeal may amend the format and length of
games to achieve a result or postpone the event where an outcome cannot be
achieved.
2.6.3. Artificial light - The game shall proceed under artificial lights, if necessary, to
achieve a result. The controlling body will nominate the amount of ends required
by each rink depending on the conditions.
2.7.
Trial Ends
One trial end in each direction will be allowed for all games in accordance with Law 5.1. In
trial ends players can use any combination of bowls taken from different sets so long as all
bowls carry a registered World Bowls stamp of either the current year or a future year.
3. REPLACEMENT / SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS
3.1.
The singles, pairs and fours events shall be played throughout by the competitors
whose names appear on the scorecard of the first game unless meeting the
criteria under sections 3.2 and 3.3. Players may change formations prior to the
start of the subsequent game. Scorecards should be amended to reflect any
change in playing position.
3.2.
A team may call upon an affiliated player to replace a pairs or fours team member
before the commencement of the event. Bowls Australia must be notified in
writing of any replacement players prior to the commencement of the first match.
3.3.
Following the commencement of the first match in a discipline, Replacement or
Substitute players will only be permitted due to illness, injury or other extreme
personal issues to Constituted players. Any Replacement or Substitute player
must be approved by the Tournament Director or their nominee before playing in
a match, and must not have already played in the discipline as a Constituted
player. Any Replacement or Substitute player must meet all conditions as listed
under Domestic Regulation 2.3 and 2.4.
4. RESTRICTING MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS DURING PLAY
Prior to the start of each end, the following players will take their position at the mat-end of
the green:
 Pairs game: the leads
 Fours game: the leads, seconds and the thirds.
On changeovers, the skips (in pairs and fours) will move to the mat end together.
After delivering their first bowl, players will only be allowed to walk up to the head under the
following circumstances.
4.1.
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Singles game
the opponents: after delivery of their third and fourth bowls.
4.2.
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Pairs game (each player playing three bowls)
the leads: after delivery of their third bowl; and
the skips: after delivery of their second and third bowls.
4.3.
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Fours’ game (each player playing two bowls)
the leads: after the third player in their team has delivered their second bowl;
the seconds: after the third player in their team has delivered their second bowl;
the thirds: after delivery of their second bowl; and
the skips: after delivery of each of their bowls
In exceptional and limited circumstances, a skip can ask that a player walks up to the head,
or a player to the marker in singles, earlier than described above. If a player does not meet
these terms, law 13 will apply.
5. DELAYING PLAY
If the umpire, either by their own observation or on appeal from one of the skips or the
opponent in singles, decides that a player is deliberately delaying the delivery of the player’s
bowl:
5.1.
On the first occasion the umpire will warn the player.
5.2.
If the player commits the same offence a second time the end will be regarded as
complete and the opponents of the offender will score as many shots as there are
bowls in use by such opponent.
5.3.
If the player offends a third time the game will be forfeited to the opponent.
6. SCORING
6.1.
Sectional play
Game points will only be awarded during sectional play, with points allocated as follows:
6.1.1. Three points for a win;
6.1.2. One point for a tie or no result;
6.1.3. Three points, and will accrue four (4) shots-for for a win by forfeit or bye;
6.1.4. No points, and will accrue four (4) shots-against for a loss by forfeit.
6.1.5. A player or team will have until 8:30am on the morning following the conclusion of
a match to report any scores they believe have been processed incorrectly. Any
such reports should be submitted to the Tournament Director, who will then
consult the scorecard for the match for the correct scores and make any
necessary amendments.
6.1.6. The Jury of Appeal may, at its discretion, apply a further penalty on any
player/team that forfeits a match for any unsubstantiated reason; penalties may
include but are not limited to loss of competition points, exclusion from other
disciplines and exclusion from future Bowls Australia events.
6.1.7. Any player/team that forfeits a match and subsequently progresses through to a
knockout section will be reviewed by the Jury of Appeal and may face the
penalties described in section 6.1.6.
6.2.
Knockout
Games points are not allocated to knockout matches as the winner automatically progresses
to the next round in accordance with law 28.1.
7. DETERMINATION OF WINNERS
7.1.
Sectional Winner
The winner of the section will be the player/team with the most game points.
7.1.1. If game points are equal, they will be ranked by - highest net total shots (shots for
minus shots against);
7.1.2. If game points and net total shots are equal, then the total shots for will be
divided by the total shots against to calculate a percentage. The player/team with
the highest percentage will be ranked higher (law 27.4).
7.1.3. If game points, net total shots and percentage are all equal, the player/team who
won the match against the player/team who is otherwise ranked equally will be
ranked higher.
The winner of each section will progress through to the knockout finals.
7.2.
Next Best Placed Teams
In disciplines where the number of section winners is less than the next highest knockout
number, the remainder of the first round knockout spots will be filled by the best performed
teams that have not won their section.
The next best placed teams will be ranked as follows:
7.2.1. The number of game points accumulated;
7.2.2. If game points are equal, they will be ranked by: highest net total shots (shots for
minus shots against)
7.2.3. If game points and net total shots are equal, then the total shots for will be
divided by the total shots against to calculate a percentage. The player/team with
the highest percentage will be ranked higher (law 27.4).
7.2.4. If game points, net total shots and percentage are equal, the player/team who
has won the most ends across all sectional matches will be ranked higher.
7.3.
Knockout
The winner of each match will continue to progress through the knockout rounds. The winner
of the final match will be declared the winner of that discipline.
8. ATTIRE AND FOOTWEAR
As per the Laws of the Sport of Bowls, including Domestic Regulation 5.
Footwear must adhere to Appendix A.2. Attire must adhere to Appendix A.3, and any bowler
registered with a State or Territory Association that is affiliated with Bowls Australia must
also adhere to the BA Logo Policy. This policy is available on the Bowls Australia web site.
International bowlers must wear either the uniform of their national team or of a club affiliated
with their Member Nation, or adhere to the BA logo policy.
Failure to adhere to the conditions above will result in the offending player being given a
verbal warning by the convening match umpire which will be lodged and recorded with the
Tournament Director. The offending player will then be provided up until the forfeit time of
their subsequent game to comply with the BA Logo Policy. Failure to comply by this deadline
will result in the offending player being disqualified and the game forfeited to their opponent.
It is compulsory for players to wear the uniforms supplied by Bowls Australia for their finals
match. Players will be required to wear small microphones during the TV finals.
9. EQUIPMENT
9.1.
Stamp on bowls
All bowls used during the event must carry a registered World Bowls stamp of either the
current year or of a future year. Random checking of bowls may occur prior to the
commencement of games. Bowls Australia’s bowls testing policy is available on the Bowls
Australia web site.
9.2.
Marking touchers
Spray chalk will be used to mark touchers in all Singles games and is the preferred method
for marking touchers in all team games.
9.3.
Bowls discs
Players must use any bowls discs supplied by the controlling body. When discs are not
supplied, players may use their club stickers. Any bowls discs that are used on bowls must
not obscure the World Bowls stamp.
Discoloured or damaged discs must be replaced.
10. PROHIBITIONS
10.1. Anti-doping
Bowls Australia’s Anti-Doping Policy shall apply.
ASADA officials may carry out prohibited substance testing at the event. Any player
identified by ASADA officials must undergo testing as requested.
10.2. Smoking
Bowls Australia’s Smoke Free Policy will be enforced during all days of the event.
11. JURY OF APPEAL
A jury of appeal shall be appointed for the purpose of deciding upon any matters not
provided in the Conditions of Play, for dealing with any appeals from decisions made by
umpires and/or event staff or volunteers, and generally for the purpose of exercising overall
authority on behalf of Bowls Australia.
Any appeal against a decision made by an umpire relating to a Law, Domestic Regulation or
Condition of Play may be referred to the ITO appointed to that host club and/or the
Tournament Director in the first instance before being referred to the Jury of Appeal.
In the event of an appeal during the playing of the event, such appeals shall be made in
accordance with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls, and shall be directed to a Jury of Appeal
which shall consist of:
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BA President or nominee
BA CEO or nominee
Tournament Director or nominee
Event Manager or nominee
12. PRIZE MONEY
A total prize pool of $225,000 will be distributed across the Australian Open. Distribution of
the prize money will be as shown on the Bowls Australia web site.
13. OTHER LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES
13.1. Photography
Bowls Australia reserves the right to use any photographs taken during this event for further
promotional requirements.
13.2. Laws of the Sport of Bowls
All other Laws, Regulations & Policies other than stated above shall conform to the Laws of
the Sport of Bowls and Domestic Regulations for Australia, Crystal Mark 3rd edition, as
published in January 2015.
13.3. BA policies
All Bowls Australia policies will be enforced during this event. To access these, visit the BA
website and see the “About BA” tab.
14. CONTACT INFORMATION
The main event staff contacts are:
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Event Coordinator: Jakub Syslo
Tournament Director: Pam Hockings
Any queries about the event should be directed to event staff; they can be contacted by the
following means:
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Email:
o [email protected].
Phone:
o (03) 9480 7100
o 0409 485 150 (during the event only).