Academy proposals made for EGM on October 10

The Southern Electric Premier League has called an Extraordinary General meeting at the BAT Sports & Social Club on Wednesday October 10 to enable clubs to vote on the proposal to allow Hampshire County Cricket Club to enter a side in the competition next season.

Chairman Alan Bundy has told clubs that "the Management Committee fully supports the proposal as it feels that this will complete the `Pyramid' and, in the long term, immeasurably strengthen the Premier League."

The reason for calling the EGM ahead of the mid-November AGM is to finalise the make up of the League before the AGM, so that work on the 2002 fixtures can start as soon as possible.

Hampshire 2nd XI coach Tony Middleton will attend the EGM as he is anxious to ensure that all clubs fully understand the County's HCCC's intentions and desires for the future of the Academy, the Premier League and cricket in general.

The SEPL is proposing that the following Regulations will apply to the prospective Hampshire CCC Premier League team :-

i) no more than four full or summer contract players, all aged under 24 on the first day of the season, may play in any one game.

ii) the Captain may be from the HCCC staff and may be aged over 24.

iii) before the commencement of the season HCCC will name a squad comprising a maximum of 11 Academy or prospective Academy players, plus the full or summer contract players aged under 24 (see i). Any other players that may be required during the season would not come from SEPL clubs, unless mutually agreed between HCCC and the club concerned.

iv) any prospective Academy player would not play against his own club without the agreement of the club.

v) any Academy or prospective player not chosen in the team 12 for any match will be available to play for his own club and will therefore have dual registration.

vi) all full or summer contract players may register with another SEPL club in accordance with the Rules of the SEPL and play for that club when not required by HCCC.

vii) HCCC shall accept the Constitution and Rules of the SEPL, including payment - which will mean that no contract or Academy player shall be paid to play in a SEPL match.