RULES & REGULATIONS

The Sussex Pickleball League will be administered by the League organisers.

The League organisers are responsible for:

• administration of the competition;
• divisional placement;
• player registrations and eligibility;
• fixtures;
• results and standings;
• interpretation of these Rules;
• disciplinary matters; and
• resolving disputes relating to the competition.

Where a situation arises that is not specifically covered by these Rules, the League organisers may make a decision in the interests of fairness and the integrity of the competition.

Winter League

October 2026 – March 2027

All Winter League fixtures must be played indoors.

Summer League

May 2027 – September 2027

All Summer League fixtures must be played outdoors.

Clubs may participate in one or both competitions.

Division 1

Division 1 will operate using a Central Venue format.

For the 2026/27 Winter League, Division 1 consists of six teams. Teams will play each other twice during the League season.

Divisions 2 & 3

Divisions 2 and 3 will operate as regional East and West divisions. The League Organisers will determine which teams play in East and West.

Teams will play the other teams in their regional division home and away.

Qualifying teams will progress to the Division 2 and Division 3 Finals Event.

Clubs do not choose the division in which their teams will compete.

Each club must enter its teams in genuine order of playing strength:

• Team 1 – the club's strongest team
• Team 2 – the club's next strongest team
• Team 3 – the club's next strongest team
• and so on.

Clubs must provide the League with the players nominated for each team together with their DUPR ratings where requested.

For the initial 2026/27 placement of teams, the League will consider the declared playing strength of each team.

The League will place teams into the division considered most appropriate, taking into account the relative strength of entries across Sussex.

DUPR is a tool to assist placement and does not remove the League's ability to consider other relevant information where a rating does not accurately reflect a player's playing standard.

All players must be registered with the Sussex Pickleball League before representing their club.

• A player must be a bona-fide member of the club they represent.
• New players may be registered during the season but must be registered at least 24 hours before their first League appearance.
• A player should not represent more than one club in the same League competition.

The League reserves the right to review a player registration where there is reasonable concern that the player's nominated team does not appropriately reflect their playing standard.

Playing Down

Players may never play down.

A player registered to a higher-ranked team is not eligible to represent any lower-ranked team from the same club.

For example, a Team 1 player cannot play for Team 2 or Team 3, and a Team 2 player cannot play for Team 3.

Playing Up

A player may make one appearance for a particular higher-ranked team and subsequently return to their registered lower team.

Once the player makes their second appearance for that same higher-ranked team, they become permanently registered to that team for the remainder of the season.

They may not subsequently return to their previous lower-ranked team.

Clubs With Three or More Teams

The two-appearance rule applies separately to each higher team.

For example, a Team 3 player may play once for Team 2 and once for Team 1 and may still return to Team 3, because they have not made two appearances for the same higher-ranked team.

Any player movement must always be upwards. Players may never move down the club's team structure.

Every Sussex Pickleball League fixture is a club-versus-club team fixture.

The results of all six matches contribute towards the overall team fixture result.

Round 1 – Gender Doubles

The players selected for the Men's and Women's Doubles do not have to be the same players selected for the Mixed Doubles.

Mixed Doubles

For the Mixed element, each team selects two men and two women.

Those players form every possible male/female partnership:

All four combinations must play one Mixed Doubles match.

Each selected Mixed player therefore plays two Mixed matches.

There is no requirement for the players competing in the Men's and Women's Doubles to also compete in the Mixed Doubles.

A point is scored on every rally, regardless of which team served.

There is no scoring freeze.

The first team to reach 21 points, with at least a one-point advantage, wins the match.

Matches will otherwise be played in accordance with the applicable Laws of Pickleball.

The results of the six individual matches determine the overall fixture result.

• 4–2, 5–1 or 6–0 = WIN
• 3–3 = DRAW
• 2–4, 1–5 or 0–6 = LOSS

Every completed fixture therefore awards League Points to both teams.

League positions are determined by the total number of League Points accumulated during the season.

If two or more teams finish the League season with the same number of League Points, the final standings will be determined by total games won, then game win/loss difference, then total match points difference. .

For divisions operating on a home-and-away basis, the home team is responsible for arranging the fixture.

The home club must:

• contact the opposition in good time;
• offer at least two suitable fixture dates;
• arrange an appropriate venue;
• provide the required courts;
• provide suitable pickleballs; and
• confirm the final arrangements with the opposition.

Both clubs are expected to make reasonable efforts to agree a suitable date and to act in good faith.

The home club is responsible for providing and paying for suitable courts for home fixtures.

Courts must be safe and suitable for competitive pickleball.

The home team must provide suitable, court-appropriate pickleballs.

• Winter League: indoor courts
• Summer League: outdoor courts

The home team should confirm fixture details with the visiting club at least three days before the fixture.

Confirmation should include:

• venue;
• start time;
• number of courts;
• relevant access information; and
• home-team contact details.

The emphasis of the League is always on getting fixtures played wherever reasonably possible.

Where possible, postponement should be requested at least seven clear days before the agreed fixture date.

A shortage of preferred players will not automatically constitute grounds for postponement.

Where a fixture is cancelled or postponed at short notice, the cancelling club must notify the opposition and the League and provide the reason.

Reasonable costs already incurred as a result of a late cancellation may be payable by the cancelling club unless otherwise agreed between the clubs.

The League may award a walkover or determine an alternative outcome where a fixture cannot reasonably be rearranged.

Every reasonable effort should be made to play League fixtures.

A walkover may be awarded where:

• a team fails to attend;
• a team cancels without reasonable grounds;
• a team repeatedly fails to provide reasonable availability;
• a team is unable to field an eligible side and the fixture cannot reasonably be rearranged; or
• the League determines that one club is principally responsible for a fixture remaining unplayed.

Players should arrive in sufficient time to be ready to play at the agreed fixture start time.

Where a team or players are delayed, both captains should make reasonable efforts to complete the fixture.

Where a team fails to attend within a reasonable period and no alternative arrangement has been agreed, the matter may be referred to the League, including the possibility of a walkover.

The home team is responsible for ensuring that the fixture result is submitted to the League as soon as reasonably possible following completion.

Results must accurately record all six matches.

Submitting false or deliberately inaccurate results may be treated as a disciplinary matter.

Where League results are submitted to DUPR, the League will administer submission in accordance with its agreed process.

Players participating in League fixtures should therefore expect eligible match results to be recorded against their DUPR profile where applicable.

Anyone registered to play for the relevant club team prior to 1 February 2027 is eligible to participate in the Division 2 and Division 3 Finals Event.

There is no minimum number of regular-season appearances required.

Players registered on or after 1 February 2027 are not eligible to participate in the Division 2 or Division 3 Finals.

Normal player-movement rules continue to apply. A player who has become permanently registered to a higher-ranked team cannot move back down for the Finals.

Parental / Guardian Consent

Before registering a player under 18, the club must have obtained appropriate parental or guardian consent for that player to participate in Sussex Pickleball League fixtures.

The club is responsible for obtaining and retaining that consent.

Club Insurance

Any club registering a player under 18 must ensure that its insurance provides appropriate cover for under-18 players participating in League competition.

The club must be able to provide evidence of appropriate insurance cover if requested by the League.

Protective Eyewear

An under-18 player who is not wearing protective eyewear will not be permitted to take part until appropriate protective eyewear is worn.

Safeguarding & Supervision

The club registering an under-18 player remains responsible for that player's safeguarding while participating in League activity.

Clubs must have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place and comply with safeguarding requirements applicable to their club, governing body, venue and insurance arrangements.

Where an under-18 player requires supervision, the club is responsible for ensuring appropriate supervision is provided.

DBS Requirements

Where a club's arrangements involve an adult undertaking a role that is eligible for a DBS check because of their responsibilities involving children, the club is responsible for ensuring the appropriate DBS and safeguarding requirements are met.

Participation in a League fixture alongside a 16 or 17-year-old does not, by itself, mean that every adult player, opponent or captain is required to hold a DBS check.

Club Responsibility

By registering a player aged 16 or 17, the club confirms that:

• appropriate parental or guardian consent has been obtained;
• appropriate insurance cover is in place;
• the club's safeguarding requirements have been met;
• appropriate supervision will be provided where required; and
• the player will wear protective eyewear while playing.

Everyone representing a club is expected to behave in a manner that reflects positively on their club, teammates, opponents and the League.

Players, captains, coaches, officials and supporters must:

• treat opponents, partners, officials and spectators with respect;
• compete fairly and honestly;
• demonstrate good sportsmanship;
• respect calls and decisions;
• avoid abusive, threatening, intimidating or discriminatory behaviour;
• avoid deliberately distracting or intimidating opponents;
• refrain from aggressive confrontation;
• respect venues, equipment and facilities;
• comply with reasonable instructions from League or venue officials; and
• conduct themselves appropriately before, during and after fixtures.

Clubs are responsible for the behaviour of players and representatives participating on their behalf.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct will normally be dealt with using an escalating disciplinary process.

The seriousness of an incident may justify the League moving directly to a higher disciplinary stage.

Concerns regarding player or representative behaviour should be reported to the Sussex Pickleball League.

Reports should, wherever possible, include:

• the fixture concerned;
• the date of the incident;
• the individuals involved;
• a clear description of what occurred; and
• the names of any relevant witnesses.

Reports should be made as soon as reasonably possible after the incident so that the matter can be reviewed while the circumstances remain clear.

The League may request further information from the clubs, players, captains or witnesses involved before reaching a decision.

Any individual who is the subject of a conduct complaint will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegation before a disciplinary decision is made.

The League will maintain a record of disciplinary action taken during the competition.

The League website may publish information necessary to administer the disciplinary process and make clubs aware of current player warnings, suspensions or restrictions.

Publication will be limited to information reasonably necessary for League administration.

A club or player subject to a disciplinary or competition decision may request that the decision is reviewed.

An appeal should explain the grounds on which the decision is disputed and provide any relevant supporting information.

The League will consider the appeal and communicate its final decision.

By registering for the League, players acknowledge that information necessary to administer the competition may be published on the League website.

This may include:

• player name;
• nominated club/team;
• DUPR rating where applicable;
• match results;
• League standings; and
• information required to administer player eligibility or disciplinary suspensions.

Personal data will be processed in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation.

Every participating club must hold sufficient and valid sports club insurance for the duration of the League season.

Clubs are responsible for ensuring that their players and League activities are appropriately covered.

Clubs registering players aged 16 or 17 must ensure their insurance provides appropriate cover for under-18 participation in League competition and must be able to provide evidence of that cover if requested by the League.

These Rules exist to protect the fairness, competitiveness and enjoyment of the Sussex Pickleball League.

Attempts to exploit a technicality in a way that creates an unfair competitive advantage may be referred to the League organisers for determination.

The League organisers reserve the right to make decisions where circumstances arise that are not specifically covered by these Rules, with the overriding objective of protecting the integrity of the competition.