Substitutes or Replacements

Original Team

An Original Team shall consist of the players whose names are entered on the Score Card for the first game in a tournament. If an Original Team Member is unable to play at any time, including the first end of the first game, for a reason accepted as valid by the Controlling Body, then a Substitute shall be permitted and their name shall be recorded as a Substitute for the absent Team Member.

Changes to Original Team Members

If an Original Team Member is unable to continue playing in a tournament for a reason accepted as valid by the Controlling Body, and unable to return before the completion of the tournament, their place may be taken by a replacement player who may play in any position and shall have the same rights as an Original Team Member. The appointment shall be subject to approval by the Controlling Body, and the replacement player shall be:

(a) Equal to, or less than, the playing ability of the Original Team Member who is unable to continue;

(b) Whenever possible, a player who has not already participated in the tournament;

(c) A player who satisfies the eligibility requirements for Team Members as stated in the Conditions of Play;

(d) Only one replacement player per Team shall be permitted per tournament;

(e) Players shall not be transferred from one Team to another.

Substitute

A Substitute means a player temporarily filling a position for an absent Team Member. A Substitute may play in any position other than Skip with the exception in a Graded Event i.e. Club Championships, a Substitute graded Skip shall play as Skip.

Substitute Approval

(a) The use of a Substitute is subject to the prior approval of the Controlling Body for the tournament;

(b) A substitute would normally be considered for a valid reason including (but not limited to): bereavement of a close family member, Jury Duty, Bowls NZ duty, or illness.Other exceptional circumstances may also be considered. However, a Substitute shall not be permitted if a Team Member enters another tournament scheduled to play at the same time and/or entered knowing that they will be away for one or more of the programmed days.

(c) Only a Fours Team may contain a Substitute and a replacement player simultaneously;

(d) A Triples or Pairs Team shall be permitted one Substitute or one replacement player, but not both simultaneously;

(e) If the player for whom a Substitute was approved later becomes available, the player shall, with the consent of the Controlling Body, re-join the Team at the completion of any end;

(f) No Substitute or change of personnel shall be permitted in any Singles game, except that in any Singles Match a Substitute or replacement player may be permitted to play in any Singles game;

(g) A substitute Team Member must be approved when a player has qualified or been selected for a Centre or Bowls NZ tournament.

Qualifications of Appointees

A Substitute approved by the Controlling Body shall be:

(a) Of playing ability equal to, or less than, the Team Member who is absent;

(b) A player who has not already participated in the tournament;

(c) A player who satisfies the eligibility requirements for Team Members stated in the Conditions of Play;

(d) Where it is not possible to satisfy the above requirements, the Controlling Body may appoint any suitable player to act as Substitute;

(e) Players shall not be transferred from one Team to another.