4NCL - The Four Nations League - www.4ncl.co.uk/pre2010

4NCL Press Release
6th June 2002

The 4NCL is pleased to announce the revised arrangements for the 2002-2003 season which have been caused by the unexpected closure of the usual hotel.

Weekend 1

9th/10th November 2002
West Bromwich Moat House
Divisions 3 and 4

23rd/24th November 2002
West Bromwich Moat House
Divisions 1 and 2

Weekend 2

18th/19th January 2003
Telford Moat House
All divisions

Weekend 3

8th/9th March 2003
Telford Moat House
All divisions

Weekend 4

12th/13th April 2003
Telford Moat House
All divisions

Weekend 5

3rd/4th/5th May 2003
West Bromwich Moat House
Divisions 1 and 2

24th/25th/26th May 2003
West Bromwich Moat House
Divisions 3 and 4

Priorities

In making these plans the 4NCL had the following priorities :-
to remain in the Midlands area
to retain as many of the previously announced dates as possible
to keep all divisions together wherever possible

These aims have been largely achieved and the Board is confident that the more modern venues will enable the 4NCL to take advantage of improved playing conditions. The first and second divisions retain three of the previously announced dates, namely those in November, January and May. It was not possible to keep the October date and no variation was possible around that time because of potential clashes with the Olympiad, the international tournaments in the Isle of Man and Guernsey and other events such as the British Rapidplay and Ampleforth Young Masters.

Hotels

Charges for B&B have been agreed in principle with the two hotels and are expected to be similar to those at The Grand during last season. Both hotels have large car parks. Contact details are :-

West Bromwich Moat House
telephone : 0121 609 9988
When booking ask for Jan, Angie or Katherine

Telford Moat House
telephone : 01952 42 9988
When booking ask for Helen or Lisa

Further details can be obtained at www.moathousehotels.com where you may select the hotel and view various rooms. Customer Service Managers are Linda Davis at West Bromwich and Nicola Sheard at Telford.

Division 4

The Telford Moat House will be able to accommodate not only the three existing divisions but also the projected new fourth division where players will, on three weekends, be able to play at the same venue and on the same dates as the higher divisions. This division will be for teams of six players. A feature of the 4NCL has always been its requirement for mixed teams. Whilst this policy will continue for the top three divisions, because captains are now having great difficulty in finding female players, there will be no gender stipulation for teams in Division 4.

Prize Fund

Whilst prizes for the 2002-03 season are dependent upon the number of entries, level of expenses etc., they are unlikely to be lower than those for 2001-02 which are :-

Division 1
1st Ł1,200 (up 20%)
2nd Ł600 (up 20%)

Division 2
1st Ł600 (up 20%)
2nd Ł300 (up 20%)

Division 3
1st Ł300 (up 20%)
2nd Ł150 (up 20%)

Division 4
to be announced once the size of the division is known

Entry Fees

Fees for Divisions 1, 2 and 3 are unchanged
Division 1 : Ł250
1st team in Divisions 2 or 3 : Ł200
1st team in Division 4 : Ł75
2nd or 3rd team in Divisions 2 or 3 : Ł250
2nd or 3rd team in Division 4 : Ł100

Entries for 2002-2003

The deadline for receipt of entry fees and team lists is 31st August 2002.

Entries should be sent to :- Mike Truran (Finance Director) at The Old Farmhouse, 7 Church Street, Ducklington, WITNEY, Oxfordshire, OX29 7UA.