Annex I
Basketball Criteria For Players 1999-2000
Note: The EBBA operates a quota system
of three work permit players per club.
FIRST TIME
PLAYERS
Players coming to the UK from the USA and Canada
Players coming to the UK from the USA and Canada
must have completed at least four years eligibility in the college
system (this can include up to two years at junior college), having
played in one of the three divisions of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA), or National Athletic Inter Schools
Association (NAIA).
Some players take five years to complete their
four years college education due to taking a year out. This is
known as red-shirting. A player should not be penalised for choosing
this option. However, a player will not meet the criteria if he/she
is red-shirted in his/her final year.
In addition, their playing record should confirm
that they have made a significant contribution, ie played in at
least 75 per cent of the games in their final season of eligibility,
(this to include conference games and tournament games).
Clubs applying for other players
Clubs applying for work permit players from
other countries will need to demonstrate, through appropriate
statistics (eg International Caps) that the player is at least
of an equivalent standard to that outlined above for USA or Canadian
nationals.
Where clubs are applying for work permits for
former American College Players, who have played in other countries
around the world since leaving college, these will be judged on
merit, although the general criteria listed above will be taken
into account.
Therefore, the player must have made a significant
contribution, ie played in at least 75 per cent of the games,
within 18 months prior to the date of the work permit application.
Applications will only be accepted where players
have played in a professional league or at a US college within
the 18 month period prior to the date of the work permit application.
INJURIES
Injuries will be taken into account if the club
can provide independent medical evidence, from the time of the
injury, stipulating the injury sustained and for what period of
games the player missed. However, the employer will also have
to show evidence that the individual was playing regularly prior
to and after the injury.
RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
Players Returning to the UK
Where a player is returning for a consecutive
season, the player must have played in at least 75 per cent of
the UK club's games in the previous season.
Contracts
A full copy of the contract signed by both parties
to cover the employment should be submitted. Each contract should
have clause 6 deleted as work permits will not be issued to players
on trial.
SPECIFIC POINTS
TO CONSIDER
Transfer of Players
If a player mid-season, transfers from Team
A to Team B, the new employer must make an application for a work
permit together with a covering letter. In addition, Team A must
return the existing work permit to OLS. In such cases OLS will
make every effort to process the new application as quickly as
possible. In all cases clubs cannot play the new player until
the replacement permit arrives.
Replacement of Players
Where a club has need to replace a player, eg
due to injury, the club should apply for a work permit for the
new player. If the injured player is still able to play they may
do so whilst the replacement permit is being considered. In making
the application the club will have to confirm that when the new
application is granted it will release the original player and
return that permit to OLS. In addition, medical evidence must
be presented confirming the injury.
WOMEN PLAYERS
As for male players but the following should
be noted.
Applications will be considered for women basketball
players who, in America, are currently playing in a fully professional
(eg WNBA) or semi-professional league (eg an urban/city league).
An employer is expected to demonstrate that an overseas national
is receiving at least expenses for playing in such a league, ie
they are not an amateur player by the Home Office definition of
the term. In the main this will be in the form of sports sponsorship
where the team receives for example, income from local business.
We expect any application for players from the urban/city league
to show a link between the players expenses and sponsorship.
LENGTH OF
ISSUE
Issue for one season only in line with the contract.
Please note the play-offs take place early May therefore, we should
not consider issuing after 20 May 2000.
SALARY
Applications from Budweiser League Clubs, the
standard minimum payment (all inclusive gross salary) for an overseas
national is £345 per week. If accommodation/car etc is being
provided, £300 is the minimum gross salary figure.
For applications from National League Clubs,
the standard minimum payment (all inclusive gross salary) for
an overseas national is £200 per week. If accommodation/car
etc is being provided, £150 is the minimum gross salary figure.
METHOD OF
CONSULTATION
All applications should be sent to us via the
EBBA. The EBBA will supply a stencil with each application which
will confirm whether or not a player meets the agreed criteria.
However, if the employer has submitted the application straight
to us we will need to consult. Only consult with the BPA if it
is deemed that their input is necessary on a particular case.
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