4BR has been informed that due to a contravention of National Rules at the recent Yorkshire Regional Championship in Bradford, the reigning National Champion, Black Dyke, has been disqualified from the contest.
Notification has also been given that Hatfield Band has also been disqualified from the First Section contest, where they were initially placed third, outside the automatic qualification places.
The Yorkshire Regional Championship results and grading tables have been amended accordingly.
Rule 9A
It has been reported that disqualification has taken place under Rule 9 (a).
This states: “All players taking part in the Contest must be registered with only ONE accredited Registry at least 7 days before the Friday of the contest weekend and may only compete with the band that holds their Registration.
It is the responsibility of the band secretary to apply to the relevant registry for the necessary registration documentation and to comply with the Registry Rules and procedures.”
Title defence
However, 4BR understands that despite the disqualification and loss of their subsequent appeal, Black Dyke may still be able to defend its title at the Royal Albert Hall in October, as the rule in respect to the participation of the four ‘pre-qualified’ bands from the previous year’s event is at the discretion of Kapitol Promotions.
Rule 14a (ii) states: “In respect of the Championship Section, the first four placed bands in the previous year’s ‘Final’ will qualify for an invitation to the following years ‘Final’, subject to competing in their respective Regional Championships.
Entry to the ‘Final’ of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain is at the sole discretion of Kapitol."
I can only hope that this serves as a stark reminder to all bands to double check player registrations well before contest day, giving time to rectify any problems, and making sure they are in orderPeggy Tomlinson -Regional Secretary
Yorkshire Regional Committee statement
The statement issued from the Yorkshire Regional Committee is as follows:
“Following the Yorkshire Regional Championships on 7th/8th March the Regional Committee found it necessary to look into possible discrepancies with regard to player registration with two competing bands.
After investigation both bands were found to be in contravention of rule 9(a) of the National Rules of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and were notified of their disqualification from the regional championships. Both bands lodged an appeal which were heard by the Regional Committee on 21st March.
The appeals were not allowed and therefore Black Dyke Band are disqualified from the Championship Section contest and Hatfield Band are disqualified from the First Section contest of the Yorkshire Regional Championships 2015."
Regrettable situation
On behalf of the committee, Peggy Tomlinson, Regional Secretary stated “This is a most regrettable situation for all concerned. I can only hope that this serves as a stark reminder to all bands to double check player registrations well before contest day, giving time to rectify any problems, and making sure they are in order.”
Peggy Tomlinson
Regional Secretary/Contest Controller
Black Dyke press release
In a press release issued to 4BR this morning, Black Dyke has offered its ‘profound apologies’ for the ‘administrative oversight’ which led to the situation, and stated that the band took the matter ‘very seriously’.
The statement from Black Dyke Director and Trustee Paul Woodward reads as follows:
“Further to the press release by the Yorkshire Regional Committee regarding the disqualification of Black Dyke Band from the Yorkshire Regional Championships, held on Sunday 8th March 2015, Black Dyke Band wishes to express its deep embarrassment and to convey its profound apologies for the administrative oversight in not registering the player in question.
The Band naturally views the matter very seriously and a separate internal investigation at Black Dyke has been set in motion to ensure this unfortunate situation does not happen again.
Director Music, Professor Nicholas Childs commented that had he had personally not been made aware of the registration problem until after the Contest, but if he had been, he would have taken appropriate action to have avoided the situation becoming a problem.”
Paul Woodward
Director and Trustee
Amended Yorkshire Regional Championship results
Championship Section:
1. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
2. Grimethorpe Colliery
3. Rothwell Temperance
4. Brighouse & Rastrick
5. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
6. Hepworth
7. City of Bradford
8. Hammonds Saltaire
9. Marsden Silver
10. Drighlington
11. Skelmanthorpe
12. South Yorkshire Police
Disqualified: Black Dyke
Contravention of National Rule 9(a)
First Section:
1. Unite the Union
2. Strata
3. Hade Edge
4. Hebden Bridge
5. Cornerstone
6. Elland Silver
7. Stannington
8. Lindley
9. Wakefield Metropolitan
10. Clifton & Lightcliffe
11. Meltham & Meltham Mills
Disqualified: Hatfield
Contravention of National Rule 9(a)
