Rules of the League                    -           2007.

 

 

1.                      DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

 

2.                      STRUCTURE OF THE LEAGUE

 

3.                      LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION

 

4.                      FIXTURES

 

5.                      MATCH ARRANGEMENTS

 

6.                      PLAYER QUALIFICATION AND TRANSFERS

 

7.                      TEAM SELECTION AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

 

8.                      UMPIRES

 

9.                      CONDITIONS OF PLAY

 

10.                  POST-MATCH RESPONSIBILITIES

 

11.                  POSTPONEMENTS, ABANDONMENTS AND UNPLAYED MATCHES

 

12.                  MISCONDUCT

 

13.                  ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION

 

14.                  CLAIMING MATCHES, PROTESTS, RATIFICATION AND APPEALS PROCEDURE

 

15.                  COMMITTEE POWERS AND BINDING FORCE OF RULES

 

 

APPENDIX 1- Floodlighting Policy and match start times

 

APPENDIX 2- League structure for season 2007/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.                  DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

 

1.1                Abbreviations

 

ASC                        -  Appeals Sub-Committee

RSC                        -  Rules Sub-Committee

SWHU                   -  South Wales Region of the Welsh Hockey Union.

SSWHUA              -  South Wales Region of the Welsh Hockey Umpires Association

WHA                     -  West Hockey Association.

WHU                      -  Welsh Hockey Union.

WHUC                   -  West Hockey Umpires Committee.

 

1.2                Definitions

 

“The League”

Shall mean the League formed by the Rules.  It shall be called “The West of England & South Wales Mens Hockey League” or by such title as may be deemed appropriate by the Committee to reflect sponsorship of the League.

“The National League”  

Shall mean the League organised by England Hockey.

“The Rules”

Shall mean the rules of the League.

“The Committee”

Shall mean the committee created by the Rules to administer the League.

“The RSC”

Shall mean the Rules Sub Committee created by the Rules to adjudicate on match decisions

“The ASC”

Shall mean the Appeals Sub Committee created by the Rules to hear appeals on RSC decisions.

“The Council”

Shall mean the Council of the WHA.

“Participating County”

Shall mean any County Hockey Association affiliated to the WHA, provided there is at least one team in the League which is affiliated to that County Association.

“The League Secretary”

Shall mean the Secretary of the Committee.

“The Premier Division Secretary”

Shall mean the person responsible for the administration of the Premier Divisions

“The Area Secretary”

Shall mean the Premier Division Secretary, the North, South, North East or South Wales Area Secretary as appropriate.

“The Results and Distribution Administrator”

Shall mean the person who is appointed by the Committee to receive results of League matches and to distribute them to the Committee, media and other appropriate persons and to maintain the results and League division tables on the League website.

“District Division”

Shall mean those Divisions designated as such by the Committee and shown as such in Appendix 2 of the Rules.

“Lower XI”

Shall mean a team which is not a 1st XI.

“Club”

Shall mean any club which has at least one team participating in the League, except where the context requires otherwise.

 

Throughout the Rules, any reference to a governing body of hockey shall be taken to mean it or its successor in function.

 

2.                  STRUCTURE OF THE LEAGUE

 

The League is fully integrated, and providing the teams keep within the Rules, decided on playing merit.  However, clubs must remember that teams promoted to, or relegated from, the National League could have a knock-on-effect, as would unequal numbers of teams from an Area or Section promoted to and relegated from a Division fed by Areas or Sections, hence the league may place teams at its own discretion.

 

2.1                Membership and Affiliation requirements.

 

a)                   All teams participating in the League must be affiliated to the appropriate County, Regional and National Hockey Associations.  Any team which is debarred from playing against other teams by reason of disaffiliation may be suspended from the League.

b)                    

(i)                   All teams shall pay an annual subscription in respect of each team participating in the League.  This shall be paid to the League Treasurer before the 31st October.  Failure to pay by the 31st October shall incur a fine; failure to pay by the 1st December shall incur such additional penalties under Rule 15.1 as the Committee may decide.

(ii)                 All clubs shall send annually to the League  Administrator a completed Membership List consisting of names and initials by the 31st October.  Failure to do so may incur a fine.

c)                   The members of the League will be:

(i)                   All teams which were members of the League in the previous season except any team which has gained admission to the National League and any team which withdrew or has been suspended or expelled from the League;

(ii)                 All teams whose application for admission has been accepted by the Committee;

(iii)                Any appropriate team which has been relegated from the National League.

d)                    

(i)                   Any club affiliated to the WHA or the SWHU may apply to enter a team in the League, save any school or club whose membership is substantially composed of members of another club.  No club may enter a lower XI in the League if its 1st XI is not a member of the League or the National League.

(ii)                 Any application to enter a new team in the League must be sent to the League Secretary no later than 2 weeks after the last scheduled League date, as printed in the fixture list in the form prescribed by the League. The Committee shall determine whether to accept any such application.

e)                   Any club wishing to withdraw a team from the League shall notify the League Secretary in writing, or by e-mail,  no later than 2 weeks after the last scheduled League date, as printed in the fixture list, otherwise it shall be liable to pay subscriptions for the following season.  Any club which withdraws a team from the League later than 2 weeks after the last scheduled League date, as printed in the fixture list will not be eligible to enter a new team into the League for two seasons (including the season in which a team has withdrawn) and may be liable to a financial penalty.

 

2.2                Areas, Sections, Districts and Divisions

 

a)                   The League shall be divided into two Areas, North and South.  The Committee shall decide into which Area each club shall be placed and may transfer any club between Areas, with effect from the beginning of the following season.  Premier Divisions shall be formed by clubs from both North and South

b)                   Areas may be divided into Sections and Sections into Districts as the Committee shall deem appropriate and the Committee may place or transfer any club into a Section or any team into a District, with effect from the beginning of the following season.

c)                   The League shall comprise Divisions as shown in Appendix 2.  The Committee shall have the power to alter the divisional structure of the League and shall give not less than three months’ notice of its intention to exercise this power.  The Committee shall have the power to increase or decrease the number of Divisions in Sections and/or Districts before the 1st July preceding any season and the exercise of that power shall not constitute alteration of the divisional structure within the Rules.

d)                   The allocation of teams to Divisions at the start of each season shall be determined by:

(i)                   Any team which was a member of the League in the previous season will be placed in the same Division unless it was promoted or transferred or relegated in accordance with Rule 2.4;

(ii)                 Any team admitted in accordance with Rule 2.1(c)(ii)will be placed in the appropriate lowest ranked Division in its Area;

(iii)                Any team relegated from the National League will be placed in Premier Division 1.

e)                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Rules, the Committee may in its sole discretion before the first match of the season, vary the teams in any Divisions. 

f)                    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Rules, the Committee may in its sole discretion before the first match of the season, transfer a team from one Division to another in the same Area or transfer a Club from one Section to another

g)                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Rules, no lower XI shall be placed in Premier Division 1 if its 1st XI is also in that Division.  If a lower XI is in Premier Division 1 and its 1st XI is relegated to it from the National League, the lower XI will be relegated automatically, regardless of its final position in Premier Division 1.

 

2.3                Teams’ positions in Divisions

 

a)                   Points shall be awarded for each completed League match, with teams scoring three points for each match won and one point for each match drawn.

b)                   The position of teams in each Division shall be determined by:

Points, then

Goal Difference, then

Goals Scored : in descending order of priority.

If two or more teams are equal and it is necessary to distinguish between them for promotion or relegation, the Area Secretary shall arrange a play-off.

 

c)                   Not less than three times each season, the League Secretary shall circulate to all members of the League tables of the current position in all Divisions.  This shall include the circulation of a table of the final positions in all Divisions at the end of the season.  This Rule shall be deemed fulfilled by the display of the divisional tables on the League website.

 

2.4                Promotion and Relegation 

 

a)                   At the end of each season, the winners of Premier 1 shall be promoted to the National League, providing the team can prove compliance with the National League regulations in respect of overseas players.  The National League organisers reserve the right to make full enquiries to the Premier 1 winners to ensure compliance.

b)                   At the end of each season the winner and 2nd-placed team in each Division will be promoted to the next higher Division:

c)                   At the end of each season, the two bottom placed sides of each Division shall be relegated to the appropriate lower Division, with the exception of Premier 3, North 2, South 2, Avon and Severn where the four bottom placed sides shall be relegated subject to ratification by the Committee.

 

Clubs must remember that teams relegated from the National League could have a knock-on-effect, as would unequal numbers of teams from an Area or Section relegated from a Division fed by Areas or Sections.

 

3.         League Administration

 

3.1                Committee

a)                   The control of the League shall be vested in the Council and the SWHU subject to the delegation of their powers to the Committee.  Should any disagreement arise between these two bodies, it should be referred to England Hockey  and the WHU.

b)                   All changes to the Rules must be approved by the Council and the SWHU.

c)                   The Committee shall consist of one member appointed by each English Participating County, two members appointed by the SWHU, one member appointed by WHUC, one member appointed by SWHUA, the Area Secretaries and any appointees under Rule 3.1(d).  The Committee may co-opt up to three additional members.

d)                   The Committee shall meet in April or May, prior to the Annual General Meeting of the WHA, and shall elect a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Press Officer, Results and Distribution Administrator and Premier Division Secretary from among its members at that meeting or, in default of members of the Committee willing or able to fulfil the posts, shall appoint such persons as it deems appropriate to the posts of Secretary Treasurer, Press Officer, Results and Distribution Administrator and Premier Division Secretary.  The Committee may also meet at other times as may be necessary.  At least fourteen days’ notice shall be given to members of the Committee.

e)                   All votes in Committee shall be decided by simple majority but, if voting is equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second and casting vote.  The quorum at a Committee meeting shall be five members.

f)                    The Committee shall have the power to set up sub-committees.  The Chairman of any such sub-committee shall be a member of the Committee.

g)                   Clubs wishing to have any general matters brought before the Committee should contact their County Representatives of the League Committee.

 

3.2                Area Meetings

a)                   Area Meetings shall be held in the North, South and South Wales in April or May prior to the Committee meeting detailed in Rule 3.1(d).  The Area Meeting shall elect the Area Secretary or Secretaries from among its members.  Area Meetings may also be held at other times as necessary.  At least fourteen days’ notice of Area Meetings shall be given to clubs.

 

Should an Area Secretary become unable to fulfil their duties through incapacitation or, the League Secretary, in consultation with the League Chairman, deems they are not properly acting in accordance with Rule 13.1 - then the Committee may vote by simple majority to transfer their powers to the Premier Area Secretary until the next area meeting when a replacement shall be elected.

b)                    

(i)                   Area Meetings shall be composed of one person appointed by each club together with a Chairman who shall be appointed by the Committee from among its members.

(ii)                 Clubs which fail to attend their Area Meeting may be liable to a fine.

(iii)                Teams which have won their Division shall attend their Area Meeting to collect their trophy.  Failure to do so may attract a fine and the trophy shall be collected at that team’s club’s expense.

c)                   Any votes in the Area Meeting shall be decided by simple majority but if voting is equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second and casting vote.  The quorum at Area Meetings shall be ten members.

d)                   Decisions made by any Area Meeting, except for the election of the Area Secretary, shall have no binding force unless and until ratified by the Committee.

e)                   The South Wales Area Secretary shall be elected annually by the clubs which have at least one team in the South Wales Section.

 

3.3          Finance

a)                   All clubs shall pay an annual subscription in respect of each of its teams which is participating in the League.  Payment shall be made in accordance with Rule 2.1(b).  The amount of the subscription shall be determined by the Committee.

b)                   The accounts of the League shall be  verified as directed by the Council and the SWHU.

 

4.         FIXTURES.

 

4.1                 Each team shall play all other teams in its Division at least once.

4.2                 All League matches shall be arranged to take place on such dates, which may include Sundays, as shall be determined by the Committee.  The League Secretary shall send to each club details of its opponents for its League matches by the 1st July in each year.

4.3                 All fixtures must be completed  no later than 3 weeks after the last scheduled League date, as printed in the fixture list, unless with the express permission of the appropriate Area Secretary, only after consultation with the League Chairman.

 

5.         MATCH ARRANGEMENTS.

 

5.1                Notifying opposition and umpires

 

a)                   The home club shall notify its opponents of the location and type of pitch; start time; umpiring arrangements; any special requirements (eg security, clash of playing colours) at least 10 days in advance of the match date.  Failure to do so may incur penalties.  If it fails to do so in time for the away side to make their arrangements, the away team should contact the home side and their Area Secretary. 

b)                   The home club shall notify any umpires appointed from outside its club of the match details at least 10 days in advance of the match date.  Failure to do so may incur penalties.

 

5.2                Start times and playing under floodlights

 

a)                   Start times of matches shall be as specified in Appendix 1 to the Rules, with the proviso that no match may start before 12.00 noon or after 17.00 without the prior approval of the Area Secretary AND the travelling team must be given at least three weeks notice in writing, or by e-mail.  Failure to comply with either of these requirements may incur penalties.

b)                   Matches played under floodlights must comply with Appendix 1 to the Rules.  Failure to do so may incur penalties.

c)                   If a match is scheduled to finish after the time for ringing in the result under Rule 10.1(a), the home club must inform the Results Service of this in advance of the day of the match or a penalty may be incurred.

 

5.3                Pitch surface requirements

 

a)                   All matches shall be played on artificial turf pitches except for those in District Divisions which may be played on hard surface pitches (except tarmac or concrete) and all players must be prepared to play on such surfaces.  .

b)                   All  matches in Premier Division 1 shall be played on artificial turf pitches approved by the Committee

 

5.4                Pitch restrictions

 

a)                   Studded astro-turf boots have been banned from some pitches.  Visiting teams must comply with these restrictions and will not be allowed to postpone a game if some of their players do not have allowable boots.

b)                   Some clubs play on pitches within military establishments and visiting teams will have to comply with security requirements.  Failure to comply with security requirements will not be accepted as a reason for postponing a game.

 

In both instances, the home club should contact the visiting club at least 10 days in advance to advise what the restrictions and/or requirements will be. 

 

6.                  PLAYER QUALIFICATION AND TRANSFERS