LEAGUE RULES
* items in bold are new additions as voted on Year 2010/11 AGM or rewording of an existing rule.
1. THE LEAGUE
1.1 The league shall be called The Warwickshire Women's Hockey League, and shall consist of clubs affiliated to the WHA and approved by the League Committee.
1.2The committee will make a decision on how best to accommodate the number of teams entering.
2. ORGANISATION
2.1 The League organisation shall be undertaken by a Committee approved by the Warwickshire Council.
3. FIXTURE LISTS
3.1 Each team will play all other teams home and away in their division, in accordance with fixture lists prepared and published by the League Committee.
3.2 If two teams from one club are in the same division, they must play their home and away fixtures against each other at the start of each half of the season..
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS
4.1 Each Club shall pay to the League Treasurer an annual fee determined by the League Committee, payment to be made by a date to be specified. Failure to pay shall be subject to deduction of points, as determined by the League Committee.
5. AWARD OF POINTS & PROMOTION
5.1 In the divisions, it will be two up, two down.
Points awarded are: Win - 3 points; Draw - 1 point
In the event of clubs having equal points, position to be decided by
i) goal difference, if equal, then
ii) highest number of goals scored
iii) lowest number of goals against
iv) result of the match between the tied teams
v) If (iv) was a draw - play-offs between the teams concerned.
5.2 The top two teams in all divisions but the first will be promoted to a higher division, and the bottom two teams in all divisions but the lowest, will be relegated to a lower division. The committee will make a decision if more teams are needed to be accommodated due to teams entering or leaving the league.
5.3 The Division I League winners will gain automatic promotion to the Midland Feeder League.
5.4 Promotion within all the Warwickshire League divisions will be two up, and relegation will vary, depending on the number of Warwickshire teams returning from the Midlands Feeder League.
6. PLAYERS AND CLUBS
6.1 Players participating in the League shall be fully paid up members of their club.
6.2 Clubs shall register and number players with the League Committee in every season, and shall register a minimum of 16 players. A club may register a maximum of:
40 players if entering one team
50 players if entering two teams
65 players if entering three teams
or 80 players if entering four teams into to the League.
An additional sheet of U16 occasional players can also be submitted. These are juniors who are not regular squad members of a team but who will gain experience by playing or subbing. Once a player becomes a regular squad member (appearing on league sheet for 6 games) they must be moved onto the club registration sheet. Clubs entering a junior squad sheet must have a club child protection policy.
6.3 No Club may enter more than 4 teams. Clubs must register by a date set each year by the League Committee. Any club wishing to enter more than the stated number of teams may approach the league committee who will make a decision on a per team/club basis.
6.4 The League Secretary must receive additions to the registration lists, at least 7 days prior to the player participating in a game. This can be done by telephone, but must be confirmed in writing using the form provided. One only person must handle any changes only as agreed with the league secretary. Additions are subject to a fee of £1 per player. All £1 fees are payable at each WWHL general meeting, as notified by the General Secretary.
6.5 No more than two teams per club will be allowed in the same Division of the Warwickshire League. If a third team of a club were in a promotion position where there are already two teams in the receiving division, then that third team would not be promoted. If a team is to be relegated into a division and there are already two teams in the division of the same club, then the lowest team in the receiving division should be relegated. Should there be no lower divisions then the League AGM should decide whether that team should leave the League or play with three teams in the bottom division.
6.6 No player may play for more than two clubs in any one season. Transfers need to be approved by the league committee before the player can play a league fixture for their new club. The club that the player is moving TO has the responsibility to fill in the transfer form, obtaining all the necessary signatures, before the player can play for their new club. No transfers after 31st January for that season. Transfer forms can be requested from Sally.
6.7 Clubs playing unregistered players will be fined, and have points of the matches concerned deducted as directed by the Committee.
6.8 If players need to be moved to a lower division from Midlands, the committee will allow non- starred players to move down to the next team only. Midlands players can only appear on one team sheet on a playing Saturday.
6.9 If a club has more than one team they must nominate the following number of CORE players* from their teams who are not eligible to play in the teams below them:
No core players can play in a lower team. The highest division team will have 6 core players and each subsequent team shall have 4 core players.
Regular unstarred players may only play down one team. For example: A regular 1st team player may only play down as far as the 2nd team.
6.10 Players numbers can be allocated on match days, but both the playing number and the registration number be shown on the score sheet. All players are to have a numbered shirt (in club colours), including goalkeepers. Any player not fielding a number will not be allowed on the pitch until they do so. No two players should wear the same number in the same team.
6.11 A club with a team in the National League and/or the Midland League must nominate 6 core players in each team, who are not eligible to play in the teams below them. The nominated 6 players can (and should) be changed with the General Secretary due to illness, pregnancy etc. If any of the nominated 6 players are to be taken off the starred list and they then want to play in a lower side, the reason must be communicated in writing to the committee before that player plays a match. Failure to do so will result in a fine as detailed at the back of the book.
If a senior player is named 12 times for the Midlands League they cannot play for the WWHL. Any starred player not having played 3 games for the team by December 31st of any season, will be removed from the “starred” list. The club concerned will have to name new players for these positions.
- Note: Teams are expected to “un-star” players who are deemed to be out of action due to injury, pregnancy, left the club etc., in the spirit of the game.
Players returning from illness, pregnancy and injury can play for lower teams in order to return to full fitness in a progressive manner, but they should return to their previous level as quickly as possible, and their progress should be communicated to the League Secretary.
6.12 In the event that a club move venue or two or more clubs merge together, the “new” club to emerge from these events may maintain all of their previous positions within the Warwickshire League.
6.13 Any player or club shall have the right to appeal to the League Committee on any disputed point except on the field of play where the umpire’s decision is final. All appeals should be sent in writing to the League Secretary.
6.14 Any team/clubs wishing to resign, must notify the League Secretary before the AGM
Any club withdrawing a team from the league must withdraw their lowest placed team
6.15 No club may have more than 3 players doubling up on the same day excluding the goalkeeper. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in FINES as outlined in the fine section at the end of the book.
6.16 Any player may only play twice in one day, for a maximum of 3 games throughout the league season (as long as rule 6.9 regarding starred players is still adhered to).
Goalkeepers are exempt from this rule if they are playing as a keeper both times, If a regular goalkeeper plays outfield then they are allowed to drop to any lower team. Also if an outfield player plays in goal they can do this for any lower side.
7. RULES CONCERNING MATCHES
Matches to be played:
7.1 In accordance with current rules of the game as published by the Hockey Rules Board;
7.2 On the pitch arranged by the first named team. An Astroturf/ sports turf is essential for divisions 1 and 2, and desirable for divisions 3 and 4.
Should the first named team experience difficulty in booking a suitable venue, they shall invite their opponents to offer facilities, though payments, and all other duties, remain the responsibility of the first named team;
7.3 On dates agreed by the League Committee. However, if both teams are in agreement the match can be rearranged to any day, as long as the league is duly notified and has been agreed by the secretary before the game is played.
7.4 In the event of any doubt or query concerning pitch, or conditions, the Umpires shall make the final decision, after consulting with the Captains.
7.5 As according to the Rule Book, each game should normally be 35 minutes each way. However, a game must be played under league conditions if there is sufficient time to play a minimum of 25 minutes each way in the normal allotted time booked by the home team. Both Captains should agree this decision, and the Umpires informed.
7.6 Start times for matches should commence no earlier than 10am, and the last game should be started no later than 5pm.
8. POSTPONEMENTS
Postponements occur only if:
8.1adverse weather conditions make play, or travel impossible.
In the event of either team Captain, or Umpire, considering the conditions to be unsuitable, the final decision on whether the match will start/continue will rest with the Umpire, after consultation with both Captains. Matches abandoned within 50 minutes, will be replayed. Matches abandoned when 50 minutes or more has been played the result at abandonment will stand.
8.2Both teams shall notify the League Secretary first by telephone on the day, followed up in writing, whenever a match has been postponed, detailing the cause of such postponement. The team sheet should still be filled in and sent in detailing the reason for postponement. Details of the rearranged match must be communicated to the League Secretary as soon as is practical. If no agreement can be reached the matter will be referred to the League Committee.
When, in the opinion of the committee, no acceptable reasoning for non-placement of the match has been received, the team at fault will reimburse any travelling and/or pitch fees incurred by their opponents. The offended team may request consideration for the claiming of match points to be discussed at the next League Committee meeting.
8.3 It will be illegal to postpone a game by reason of, either side being unable to field a full team. If a club has a minimum of 7 players the match should be played.
8.4 Any team fielding less than 7 players will not have fulfilled their fixture. Any team conceding a match will be deemed to have failed to fulfil their fixture. Failure to fulfil a fixture sees the opponents awarded a winning score of 4-0. The League Committee will no longer impose a monetary fine for not fulfilling a fixture, but the opposition team will be able to recover a home pitch cost, where applicable.
9. RESULTS
9.1The home team is responsible for texting the result to fixtures live.
The HOME team shall send written confirmation of the result, and include BOTH team lists, with substitutions, scorers, cardings and with the signatures of BOTH captains and umpires, to arrive with the Match Sheet Secretary WITHIN 4 DAYS of the match being played. Failure to notify of results will incur a fine and/or loss of points, as decided by the League Committee.
10. CONFIRMATION & CANCELLATION
10.1Home team to confirm with opponents AND umpires AT LEAST 14 DAYS BEFORE the set date. Confirmation within 7 – 14 days will result in fine as detailed in FINES section. Failure to confirm with less than 7 days – forfeit of match 4 – 0. No alterations to match details may be made after confirmation has taken place. Unless there is agreement by both teams.
If a message is left the home team cannot assume that the game has been confirmed and should continue to try to contact the opposition, unless acknowledgement is received. If confirming by email the game is not classed as confirmed until acknowledgement by the opposition s received. All clubs are encouraged to aid communication and respond as soon as possible to any messages left. All clubs should be proactive in confirming details even if you are the away team.
Details required are:
a) type of pitch
b) time of push-back
c) team colours (away to change if there is a clash)
d) directions to ground
Home team to notify away team and umpires of cancellations.
11. UMPIRES
11.1 All division 1and 2 umpires must be level 1 qualified.
Division 3 teams must have a person working towards level 1 and by September 2012 all division 1, 2 and 3 umpires will be level 1.
11.2All teams participating in the League shall provide their own umpire of suitable experience. Should an umpire fail to arrive, and there be no other suitably qualified umpire available, acceptable to both captains, then the team whose umpire failed to arrive must nominate one of their players with relevant experience to umpire the game.
Postponed matches are to be played by Sunday 15th April 2012 If the away team travelled to venue, and do not play due to bad weather, they should be given the opportunity to play the rearranged match at their home ground, so as not to incur travel costs twice.
When rearranging a fixture the home team should try to offer 3 dates if none are deemed suitable by th opposition committee should be consulted.
12. DISCIPLINARY CODE
12.1 A season is deemed to be 1st September of one year to 31st August of the next year.
12.2 The following suspensions shall be brought into effect immediately following the match in which a RED CARD has been awarded.
Red Card Offence
a) An offence in which violence has been used:
i) to an umpire – minimum suspension of 180 days
ii) to a player – minimum suspension of 60 days
b) An offence in which violence bas been offered.
i) To an umpire – minimum suspension of 90 days.
ii) to a player – minimum suspension of 30 days
c) An offence in which violence has not been used or offered.
Minimum suspension of 16 days.
League match suspensions to carry over into the following season where appropriate. A suspended player attending a league match as part of the squad for the match, should be further suspended for another six league matches. The Club concerned, conceding points and goals scored in the league match, and may be fined.
A record of all cards received is kept by the committee and reserve the right to take appropriate action if it is felt too many cards have been received.
12.3 Repeated Offence
12.3.1 The Penalty of a SECOND RED CARD is DOUBLE the penalty imposed on the first occasion.
For any further offence, the player shall be suspended, pending a decision of the County or Territorial Association.
The Club, County or Territory, may impose any additional penalty. There is no right of appeal against the minimum penalties prescribed.
12.4 Additional Penalties
Any Club may impose such other penalty, including further suspension, as it may be deemed fit. The Club shall notify the appropriate League or County Association, of any such penalty. Any County of Territorial Association may impose any additional penalty, which it may think fit. Any such additional penalty shall be notified to the Hon. Secretary of the Club concerned, as soon as possible, and within the period of the minimum suspension.
13. MONEYS
13.1 All monies to be paid to the League secretary within 14 days of notification. Failure to settle debts will result in dismissal from the league.
IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE WHICH MAY ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH THESE RULES, OR OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE WWHL THE WARWICKSHIRE COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN, AND BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY DECISIONS
LEAGUE FINES
Playing Unregistered Player
1st offence1 point
2nd offence2 points
3rd offence3 points + £25
4th offenceDismissal
Playing Under False Name /Core player in lower team
1st offence1 point
2nd offence2 points