Junior Competitions Framework Proposed Club Competition Format Paper March 2011 Introduction & General Principles The Single System was developed to provide an integrated system that enables players, coaches and officials to achieve their full potential. It is based on the following principles: consistency openness and transparency reducing duplication and conflict increasing accessibility player development focused with appropriate junior competition As a result of the above principles the following recommendations are made for junior competitions: to maximise the amount of pitch time that teams are allowed to schedule competitions to enable feedback to players either between games or at half time that minimum and maximum match durations, together with a maximum playing time per day should be recommended at each age group, to ensure a worthwhile and appropriate experience for players that minimum and maximum ages should be applied to eligibility to prevent inappropriate mixing of ages that classification matches should only be used for establishing final placing from U16 age group onwards that qualification for regional rounds in particular should be arranged to mitigate the existence or emergence of one pre-eminent school or club in a county. This is achieved by allowing two qualifiers from county to regional rounds of competitions In order to maximise the amount of pitch time for players there is a requirement to replace knockout competitions with more regular appropriate club based competition for juniors. This will ensure that more teams can participate in competitions for a longer period of time, giving more players the opportunity to participate and develop, unlike the current U16 & U18 competitions knockout format, which means that teams may only play one or two matches if they are unsuccessful. In 2008-09 the England Hockey Board (EHB) introduced a pilot U14 competition based on a league format. The competition is also being run in 2010-11. These leagues feature clubs local to each other playing against each other on designated dates in the calendar. One of the key features of the leagues is that teams play mini series of fixtures at one venue so they will often play two games in one day. The U16 and U18 Knockout competitions were introduced in 2002 (initially as U15 and U18). It was planned that these would be restructured to a league based format in line with Single System principles. That decision was delayed pending the U14 pilot scheme. For 2011-12 season it is planned that the U16 and U18 competitions will be run along similar lines to the U14 pilot rather than a knockout format. The U14 competition will continue to run but in the same format as the U16 and U18 competition (see below) except that there will not be a national final at this age group and the competition will not go beyond the regional round.
Junior Competitions Framework Overall Structure of Competitions (U14, U16, U18) Context & Background to Proposed Changes Tier 1 The key principles of the competition are that all clubs who enter are initially placed in leagues based on geographic location. These will be Tier 1 leagues. Usually six clubs will form a Tier 1 league however this can be smaller particularly if there are fewer than six clubs within a reasonable travelling distance of each other. If numbers in a particular area are higher then up to eight clubs could be grouped together to form a Tier 1 league. Where there are fewer than five teams in a Tier 1 league then teams will play each other twice. Tier 1 leagues will be put into four cluster areas. These areas will be approximately based on JRPC geographical cluster areas. Teams will qualify from Tier 1 leagues to cluster competition as below. Tier 2 In each of the four cluster areas eight teams will qualify from the Tier 1 leagues for the Tier 2 competition. Two or three teams will qualify from each Tier 1 league depending on the number of entries in each league. Teams will qualify for Tier 3, the national stage of the competition as below Tier 3 Two teams will qualify from each cluster Tier 2 league for the national finals (at U16 and U18 level only). NB there will no longer be a plate competition for teams who lose in early rounds as all teams will play more matches due to the league format. Format of Competitions (U14, U16, U18) Tier 1 There will be a maximum of four Tier 1 leagues in each regional area. A key principle is that teams will play two matches in a day wherever possible. Match schedules will be drawn up depending on the final number of teams participating in each league. For example in an eight team league each team would host one day s activity with a maximum of four matches at each venue each day. The league would be completed over four dates which would be scheduled in the EHB calendar with one slip date in case of bad weather. An example match schedule for an eight team tournament would be as below: Week 1 (Hosts 3 & 5) Week 2 (1 & 4) Week 3 (8 & 6) Week 4 (2 & 7) 1v2 5v6 1v6 3v5 1v8 4v7 1v4 3v7 3v4 7v8 2v7 4v8 8v5 3v6 2v5 7v6 1v3 5v7 7v1 8v3 5v1 2v3 2v8 4v2 8v6 6v2 5v4 4v6 1v4 3v7 Tier 2 The eight teams who qualify for each of the Tier 2 leagues will be split into two pools of four. Where possible, teams who met in Tier 1 leagues will not be placed in the same pools. Participating teams will be offered the opportunity to host a Tier 2 league. The teams will play all the other teams in their pool over one day and the two teams who finish top of the pools will qualify for the national finals. This format does not include cross over semi finals and will not be used to eliminate the need for a two day tournament with the additional need for overnight accommodation. Tier 3 The eight teams who qualify for the Tier 3 national finals will be split into two pools of four. Each pool will have one team from each of the four Tier 2 leagues. There will be a Boys U16 and U18 final at one double pitch venue with a parallel Girls U16 and U18 final at another. The teams will play all the other teams in their pool over two days and the two teams who finish top of the pools will play each other for the national title. There would also be crossover games for 3 rd, 5 th and 7 th places.
Duration of Matches The length of matches in the competitions will be as follows: U14s U16s U18s Tier 1 20 mins each way 25 mins each way 25 mins each way Tier 2 15 mins each way 20 mins each way 25 mins each way Tier 3 n/a 25 mins each way 25 mins each way NB Tier 2 match durations are shorter than Tier 1 because more matches are played in one day (3 matches at Tier 2, compared to 2 at Tier 1). Possible Synergy with Existing Competitions All parties will be aware how tight the calendar is with activity scheduled at all age groups on nearly all weekends, if there are any postponements then there are no readily available slots for rearrangements. Many clubs who play in the EHB U14, U16 and U18 competitions also play in existing leagues and club leagues have priority on scheduled dates in the calendar. EHB would like to investigate if it would be possible for the U14, U16 and U18 competitions to effectively merge with existing leagues so that where leagues exist they form the Tier 1 stage of the competition with qualification through to Tier 2 dependent on final league placings. Where no leagues currently exist then the EHB would initially organise them in the formats described in Tier 1 above, however it would be hoped that these would develop into locally organised leagues, i.e. without central administration. For a local league to become a Tier 1 league there would be a requirement for it to be run in line with agreed principles, including consistent date of birth (DOB) qualification, standard match times and formats, fixtures completed by set times prior to Tier 2 activity and fixtures lists structured as shown, i.e. teams to play two games per day wherever possible. If this could be introduced it would be possible for Tier 1 leagues to run on existing Club League and National competition dates, i.e. offer more fixtures, but still free up space in the calendar as there are currently 17 days allocated in the calendar for the two competitions.
Junior Competitions Framework Proposed School Competition Format Paper March 2011 Introduction & General Principles The Single System was developed to provide an integrated system that enables players, coaches and officials to achieve their full potential. It is based on the following principles: consistency openness and transparency reducing duplication and conflict increasing accessibility player development focused with appropriate junior competition As a result of the above principles the following recommendations are made for junior competitions: to maximise the amount of pitch time that teams are allowed to schedule competitions to enable feedback to players either between games or at half time that minimum and maximum match durations, together with a maximum playing time per day should be recommended at each age group, to ensure a worthwhile and appropriate experience for players that minimum and maximum ages should be applied to eligibility to prevent inappropriate mixing of ages that classification matches should only be used for establishing final placing from U16 age group onwards that qualification for regional rounds in particular should be arranged to mitigate the existence or emergence of one pre-eminent school or club in a county. This is achieved by allowing two qualifiers from county to regional rounds of competitions Overall Structure & Format of Competitions Intra & Inter-School (U13, U14, U16, U18) Intra-School activity and Inter-School leagues will sit below county level competition. Inter-School leagues will be locally organised and may include competition organised within local School Sports Partnerships. A key factor in the organisation of these leagues will be the geographic spread of participating teams which should allow teams to participate in after school matches without over long travel distances. Ideally teams will play each other in triangular fixtures, i.e. Team A v Team B, Team A v Team C, Team C v Team A. Match durations should be locally agreed but in line with the England Hockey Board (EHB) Junior Competition framework (see separate paper on recommended match durations and competition principles). It is anticipated that Inter-School leagues will take place over the autumn and spring terms. Any schools participating in Inter-School leagues can then decide at the appropriate time whether they feel they are ready/able to enter the county rounds (i.e. the first level) of the national schools competition (proposed to be held at U13, U14, U16 and U18 level). For any teams who win the local leagues but choose not to enter the national competition, a county emerging schools finals day could be held to still provide them with an opportunity to experience a higher level of competition if they so wish.
Junior Copetitions Framework County Round, National Schools Championships (U13, U14, U16, U18) County-wide competitions are organised by County HAs. Discretion as to how these competitions are structured is given to local Context organisers save & Background that match durations to and Proposed tournament formats Changes and regulations must be in line with the EHB Junior Competition framework (see separate paper on recommended match durations and competition principles). Two teams from each County round qualify for the next stage which is the Regional competition. Regional Round, National Schools Championships (U13, U14, U16, U18) Two teams from each County round qualify for the Regional competition. The Regional competition is organised by the five Regional HAs. Discretion as to how these competitions are structured is given to Regional organisers with the exception that match durations and tournament formats should be in line with the EHB Junior Competition framework (see separate paper on recommended match durations and competition principles). In addition EHB national regulations in terms of player eligibility and tournament structure must also be followed. Two teams from each Regional round qualify for the next stage which is the National competition. National Round, National Schools Championships (U13, U14, U16, U18) Two teams from each Regional round qualify for the National competition. The five winners of the Regional competitions will qualify directly to the National Finals along with the runner up of the previous year s winning region. The other four runners up will be drawn into two play-off matches with the winners of these matches qualifying for the National Finals. The eight teams that qualify for the National Finals will be split into two pools of four teams. Each team will play each team in its pool once. The runners up in each pool will play each other to determine who is third and fourth in the competition and the winners of each pool will then play a final to decide the national champions. Proposed Additional U18 Schools Competition National U18 Schools Premier League. In addition to the National Schools Championships detailed above, it is proposed that from 2011-12 onwards, a National U18 Schools Premier League will run for both boys and girls schools. The league will run over both the autumn and spring terms and be open to any school wishing to participate. It will be managed by the EHB Competitions & Events Department All matches will be 35 minutes each way. Teams will be split geographically and it is anticipated that this will be on similar lines to the England Hockey League Conferences with three Divisions Midlands & North, South & East, South & West. Entries to the league will be sought in the May/June period preceding the following season and details of the leagues would be confirmed prior to the end of schools summer terms. A fixture list will be drawn up for the league and it will be up to schools to arrange the date, time and venue for all matches which must be scheduled on midweek dates. A minimum number of matches per term must be played. Home teams will be responsible for sourcing local umpires. It is anticipated that existing Inter-School matches would form the fixtures in the league. Fixtures will either be on a home and away basis or teams will play each other once depending on the number of teams that enter the league. There will be a deadline set by which all fixtures must be completed. Teams will then qualify for quarter final matches as below. The two Divisions with the highest number of participants will each have three qualifiers for the quarter finals, the other Division will have two qualifiers. Teams will be drawn to play in the quarter finals with Divisional winners having home draws. The winners of the quarter finals will progress to the semi finals which will be drawn with teams either home or away. The two semi final winners will participate in the league final at a neutral venue. Relevant Regional HUAs will be asked to appoint umpires to the quarter and semi finals and the NPUA will appoint to the final. It is anticipated that the competition will conclude before the Easter holidays. Schools who enter the Premier League will also be eligible to enter the U18 National Schools Championships, but the suggestion is that their elective first XI squad (final number to be advised) may only play in the Premier League competition.
EHB Junior Competition Framework Recommended Match Durations & Competition Principles Paper February 2011 Match Duration & Total Daily Playing Time Recommendations Age Group Activity Minimum Match Duration Maximum Match Duration Maximum Daily Participation^ Examples U8 4v4 5 min x 3/way 7 min x 3/way 65 mins 4 x 5 min 3/way, 3 x 7 min 3/way U9 4v4 5 min x 3/way 7 min x 3/way 65 mins 4 x 5 min 3/way, 3 x 7 min 3/way U10 4v4 8 min x 3/way 10 min x 3/way 96 mins 4 x 8 min 3/way, 3 x 10 min 3/way U11 4v4 8 min x 3/way 10 min x 3/way 96 mins 4 x 8 min 3/way, 3 x 10 min 3/way U12 6v6 or 7v7 12 min o/w 12 min e/w 100 mins 8 x 12 min o/w or 5 x 10 min e/w U13 6v6 or 7v7 12 min o/w 12 min e/w 100 mins 8 x 12 min o/w or 5 x 10 min e/w U14 7v7 15 min o/w 15 min e/w 100 mins 6 x 15 min o/w, 5 x 10 min e/w, 4 x 12 min e/w U14 11v11 15 min o/w 25 min e/w 100 mins 6 x 15 min o/w or 3 x 15 min e/w, 2 x 25 min e/w U15 11v11 15 min e/w 25 min e/w 100 mins 3 x 15 min, 2 x 20 min e/w, 2 x 25 min e/w U16 11v11 20 min e/w 35 min e/w 120 mins 3 x 20 min, 2 x 30 min e/w, 1 x 35 min e/w U17 11v11 20 min /w 35 min o/w 120 mins 3 x 20 min, 2 x 30 min e/w, 1 x 35 min e/w U18 11v11 25 min e/w 35 min e/w 150 mins 3 x 25 min, 2 x 30 min e/w, 1 x 35 min e/w (* see note below) Notes 3/way three periods o/w match with just one period, i.e. played one way e/w match with halves, i.e. played each way Where games are drawn and a result is required this shall be decided by penalty strokes or similar (see options below) not extra time * U18 although the maximum time is 150 mins to ensure adequate rest periods no more than one full length match (i.e. 35 mins e/w) should be played in any one day. ^ Where a two day tournament is run then the maximum participation time over two days is the relevant Maximum Daily Participation time x 1.5. (e.g. for U18s 225 mins, i.e. 150 mins x 1.5) In any tournament that uses the maximum daily participation time for participants the aim should be for each participating team to have the same amount of rest time (i.e. from the end of their first game to the beginning of their last) as their total playing time. The Maximum Daily Participation time is fairly similar between the U10 and U15 age groups. However it should be noted that for the U10 to U11 age groups there is automatic rotation of players in Quicksticks. For the U12-U14 6v6 or 7v7 matches there should be also be automatic rotation, and there will be a greater number of shorter games allowing additional rest time.
Competition Principles Player eligibility: A player may only play in one School outdoor age group competition in any season and one Club outdoor age group competition in any season (this applies across any different age groups and formats). Team eligibility: For 4v4, 6v6 or 7v7 competitions, where possible clubs/schools should have the opportunity to enter two or more teams into a competition. Where teams can progress within these competitions, a player may play for a different team from their club at the next stage if the team they played for at the previous stage is no longer in the competition. Tournament regulations: Where pools operate, points will be awarded as follows: 3 points per win, 1 point per draw and 0 points per loss. If, on completion of a pool, leading teams are equal on points, their position will be determined as follows: 1 Goal difference, 2 Goals scored, 3 Winner of match between tied team. Then if required for any subsequent competition or final placings, 4 Barrage of five penalty strokes (or as below), 5 Sudden death penalty strokes A suggested alternative for penalty strokes (if penalty strokes are deemed not appropriate, e.g. due to age, ability level) is a 1v1 v keeper. On a half size pitch this should start from the centre line, and on a full size pitch from the 23m line. The time limit should be up to 1 minute or until the ball goes out of play. If play off matches are played following the completion of a league then the highest ranked team should play the lowest ranked team, the second highest play the second lowest etc, Where cross over semi finals are played the winner of one pool will play the runner up in the other. Competition Structures & Formats As a general principle 6v6 or 7v7 competitions that run on a single day should adhere to a round robin format. Where teams qualify for a subsequent round of matches, e.g. semi finals and finals, or final pool, then crossover classification games or consolation pool matches should also be scheduled. Where possible teams should play the same number of games however if the time available does not permit this then teams in the then crossover classification games or consolation pool matches should play no more than one fewer game than teams who qualify for a final pool or semis and final. See examples overleaf:
SAMPLE MATCH SCHEDULES 1. Round Robin tournament 2 phases Qualifying round robin Classification round robin Pool A Tier 1 1A 1A 2A 2A 3A 1B 4A 2B Pool B Tier 2 1B 3A 2B 4A 3B 3B 4B 4B Teams to carry points across to classification round robin from the game played against their fellow qualifier, e.g. 1A and 1B carry across their points to the match played between the teams in their qualifying round robin pool. 2. Round Robin tournament followed by classification matches, semis and finals Pool A 1A 2A 3 4A 5A Pool B 5B 4B 3B 2B 1B 2A v 1B 5A v 5B 4Av4B 3A v 3B Final 1A v 2B