Leinster Hockey Association

Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-laws Version VF 2018a 1 Governance... 3 1.1 Sectional Committees... 3 1.1.1 Powers... 4 1.1.2 Duties of the members of the committees... 4 1.1.2.1 Chairperson... 4 1.1.2.2 Committee Secretary... 4 1.1.2.3 Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee... 4 1.1.2.4 Registrations Secretary/Registrations Sub-committee... 4 1.1.2.5 Ordinary Members/Club Representatives... 4 1.1.3 Committee Convened Meetings... 4 1.1.3.1 Business to be transacted... 5 1.1.3.2 Notice of such meetings... 5 1.1.4 Appeals... 5 2 Competitions... 6 2.1 League Structures... 6 2.1.1 Final League Positions... 6 2.1.2 Promotion & Relegation... 6 2.2 Cup Competitions... 7 2.2.1 Structure... 7 2.2.2 Player Eligibility... 8 3 Fixtures... 9 3.1 Priority of Fixtures... 9 3.1.1 Dates of Fixtures... 9 3.1.2 Start Times of Fixtures... 9 3.2 Duration of matches... 10 3.3 Uniform Requirements... 10 3.4 Grounds... 10 3.5 Change of Scheduled Fixtures... 10 3.5.1 Applying for a schedule change... 11 3.5.2 Last Team Postponements... 11 3.5.3 Notification of the final decision... 11 3.5.4 Re-fix Dates... 11 Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 1

3.6 Failure to Fulfil a Fixture... 12 3.7 Re-fixing of Unfinished Matches... 12 3.8 Reporting Results of Matches... 12 4 Registrations... 13 4.1 General Registration Details... 13 4.2 Free Registration... 13 4.3 Overseas Players Registration... 14 4.4 Transfer of Players... 14 4.5 Infringement to Registrations... 14 4.6 Protests Regarding Eligibility... 15 4.7 Photographic Identification at League/Cup Matches... 15 Appendix A: Mens Section Procedures... 16 A.1 Reporting Results/Updating Fixtures... 16 A.2 Registration... 16 A.3 Minimum Number of Players... 16 Appendix B: Ladies Section Procedures... 17 B.1 Reporting of Results... 17 B.2 Registration... 17 B.2.1 Floats... 17 B.2.2 Provisos for International Players... 17 B.3 Transfer of Players (Mid-Season)... 18 Appendix C: Ladies Sunday League... 19 Note: Where a fine/penalty is required by the Bye-Laws, the text is underlined. The actual fines/penalties are available on the LHA website. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 2

1 Governance The Leinster Hockey Association (LHA) is governed at: Company level by the legal documents of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, both registered with the Companies Office Board level by a set of General Bye Laws that is subservient to the company documents Playing level by sectional bye-laws (this document) This document specifically relates to the following Senior Sections namely: The Ladies Section The Men s Section The Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association are the primary documents of governance of the LHA and the Bye Laws must be in compliance with them. All Ladies Clubs situated in Leinster and such other Ladies Clubs as may be approved by the LHA Board are eligible for membership of the Ladies Section. All Men's Clubs situated in Leinster and such other Men's Clubs as may be approved by the LHA Board are eligible for membership of the Men's Section. All member Clubs shall be bound by the rules of Hockey Ireland and of the LHA. 1.1 Sectional Committees Each Sectional Committee shall consist of the following elected at the LHA AGM. (e) (f) Chairperson Committee Secretary Fixtures Secretary or delegate(s) from the Fixtures sub-committee Registration Secretary or delegate(s) from the Registration subcommittee A Delegate from the Leinster Hockey Umpires Association (LHUA) Up to Six ordinary members/club representatives No more than two (2) members of the same club shall sit on the Committee. Five (5) shall form a Quorum A season shall be deemed to run from 1st July each year until 30th June in the following year. Officers shall take up appointments with effect from the date after the AGM, unless an appointment is made to fill a vacancy during the season. The Committees shall communicate/meet regularly to consider and deal with all matters relating to fixtures and results for their respective competitions. Copies of the Minutes of any meetings of the Committee shall be kept. A report will be sent to the LHA administrator for the monthly Management meeting. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 3

1.1.1 Powers Each Section Committee has the power to establish Sub-Committees as required subject to the approval of the LHA Board. Such sub-committees shall be entitled to co-opt extra members as required subject to the ratification of the relevant Section Committee. A sub-committee shall consist of a maximum of 4 members. 3 shall form a quorum. A chairperson shall be elected from the members. The Section Committees or the Fixtures Secretary or the Registrations Secretary under the powers delegated to them may impose such penalty or penalties as it thinks proper having regard to the precise breach of Bye Laws. For the avoidance of doubt, such penalties may include, but are not limited to, the imposition of a fine, the awarding or deducting of league points, the re-fixing or replaying of fixtures. A guideline list of fines can be found on the LHA website. It is not an exhaustive list. The Section Committee will invite a submission from the Club(s) involved when deciding whether to expel or suspend a team from a competition. These submissions must be furnished within 7 days of the request. Power to make these decisions shall not be delegated to the Fixtures Secretary or to the Registrations Secretary. 1.1.2 Duties of the members of the committees 1.1.2.1 Chairperson The Chairperson shall act as chair at the Section Committee meetings and at Liaison, Registration or any Section Meetings. In the absence of the Chairperson the meeting shall elect a chair. 1.1.2.2 Committee Secretary The Committee Secretary shall carry out all necessary duties in connection with the running of the section. This to include taking minutes, submitting reports to the LHA Administrator as requested, and for the LHA AGM. The LHA AGM report must contain a record of all winners of the respective competitions during the previous season. 1.1.2.3 Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee The Fixtures Secretary/Sub-committee shall plan and organise the LHA calendar and shall share the task of administration and control of those fixtures. 1.1.2.4 Registrations Secretary/Registrations Sub-committee The Registrations Secretary/Sub-committee shall carry out all necessary duties in connection with the registration and monitoring of players. 1.1.2.5 Ordinary Members/Club Representatives The Ordinary Members shall carry out all necessary duties as assigned by the Section Committee. 1.1.3 Committee Convened Meetings Each Section may hold meetings during the season as the Section committee sees fit. Entitled to attend and speak. The Section Committee members Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 4

Delegate from each sub-committee One delegate from every Club affiliated to the Section Delegate from the LHUA Members of the LHA Board Any persons invited by the Section Committee Delegate from the other LHA Section Committees Honorary Life Members of the LHA 1.1.3.1 Business to be transacted The agenda for such meeting will be determined by the Section Committee 1.1.3.2 Notice of such meetings At least fourteen (14) days' notice in writing or by electronic communication shall be given of the holding of such meetings 1.1.4 Appeals A right of appeal against a decision made by a Section Committee or sub-committee shall exist to the LHA Appeals Committee. [see also General Bye-Laws 34-35] Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 5

2 Competitions 2.1 League Structures The Section Committee reserves the right to amend or alter the composition of their league, the promotion and regulation rules for any division, the number of games to be played in any division and the venue(s) at which games shall be played. The Section Committees shall, as early as possible determine the teams that shall constitute each league and the divisions thereof and the teams which shall be permitted to play in the various cup competitions. All LHA league and cup competitions shall be subject to the jurisdiction of their respective Section Committee and each team shall abide by the rules and regulations set out for the appropriate division. (e) Each Division within the Leagues should, where practicable, have ten (10) teams. Higher divisions (Ladies 1-9, Men s 1-6) shall consist of no more than one team representing any Club. Games shall be played on a home and away basis, unless by mutual consent one or both games are fixed for the ground of either club or for a neutral ground. The committees shall nominate a date at the end of each season by which the league programme in each division must be completed. A club withdrawing a team from the leagues must eliminate their last team. However, in certain exceptional circumstances the Committee may make decisions to amend this. (f) Only 1st XI's teams may play in Division 1. 2.1.1 Final League Positions Three points will be awarded for a win, One point each for a draw and Zero point for a loss. Cup matches shall not be played for league points without the prior sanction of the Section Committee. The team having the greatest number of points to its credit at the end of the season or when the competition has finished shall be declared the winner for that season. If two or more teams in a division of a league finish the season or competition with an equal number of points for any place, they shall be ranked as follows: 1. Number of matches won 2. Goal difference 3. Goals for 4. Results of the matches played between only those teams involved in tied matches 5. Play-off matches if deemed necessary by the Section Committee. 2.1.2 Promotion & Relegation Teams will be promoted and relegated as follows: Each division will be processed once all higher divisions/league have been processed. All teams being relegated from the higher division/league will be added at the top of the current one. All subsequent teams will move into lower positions. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 6

All teams at or lower than position 9 will be relegated. These spaces will be filled with the top teams from the next lower division but only as far down as the number of available places with due regard to league structure rules. (e) If there are still spaces remaining, the Section Committee may promote any team they adjudge suitable, and mandate play-offs as they see necessary. (f) Where relegation results in two (2) teams from the same club being in one division the lower ranked club team will be relegated to the division below. In the case of a play-off match not being played, a decision will then be made by the Committee on how to decide the outcome of the play-off situation. Play off matches shall be on a ground determined by the Committee with LHUA appointed umpires (where available). Following the completion of all fixtures in a given league, the Section Committee can determine that a promotion/regulation situation exists and may order fixtures to resolve same. 2.2 Cup Competitions The Committee shall as soon as possible after Official Season start date determine the composition and rules regarding each Cup. The Committee reserve the right to suspend/resume the running of Cups prior to the start of each Season. Clubs will be informed of rules regarding the entry into all LHA Cups in advance of each Season. Any breach of these regulations may result in a disqualification. Any fines imposed for breach of any regulations for a team must be paid before the next round of the cup or the team will be disqualified. 2.2.1 Structure (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) Cup competitions shall be played on a knock-out system All affiliated teams shall be eligible to compete in Cup Competitions appropriate to their League Division. Draws for the Cup competitions shall be made in the presence of at least two (2) committee members. The draws of all cup competitions will be published. There will be an entrance fee for each cup competition. The dates for all rounds shall be fixed by the Section Committee. All finals shall be played at venue, date and time decided by the Section Committee(s) in conjunction with the LHA Board. Umpires shall be appointed by the LHUA (where available). No cup fixture shall be postponed by any team without the consent of the Section Committee representative unless the ground is unplayable or weather is so bad as to render play dangerous. If a walkover is given in a cup competition, the team which does not fulfil the fixture shall not be allowed to enter the competition in the following season and the club will be subject to a fine. Two teams from the same club may not be drawn against each other in the 1st round of any cup competition The Leinster Ladies Senior Cup (Jacqui Potter Cup) competition shall be an open draw in all rounds. The names of the teams entered for a competition shall be drawn in pairs and the first team drawn in each tie in the first round shall have home advantage. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 7

(k) (l) (m) The duration of each cup match shall be seventy (70) minutes. There shall be no replays in any rounds of any of the cup competitions. Drawn matches will be determined by a penalty competition as determined by the LHA Unplayed fixtures at all levels shall be played within eight (8) days except if closed dates intervene, when the fixture shall take place on the nearest available date. In the event of a dispute the Section Committee shall decide the date. 2.2.2 Player Eligibility Each member of any competing team shall be a bona fida member of the club and shall have played in at least part of one league match before the first round or at least part of two league matches before subsequent rounds in the current season. A Cup shall be awarded to the winning team. An individual memento shall be awarded to each squad member (maximum of 16 per team) of both the winners and runners up. If a player substitutes up to a higher team twice in a divisional cup competition they become cup tied. This does not apply to first round matches so it is effective only from the second round onwards. A player who has been demoted will only be eligible to play in the cup competition for the team to which they has been demoted if either: At the time of demotion, the team from which they were demoted was still in the cup, or Since the demotion they haves played one league match for the team to which they has been demoted. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 8

3 Fixtures Each club must nominate a fixtures secretary who will be the sole point of contact for all fixtures issues and inform the LHA of this nomination, with contact details, prior to the commencement of each season for each playing section. 3.1 Priority of Fixtures Men s Division 1 league fixtures shall take precedence over all non-senior Men s fixtures with the exception of the Irish Senior Cup or Irish Hockey League. Otherwise where two or more matches are due to be played and one or more of these matches is a cup match or matches these fixtures will be played first. 3.1.1 Dates of Fixtures The dates on which fixtures in all LHA competitions shall be played will be arranged by the Section Committee. Fixtures Secretaries of all affiliated clubs shall notify the Honorary Appointments Secretary of the Umpires Association where applicable of the times and venues of all home fixtures to be played at weekends not later than the previous Sunday by 22:00 hours Fixture times must be updated on the LHA website by 13:00 the previous Monday. Division 1 and 2 teams must also update the LHUA website. 3.1.2 Start Times of Fixtures The Section Committees reserve the right to determine start times for any fixtures as and when it sees fit. The following games must start no earlier than 12:00 and no later than 16:00, unless agreed by both Clubs: Division 1 (All sections) Men s Division 2 games including a 1st team Men s Mills Cup games All other league and cup must start no earlier than 9:30 and no later than 18:00 at weekend, unless agreed by both Clubs. Where a team has to travel more than 80 km from its home pitch to fulfil an away fixture, the starting time of the fixture shall not be earlier than 12:00 and no later than 17:00 on Saturday or Sunday and no earlier than 19:30 or later than 21:00 from Monday to Friday. Teams must confirm fixture times at least 6 days in advance and the home team must enter the fixture time and venue on the LHA website by 13:00 the following day (i.e. 5 days in advance). Once confirmed changes cannot be made without the assent of the Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee. If due to late running of matches a visiting team finds that the pitch will not become available until forty-five (45) minutes after the scheduled start time of their game, the match may be postponed and the venue reversed for the re-fixture. Any league or cup match that has been abandoned must be notified to the Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Subcommittee on the same day. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 9

The umpires may however stop the match or suspend play for a period no longer than twenty minutes at any time if in their opinion the light, state of weather or ground, or other good and sufficient reason renders such action necessary Queries in all matters regarding the above may be made via email to the Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Subcommittee in writing within five (5) days of any incident. 3.2 Duration of matches The duration of all matches shall be 70 minutes, notwithstanding the Cup competition bye-laws. 3.3 Uniform Requirements Player attire must be agreed at the time the fixture is agreed. Where a conflict arises the away team must change to a contrasting uniform. Shirt numbers are required for Divisions 1-3 and for all LHA Cup Finals. Clubs are encouraged to require numbered shirts for all players. 3.4 Grounds If in the opinion of the umpires at the time fixed for the starting of the match, the ground is in such a condition as to be unfit for play they shall be entitled to declare the match off. At their sole discretion, the umpires may allow a period for a pitch to be made ready for play, but in all such circumstances, the question of the fitness of a pitch for play shall rest solely with the umpires whose decision is final. If in the opinion of both umpires, the pitch is not marked satisfactorily for the game, the match shall be postponed and the venue reversed for the re-fixture. A match may be abandoned by the umpires if ground or weather conditions make further play is impossible. Any abandoned match will be replayed in full at a later date at the original venue. Goals must have nets, back boards and side boards and the boards must be dark coloured. If there are no nets the match must be postponed and the venue reversed for the re-fixture. 3.5 Change of Scheduled Fixtures All communications regarding the change of schedule fixtures shall be in writing and must be distributed to the following (without exception): Both Club s Fixtures Secretaries The LHA Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee The LHUA Appointments Secretary The Home club is responsible for any updates to the LHA website with the fixture changes to include all amended details. Failure to update the website will incur a fine. The home club is also responsible for informing the LHUA Appointments Secretary and/or any umpires of any changes to the fixture. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 10

3.5.1 Applying for a schedule change Change of fixtures (either brought forward or postponed) shall not be permitted without the prior sanction of the Section Committee. Applications for such change must state: The reasons which necessitate the application for change or postponement The fixtures of the other teams of the club on the date in respect of which the application for change or postponement is submitted. Applications for such change or postponements or must be made a minimum of ten (10) days prior to the date for which the fixture has been arranged. No club may cancel a fixture of a team where there are fixtures scheduled in lower divisions for teams of the same club. If a team that is not the lowest team postpones without permission, a 1 (one) point deduction will be made from their total. In addition, any points gained from other fixtures fulfilled in the leagues by the Club over the same weekend will be deducted, or a 1 (one) point deduction will be imposed on any team in the club which did not gain points. 3.5.2 Last Team Postponements A Club may apply to cancel the lowest team's fixture subject a maximum number of occasions in any season. (e) (f) Explicit permission from the Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Committee must be given. Application for postponement must be made before 1pm on the day before the fixture. This facility is not available to Clubs who have 1 (one) team only. In the Men s section, the lowest team may postponement a maximum of 2 fixtures. In the Ladies section, a lowest team in divisions 2-8 is allowed one postponement, in divisions 9-11 is allowed 2 postponements and in division 12 is allowed 3 postponements. If a last team is granted a further postponement beyond these limits, the team will incur a 1 point deduction and a fine. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee may in exceptional circumstances grant postponements or alterations. Clubs cannot use this facility where either team must travel more than 80 km from its home pitch to fulfil an away fixture. Clubs who fail to travel can be fined and/or a have points deducted. 3.5.3 Notification of the final decision The LHA Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee will reply to the original application and all its recipients to inform them of the final decision. In the absence of a decision on a postponement request being sent or received the fixture/game must be played. 3.5.4 Re-fix Dates All league fixtures which have been changed or postponed for any reason must be played within twenty-two (22) days of the scheduled date of the fixture, or for cup fixtures before the date of the next scheduled round whichever is the earlier, save by right of appeal to the Fixtures Committee. Three (3) dates must be offered as potential re-scheduled dates of which one must be a Sunday. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 11

Exception to the 22-day rule can be made in respect of Irish Cup Competitions with the proviso that the postponement is sought 2 weeks in advance: Teams playing in Irish Competitions outside Leinster: In the case of a Saturday fixture, the following-onteam can get a postponement to the Sunday. Alternatively, the game can be played within eight (8) days if both teams agree. Teams playing in Irish Competitions in Leinster: the following-on-team can get a postponement to the Sunday (day after). This rule does not apply to the Irish Hockey League. 3.6 Failure to Fulfil a Fixture Where a team has been unable for any reason to fulfil a fixture the Fixtures Secretary of the club to which that team belongs shall notify: The opposition Club s Fixtures Secretaries The LHA Fixtures Secretary/Fixtures Sub-committee The LHUA Appointments Secretary The notification in writing shall state the reasons for inability to fulfil the fixture. The Section Committee shall have the power to decide the future status of the fixture and the imposition any relevant penalties. 3.7 Re-fixing of Unfinished Matches In the case of unfinished matches, they shall be replayed in full. 3.8 Reporting Results of Matches Match cards and result are to be submitted subject to deadlines and procedures as detailed for the relevant section in the appendices. Teams submitting match cards with incorrect first name or surnames will be deemed to be playing an unregistered player Disputed results on the web site will be decided with reference to the match card. It is the home team's responsibility to ensure match cards are properly submitted. Failure to comply with the above rules will incur a penalty. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 12

4 Registrations Each section will provide a procedure for registration of players. Registrations of players and teams are to be submitted subject to deadlines and procedures as detailed in the appendices (for the relevant section). The procedure will seek to ensure the following goals: That players play at a level that is appropriate standard for them That the promotion/playing of hockey is encouraged That teams have fair and consistent competition Each club must nominate a registration secretary who will be the sole point of contact for all registration issues and inform the LHA of this nomination, with contact details, prior to the commencement of each season for each playing section. 4.1 General Registration Details (e) (f) (g) (h) All players must be registered. Players are not eligible to be registered until they have attained their fifteenth (15) birthday. All clubs must make sure that school-going members pay strict adherence to the guidelines laid down in the player welfare document issued by the LHA Registration of all players must be sent to the Registration Secretary/Registration Sub-committee. The initial registration of a team must be submitted by 5pm on the Thursday prior to their first fixture (whether league or cup) of each season. Any subsequent changes with respect to the promotion or demotion of registered players or addition of new players must be submitted by 17:00 on the first Thursday of each month. Registration Changes will come into effect upon the receipt of an amended Registration List by the Registration Secretary/Registration Committee. A registered player must have played a minimum of 1 game for the team to which she is registered within the time frame allowed to change registrations (i.e. within a 1 month period). No demotions are permitted after 1st Thursday in February. In order to be eligible to play in a league playoff game the player must have played 5 league matches for the club in that season. All players can play for a higher team. 4.2 Free Registration To facilitate development, a club may present a new member for registration simply by putting their name on the match card, if the following conditions are met: (e) The team is the club's last team The team is in Division 5 or lower The player is identified as new on the match card The player is not subject to transfer rules The player has not registered with any other team Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 13

(f) (g) The player provides photographic identification to the opposition team captain Only one player can be Free Registered' per team per game A player registered in this manner cannot play for any other team until formally registered by the Registration Secretary. The Club Registration Database must be updated by the following Thursday with the new player or the match card will be deemed as have being played with an ineligible player and relevant sanctions shall apply. 4.3 Overseas Players Registration Clubs registering overseas players must complete the appropriate form, and the form must reach the Registration Committee at least ten (10) days prior to when that player wishes to play in a competitive match. These players are not eligible to play until their club has received written permission from the Registration Committee. The overseas player must be registered by the Thursday prior to their first league match. Overseas players once registered with a club do not need to complete an overseas registration form each season. 4.4 Transfer of Players No player shall play for more than one club during the same season in the LHA competitions unless and until his/her transfer has been submitted to the section registration secretary on the appropriate form. When a player wishes at any time to transfer from one affiliated club to another, the Club Release Form (from the LHA site) must be submitted by the transferee club to the Registrations Secretary/Registration Committee. If a player whose transfer has been sanctioned has played in a LHA cup competition during the hockey season in which the transfer has taken place, he shall not be eligible to play for his new club in that Competition or in any lower ranked Cup competition during that season. Players cannot register for the LHA while registered with another Branch of Hockey Ireland. 4.5 Infringement to Registrations Queries by the Registration Committee on infringements will be communicated via email to the Club Registration Secretary. If clubs do not reply within 10 calendar days, infringement fines/point deductions will apply at the discretion of the Section Committee. Teams found to be in breach of the registration rules will be subject to the following plus a fine per the fine schedule for the first offence: Team with ineligible player winning: record a 1-0 win to the opposition or, Team with ineligible player drawing: record a 1-0 win to the opposition or, Team with ineligible player losing: deduction of 1 point from that team or, Team with ineligible player in a cup match: offending team shall be disqualified Additional defaults by the same team will carry an increasing penalty, which shall be decided at the discretion of the Committee. Matches will not be replayed. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 14

4.6 Protests Regarding Eligibility Any queries or protests must be lodged so as to be received by the Registrations Secretary within 72 hours of the end of the match concerned and shall be accompanied by a fee of 100 which shall be returned in the event that the protest is upheld. 4.7 Photographic Identification at League/Cup Matches Every player over the age of 16 is required to present photographic ID at every league and cup match if required by the opposition Captain. Players can voluntarily submit a passport-like photo of themselves to the registration system instead of having photographic ID. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 15

Appendix A: Mens Section Procedures The following procedures apply to the Mens Section only and are subject to change by the Mens committee each year as required. A.1 Reporting Results/Updating Fixtures The following rules apply: (e) (f) Fixtures must be arranged by 8pm on the Sunday before the match and the LHA website must be updated with the time before 9am on Monday morning. Failure to do so will result in a fine. A minimum of seven players must be submitted as the match day squad for both teams by the start of the match. Failure to do so will result in an automatic fine. The complete matchcard must be submitted by midnight on the day of the match. Failure to do so will result in an automatic fine. In the case of a reversal, a postponement or cancellation, the Results Officer must be contacted by email before midnight on the day of the match. Excepting extreme circumstances, matchcards are to be submitted using the online matchcard system (http://cards.leinsterhockey.ie). False reporting of players on a matchcard is a very serious offence. A.2 Registration The Registration List will be divided in order into teams as follows: Division IHL 1 2 3 4+ Players 16 16 14 12 11 Starred Players 3 5 4 3 3 A starred player may play for the team immediately below the one to which he is registered as well as the team he is registered with. Registration lists will be reviewed at the start of each month. A.3 Minimum Number of Players Each team must have a minimum of 7 players on the field of play for a match to be started. Each team must maintain a minimum of 7 players on the field of play for the duration of the match; this includes any suspended players (green/yellow/red). Where a team does not fulfil this condition, the opposing team will be considered as having won the match by a score of 3-0, or by the score when the match was discontinued, whichever of the two scores will be more advantageous for the winning team. Further penalties/fines may be imposed by the Section Committee. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 16

Appendix B: Ladies Section Procedures The following procedures apply to the Ladies Section only and are subject to change by the Ladies committee each year as required. B.1 Reporting of Results Match results are to be submitted by text within four hours of completion of the match. Late entry of results will incur a fine. Match cards are to be scanned /photographed and emailed to the designated email address on the day of the fixture. Completed match cards for the Hon. Registration Secretary must be received within four (4) days of the match. Late or incomplete match cards will incur a fine Match cards are the primary record with respect to team registration and results and must be signed by Captains and Umpires. In the event of a dispute, the match card will be taken by the Ladies Committee as an accurate representation of the game and its result. B.2 Registration A minimum of eleven (11) to a maximum sixteen (16) players at one time must be registered on a team. A player may not play for a team lower than the team on which she is registered. Where it is clear that a player will miss 4 consecutive matches through absence, injury or suspension, clubs shall remove the player in question from that team list immediately. Failure to do so will result in a penalty and the club shall be obliged to give a written explanation to the Ladies Section Committee. B.2.1 Floats Players not registered on a team but wishing to play league/cup hockey must be registered as Floats. A player who has played 8 Leinster League matches as a float will be deemed registered with the team she has played the most games for, or if not clear, at a level decided by the Ladies Section Committee. The club should consider the number of games played by floats at the time of permitted registration change and make due effort to change their registered status accordingly. Any club failing to re-register a float at the next first Thursday of the month after 8 games will be in breach of registration. B.2.2 Provisos for International Players International player is defined as having played in an international fixture. Underage (U21 or U18 or U16) International players are considered an international player at the age level until no longer eligible for that level. Senior International or U21 International players must play on their club's highest nominated team (Ladies 1st XI) U16 or U18 International players must play on either their club's highest or second highest nominated team (Ladies 1st or 2nd XI) Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 17

(e) Ex Senior International players must not play below Division 5. Where a Club have no team in Division 5 they must play in the next highest division in which a team is registered. (f) (g) If the club has two teams in this division they must play on the highest nominated team Requests for any deviation from this Bye-law must be made in writing to the Registration Committee at least two days prior to a scheduled Ladies Committee meeting, for consideration at the next Ladies Committee meeting. B.3 Transfer of Players (Mid-Season) No permission will be granted for a club change after October 31st; in the case of University players November 30th is the latest date for change. A Mid-Season Transfer Request Form must be submitted by the player to the Ladies Section Committee. The transfer request will be considered by the Ladies Section Committee and the outcome, agreement or refusal will be communicated to the player and both clubs. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 18

Appendix C: Ladies Sunday League The LHA board allows the Sunday League Sub-committee of the Ladies Section to govern the Sunday League with reference to these Bye-Laws. (e) All players must be registered according to the procedure for the Ladies Section. Player eligibility for the competition will be determined by the Sunday League Committee. Procedures for match reporting and fixtures will be determined by the Sunday League Committee. The playing record of players in the Sunday League will have no effect on eligibility of those players in the Senior Ladies league or cup competitions. The Sub-Committee is reasonable for all communications and must keep the participating teams informed of all decision regarding the competition. The LHA board acknowledges that the Ladies Sunday League are not subject to the same rigorous interpretation of these Bye-Laws as the Ladies Senior Section. The LHA board retain ultimate governance over all matters and the same rights of appeal apply. Leinster Hockey Association Section Bye-Laws (VF 2018a) 19