These regulations apply to the following competitions and any other school competitions under the jurisdiction of England Basketball: England Basketball Schools Competitions U19 Men England Basketball Schools Competitions U19 Women England Basketball Schools Competitions U16 Boys England Basketball Schools Competitions U16 Girls England Basketball Schools Competitions U15 Boys England Basketball Schools Competitions U15 Girls England Basketball Schools Competitions U14 Boys England Basketball Schools Competitions U14 Girls 1. MANAGEMENT 1.1 The management of the Competitions on behalf of England Basketball is vested in the School Competitions Team of England Basketball who shall have the authority to make all decisions on all matters pertaining to England Basketball Schools Competitions not specifically covered in the rules. 1.2 The Schools Competitions are the official school competitions of England Basketball. 1.3 England Basketball has delegated the responsibility for these school competitions to the Schools Competitions Manager and Officers. The responsibility for decisions will primarily lie with the Schools Competitions Manager with the advice of the School Competitions Officers. This authority may from time to time be devolved on members of the other staff of England Basketball. The England Basketball Schools Competitions Manager will delegate to at least 3 independent experienced schools competition officers. Schools that appeal against any decision taken by the England Basketball Schools Competition Team which will be referred to a select committee of these independent, experienced schools competition officers convened by the National Schools Competition Manager 1.4 An appeal may be made against any decision of the delegated independent Schools Officers, who have acted on behalf of England Basketball Schools Competitions Team. Normally when a matter is the subject of an appeal, the Appellant shall submit the substance of their appeal, in writing, for the attention of the Appeal Panel of Schools Competitions. If, however, the Appeal Panel so decides, the Appellant, together with any other party or parties who may be affected by the decision, may be given the right of a personal hearing, but solely at the discretion of the Appeals Panel, but not as of right. Normally a personal hearing will be granted in cases related to disciplinary action. 1.5 By entering and registering to participate, schools and individuals must accept these regulations regarding disciplinary action and appeals. 2.0 REGISTRATION AND ENTRY 2.1 The following may apply to enter the schools competitions: Any individual school, college or academy who are officially recognised by the Department of Education 2.2 England Basketball Schools Competitions reserve the right to refuse entry to any schools, college or academy to any of the competitions. 2.3 Schools entering the competitions must be affiliated to England Basketball for a period of that season and schools must re-affiliate for each season they participate in. 2.4 All school players must be registered to England Basketball. If a school is to participate through the SSP route they should be registered by the regional round and if schools teams are to play via England Basketball Direct Entry route they must be registered before the first game. All School players must be registered by the regional round. Teams can list their squads and add to their list but only up to this date. After this date schools cannot add to their players list. 1
2.5 Individual Schools entering more than one team can do so, but must clearly identify that they are two separate teams not playing the same players in both teams. If a school has two teams and one progresses more than the other, players are not allowed to transfer across. A teams list will be needed to cover this. Any school team failing to do this will not be allowed to continue in the competitions. 2.6 Entries for the Schools Competitions will have an entry deadline, this date will be determined by the Schools Competitions Officers and clearly stated on the entry form. 2.7 An individual school entering the Schools Competitions shall be represented at its fixture by an employee of that school. In signing the entry form the Head teacher of the school, college or Academy accepts responsibility for the actions of its employee. 3.0 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY 3.1 Ages of players taken at the 1st Sept of each season. 3.2 Schools/Colleges/Academies that are found to have played ineligible players will face disqualification from England Basketball School Competitions for the remaining of that season. 3.3 Players must be in full-time attendance at the school/college/academy they represent in the competition. 3.4 Teams must field a minimum of 8 players. 3.5 In order to participate in the Regional and National rounds of the competition, the school/college/academy must be registered with England Basketball. 3.6 All players that reach regional rounds must be registered to England Basketball by the first game in the regional round, this will allow teams to continue playing from the regional rounds onwards. 4.0 COMPETITIONS 4.1 England Basketball Schools Competitions consists of: U14 Boys and U14 Girls School Competitions U15 Boys and U15 Girls School Competitions U16 Boys and U16 Girls Schools Competitions U19 Men s and U19 Women Schools Competitions 4.2 U14 Boys and U14 Girls School Competitions. This competition is a priority competition run through County Competition Managers. A school must enter via their competition manager and the CM will input the school details on their counties affiliation form. The CM will be responsible for facilitating all aspects of the School Sports Partnership and County rounds. At regional round stages onwards England Basketball will step into to organise fixtures. Fourteen regional winners will progress to the Zone Round, at this point the zones will be four areas of the country North, Central, London and South. North will include three regions Yorkshire and Humberside, North West and North East regions, Central will also include three regions East Midlands, West Midlands and East regions and South will also include three regions South West, South and South East regions. London will include five regions North London, East London, South London, West London and Central London. At the zone stage the zone regions will each play other regions in their zone, from this four zone winners will progress to the final fours. 4.3 U15 Boys and U15 Girls School Competitions. This competition is primarily run through County Competition Managers, if Competition Managers are not facilitating this round, teams can make a direct entry to England Basketball. Direct entries shall be made up of school teams where there is no county rounds or for Elite teams from last season s ESBBA final results. The CM will run the School Sports Partnership and County rounds where as England Basketball will run the direct entries. At regional rounds England Basketball will step into to organise fixtures. 2
Fourteen regional winners will progress to the Zone round. At this point the zones will be four areas of the country North, Central, London and South. North will include three regions Yorkshire and Humberside, North West and North East regions, Central will also include three regions East Midlands, West Midlands and East regions and South will also include three regions South West, South and South East regions. London will include five regions North London, East London, South London, West London and Central London. At zone round the zone region will each play other regions in their zone, from this four zone winners will progress to the final fours. 4.4 U16 Boys and U16 Girls School Competitions. This competition is primarily run through County Competition Managers, if Competition Managers are not facilitating this round, teams can make a direct entry to England Basketball. Direct entries shall be made up of school teams where there is no county rounds or for Elite teams from last season s ESBBA final results. The CM will run the School Sports Partnership and County rounds where as England Basketball will run the direct entries. At regional rounds England Basketball will step into to organise fixtures. Fourteen regional winners will progress to the Zone round, at this point the zones will be four areas of the country North, Central, London and South. North will include three regions Yorkshire and Humberside, North West and North East regions, Central will also include three regions East Midlands, West Midlands and East regions and South will also include three regions South West, South and South East regions. London will include five regions North London, East London, South London, West London and Central London. At zone round the zone region will each play other regions in their zone, from this four zone winners will progress to the final fours. 4.5 U19 Men and U19 Women School Competitions. This competition is run through England Basketball. Direct entries are the only way to enter into these competitions. The competition format will be dependent on the number of entries received. This is open to all schools, colleges and academies. The competition format will begin with regional pools and these will be determined by the schools geographical location. Teams will play each other in their pool. Depending on entries, it will determine which positions in the pools will progress to the last 32 teams in national knock out games. Teams that win will progress to the last 16, where again it will be knock-out games. Winners of this round will progress to final 8 and again it will be knock-out games. The winners of this round will progress to the final fours of the competition. 4.6 In all competitions England Basketball reserve the right to amalgamate regions where few entries have been received and to adjust the format of competitions for the teams involved. In the event of such amalgamation, the designated qualifiers could come from one region. 4.7 The teams that qualify for zone and final fours of the schools competitions shall observe any arrangements by England Basketball for the staging of these fixtures, especially with the regard to any sponsorship agreements. 4.8 Subject to rules in 6.2 man to man defence is mandatory at U14 competitions during all of the competitions rounds. 4.9 All England Basketball Schools holding trophies of England Basketball shall be fully responsible for the safety of these trophies, their engraving, maintenance and good order and their safe return to England Basketball. Any breakages will have to be paid for. 4.10 Each competing school team that participates in the final fours will receive a maximum of 16 event tickets for use amongst the competitors and members of the school team. 3
5.0 MATCH FORMAT Timing 5.1 Matches will be arranged either in the form of triangular (or greater) central venue tournaments or as a straight league, dependent upon the geographical spread and number of entries. 5.2 In the case of a league format games shall consist of four periods of 10 minutes stopping clock with an interval of two minutes between the first and second periods and the third and fourth periods, and with a half-time interval of 10 minutes between the second and third periods. 5.3 In the case of triangular tournaments, games shall consist of four periods of 7 minutes stopping clock, with an interval of two minutes between the first and second periods and the third and fourth periods, and with a half-time interval of 10 minutes between the second and third periods. 5.4 If the length of time available becomes an issue than there is the option to shorten the games by adopting a running clock. 6.0 MATCH FORMAT Playing Rules 6.1 All matches are played according to FIBA regulations unless otherwise stated. 6.2 Zone Defences are not permitted in U14 games. 6.3 All defences are allowed for U15, U16 and U19. 6.4 A game should consist of two qualified referees and two table officials. 6.5 It is up to the home team to provide the match ball. 6.6 Official Ball Size: U14 Girls 5 U14 Boys 6 U15 Boys 7 U15 Girls 6 U16 Boys 7 U16 Girls 6 U19 Men 7 U19 Women 6 6.7 Each team should supply its own practice balls. 6.8 All matches should be played on a full court not less than 20m x 11m. 6.9 Teams should contact each other prior to the fixture to organise, the game, time and the playing colours, so there are no clashes. It is up to the home team if there is a clash of colours, if this is apparent on game day to change the colour of their kit they play in. 6.10 Up to twelve players are allowed on the score sheet along with the coach and assistant coach. 6.11 A nominated captain of the school should be awarded to a member of the school team. 6.12 If a coach is disqualified during the game their place is to be replaced by another member of the school. 6.13 Players can only be ejected from the courtside and not allowed to continue in the game, they should not be ejected out of the hall. 6.14 It is recommended that in addition to a coach and assistant coach that a team manager is available on the bench. 4
7.0 FIXTURES 7.1 Matches shall be played prior to the published closing dates for the various rounds of each Competition in the calendar. No arrangements other than this can be accepted without prior consent of the England Basketball officials. 7.2 Both teams have equal responsibility for arranging the fixture. 7.3 The home team is responsible for confirming the game 7 days before to the away Team(s). 7.4 The first name drawn is the home team and is expected to stage the match. Any alternative arrangements must be mutually agreed and have England Basketball authorisation. 7.5 A visible scoreboard and clock showing at least the time for the game in minutes shall be provided by the home team at every match. These facilities shall be clearly visible to both the teams benches. 7.6 The home team is also to provide score sheets and table equipment for the game. 7.7 Spectator space if available should not interfere with the playing space. All spectators should be adequately supervised by the relevant school/college/academy staff. 7.8 Teams arriving more than 20 minutes late than the scheduled starting time find them self liable to having to forfeit the game. The away team need to contact the home team if they are to be late. It is however the intention that the match should take place if at all possible and officials are requested to keep this in mind when making decisions. 7.9 When a club is responsible for the postponement of a scheduled match (48 hours prior to the tip off) or does not fulfil a fixture, without the consent of its opponents, England Basketball Schools Department may consider this matter and will award the nonoffending team 20 0 and league points may be deducted. If games are postponed for other reasons, e.g. school issues, a new date for the match must be confirmed with Regional School Co-ordinators and England Basketball Schools Department no later than 1 week after the postponement. When a school is responsible for the postponement of a scheduled match (up to 24 hours prior to the tip off) due to venue owners cancelling the court booking, the game must be rescheduled within 7 days of the postponement. Confirmation from the venue that the original booking was cancelled by the venue owners must be provided. Failure to provide confirmation from the venue owners will result in consideration of the matter by the England Basketball Schools Department and Regional Schools Coordinators which may result in the game being awarded to the opposition. In the event of postponements due to severe weather conditions or unforeseen road delays the following regulations will apply: (i) The travelling expenses (if applicable) of all the Match Officials will be paid by the home team. Any dispute over the team responsible for the postponement and subsequently any costs will be resolved by England Basketball within 7 days, these expenses may then be reimbursed. (ii) The cost of court hire will lie with the team responsible for the postponement if the match is re-arranged for a later date. In the case of a forfeit the home club is not entitled to claim for court hire costs but will be awarded the game 20-0. (iii) The responsibility for notifying match officials of a postponement rests with the home club. (iv) Should, for any reason, a match be abandoned, the matter will be referred to England Basketball Schools Department or Regional Schools Co-ordinators to adjudicate. 5
7.10 In the event of a tie in league points at the end of the season, this shall be resolved as followed: (i) If there are two teams involved in this classification, the result(s) of the game(s) between the teams involved will be used to determine the placings. (ii) In the event that the total points scored and conceded are the same in the games between the two teams, the classification will be determined by goal difference taking into account the results of all the games played in the league by both teams. (iii) If more than two teams are equal in the placings, a second classification will be established taking into account only the results of the games between the teams that are tied. (iv) In the event that there are still teams tied after the second classification, then goal difference will be used to determine the placings, taking into account only the results of the games between the teams still tied. (v) If there are still teams tied, the placings will be determined using goal difference from the results of all their games played in the league. (vi) If at any stage using the above criteria, a multiple tie is reduced to a tie involving only two teams, the procedure in (i) and (ii) will be applied.. (vii) If it is reduced to a tie still involving more than two teams, the procedure Beginning with (iii) is repeated. (viii) Goal difference will always be calculated by subtracting points against/ from points for/scored. 7.11 No music is allowed to be played whilst the game is in play. Music can be played during warm up, half time and time outs only. Air-horns and whistles are also not permitted to be used during the game either by spectators. 8.0 RESULTS 8.1 The results of the game should be phoned in or emailed the same day by the home team to Gail Richards at England Basketball and this should be supported by posting or faxing the score sheet within 24 hours of the game being played. 8.2 Please telephone results to 0114 2841068, fax 0114 2841061, email gail.richards@englandbasketball.co.uk or post the score sheet to England Basketball, Po Box 3971, Sheffield, S9 9AZ. 9.0 OFFICIALS 9.1 Neutral floor officials shall be appointed by the home team for each game. In the final stages England Basketball will appoint these officials. These officials should have a minimum age of 18 and hold a minimum level 2 referees qualification. 9.2 Match Officials shall include referees, table officials. All match officials operating in the English Schools Leagues must be licensed with England Basketball and qualified at the appropriate level. 9.3 All matches should operator with two table officials, a scorer and a time keeper. The scorer should be qualified to at least Level 2 standard where the timekeeper should be a minimum Level 1. 9.4 The referees and table officials will be appointed by the home team and should be neutral where possible for each match. The officials should be paid match fees and expenses prior to the game as appropriate, by the home school team. 9.5 Schools may submit reports on the handling of the game by Referees and Umpires. Any such reports should be received within 48 hours to England Basketball Schools Department and the report will be held to be the considered by this department 6
9.6 Match officials must wear the current England Basketball Officiating uniform for all England. Basketball Schools Competitions. 9.7 Match Officials are not permitted to make comments to representatives of the media on any public websites including any electronic format over any incidents that may have occurred during matches in which they officiate. Officials who transgress this regulation will be referred to the schools panel. 9.8 In accordance with the rules of the game, referees must ensure they are present at the venue one hour prior to tip off and ensure they are present on the playing court 20 minutes prior to the scheduled tip off time 10.0 GAME PROMOTION 10.1 Should the home team wish to provide a programme, information should be provided by the away team 5 days before. 11.0 HOSPITALITY 11.1 The home team is expected to provide adequate refreshments for the away team, bearing in mind the distance travelled. If it is intended not to provide refreshments, the opposition should be informed when the arrangements of the game are confirmed. 11.2 Should the away team require over night accommodation all expenses for accommodation will be paid by the away team. 12.0 DISCIPLINARY ACTION 12.1 England Basketball will be responsible for all disciplinary matters. 12.2 Individual schools, coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, players and/or team representatives may be disciplined for any breach of the competition rules. Such disciplinary action could include disqualification of a team or officials from competition for any period that may be decided by the Schools Competitions Officer. Teams are also responsible for their supporters and failure to control their behaviour could result in similar disqualification. 12.3 If a player is disqualified during a match England Basketballs School Officer should be informed and the referee is requested to forward a written report on the incident. The penalty for the offence will be decided by England Basketball and the disqualification should fall within the following categories: Violent/aggressive behaviour (physical/verbal) Theft or fraudulent behaviour Racial abuse/comments Substance abuse Sexual abuse Drunken and disorderly conduct 12.4 Coaches, assistant coaches, team managers or team followers guilty of unprofessional conduct during the game shall face disciplinary action and possibly disqualification for any period that may be decided by England Basketball Schools Competitions Department. 12.5 Normal disciplinary matters arising from matches played will be dealt with in order that any decision may come into effect as from the next scheduled game. 13.0 DISPUTES 13.1 All disputes regarding matches should be put in writing and received by the England Basketball Schools Competitions Department and the Regional Schools co-ordinator within 72 hours of the match. Up to regional rounds the Regional Schools Co-ordinators will have sole 7
responsibility of disputes by schools. However England Basketball Schools Competitions Department will step in if the matter cannot be resolved by the Regional Schools Co-ordinators or if the Regional Schools Co-ordinator is unable to deal with the dispute. From Regional rounds onwards EB Schools Competitions Department will take over disputes regarding matches with the assistance of the Regional Schools Co-ordinator to assist where need be to help resolve the matter. A copy of the complaint will also be passed onto the opposing team coach. 13.2 England Basketball Schools Competitions Department or the Regional Schools Co-ordinator will adjudicate within 72 hours after receipt of evidence from both teams. 13.3 If, at the end of a match, a team considers that it has suffered unreasonable harm by virtue of any occurrence connected with the match, with the exception of decisions by the match officials, the captain of the team may sign the score sheet "under protest". This must be done within 10 minutes of the end of the match. The referee should ensure that they do not close the score sheet, by signing it, until the 10-minute period has elapsed. All match officials and table officials should remain at the disposal of the referee until they have signed the score sheet. If a team signs the score sheet "under protest", it must adhere to points 13.1 to back up the signing of the score sheet. 14.0 APPEALS 14.1 Appeals against any decision made by England Basketball Schools Competitions Team shall be lodged in writing with the Schools Competitions Officers within 72 hours of the decision being made known to the individual school. 14.2 An appeal shall be accompanied by a deposit of 50, which shall be returnable if the appeal is upheld. 14.3 Further appeals against any decision taken by the England Basketball Schools Competition Team will be referred to a select committee of at least 3 independent, experienced schools competition officers convened by the National Schools Competition Manager 14.4 The decision of England Basketball Competitions Manager shall be final and it shall be within their power to increase the severity of the punishment imposed. Issued by the England Basketball Schools Competition Team Date: 27/11/09 Enquiries to: Gail Richards gail.richards@englandbasketball.co.uk or Keith Farmer keith.farmer@englandbasketball.co.uk Tel: 0114 284 1068 8