Essex Hockey League Regulations

Rule changes voted by clubs at league meeting May 2017 9Bi] to help establish new teams, clubs only need to star 4 players not 8 in the team above the new one 9Biv] players may play in rearranged Sunday East matches Essex Hockey League Regulations 1 NAME The league shall be called the ESSEX HOCKEY LEAGUE. 2 MANAGEMENT The management of the League shall be undertaken by a League Committee comprising a League Chairman who shall be elected from the membership of the League Committee, together with additional members (Divisional Representatives and Results co-ordinator) who will be co-opted as required. The League Committee shall report its actions to the Management Committee of the ECHA. 3 ACCOUNTS A member of the League Committee shall keep records of the financial transactions of the League and make an account of these which will be submitted to the Treasurer of the ECHA for inclusion in the accounts of the ECHA. 4 MEMBERSHIP All participating clubs must be affiliated to the ECHA. All teams must pay a league entry fee by the start of the relevant season. Non-compliance will lead to all games being conceded 5-0 until rectified. 5 STRUCTURE The League shall be comprised of Divisions that will be, as far as possible, equal in number. There will be promotions and relegations in each division, which will be determined once movement to and from the East has been confirmed at the end of each season. The team occupying the top position of the Premier Division will be promoted into the East Women's League. All matters relating to promotion, relegation and numbers of teams in Divisions will be determined by the League Committee, and published by the end of July. 6 BINDING FORCE OF RULES By entering the League a club consents to all the League rules, undertakes to ensure that all its officers are fully conversant with the rules by the start of the season, and takes responsibility for the actions of its players, officers, and members in relation to League matches. Each club shall be deemed to have agreed to abide by the decisions of the League Committee and any penalty or sanction it may see fit to impose. i] Clubs may propose changes to the League Rules for the following season by sending a proposal to the League Chairman to be received by 7 April. The League Chairman may then arrange a League Meeting to be attended by all Clubs prior to 1 September in order that any proposal(s) be put to a vote. 7 SCORING 3 points for a win; 1 for a draw; nil for a defeat. In the case of failure to honour a fixture the provision of Rule 17 will apply. In the event of equality of points at the end of the season, promotion and relegation places shall be determined by consideration of the following in order: i] goal difference; ii] highest number of goals scored; iii] lowest number of goals conceded; iv] play-off to be arranged by the League Chairman at a neutral ground. If at the end of the match teams are still equal the penalty stroke procedure (available from the League Committee) shall apply. 8 UMPIRES i] Umpires must be members of a County Hockey Umpiring association. 2

ii] Premier Division umpires may be allocated by name by the Umpires Committee, subject to availability. If an allocated pool umpire is prevented from arriving at the required time, the match shall be rearranged in accordance with Rule 15. iii] Umpires for Premier Division and Division 1 must be Level 1 assessed or above. iv] Level 1 unassessed may umpire Division 2 only if they are being assessed and then only if first agreed by the Divisional Rep and then the opposition. v] Umpires for Divisions 2 and below must be at least Level 1 (assessed or unassessed) having passed Level 1 theory paper in the last two years. If there is not an appropriate assessment game available for a Level 1 unassessed umpire and another club is unable to help, please seek guidance from EHUA. vi] Umpires must wear a contrasting colour top to both league teams (including the goalkeepers). vii] If any written complaints are received from League clubs about an umpire these shall be passed to the Umpires Liaison for consideration by EHUA. viii] Failure to supply an eligible umpire at the required start time shall result in the supplying team forfeiting the game and a 5-0 win awarded to the opposition. 9 PLAYERS Ai] As per England Hockey guidelines, all players must be aged 13 or over. Aii] All players must be registered and approved prior to playing. All club registrations must be made before the first game of the season; this rule does not prevent new players being added during the season. If a player is unregistered or unapproved and plays, the game will be defaulted resulting in a win to the opposition of 5-0 or the actual score to nil, whichever is the greater. Aiii] If a player transfers from one club to another, that player must be deregistered by their old club and reregistered and approved prior to playing for the new club. Aiv] Clubs are asked to indicate goalkeepers by adding GK to their registration. Bi] Clubs entering two or more teams into the league must register at least eleven players for each of the higher squads of which eight starred players will not be eligible to play down unless re-registered in a lower squad. These starred players must be playing in the team that they are registered against. a] A club entering a new team to the league must star four players (not 8) in the team immediately higher than the new one. Bii] No starred player shall be destarred without approval of the League Chairman prior to playing. Any such changes must be confirmed in writing, giving reasons for the change. The League Committee will monitor the starring system and any movement of players between squads. If the movement of players appears as though it is being manipulated the League Committee shall impose a penalty. Biii] No squad player can play down more than one team or up more than two teams. Biv] No player can play both a game in the Investec Women's Hockey League (IWHL) or East Women's League (EWL) and the Essex Hockey League in the same weekend, with the following exceptions: a) that a regular bench player in teams in higher leagues who does not usually have significant pitch time may play for a lower team in the same weekend with agreement from the Div Rep. This is only to allow the player necessary match practice. Divisional reps may request team sheets for higher leagues in order to monitor this rule and may impose penalties for abuse of the rule. b) in the event of a rearranged EWL game being played on a Sunday, a player may play up into the EWL with agreement from the Div Rep Bv] If there is no EWL match in a weekend then none of the starting players on the last two EWL teamsheets may play in the Essex Hockey League. Ci] Any club being represented in the Investec and East Women's Leagues will be deemed to be playing in a higher division. Cii] Those clubs with teams playing in the Investec Women's Hockey League (IWHL) and East Women's League (EWL) are required to register the squad(s) for the higher leagues and must nominate 11(22) of those players who will not be eligible to play in the Essex Hockey League. The League Committee will be checking Essex registrations with IWHL & EWL to ensure that the correct players have been registered and there are no irregularities. 3

Ciii] To allow matches to proceed where teams have less than 11 players, the following rules will apply a) No player shall play in more than ONE game of a WEEKEND S fixtures EXCEPT to bring the lower team up to 11 players. E.g. a first team player can play in both the 1st and 2nd team games but if so, the 2nd team and any subsequent teams may NOT have any substitutes. A maximum of 3 such players may be included in the lower team. A goalkeeper may double up as often as needed as a goalkeeper, within the rules. b) Please note that the terms 1st and 2nd are team rank order and not order of games played on the day e.g. if the 2nds played at 10:30 and the 1sts at 13:30 it would still be the 2nd team who could only have 11 players.) c) All players playing down to bring a team up to 11 players must abide by the registration rules listed above. For example, no squad player can play down more than one team. The arrangements in Rule 9Ciii are only intended to enable lower sides to fulfil fixtures when a team would otherwise have less than 11 players. Doubling up of field players in this way must not result in the team having more than 11 players plus goalkeeper, i.e. no substitutes are allowed. The league will monitor the application of this rule very closely to ensure that there is no unfair strengthening. Clubs are advised to consult the Divisional Rep in advance if in any doubt whatsoever. In all circumstances the Captain of the team using a player from another team must advise the opposing Captain of this before the match. In the event of a dispute, the onus is on the club to prove that doubling up was due to a genuine shortage of players and was not planned in advance to achieve an unfair advantage. Please remember that players cannot play in East and Essex in the same weekend except by prior arrangement under rule 9Biv. 10 CONDUCT i] The Disciplinary Code of the England Hockey Board (EHB) shall be applied at all League matches. Reports to the League Committee from clubs and/or umpires regarding disciplinary matters may be forwarded to the EHUA or ECHA Management committee for consideration. ii] Additionally a player who receives three yellow cards in one season in league matches shall be automatically suspended by her club for the next league match, and for the next league match following each subsequent yellow card. A player receiving a fifth or subsequent yellow card shall be automatically suspended for the next two league matches. If the third or a subsequent yellow card is received in the last league match of the season, the League Committee may determine that the penalty be carried forward to the start of the next season and if so will advise the Player/Club concerned accordingly. iii] The umpires may designate a "bench side". Only persons named on the team sheet shall stand/sit on that side. iv] Clubs and individuals are expected to promote EHB s Code of Ethics and Behaviour. The League Committee will act upon any inappropriate comments referring to opponents or umpires made via social media or in press reports. Refer to the Inclusion, Diversity & Compliance section of www.englandhockey.co.uk 11 UNIFORM i] Players participating in League matches shall wear Club uniform as detailed on the ECHA website. In the event of a colour clash, the away team shall change shirts and/or socks as necessary. Away teams must carry an alternative strip contrasting to their usual colours and if required by either the home team captain or either umpire to do so, shall wear them. Failure to do so shall result in the game being defaulted to a 5-0 or greater win to the opposition. ii] Players participating in League matches shall wear shirts clearly numbered as per teamsheet. iii] Goalkeepers shall wear a numbered shirt of contrasting colour. iv] Captains must be clearly identifiable. v] Players and officials must wear a contrasting colour to both teams when not on the pitch. 4

12 MATCHES All League matches shall: Ai] Be played in accordance with the current rules of the game of hockey as published by EHB. Aii] Be played on the dates agreed by the League Committee. (These dates to fall within the period 15 September to 7 April). In the event of bad weather, the League Chairman may extend the season by up to 3 weeks. Matches not completed by this date shall be declared void. League games falling within these dates take priority over any prearranged friendlies or junior national competitions. Aiii] Be scheduled to begin between 10am and 4pm. The umpires and both teams must be ready to start at the notified time. Bi] Venue, dates and times of matches must not be changed unless under extreme circumstances and this must be approved by the League Chairman or divisional representative prior to being agreed with the opposition. Once agreed, it must be confirmed in writing to all concerned parties (include results co-ordinator); failure to do so shall result in a penalty of point(s) deduction. Bii] Prior to the first league fixture, time/venue for each match must be published on the Essex website via the Club Administration pages. Failure to do so will result in a monetary fine for the first week and points to be deducted for each subsequent week that the details are missing. Biii] When scheduling start times, the home team must consider the distance being travelled by their opposition. C] During the February half-term holiday, the lowest team within a Club may seek permission to postpone the fixture (rather than be forced to concede). 13 TEAM SHEET i] A team sheet is to be provided by both the home and away teams. Please ensure that all boxes are clearly completed, legible and signed by both umpires and captains. ii] Not less than 20 minutes before the start of a match, the Captain or team official shall hand to an umpire a list of players showing their registered numbers and the names of any other officials entitled to occupy the team bench (Manager, Coach, Physiotherapist). A team shall be entitled to nominate up to 16 players in its squad for each match and only those listed may sit on the bench. THE TEAM SHEETS MUST BE VERIFIED BY THE CAPTAIN OR TEAM OFFICIAL OF BOTH TEAMS AND IN SO SIGNING WILL BE DEEMED TO VOUCH FOR AND CONFIRM THAT EACH PLAYER LISTED IS ELIGIBLE TO PLAY. Team sheets must also be signed again at the end of the game to verify the result. If there are any comments on the sheets regarding disputes or conduct of teams, these must also be signed by both captains confirming they have seen all the comments. Both teams must be given the opportunity to reply to any comments raised. iii] Any teams found to have falsified a team sheet will be subject to points deduction and the game will be defaulted and awarded to the opposition, either 5-0 or the actual score to nil, whichever is the greater. 14 PITCH i] All League matches to be played on a pitch that meets the standards set out in the current rules of hockey. ii] All Essex Hockey League games must be played on artificial turf. It is the responsibility of the club of the home team to check pitch facilities, including markings, goals, nets, floodlighting etc. If inadequate, the inadequacy should be put right. If this is not possible, the match must be postponed. The club shall then incur a fine, to be determined by the League Committee. 15 POSTPONEMENT Postponement of matches shall occur only as in 14ii] or: Ai] when the ground is not available owing to circumstances beyond the control of the home team; Aii] in the opinion of the team officials, ground staff, captains or umpires for the match, ground conditions would make play impossible; Aiii] if an allocated pool umpire fails to arrive; Aiv] at the discretion of the League Committee if a team has a number of players competing in an England Hockey national cup competition fixture on the same day or in a fixture more than 150 miles from the club s home ground on the following day. Any request must be made in writing for the consideration of the Committee. 5

Bi] Away teams and allocated umpires must be notified of postponement 3 hours prior to agreed start time. Home teams are expected to make contact by telephone. In bad weather, the Home team must inspect pitches early enough to stop the Away team from travelling. Home teams must also notify their Div Rep and the results co-ordinator. Bii] The League Committee will advise clubs of the date on which a postponed match must be played. Clubs then have SEVEN days to confirm start time and venue, and must inform the results coordinator and relevant Div Rep. Failure to comply may lead to penalties imposed at the League Committee s discretion. Biii] Slip dates are listed on the League Structure page. Clubs must not use a slip date without being told to do so by their Div Rep or the League Chairman. In the event of extreme weather, additional slip dates will be notified by the Committee. 16 ABANDONMENT In the event of a match having to be abandoned, a report by both umpires must be submitted to the League Chairman, who with the League Committee will decide on the action to be taken. Such a decision may necessitate a replay of the fixture unless a minimum of 20 minutes of the second half was played and depending on the circumstances at the time of the abandonment. 17 FAILURE TO HONOUR A FIXTURE / DEFAULT i] If a club fails to honour a fixture they shall be deemed to have defaulted and the match awarded to the opposition, either 5-0 or the actual score to nil, whichever is the greater. This will be without prejudice to any further penalty or remission that the League Committee sees fit to impose. If a team defaults a rearranged game then this could result in the Club's other teams also being penalised over that weekend. ii] Clubs will honour their highest fixtures to prevent strengthening of lower teams. iii] Teams defaulting 4 fixtures will be expelled from the League and their results voided. Defaulting is defined as a) failing to honour, b) playing an ineligible player, c) providing an ineligible umpire or not providing an umpire, & d) falsification of a team sheet. iv] If they will not be honouring a fixture, a team must notify their opposition a minimum of 3 days prior to the match. It is strongly recommended that a team should contact the opposition and Div Rep by telephone. Failure to give adequate notice will result in liability for the full cost of pitch hire. 18 EXPULSION AND WITHDRAWAL If a club wishes to withdraw a team during the season, the team removed must be its lowest in the league. All results will be voided. Teams withdrawn or expelled would usually be placed in the bottom division if allowed to rejoin the league in the following season. If a club wishes to withdraw a higher team between seasons, the League may agree if the change can be accommodated without significant adverse effects on other clubs, and if the request is made to the League before the deadline for entries. Any costs incurred may be passed on to the withdrawing club. 19 NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS i] Completed team sheets shall be sent by the home team to the Divisional Representatives to arrive by the Wednesday following the fixture. If a game has not been played then the Divisional Representative must be notified as to the reasons. Signature by the captains and umpires will be taken as confirmation that the score shown is correct. Any club failing to forward the team sheet by the required date shall be fined 10. ii] All League results shall be notified to the Results Co-ordinator by 7.30 pm on the day of the fixture, whether or not the game was played. This may be by text or email. Failure to do so shall result in a 10 fine. Gill Cooper essexhockey@blueyonder.co.uk 07772 486687 For results texts only; all queries to Div Reps 20 HOSPITALITY Home clubs are expected to offer PRE-match hospitality to visiting clubs and umpires, i.e. ensure that guests are met on arrival and looked after for the duration of their visit. Home clubs are also expected to offer POST-match hospitality, i.e. refreshments. Away teams and umpires not requiring teas must 6

inform the home club by the Tuesday evening before the weekend s game. Opponents and umpires must be given directions to venues in advance, and notified if hospitality arrangements are elsewhere. 21 MEETINGS AND PRESENTATIONS i] It is compulsory for each Club to send a representative to the pre-season and mid-season meetings. All divisional winners are also required to send a representative to the presentation evening. Failure to attend any such meeting will result in a fine of 50 being imposed by the League Chairman. Any club that wins a perpetual trophy must arrange for it to be returned to the League Chairman before the end of the following season. Failure to do so will result in a fine sufficient to cover the cost of replacement. 22 FINES Any fine imposed must be paid within 14 days or it will be doubled; failure to pay the doubled fine within 14 days will result in league points being deducted. 23 DISPUTES/APPEALS In the event of any dispute that may arise in connection with these rules or any other matters relating to the League, the League Committee may consider any representation or appeal, which it may in its absolute discretion refer to the ECHA Management Committee. Appeals to the ECHA Management must be made in writing and sent by recorded delivery to the Secretary of the ECHA as soon as possible but in any event within 7 days of the original decision being advised to the club. Any decision made by either Committee on such representation or appeal shall be final. A deposit of 100 shall accompany any such appeals, and shall be returned minus expenses, if the appeal is successful. For information on the appeals process, please see Appendix A to the ECHA Constitution. Fixture schedule 2017: 23 + 30 Sep; 7, 14, 21 + 28 Oct; 4, 11, 18 + 25 Nov; 2 + 9 Dec. 2018: 6, 13, 20 + 27 Jan; 3 + 24 Feb; 3, 10, 17 + 24 Mar. No games 10 or 17 Feb as voted by clubs. 16 Dec, 7 Apr are slip dates. In the event of a postponement you will be given the new date to use so you will only need to arrange the start time with your opposition. Payment of fines If you incur a fine, payment must be made to ECHA electronically: Sort code: 60-03-25 Acc number: 20614047 Use your team name as reference e.g. Southend 3rds fine Please email your Div Rep so that the payment can be reconciled. Useful links Code of Ethics and Behaviour www.englandhockey.co.uk/respect Follow Inclusion & diversity link for equality and transgender policies, pregnancy policy East Region Hockey Association www.east-hockey.com East Women s League www.east-hockey.com/leagues2 Essex League results www.essexwhl.co.uk Flyerz (disability) hockey https://bit.ly/disability-hockey Hockey Rules book https://bit.ly/rules-hockey 7