Hampshire Hockey Association
Hampshire Women’s Development League Rules
Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
The League ................................................................................................................................ 1
League Entries .......................................................................................................................... 2
Player Eligibility ........................................................................................................................ 2
Matches...................................................................................................................................... 2
4.1.
General ............................................................................................................................... 2
4.2.
Match Rearrangements ....................................................................................................... 2
4.3.
Match Start Times ............................................................................................................... 2
4.4.
Rules ................................................................................................................................... 3
4.4.1.
Short Matches.............................................................................................................. 3
4.5.
Cancellations – Insufficient Players ..................................................................................... 3
4.6.
Cancellations – Weather etc. ............................................................................................... 3
4.7.
Playing Kit ........................................................................................................................... 3
4.8.
Match Sheets ...................................................................................................................... 3
5. Umpires...................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Results ....................................................................................................................................... 4
7. Decisions, Disputes and Appeals ............................................................................................ 4
Appendix A (Contacts) ..................................................................................................................... 5
Appendix B (Definitions relating to umpires).................................................................................. 5
1.
The League
The league shall be called the Hampshire Women's Development League (referred to as “the
Development League” in this document). For brevity, the Hampshire Women’s Hockey League
is referred to as the HWHL in this document.
The Development League is fundamentally about enjoyment and participation, allowing clubs to
include more players and to provide matches that allow an introduction to league hockey, without
a lot of the rules and regulations that exist in the more formal HWHL.
The Development League shall be managed by the Development League Administrator,
overseen by the HWHL Committee, a sub-committee of the Hampshire Hockey Association
(HHA).
The Development League will be organised into as many divisions as is required, with a
maximum of 10 teams in each division.
The hope is that small to medium sized clubs that have nearly enough players to add a new
team, but not quite enough to guarantee availability throughout the season may be able to add
the extra team in the Development League, knowing that they can fill-in with extra players from
their regular team(s) if necessary.
Clubs of other sizes may also prefer the less formal approach for the bottom team in their club
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Hampshire Hockey Association
Hampshire Women’s Development League Rules
2.
League Entries
The Development League is only available for the bottom team in any club. Such teams could
choose to enter the HWHL or the HWDL (but, obviously, not both).
New applications for membership and any resignations from the Development League must be
notified in writing to the HWHL Secretary at least 21 days before the date of the annual meeting.
Use of the HHA website to record entry, in the time period notified through that system, will be
considered as being notified on time. Membership of the development league may be refused,
suspended or terminated by the HWHL Committee.
Each team participating in the Development League must comply with the following:
i.
Be affiliated to E.H., SCHA and HHA.
ii. Provide when requested:
a) The HWHL entry fee – direct to the HHA Treasurer.
b) Details of their Development League contact(s) on the HHA website.
3.
Player Eligibility
Players do not need to be registered to play in the Development League.
Players do not have to be fully paid up members of the club. This is specifically to allow new
players to “give competitive hockey a try”.
As the Development League is be considered “adult competitive hockey”, players must still be
aged 13 or over on the date of a game.
Clubs can play players in the Development League who also play in the HWHL (for any team) on
the same day (even starred players).
This is to allow teams to field two or three more experienced players to help bring on the typically
younger and/or less experienced players in the Development League. It will also allow clubs to
“double-up” players to ensure fixtures are fulfilled rather than cancelling.
4.
Matches
4.1. General
The home team must supply a suitable match ball.
4.2. Match Rearrangements
Unlike HWHL matches, matches do not have to take place on the date (or weekend)
originally scheduled.
Matches can be rescheduled to any date by agreement between the two teams.
Rearrangements must be notified in advance to the Development League Administrator.
4.3. Match Start Times
Unlike HWHL matches, matches do not have to take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
These would still be the guidelines for start times but, if both teams agree, other start times
can be arranged (or other days e.g. Sundays or midweek).
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4.4. Rules
The England Hockey Disciplinary Code shall apply to all matches in the Development
League.
Matches must be played in accordance with the Rules of Hockey as set by the FIH Rules
Board and any additional mandatory rules and regulations as set by England Hockey.
4.4.1. Short Matches
If both team captains agree prior to (or during) a match, the playing time may be
reduced.
An example would be where a match is being played with both teams short of
players (e.g. an 8 or 9 a-side game) where, to avoid exhaustion and to increase
the enjoyment of the game, the captains may agree to play 25 minute halves (for
example).
Another example is where the weather becomes particularly unpleasant during the
game. Rather than forcing everyone to continue, both captains can agree to finish
the match with the current result standing.
The emphasis, as always, is participation and the enjoyment of that participation.
4.5. Cancellations – Insufficient Players
If a club cannot raise a team for a match and the match has to be cancelled, the team must
contact the Development League Administrator (obviously in addition to contacting the
opposition).
The notional match result will be recorded as a 3-0 win to the other team by the
Development League Administrator.
The match does not need to be replayed.
Obviously, if the team notifies this late so that the other team has incurred costs, these
costs would need to be reimbursed (as with all hockey matches within Hampshire –
whether league or not). There would be no other penalties from the HWDL.
4.6. Cancellations – Weather etc.
If a match is cancelled for any other reason (typically weather), both teams can agree not
to reschedule and the match will simply not be played and excluded from any league table.
4.7. Playing Kit
Ideally, club playing kit should be worn. However it is recognized that teams may include
players that may not yet have club playing kit and similar playing kit is acceptable.
Numbered shirts are preferable, but certainly not compulsory.
Again, this gives more chance of allowing new players to “give competitive hockey a try”.
Where similarity occurs the AWAY team must wear shirts and socks of a contrasting colour
to allow differentiation between the teams.
4.8. Match Sheets
There are no match sheets required in the Development League.
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5.
Umpires
By default, each team should provide one umpire for each match. However it is highly
recommended that, by agreement between the teams in advance, the home teams should
provide two umpires when there significant travelling times are involved.
The provided umpires must be competent (see Appendix B) to umpire the match.
If circumstances mean that only one umpire is present for the start of a game, the game can take
place with just one umpire – providing both teams and the umpire agree. Obviously the umpire
must be comfortable with this.
Clubs must ensure that umpires are insured (that the club has public liability cover for all
participants, including umpires).
6.
Results
All match results and any postponements must be put directly on to the website by BOTH teams.
Scoring will be - 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw.
Positions shall be decided on points. Equality of clubs will be decided as follows: Firstly: goal difference
Secondly: goals for
There are no promotions or relegations in the Development League.
7.
Decisions, Disputes and Appeals
In the event of any dispute that may arise in connection with these rules or other matters relating
to the Development League, the Development League Administrator shall determine the action to
be taken.
Any team dissatisfied with the decision of the Development League Administrator can appeal
within 14 days of notification. A deposit of £100 (refunded if successful) must be lodged on
appeal. The decision of the HWHL Committee or an Independent Committee of 3 nominated by
them shall be final and binding.
The HWHL shall indemnify its committee members, the Development League Administrator, and any
person appointed by and acting on behalf of the HWHL against any claim which may arise from any
action taken with the authority of the HWHL.
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Hampshire Hockey Association
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Appendix A (Contacts)
Development League Administrator
HWHL Administrator:
Richard Wood
[email protected]
07717 765815
HWHL Committee
HWHL Secretary:
Nicki Smith
[email protected]
07970 031170
Appendix B (Definitions relating to umpires)
Competent: the principal measure of competence is that the umpire will make a decision whenever
one is needed. At every incident in play, the competent umpire awards an appropriate penalty, or
signals the ‘advantage’, or makes clear that there was no offence. Note that even competent umpires
make mistakes, and an ‘unusual’ decision does not always indicate incompetence.
A competent umpire is familiar with the rule book - particularly rules 12 (Penalties) and 13
(Procedures) – and the basic umpiring skills (positioning, whistling, signalling, cooperation with
partner) described in section 3 of the Umpiring part of the book.
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