BRISTOL & DISTRICT SUMMER HOCKEY LEAGUE

RULES & REGULATIONS (2006)

1. NAME

The Bristol and District Summer Hockey League.

2. FIXTURES

To be arranged and notified to all clubs in the league by the Secretary.

The team named first on the fixtures list is always the’ Home’ team irrespective of where the match is played.

3. FINANCE

Each member team shall pay a subscription to the league of £10 per season. Any team not represented at the AGM shall be liable for a further fee of £10.

The cost of the pitch shall be borne wholly by the Home team.

4. OFFICERS

At each Annual General Meeting there shall be elected from the members a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. These shall form the committee of the League together with any other members they may wish to co-opt from time to time.

5. VOTING

Each member team will be entitled to have one representative and one vote at any General or Annual General Meeting of the League.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOME TEAM ON FIXTURE LIST

a) Provide proper match balls

b) Ensure that payment is made to the proper authorities for the use of the pitch

c) Notify the match result to the appropriate Divisional Secretary and the Chairman within 48 hours of the match being played. Failure to do this will result in a deduction of 1 point from the teams league results.

7. RESPONSIBILITY OF AWAY TEAM ON FIXTURE LIST

Ensure that, in the event of a colour clash, their team will play in white or an alternative colour.

8. MEMBERSHIP

The league is open to all teams within a reasonable travelling distance of Bristol, subject to the availability of suitable pitches.

Applications to join the League to be forwarded to the Secretary not later than the AGM for consideration.

9. UMPIRES

a) Two umpires, one from each team, unless agreed otherwise, are to control each match.

b) In the event of the failure of one side to provide an umpire, that side shall elect one of its players to fill the vacancy and play short.

10. PLAYING MEMBERS

A player may play for only one club. In the interests of fair play and the spirit of the League, clubs with more than one team should endeavour to restrict their players to one team only. A player should not play for more than one team in the same week. Any complaints of abuse of this regulation should be reported to the Secretary in writing. The Committee will decide a suitable penalty. Teams shall consist only of men. All Participants are subject to the National Disciplinary Code adopted by their County.

11. CANCELLATION OF MATCHES

a) Any side unable to fulfil a fixture must give at least 48 hours notice to both the Secretary and the opposing side. Failure to comply with this requirement will render the offending side liable for all reasonable expenses incurred by their opposition. Unfit pitch conditions should be reported as soon as known.

b) Away sides will be liable for pitch costs even if 48 hours notice was given, IF the Home side is committed to paying for the pitch (eg as the result of a block booking).

c) If a team cannot fulfil a fixture for invalid reasons, as decided by the Secretary, and it is not possible to rearrange it, even at the direction of the Secretary, that team shall forfeit the match. The team shall lose 3 points and their opponents shall be awarded the 3 points and a 5-0 win.

d) Any team failing to fulfil its allocated fixtures by 16^th August will be deducted 3 points for each outstanding game.

12. COMENCEMENT OF MATCHES

Matches must start at 7.00 or 7.30pm. Other start times are only permissible when both clubs agree. Any matches starting later than 7.00pm must, for safety reasons, have lights available in case any are required to complete the game.

13. PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

The bottom two teams from Division 1, 2 & 3 SHALL be relegated and the top two teams from Divisions 2, 3 & 4 SHALL be promoted. Teams are NOT allowed to opt not to be promoted. Any variation in these promotion and relegation arrangements (as may be proposed by the committee) shall be subject to approval at the next AGM.

In the event of two teams in the promotion or relegation positions having equal points at the end of the season, the position of the team finishing higher in the table will be decide by :

a) Goal difference

b) Most goals scored

c) A play-off between the teams concerned

14. FINAL LEAGUE TABLES

The League season runs from the end of April to the end of July but the official closing date for all matches and rearrangements shall be the 16^th August. At that date final League tables will be prepared by the Secretary.

15. ALTERATION OF RULES

Any of the above rules may be amended by a simple majority of members present and voting at a General or Annual General Meeting of which not less than 14 days notice has been given.