SHU WOMEN’S WEST DISTRICT 

BYE-LAWS FOR OUTDOOR DISTRICT LEAGUE

1.	General

(a)	The organisation and management of the League shall be under the direction of the District League Sub-Committee of the SHU Women’s West District (hereinafter called ‘the Committee’). 

(b)	A League Division Representative shall be appointed to each division. They will be the first point of contact for queries. If they are unavailable, and advice is required urgently, contact any other division representative, or the league convener for advice. 

(c)	The West District Outdoor League shall be open to all SHU affiliated women’s Clubs within the West District. There is no limit to the number of teams that one club may enter.

(d)	Teams entering or withdrawing from the League must do so in writing to the Committee by 30th April of the year prior to the season of entry. Teams wishing to enter, or re-enter the League will normally start in the lowest division. Teams re-entering from National or Championship league may present a case to enter a higher division.

(d)	All claims, protests, disputes etc, referring to League matches and players shall be advised in writing by the Club or Clubs concerned with the League Division representative within ten days of the match. A copy of this correspondence must be sent to the other Club involved in the match.

(e)	The League Committee shall have the power to penalise Clubs found to be in breach of the League Rules, and to deduct or re-allocate points or impose monetary fines.

(f)	Appeals to decisions made by the Committee will incur a fee of £75, which will be refunded for successful appeals.

(g)	Where processes are not detailed, the SHU Bye Laws will be applied.

2.	Players

(a)	Players representing a Club must be registered members of that Club. No age restrictions apply.

(b)     A team found to have played a player who is not registered with the Women’s West District will be penalised by the deduction of 1 point per match in which the unregistered player played. Additional penalties may be imposed by the League Committee on teams who persistently breach this rule.

(c)	A player may only play for one outdoor and one indoor Club in any one season. She may only change Clubs during a season as per SHU Transfer Regulations.

(d)	A player holding membership of more than one Club may play for one District, Championship or National League team for Outdoor Hockey and another for Indoor Hockey.

(e)	Clubs with more than one team, competing in the SHU National or Championship Leagues, or the West District League, must name a pool of 9 players for each of their teams except the lowest team in the club. Players named in a team pool are not eligible to play for a lower team. Players named in a National League pool must not play in the District League. All team pools must be recorded on the SHU Women’s West District Team Pools Sheet and sent by 30th September (31st October for university clubs) to all the Division Representatives.

	The District League Committee relies on the integrity of clubs that their team selection will have the team in the highest division as the strongest team the club can produce on that date, and reserves the right to monitor player selection. Allowing for normal club selection policy, the players in each team within a club should remain consistent throughout the season. Additionally, when a player has played four games in total for any higher team or teams, whether National, Championship or District League, in one half of the season, she shall no longer be eligible to play for a lower placed team until the end of that half of the season. Where the player has played for more than one higher team in reaching this total of four, she shall be tied to the next team up from her original team selection. Any additional matches played for a further higher team in that half of the season will result in the player becoming tied to that higher team. 

(f)	Team pools may be altered at the winter shutdown. Any amendments must be notified in writing to the Division Representative at least 48 hours prior to the date of the first scheduled fixture following Christmas. All team pools, whether amended or not, including National and Championship League pools, should be recorded on the SHU Women’s West District Pools Sheet and sent by the appropriate date to all the Division Representatives. Where no amended team pools are submitted for the second half, the names submitted on 30th September (31st October for university clubs) will be deemed to be continuing as the named pool.

	National League team pools of 9 ‘bona fide’ players must be notified to SHU five days in advance of the first scheduled National League match of the season; they should be notified to the District League at the same time; named National League players may not play in the District League. Any amendments to National League pools for the second half of the season must be notified to SHU five days in advance of the first scheduled fixture of the second half of the season; they should be notified to the District League at the same time. The first half National League pool will be deemed to continue during the period January to February/March, unless the club has notified the District League in writing of the name(s) of any player(s) to be removed from or added to the named 9 ‘bona fide’ players, by the appropriate date for renaming all District pools, 48 hours before the first scheduled District League fixture after Christmas.

	Championship League team pools of 9 players should be notified to the District League five days in advance of the third scheduled Championship League fixture of the season; named players may not then play in the District League. Any amendments to Championship League pools must be notified in writing to the District League on the SHU Women’s West District Team Pools Sheet by the appropriate date, 48 hours before the first scheduled District League fixture after Christmas.

(g)	In exceptional circumstances, if there is a need to move players, the Division Representatives concerned must be notified and their agreement received at least 48 hours in advance of the first match where any change would take place, to prevent unnecessary penalties.

	Special consideration may be given for goalkeepers provided that application is made in writing to the two Division Representatives concerned, in advance of the fixture.

	Special consideration will be made for the circumstances where National League teams are playing fixtures without their international players; the District league Committee will set ad hoc rules when the specific dates and numbers of players involved are known. 

(h)	A ‘lower’ team found to be in breach of this rule by playing a named player in the lower team shall be penalised by the deduction of 1 point. A ‘lower’ team found to be in breach of this rule by playing a tied player in the lower team shall be penalised by the deduction of 1 point. If they have won the match, the result shall be recorded as a 5 – 0 win to their opponents. If they have lost the match, either the score to their opponents will stand or it will be recorded as a 5 – 0 win, whichever of the two scores will be more advantageous to their opponents.

(i)	A player may play in only one senior team (whether National, Championship or District, and whether League or Cup) on any one day. Where a club is found to be in breach of this rule by playing a player twice, the team which played at the later time shall be penalised by the deduction of 1 point. If they have won the match, the result will be recorded as a 5 – 0 win to their opponents. If they have lost the match, either the score to their opponents will stand or it will be recorded as a 5 – 0 win, whichever of the two scores will be more advantageous to their opponents.

3.	Fixtures

3.1	Pre-Match

(a)	All games must have a start time between 1230 hours and 1600 hours, 1330 hours – 1530 hours where teams are travelling over 50 miles. Any games outwith these times must be by prior consent of both teams.

	All home teams allocated a regular pitch time outwith these limits must write to all opposition teams at the start of the season and ask for acceptance or rejection, in writing, to the start time.

(b)	The home team shall confirm match details at least 8 days prior to the game. Call off procedures must be arranged at this time. If details have not been confirmed within 5 days of the fixture the Division Representative should be advised. The sending of an e-mail or text does not constitute contact; confirmation of receipt must be obtained.

(c)	Home teams should offer hospitality to the visiting team. If the visiting team is unable to accept the hospitality they must advise the home team in advance of the fixture. If the home team are unable to provide hospitality they must advise the visiting team in advance.

3.2	Match Day

(a)	League matches shall be played in accordance with the current Rules of the Game of Hockey, on pitches clearly marked in accordance with the rules

(b)	A team must have a minimum of eight players plus an umpire to start, and continue, a match. In the event of a team not fulfilling this condition, the opposing team will be considered as having won the match by a score of 5 – 0, or by the score at the time when the match was discontinued, whichever of the two scores will be more advantageous for the winning team.

(c)	In all fixtures, the first named team shall be the home team.

(d)	Teams must play fixtures on or before the allocated dates. An alternative pitch must be sought if the home pitch is unavailable. In the event that it is unplayable, every effort should be made to find an alternative venue. Where the away team can offer a pitch as an alternative, this should be accepted subject to reasonable travel arrangements being possible.

(e)     When two teams in opposition have similar colours, it shall be the duty of the home team to 
          change top and socks.

(f)      All players shall wear shin guards while playing.
	
          It is recommended that all players wear mouth guards.

Players are permitted to wear additional protective equipment subject to the current Rules    of Hockey. 

3.3	Results

(a)	Both teams shall provide a Match Report Form and the team lists must be completed by both teams and handed to the umpires BEFORE the match. The umpires will complete the Match Report Forms at the end of the match and return them to the teams.

(b)	Both teams must send the properly completed Match Report Forms to the Division Representative, to arrive within four days of the match. The result must also be notified to the Division Representative within 24 hours of the match. If the Match Report Form is not returned by the weekend following the match, then 1 point will be deducted.

3.4	Umpires

(a)	All umpires must be registered members of the SHU.  

(b)	Each team must provide an umpire. No umpire may play and umpire at the same time.  An umpire should umpire for the entire match; where there is a desire to change an umpire at half time it must be by agreement of both teams prior to the start of the match. When two umpires are used by one team, both umpires should sign the Match Report Forms at the end of the match.

(c)	Umpires for matches in Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 must be qualified to at least ‘C’ badge level.  Umpires for matches in Division 4 must hold a valid theory test pass. The Committee shall have the power to amend this requirement when it seems appropriate. 

          An umpire having passed his/her theory test may be assessed in a league match occurring in any of the four divisions, with the consent of both teams involved in the fixture and an available test panel as agreed under the Scottish Hockey assessment procedures.

(d)	Where a team is identified as having breached this rule by using an umpire who does not have the minimum ‘C’ badge qualification (Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3) or the valid  theory pass (Division 4), they will be penalised by the deduction of 1 point. If they have won the match, the result will be recorded as a 5 – 0 win to their opponents. If they have lost the match, either the score to their opponents will stand or it will be recorded as a 5 – 0 win, whichever of the two scores will be more advantageous to their opponents.

(e)	The umpires shall start the match no more than fifteen minutes after the agreed time whether or not all the players are present, subject to minimum requirements, as previously stated.

(f) 	Umpires shall not coach at half time.

3.5	Coaching

(a)	Any coaching during District League matches must conform to the standards deemed acceptable by the SHU.

4.	League Scoring

(a)	Three points will be awarded for a win, and one point for a draw. Positions will be calculated based on points gained. In the event of a tie, goal difference, then goals for will be counted.

	If there is still a tie, and promotion or relegation is affected the League Committee shall arrange a play-off, otherwise both teams shall be placed equally.

(b) 	The first and second teams in each Division shall be promoted and the second bottom and bottom teams relegated at the end of each season. The Committee shall have the power to determine promotion and relegation other than this, at their discretion.

(c)	The winner of Division 1 shall be the West District League Champion.

(d)	In the event of a team withdrawing from the League without completing their League fixtures, all matches that they played prior to their withdrawal shall be discounted.

5.	Postponements

(a)	All Clubs must endeavour to play fixtures on the allocated dates.

(b)	Postponements for reasons other than those detailed in this rule must first be checked with the Division Representative. In such circumstances as much notice as possible must be given to the opposition with a minimum of 14 days.

(c)	Due to the costs involved, a team withdrawing from a fixture up to 7 days before a fixture should pay full costs incurred by the home team; provided the home team have made efforts to cancel the pitch booking when notified of the cancellation.

(d)	The home team is responsible for notifying all postponements and abandonments in writing to the Division Representative as soon as possible; but not later than 4 days following the fixture. 

(e) 	The match must be played on the earliest available date within 6 weeks of the original match date. The home team shall offer 3 dates, one of which may be a midweek date. Where a team has to travel in excess of 35 miles, weekend dates only are acceptable. Teams must make the arrangements within 7 days of the original match date or penalties will be imposed. The Division Representative must be kept informed at all stages of the discussion.

If the match requires to be rearranged for a second time, a further 2 weeks will be added to the original 6 week date; a further 2 weeks will be added for any subsequent postponement caused by adverse weather.

Failure on the part of the teams involved to rearrange a match within the above timescales may result in a ‘play on’ date being allocated by the Division Representative.

(f)	All league matches must be played by the notified last day of the season, although the Committee has the power to extend the season if this becomes necessary

5.1	Adverse weather conditions.

	Where there has been adverse weather the home team is responsible for ensuring a timely pitch inspection. Where the pitch is deemed unplayable the visiting team and umpires shall be notified in good time, to prevent unnecessary travel.

	In the event of adverse weather conditions immediately prior to or during, a match it shall be the responsibility of the umpires to decide on the possibility of play. If the umpires disagree, a replay should be arranged.

	A match which has to be abandoned before full time should be rearranged using the terms outlined in 5 (e)
	
5.2	Conditions of the Pitch

	It shall be the responsibility of the umpires to ensure that the pitch is suitable for the match.  The safety of the players shall be the main concern. If the umpires disagree, a replay should be arranged, using the terms outlined in 5 (e)

5.3	Representative matches

	A team may validly request postponement of a match if they have three or more players in attendance for Schoolgirl representative fixtures, District, Scottish, Scottish University or International representative commitments (one goalkeeper counts as two players). It is recognised that 14 days notice may not be possible in these circumstances. When rearranging matches, Scottish training dates may only be considered unsuitable when a team has three or more players involved in that particular training session.

5.4	University and College Teams

	If a league match is due to be played during the summer vacation, it will be rearranged in advance by the Committee.

	For University teams, Scottish University Championship matches have priority in the event of their clashing with League matches, and the League matches should be rearranged, using the terms outlined in 5 (e).

5.5	Forfeiture

(a)	Individual teams cannot take or forfeit points. The Representative shall determine where points will be awarded. Normally, but not restricted to, a 5 - 0 defeat will be recorded where a team has failed to fulfil a fixture. Failing to fulfil a fixture on a third or subsequent occasion will result in a 1 point deduction from the team’s total for each fixture which is not fulfilled.

6.	Discipline

	Discipline matters shall be administered in accordance with the Rules of Hockey and the Discipline Code of the SHU Women’s West District.

7.	Amendment of League Bye-Laws

(a)	These Bye-Laws may only be amended at a General Meeting of the Clubs by at least two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote. 

(b)	Each club playing in the League shall have one vote.

(c)	Amendments may be made in the name of the Committee or of any two affiliated Clubs who shall propose and second them.  Such amendments should be submitted, in writing, to the District Secretary not later than fourteen days before the date of the Meeting.