Rules
MIDLANDS CHALLENGE
- Governance
It is intended that this competition should be played with the minimum of rules and restrictions, but rather in a spirit of cooperation between the teams involved.
The competition will be controlled by a committee, comprising 2 representatives from each club, together with an appointed neutral Chairman, and an Administrator.
- Fixtures
Fixtures will be published on the website, but it is for the 2 teams involved to agree the precise date (within that week) and time at which they are to be played. Precise timing is subject to agreement between the 2 teams – there are no “windows” or other restrictions.
- Eligibilty of players
The purpose of the competition to ensure that clubs are able to access a suitable standard of hockey for their EHL registered players and to allow clubs the opportunity to “test” players with potential at a higher level.
Provided that the players are bona fide members of the club, there are no restrictions on who is eligible to play – though, if it is intended to also play a player in the Midlands 2nd/3rd or Central League, the club are advised to be aware of the restrictions in those leagues (and in particular Rules 7.7 and 7.8 of Midland League rules). While those rules in no way restrict a player from appearing in this competition, to continue to be regarded as a member of a 2nd, 3rd or 4th XI the rules require that an eligible player for those XIs must have “played regularly” for the 2nd XI etc. in the Midland League.
For the avoidance of doubt there are no restrictions on playing players in this competition who might have played, or be intending to play, in another team in the club that weekend.
- Points
There shall be 3 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw.
In the event of a team failing to honour a fixture it shall, without prejudice to any additional penalty imposed by the committee, forfeit the match and 3 points will be deducted from its league points and it will be deemed to have lost 5-0. The opposing team shall be awarded 3 points and be deemed to have won the match 5-0.
- Promotion and Relegation
There will be no promotion or relegation from the competition. Rather, the committee will review, at the end of each season, any applications to join and the performance of existing members during the season and it shall have power to admit a new team or exclude an existing team in order to maintain the requisite standard of play.
- Match Sheets
For each match played, each team shall complete a match sheet, showing the players appearing in their squad for that match and the result of the match. The sheet should be sent to the Administrator (by post or email) as soon as possible, and in any case within 48 hours of the match being played.
Match sheets can be drawn down from the website.
- Rules
The rules of hockey shall apply (except as shall be specifically varied by the committee) and all matches shall be 35 minutes each way.
- Umpires
Hopefully, will be provided by MRHUA.
If not, each of the 2 teams shall be responsible for arranging 1 umpire for each match in which they play. No person may play in a match in which they have umpired or are about to umpire. The home team will liaise with their opposition to confirm both umpires.
- Dress. Away sides to play in white or an agreed colour
10 Discipline
EH Disciplinary Code shall apply in respect of all matches played in the competition.
11. Notification of results/league tables
[To be agreed with competitions Administrator before the start of the season] Results to be sent in, by text message, 10 minutes after end of match.
12.Rulings and Appeals
The appointed Chairman has power to make a decision on such matters as are not covered by these rules. He shall also have power to impose such penalties as he thinks fit in respect of any breaches of these rules or any breaches of discipline by individuals or teams, including fines, suspension, and/or deduction of league points.
Any team/club wishing to appeal in respect of any matter concerning a match played or to be played in this competition may do so by submitting a written appeal, by email, to the Chairman, within 3 days of the matter complained of. The Chairman’s decision will be final.