MR 1

Membership

a)

Membership of the LRHA Mixed Section and entry into the Competitions is achieved by fully completing the forms for Club Affiliation to the Mixed Section and Team Competition Registration. The forms/details must be lodged with the Administration Officer 7 days before the AGM.  The Affiliation, Competition & Membership fees must be paid on or before the Registration Evening. 

Throughout the season, if any of the contact details submitted on the Club Affiliation or Team Competition Registration forms are changed, it is the Club’s responsibility to advise the Administration Officer in writing immediately. 

·          FTC:  Shall result in a fine in accordance with MR 9. 

MR 9

b)

All members of the LRHA Mixed Section Umpires Association shall be Honorary Members of the LRHA Mixed Section. 

MR 2

General Meetings

a)

AGM: The Annual General Meeting of members shall be held on a date, at a time and at a venue agreed by the EC. 

A written Calling Notice of such meetings shall be posted to all Club/Team Secretaries and Mixed Section members at least 40 clear days before the meeting date by the Administration Officer. 

The Calling Notice must contain:-

·          meeting details and significant dates for action;

·          a formal request for nominations, proposals and items for discussion;

·          a ‘Team Competition & Membership Application Form’ for the following season and notification for insurance renewal. 

It is mandatory for each team to send a representative to a Mixed Section AGM. 

·          FTC:  Shall result in a fine in accordance with MR 9. 

MR 9

b)

SGM: Special General Meetings shall be convened if:

·         Directed by the EC;

·         A written request is lodged with the Administration Officer signed by a registered official of each of 1/4 or more of the teams named in the Mixed Section Handbook for that year. 

A written Calling Notice of such meetings shall be posted to all Club/Team Secretaries and Mixed Section members at least 14 clear days before the meeting date by the Administration Officer (in accordance with LRHA Constitution Rule 12) and must clearly define the business of the SGM.

All amendments to be dealt with during the business of the SGM. 

It is mandatory for each team to send a representative to a Mixed Section SGM. 

·          FTC:  Shall result in a fine in accordance with MR 9.

MR 9

c)

The quorum for an AGM or SGM shall be a simple majority of the representatives from all affiliated Teams and each Team shall have only one vote.

d)

The Secretary of the LRHA Mixed Section Umpires Association, or an official representative, has the right to one vote.

e)

All issues shall be decided by simple majority of the votes cast. Proxy voting shall not be permitted. In the case of equality, the chairperson of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

MR 3

Procedures for the AGM

a)

All proposals to be placed before an AGM must be lodged with the Administration Officer at least 30 days before the date of the meeting. Each proposal must be in writing and must be signed by the PROPOSER and SECONDER.  Their name(s) and position(s) held within the Mixed Section must also be printed. 

b)

All such proposals shall be circulated in writing to all Clubs not later than 20 days before the meeting.

c)

Amendments must be with the Administration Officer no later than 15 days before the meeting. 

d)

An AGM Date Diary for the above must be part of the Calling Notice.

e)

No significant alteration, deletion or addition shall be made to the Management or Playing Regulations. All such changes can only be made via the AGM and/or SGM processes.  This Regulation does not prohibit the EC from making minor alterations to clarify the understanding of the Regulations and/or manage the business.

MR 4

Executive Committee

a)

The Executive Committee shall be appointed at the AGM and shall consist of the  number of officers considered necessary to efficiently manage the LRHA Mixed Section. The EC shall have the power to co-opt members and they shall have full voting rights.

b)

An EC quorum shall be 5 persons entitled to vote at it. Each member of the EC shall have one vote and, in the case of equality, the chairperson of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

MR 5

Other Committees

a)

The EC shall appoint Standing Committees as required to facilitate the efficient management of the Mixed Section. Each Committee shall be appointed at the first EC meeting or later in special circumstances and shall regularly report to the EC.

b)

A Management Committee comprising of the Chairperson, Finance Officer and three other EC members must be formed to deal with emergency business when there is insufficient time to convene the full EC. All such decisions must be declared before the next EC meeting for ratification. 

c)

A Disciplinary Committee shall deal with matters of discipline, in association with the LRHA Disciplinary Officer, and shall comprise the Umpires Secretary and three EC members.

d)

A County Selection Committee shall deal with matters relating to selection of County teams and shall comprise the County Secretary and the County Team Managers. 

A County Team Committee shall organise all aspects of County Hockey.  They are responsible for assembling players, training, selection, organising County matches, liaising with other counties and attempting to secure more county fixtures.  The committee shall comprise of the County Secretary and the County Team Managers.

MR 6

Structure of the League

a)

The structure of the League shall be reviewed annually by the EC and guidance shall be sought at the AGM on possible options.

b)

No Club shall be permitted more than two Teams in Division 1.

c)

The League points system:   Win = 3 points,     Draw = 1 point,     Loss = 0 point. 

MR 7

League Divisions: Promotion and Relegation

a)

The Champion Team and runners-up in each division, except Division 1, shall be promoted to the Division above.

b)

The bottom two Teams in each Division, except in the lowest Division, shall be relegated to the Division below. 

c)

Position of Teams in the Divisions will be determined by the following priorities:

i)          Total points

ii)        Goal difference

iii)       Goals scored

iv)       Results of games between tying Teams.

d)

The EC shall have the authority to Promote, Relegate and/or carry out emergency League Adjustments if necessary.

MR 8

Challenge Cup Competitions:  Senior Cup, Junior Cup and Plate

a)

Teams in the top two Divisions shall be eligible to take part in the Senior Cup competition. All other Teams shall be eligible to take part in the Junior Cup competition. 

Any Team that loses their first Senior or Junior Cup match shall be eligible to take part in the Plate Competition. Teams must have played and lost a game to be eligible. Teams who forfeit their first game may not enter the Plate competition.

b)

All Cup matches shall be drawn by ballot during an EC meeting and recorded in the minutes.  Cup matches shall have priority over League and Friendly matches.

c)

If after normal time no result is reached, the match shall be decided by a Penalty Stroke Competition in accordance with the England Hockey ‘Penalty Stroke Procedure’.

A maximum of 3 females and 3 males to be nominated from each Team.

d)

The Cup Finals shall be played at a venue decided by the EC.

MR 9

Fees and Fines

a)

Fees and fines must be approved at the AGM and the details set out in the Payment Chart printed in the annual Mixed Section Handbook.

The Financial year end is the 31^st May of each year.

b)

All fees listed in the Payment Chart must be paid to the LMHA on or before the official registration evening or as detailed in PR 5c ii.

c)

All moneys, fees and fines owed to the Mixed Section must be paid by the due date as noted on the invoice or demand letter.

·          FTC:  Starting on the first day after the due date, Teams shall be deducted one point per week summating to a maximum of 5 points. The points penalty shall be carried over to the following season, if appropriate. 

d)

The EC will consider extenuating circumstances for non-payment but persistent offenders will be suspended from all Competitions.

MR10

Procedures for Umpires

a)

This Regulation applies to all Umpires, Player Umpires and captain-appointed Umpires.

Umpires shall ensure that all matches are conducted in accordance with FIH ‘Rules of Hockey’ and the Mixed Section Playing Regulations.

b)

The allocation of umpires to fixtures shall be the responsibility of the LRHA Mixed Section Umpires Association and organised by the Umpires Secretary. 

c)

Umpires failing to fulfil a match appointment shall notify the Umpires Secretary within 3 days of the match, stating the reason(s).

d)

Where 2 umpires are allocated, but only one umpire appears, then the attendant umpire shall officiate if that umpire is willing and feels able to so do.

e)

Upon completion of the match, the umpires shall be responsible for entering on to the Match Card:

i)          the final score;

ii)        goalscorers;

iii)       details of any suspended players;

iv)       late starts.

f)

Umpires shall record on the Match Card, a match ‘late start’ with relevant details.

g)

The umpires (or, in the event of no official umpires, a Home Team Official) shall be responsible for ensuring that the Match Cards are sent to the Results & Charts Secretary.

h)

Umpires expenses shall be reviewed annually by the EC and any recommendations must be placed before an AGM.

i)

In the event of an umpire arriving at a match which is postponed due to circumstances beyond the control of either Team, the umpire may claim half expenses from the LRHA Mixed Section via the Umpires Secretary.

Umpires keeping an appointment but finding a match postponed or cancelled shall receive full expenses from the offending Club (see PR 12d).

PR12d

MR11

Discipline

a)

DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS: All players receiving a Red Card or multiple Yellow Cards amounting to 12 penalty points or more shall be required to attend a Mixed Section Disciplinary Hearing where additional punishment may be implemented. 

b)

Outside the Disciplinary Card Procedure:

     Umpires and officials shall report in writing to the EC immediately, if players and/or supporters subject them to:

Abuse of umpires, shouting at umpires, foul language, criticisms of umpires, criticisms of umpire decisions and threats to umpires.

The Disciplinary Committee shall deal with such complaints, report to the EC and/or call on the EC if necessary.

MR12

Insurance

Mandatory:  All Clubs/Teams must carry a minimum insurance cover of Civil and Employees’ Liability – Civil Liability.

Optional:  The EC strongly advise all Clubs/Teams and Members to secure annual extended insurance cover.

Insurance Premium must be paid to the LMHA before the 1^st September of each year.

MR13

Child Protection

a)

All Clubs must register a Child Protection Officer for the Club.  That person must have attended and completed a formal LRHA Child Protection Course, or Equivalent Course, and must hold a valid qualification.

b)

If that person leaves the Club or ceases to attend matches before the season ends the Club must notify the EC and register another person as Child Protection Officer. More than one Club member may attend a course and may be registered with the EC.

c)

Contact for Child Protection courses:-

England Hockey Midlands Office,

The Hockey Pavilion,

Loughborough University,

Ashby Road,

Loughborough,

Leicestershire, LE11 3TU.

T: 01509 228676

F: 01509 228678

M: 07966 305857

E: midlands@englandhockey.org

Health & Safety and Insurance

The EC and their insurer emphasise to all players, Teams, Clubs and officials that safety must be a priority in all aspects of hockey.

Parts of the Playing Regulations have been highlighted for clarification and safety reasons.

The EC advise that all recommended protective clothing should be worn and the EC give match officials full authority to insist that all safety precautions are in place when there is concern.

PR 1

General

All matches shall be conducted in accordance with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) ‘Rules of Hockey’, as amended by these Playing Regulations.

For all Mixed Section Competitions, the following shall apply:- 

·          Each Team shall consist of not more than 5 females and 5 males in the outfield and either a female or male goalkeeper.

·          No player shall be allowed to play for more than one Team in the Mixed Section on the same day.

·          FTC:  The EC may award the match to the opposing Team.

The offending Team may be liable to a fine in accordance with MR 9.

MR 9<