Rules of Hockey. MRHA Directive
To all concerned.
The full Council of the Midland Region
Hockey Association met on
One of the agenda items was consideration
of the implications of the Rules of Hockey in which new regulations were
implemented by the F.I.H which came into effect on
The South Region had already issued a
directive following England Hockey's decision to insist on fully equipped
goalkeepers in Mini Hockey.
Both Midland Boys and
The MRHA Council understood that the
rationale for the change in the F.I.H. Rules of Hockey was primarily to
encourage the playing of hockey in those countries where hockey was still in
its infancy and where any form of protective equipment was largely unavailable.
The MRHA Council were concerned that if it
just adopted the approach that had been taken by the South Region, that this
would still offer not protection for any 'junior age' [i.e. U18] who were
playing in adult games.
It was therefore decided that the attached
Directive would apply to ALL hockey that came within the jurisdiction of the
Midland Region Hockey Association and would be effective immediately.
Clarification would be sought from England Hockey as to the wider implications
for all hockey within
This Directive would be communicated to
all Council members to communicate to their counties and to the
respective Umpire Associations. The Directive
would be posted on the Midland Hockey web sites
Laurie Alcock.
Hon Secretary.
Midland Region Hockey
Association.
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The Rules of Hockey 2007-08 have been changed significantly in respect to goalkeeping. For a precise description please refer to Rule 4 Players Clothing and Equipment and Rule 10 Conduct of Play: Goalkeepers.
In summary these rules relax the requirement for a goalkeeper to have fully “protective equipment comprised of at least headgear, leg guards and kickers…” and permit no goalkeeper at all.
The Midland Counties HA believes that this relaxation is inappropriate both in junior hockey and in all adult hockey where Under 18 players may or may not be participating. The Association notes that EH has already stated that Mini Hockey must have fully equipped goalkeepers.
In accordance with its general principles of child protection and duty of care the Association therefore makes the following local rule regarding all hockey played within its jurisdiction.
“With effect from 10 January 2007 each match taking place within the jurisdiction of the Midland Counties Hockey Association MUST have on the field at all times a fully equipped goalkeeper as specified in Rule 4.4a of the Rules of Hockey 2007-08. This means a kicking back is NOT permitted and neither shall any match take place with only eleven field players.
For the purposes of this local rule, hockey is defined as any match where the players are within the league or competition rules that come under the auspices of the Midland Region Hockey Association.
All other hockey that comes under the jurisdiction of England Hockey [e.g. EH Cup matches etc.] will be able to BE played under the new F.I.H. Rules of Hockey.
For the purposes of the communication Indoor Hockey is excluded.
L.E.Alcock.
Hon Secretary,
Midland Region HA.