RULES OF THE NORTH EAST HOCKEY LEAGUE [Agreed AGM 2016]

1. Jurisdiction, Names and Definitions 1.1 The Organisation shall be called the “North East Hockey League” (with any sponsor’s name to be prefixed in all publicity), hereinafter referred to as “NEHL”. 1.2 The objects of the NEHL shall be to promote men’s outdoor hockey through the organisation and administration of a league.

2. Compositions 2.1 Membership of the NEHL shall be restricted to those Clubs that are affiliated to England Hockey Board, North Hockey Association and its appropriate County Association in the relevant season. 2.2 All clubs in the NEHL are required to have a Child Protection Policy and to appoint a Child Protection Officer. 2.3 The League proper shall be divided into 3 sections: The Premier League [PL], The Intermediate League [IL] and the Club Development League [CDL]. The PL shall consist of one division of twelve teams playing fixtures home and away. The IL shall consist of a minimum of two divisions of around twelve teams playing fixtures home and away [the exact combination depending upon the teams available and ratified at the AGM]. The remaining structure shall form the CDL. The format of the CDL shall vary, as agreed at the AGM, according to the number of teams under consideration. The decision to alter the number of teams in the IL and CDL shall be made at the AGM. If a division contains more than one team from the same club, the Hon. Fixtures Secretary shall arrange the fixtures so that any intra club matches are played as early as possible in the first of each block of League fixtures. 2.4 Any application for membership of, or notice of resignation from, the NEHL shall be made in writing to the NEHL Secretary not later than 30th April of the year in which the club wishes its application or resignation to take effect. Applications will be considered at the first subsequent NEHL Committee Meeting and subject to the club fulfilling the conditions; the NEHL Committee’s recommendations will be placed before the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) for approval. The team(s) of a new member club, or the additional team(s) of an existing club, shall normally be placed in the lowest division of the League (proper), subject to the NEHL Committee’s approval and the feasibility of accommodating the new team within the League structure.

2.5 The Premier and Intermediate Leagues shall be formed of teams whose clubs shall guarantee full commitment to formal league hockey and complete acceptance of these Rules as they apply to the respective leagues. The Development Leagues shall exist to promote club and junior development and, to promote this, shall be formed of teams whose clubs cannot guarantee such a degree of commitment but nevertheless wish to be involved in competitive hockey. 2.6 All member Clubs of the NEHL must provide details of their club officers, for the coming season, to the NEHL Secretary by 30th June, to ensure inclusion in the NE Hockey Handbook. Among its officers each Club must appoint a nominated Club Email Contact who shall be the main point of contact for the League for all general matters and an individual Fixture Secretary. The Fixture Secretary [or an individual delegated Match Secretary] shall be the main point of contact for Clubs for the match arrangements covered in Rule 4.6. Each Club Fixture Secretary, or a nominated delegate, must attend the annual Fixture Secretary’s Meeting referred to in Rule 4.5. Penalties: Failure to provide handbook details by due date - £25 fine. Failure to attend the Annual Fixture Secretary’s Meeting - £50 fine. 2.7 University based clubs must appoint a locally based ‘Mentor’, acceptable to the Committee, who will ensure that understanding of the League’s requirements are passed on to successive student administrations. This individuals contact details must be provided as under Rule 2.6 to ensure an out of season point of contact. Penalties: Failure to provide term details by due date - £20 fine. Failure to provide details of Mentor - £20 fine. 2.8 Any club or team may be expelled from the NEHL by a decision of a Special General Meeting (SGM), General Meeting, or at the AGM. Upon expulsion by the NEHL Committee, the club has the right of appeal to the next SGM, GM, or at the AGM. Expulsion from the NEHL shall be effective from the end of the season and shall normally be for one season. Reapplication for membership of the NEHL shall be the same as that for a new club [see 2.4 above]. 2.9 On completion of the League proper fixtures, promotion and relegation between the respective leagues and divisions will be subject to promotion and relegation to/from the next higher League as laid down in Appendix 1. Promotion from the IL to the PL will be open to the two highest placed teams whose clubs can provide assurance of commitment to the Rules as they apply to the PL and IL respectively and acceptance of this assurance by the NEHL Committee. There will be no promotion from the CDL. Relegation from the PL and the IL will only take place if teams are promoted. In circumstances where a team from a particular club gains promotion ahead of another team or teams with nominally higher status from the same club then for the following season the promoted team will assume the status of the highest club side it has been promoted ahead of, playing in the NEHL, with all other lower teams redesignated as necessary. A club may elect for one or more of its teams to be relegated to a lower league when it can no longer guarantee the required level of commitment. Similarly the NEHL Committee, in pursuance of Rule 5.2, may decide that a team should be so relegated.

Subject to the constraints above further teams may be promoted within the NEHL structure to balance the Divisions as covered in Rule 2.3. All decisions regarding promotion and relegation shall be ratified at the AGM.

3. Management 3.1 The NEHL shall be administered by a Committee consisting of the following: (a) Chairman, (b) Honorary Secretary, (c) Hon. Handbook Editor, (d) Hon. Fixtures Secretary, (e) Honorary Treasurer, (f) Honorary League Administrator, (g) A minimum of 3 additional members, (h) A representative of the Northumberland and Durham Hockey Umpires Association, (i) A representative of the Durham County Hockey Association, (j) A representative of the Northumberland County Hockey Association. All positions shall be elected at the AGM, or a GM in the event of a position becoming unfulfilled because of resignation or other circumstances. Positions (b) to (f) shall be in receipt of an annual honorarium [to be agreed at the AGM]. All positions shall be in receipt of approved expenses. 3.2 The NEHL Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members onto the Committee. 3.3 The NEHL Secretary shall have executive responsibility for the administration of the NEHL and in this regard shall manage the day to day activities of the League Administrator and co-ordinate those of the Hon. Handbook Editor and Fixtures Secretary. The NEHL Secretary shall cause minutes of all proceedings of SGM, GM, AGM and Committee Meetings to be entered in a file provided for the purpose. When these minutes are signed by the Chairman, they shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of the entries. 3.4 The Hon. Handbook Editor shall be responsible for matters relating to the preparation, printing and distribution of the NE Hockey Handbook and publication of the details therein on the NEHL website. 3.5 The Hon. Fixtures Secretary shall be responsible for all matters relating to the preparation and publication of annual NEHL fixture lists and the management of any rearrangements necessitated in consequence of issues resulting from the annual Fixture Secretary's Meeting and postponements throughout the season. 3.6 The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping and preparing accounts and for presenting them at the AGM and shall present the said accounts for annual audit in advance of the AGM to a suitable person appointed by the committee for that purpose. 3.7 The Honorary League Administrator shall be responsible for: • Updating information on the NEHL Website • Collating and monitoring of Club Player and Umpire registration details • Preparation, issue and subsequent receipt of Results Cards & Cancellation Forms • Entering results on ‘Fixtures Live’ • Recording player appearance for teams and any yellow and red card offences.

• Recording details of all none or late submissions of, and incorrectly completed, Results Cards & Cancellation Forms • Dealing with match related queries in consultation with the NEHL Secretary & Fixtures Secretary as necessary • Monitoring of player & umpire eligibility • Assisting the NEHL Officers in their duties as required • Reporting all relevant matters to the NEHL Secretary or Committee as directed 3.8 The AGM of the NEHL shall be held before the end of the second week of May each year. The NEHL Secretary shall give each club at least 14 days' notice of the meeting through the nominated email contact from each club. The following business shall be transacted at the AGM: a. To approve the Minutes of the previous AGM b. To receive reports from the Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer c. To fix the subscription and levels of fines for the following season d. To receive a report from the League Administrator, and then to review league structure and ratify promotion and relegation within the NEHL e. To present trophies f. To reconsider the Rules for improvement for the following season g. To elect officers as set out in section 3.1 h. To fix the level of remuneration for the League Administrator for the following season i. To discuss “Any Other Business” - only that business stated on the Agenda of the meeting shall be discussed under this heading Any member Club wishing to put forward a resolution or a matter of other business at the AGM shall submit the details in writing by 31st March to the NEHL Secretary, who shall place the resolution on the agenda for the Meeting. 3.9 All clubs must send a representative to the NEHL AGM. Penalty: Failure to attend the Annual General Meeting - £50 fine. 3.10 Each member Club shall be entitled to send two representatives to the AGM, SGM and GM, but each Club shall only have one vote. The Chairman shall not vote unless there is a tie, in which case the Chairman shall have the casting vote. Other members of the NEHL Committee shall only vote when acting as a member club representative. Representatives from five constituent Clubs shall form a quorum at the AGM, SGM or GM. In all cases, motions shall be carried by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote. 3.11 In committee, all members of the Committee shall have one vote. The Chairman shall not vote except in the case of a tie. Four members shall form a quorum. The Committee shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the NEHL Rules and resolving disputes. With the exception of expulsion from the NEHL, and the right of appeal under rule 5.4, decisions of the Committee shall be final and cannot be revoked retrospectively at any AGM, SGM or GM. 3.12 A subscription shall be levied as necessary and agreed at the AGM. Payment of subscriptions must be made by 31st October of each season. Penalty: £25 per team per complete month in default.

3.13 The NEHL Committee may call a General Meeting. A SGM shall be called if requested by at least 40% of the member Clubs. At a SGM only business on the agenda or incidental thereto shall be transacted. A minimum of 14 days notice must be given for such GMs and SGMs.

4. Match Regulations 4.1 Rules of Play All matches shall be played in accordance with the Rules of Hockey as issued by the Hockey Rules Board under the authority of the International Hockey Federation [copyright is held by the International Hockey Federation]. 4.2 Pitchside Conduct All clubs competing at all levels of the NEHL are required to follow the guidance notes for pitch side conduct as issued by the North Hockey Association and published annually in the NE Hockey Handbook and on the NEHL website. 4.3 Player Qualifications a. Only bona fide members of a NEHL Club shall be entitled to play in NEHL matches. b. Before November 1st of each season all clubs in the NEHL must submit a full list of their playing members to the NEHL Secretary giving names in full and dates of birth. Thereafter before any new such member plays for a club his full name and date of birth must be provided in writing to the NEHL Secretary giving details of any previous club and confirmation that the player has no outstanding debts, either in cash or in kind, with that club. In addition clubs are to ensure that any new player has served out any previously imposed disciplinary suspension before being allowed to play for them. c. A player who has played league hockey for any other club shall not play for a NEHL club unless the NEHL Secretary receives evidence that a genuine change of clubs has taken place and that the NEHL Executive [consisting of the Chairman, NEHL Secretary, and Hon. Treasurer] has agreed to grant a transfer request. Such transfer requests must be lodged with the NEHL Secretary, using the official Online Transfer Form which can be accessed from the NEHL Website, before the 1st of February during the season. The transferring player must have settled his subscription and any other outstanding debts to his previous club. If the new club has another side playing in another league then the club must also have satisfied the rules of that league relating to player transfer. The NEHL Executive shall have the power to grant a transfer request after the 1st of February if the request is the result of a move of abode of the player concerned or for other extenuating circumstances. d. In registering players, clubs with teams in leagues senior to the NEHL must provide a list of 11 starred players for each such team, selected on merit, include one Goalkeeper in each case. These players are excluded from playing in any lower club team within the NEHL other than the CDL. Clubs are permitted to make a change to their starred lists of 11 by emailing the swap details to the NEHL Secretary and League Administrator before 8.00pm on the

Wednesday before the next match. A goalkeeper must be replaced with another goalkeeper. Reasons for the change must be given and the NEHL Secretary must approve the change before the de-starred player can play for the lower team. Once a player has been de-starred that player, other than a goalkeeper, cannot be re-starred within 4 weeks of the date he was de-starred. The NEHL Secretary should be informed of any problems and must be notified if any starred player is to be unavailable for more than 3 weeks. The movement of players will be monitored. The League shall have the power to change starred players, but, in doing so, must notify the clubs of any such changes before 8.00pm on the Monday before the next league match. e. As a general principle wherever possible in the event of a team being short of players other players shall be promoted from successive lower teams such that the club’s lowest team is short unless there are extenuating circumstances acceptable to the NEHL Secretary. Acceptable circumstances for the use of higher team players will be limited to: a player undergoing a period of recovery following injury; a player dropped to a lower team due to loss of form; work patterns affecting a player’s availability; other exceptional circumstances acceptable to the NEHL Secretary. As a general principle within the PL and IL a club shall not strengthen a lower team with a player or players from a higher team in a manner which, in the view of the League Committee, would be likely to influence the result of a game. The measure by which a player will be deemed a ‘higher’ team player will be his playing in 66% or more games for all higher teams after completion of his first 6 games of the season. Within the CDL the selection of players from higher teams is permissible but must not be done in order to strengthen a team and such players must only be utilised in the spirit of a development league and must adapt their play in such a manner as to encourage, in a sportsmanlike manner, the development of younger or inexperienced players from both teams involved in the game. In making an ‘unusual’ selection which may contravene this rule, clubs must consult the NEHL Secretary for advice before proceeding. f. A substitute selected for a higher team on a particular day can play for a lower team in IL Division 2 and below provided that this selection does not otherwise breach Rule 4.3d or 4.3e above. In the IL, below division IL1, a player starting for a higher team cannot play on the same day unless that player is a goalkeeper who would normally have played for the lower team or is normally an outfield player who has volunteered to play in goal for the lower club team. This practice will be permitted in the CDL subject to the provisions of Rule 4.3d and 4.3e above. A player cannot play in 2 teams on the same day above the level of IL Division 2 unless that player is a goalkeeper who would normally have played for the lower team [this includes games in higher leagues] or is normally an outfield player who has volunteered to play in goal for another club team. In the CDL teams may borrow registered players from any other NEHL club or co-opt occasional unregistered players [providing that there is otherwise no breach of Rule 4.3b above]. g. In the PL and IL divisions 1 & 2, only male players shall be permitted to play in league matches. h. All players in must be aged 13 years or over on the day of any particular match.

i. Match Record Cards will be used to resolve any concerns or complaints regarding player selection. j. Any club making a selection which contravenes any provision of this rule shall be deemed to have played an ineligible player. Penalties: Failure to submit correctly compiled registration list by due date - £25 fine. Failure to apply for a player transfer - £25 fine. Playing an unregistered player or players not regarded as in breach of rule 4.3d to f – Fine of: PL & IL £25. Playing an ineligible player in breach of rule 4.3d to f – Fine of: PL £50, IL £25; 3 points deducted from the lower team and match awarded to opposition by 3 goals to nil or the original result if more advantageous to the offended team. 4.4 Umpires a. Except for umpires undergoing their Level 1 assessment all umpires covering PL and IL Division 1 games, must at least hold an England Hockey assessed umpire qualification. Umpires covering all other NEHL games must at least hold the above qualification or be a prospective Level 1 assessed umpire awaiting assessment. In the latter case the NEHL considers that a period of not more than 12 months should lapse between taking an EHB Level 1 Umpires course and assessment. All umpires must carry adequate public liability insurance. b. Clubs shall ensure that all of their club umpires qualified to officiate in matches as covered in 4.4a above are registered with the Northumberland & Durham Hockey Umpires Association [NDHUA]. c. All clubs must have an Umpire Development Officer whose duties will include encouraging, facilitating and recording umpire training and development within their club and ensuring umpire allocation to meet NEHL requirements. Umpire Development Officers are expected to attend the relevant meetings organised by N&DHUA. d. The NEHL devolves to the NDHUA authority to appoint umpires to all games where possible. When such appointments are made the home club should confirm them as per the Allocation Rules of NDHUA. The home club should notify the opposition that they have confirmed the umpires and seek a reallocation from the NDHUA in the event of any difficulties. e. When a single N&DHUA umpire is appointed to a game and subsequently becomes unavailable in advance of a fixture the club to which he or she was appointed must find a replacement. When two N&DHUA umpire are appointed and one becomes unavailable in advance of a fixture then the home club must provide a replacement and if both become unavailable then both clubs must provide replacements. When one or both NDHUA appointed umpires fail to attend a venue then the team captains shall endeavour to find a competent umpire or umpires to enable the match to be played. If no replacement(s) acceptable to both captains can be found the match must be rearranged in accordance with Rule 4.11e.

f. Each team must provide one umpire unless NDHUA umpires are appointed. If necessary a team must drop a player from the side to meet this requirement. g. In the PL and IL no person shall play and umpire in the same game. h. In the PL and IL no club umpire may be changed once a match has commenced unless as a result of injury, illness or other extenuating circumstances to that umpire. i. Clubs shall ensure that all of their umpires are registered with N&DHUA prior to the start of each season and thereafter as they become qualified. j. All clubs must be represented by their UDO or nominated substitute at the first N&DHUA UDO meeting of each season. Penalties: Failure to confirm match details with N&DHUA appointee - £25 fine. Failure to provide qualified umpire – Fine of: PL & IL £25 and CDL £15; 3 points deducted and game to be rearranged under Rule 4.11e at the offending club’s expense. Failure to meet any other requirement of rule - £15 fine. 4.5 Dates of League Fixtures These shall be circulated by the Hon. Fixtures Secretary. Any alterations, including playing games on non-Saturdays, must be arranged by mutual agreement between the two clubs concerned at the Annual Fixture Secretary’s Meeting and the Hon. Fixtures Secretary must be informed of such changes before 30th June for publication of the NE Hockey Handbook. If mutual agreement between the two clubs cannot be achieved then the Hon. Fixtures Secretary will assign a date. Following publication league dates may not be altered except under the provisions of Rule 4.11. However during the course of the season in the CDL clubs may mutually agree to play fixtures on non-Saturdays provided the details are communicated to the Hon. Fixtures Secretary by the preceding Monday. Penalty: Failure to arrange and confirm match rearrangements by due date - £20 fine. 4.6 Start Times, Venues and Surfaces a. These must be confirmed, on a weekly basis, to the opposition and umpires, by the home Club Fixture or Match Secretary by 8.00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the game. If communication ‘person to person’ is not made then the home club must ensure that their message is acknowledged by the away club. In the event that the home Club does not communicate by the due time the away Club must inform the League Administrator of the situation by 8:00pm on the Tuesday preceding the game. Start times should be between noon and 3.00 p.m. Matches may start outside these times subject to the mutual agreement of both clubs involved. If, after considering all reasonable alternative venues, mutual agreement cannot be reached then the game may be postponed in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4.11a(ii) and requirements of Rule 4.11e. In the matter of ‘reasonable alternatives’ the NEHL does not stipulate where a club’s ‘home’ matches are to take place and it is acceptable for clubs to arrange to play at opposition or other mutually agreed venues in order to fulfil a fixture. Matches shall be played in daylight unless special permission has been given by the NEHL Committee to play under floodlights on pitches with floodlighting approved by them.

b. Matches should start at the start time as agreed between the 2 clubs. If there is a delay which would interfere with the effective management of the venue or the start time of a subsequent game or games then the match must be abandoned unless acceptance of the delay can be obtained from the venue management and the clubs involved in any subsequent games. If a game is abandoned then the matter will be dealt with under Rule 4.12b. Penalty: Failure to confirm match arrangements by due day & time – Fine of: PL & IL £25 and CDL £15. 4.7 Playing Surfaces All matches must be played on approved artificial turf surfaces. 4.8 Points In each Division positions shall be based on the following scales: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a game lost. In the event of a tie at the end of the season, final placings shall be decided as follows: first goal difference will be taken into account and if still equal the higher number of goals scored shall be the deciding factor. If still undecided, but only in the case of promotion, relegation or outright winning of the League than a play-off shall take place as directed by the NEHL Secretary 4.9 Notification of Results This rule applies to all games in the League proper [see rule 2.3] and to any knock-out competitions that might be organised from time to time involving teams from the League proper. Prior to the start of each game a Match Results Card must be fully completed by both teams and umpires except for the recording of goal scorers, disciplinary cards and signatures. After the game the outstanding information must be inserted and the card signed by the team captains and umpires. It is the joint responsibility of both team captains to follow and abide by this procedure. Players’ full names and numbers must be entered legibly and in block capitals on the Results Card. For the purposes of Rule 4.3f the players ‘starting’ the match shall be deemed to be the first 11 players listed on the Results Card. Full details of the umpires and their credentials must also be entered on the card. Players whose names are not entered shall not be eligible to play. Within 72 hours of the game the home team must ensure that all of the details on the Match Results Card are entered on to an Online Results Report which can be accessed from the NEHL Website. A legible copy of both sides of the original Match Results Card must be appended to the Online Results Report. The original of the Match Results Card must be provided to the NEHL Secretary or League Administrator within 7 days of a request to do so. Any fixture which is not played or completed for whatever reason must be notified by the home club within 72 hours of the game by means of an Online Cancellation Report which again can be accessed via the NEHL Website. Penalties: Failure of home team to provide a Results Card – Fine of: PL & IL £20 and CDL £15 [home team]. Failure to fully and correctly complete Results Card - £15 fine [both teams]. Failure to correctly complete and submit an Online Results Report or Online Cancellation Report within 72 hours – £15 Fine [home club] followed by a further £15 if not submitted within 7 days of receipt of the first fine notification. Thereafter fines will be at the NEHL Committee’s discretion.

Failure to supply the original Results Card within 7 days of a request to do so – Fine of: PL £50, IL £25, & CDL £15. Deliberate Falsification of an Online Results Report – Fine of £50 and 3 points deduction. 4.10 Abandoned Games The umpires shall have the sole discretion in abandoning games including decisions as to the light and fitness of the pitch. In the event of disagreement between the umpires, the game shall be abandoned. In the event of an abandoned match, the home team shall notify the League Administrator by means of an Online Cancellation Report as laid down in Rule 4.9. Unless otherwise directed by the NEHL Secretary to do otherwise, abandoned matches must be replayed as per Rule 4.11e. 4.11 Postponements a. Except as set out in section ‘b’ of this Rule, a team seeking to postpone a match for any reason must obtain the permission of the Hon. Fixtures Secretary and the opposing team. This will usually only be considered if: (i) The Club, or some of its players, is [or are] involved in a match of higher national or local priority in sufficient numbers to render the selection of one or more teams impossible, in which case communication must take place as soon as the situation becomes apparent and not later than 8:00pm on the Wednesday preceding the game. (ii) Other extenuating circumstances which are acceptable to both the Hon. Fixtures Secretary and the opposing team in which case communication must take place as soon as possible after the circumstances become apparent. b. The home team is empowered to postpone a match because of the unfitness of the ground, or because of inclement weather. In the event of such a postponement, the opposition should be informed before they commence to travel. Home Clubs must submit an Online Cancellation Report in accordance with the timetable laid down in Rule 4.9. c. Shortage of players shall not be considered a valid reason for failing to play a game. d. In the event of a postponement then the home Club should immediately notify any appointed umpires. e. The Hon. Fixtures Secretary will be responsible for rearranging all postponed or abandoned games and for informing the clubs concerned. Initially all weather related postponed games will be assigned to the next available slip date. As this process becomes impractical such games will be rearranged within 29 days of the fixture in question with some variation, where practicable, to avoid successive Sunday games for a particular team. Otherwise individual games postponed for other reasons will be rearranged within 29 days. Changes to these rearrangements may be made by mutual agreement of the two clubs concerned provided that the NEHL Fixtures Secretary is informed at least one week in advance of the game taking place. If mutual agreement cannot be achieved then the original rearranged date will stand. Penalties: Failure to consult Hon. Fixtures Secretary and opposition regarding ‘planned’ postponements – Fine of: PL £50, IL £25 and & CDL £15; 3 points deducted and game to be rearranged under Rule 4.11e. The offending club must reimburse any ‘out of pocket’ expenses incurred by their opponents. Failure to notify away club of weather related postponement [where feasible] – Fine of: PL £25, IL £15 & CDL £15.

4.12 Failure To Play A Fixture a. A fixture is defined as a hockey match played according to the International Hockey Federation Rules and these Rules. Any match not conforming to this definition shall be dealt with under this rule. b. In the event of a Club failing to fulfil a league fixture, except as in Rule 4.11, the penalties listed below will be applied. Penalties: Failure to play a fixture due to shortage of players – A fine of: PL £25, IL £15 [except for the last team in a club which has more than one team]. In addition PL, 3 points deducted and game awarded to opposition by 3 goals to nil; IL & CDL, game awarded to opposition by 3 goals to nil. The offending club must reimburse any ‘out of pocket’ expenses incurred by their opponents. Maladministration by either team in terms of fixture arrangements or [except in circumstances deemed exceptional by the committee] failure of either team to arrive at the venue on time such that the match does not take place – Fine of: PL £25, Il £15 & CDL £15; and game to be rearranged under Rule 4.11e. In addition in PL & IL, 3 points deducted. The offending club must reimburse any ‘out of pocket’ expenses incurred by their opponents. Inadequacy of pitch due to circumstances beyond the control of the home club – no penalty, game to be rearranged under Rule 4.11e. 4.13 Discipline a. The NEHL divests control of all matters relating to player discipline covered by the EHB Code of Ethics & Behaviour to the appropriate County Association Disciplinary Committees. b. The NEHL Committee shall organise a ‘Fair Play Award’ to be presented annually to the Club[s] with the best disciplinary record over the season. c. Players shall be subject to incremental match suspensions for yellow cards an individual accrues throughout the season. The NEHL will keep a record of yellow cards and obtain details of any received at North League level; however, the responsibility for applying suspensions rests with the player’s club. The following suspensions shall apply to each individual: 4 yellow cards in a season = 1 match suspension, 2 further yellow cards in the same season = 1 further match suspension, 2 further yellow cards in the same season = 1 further match suspension, for each further yellow card thereafter in the same season = 1 further match suspension. Any match suspension imposed as a consequence of this regulation shall take effect on the next NEHL match following the match in which the qualifying yellow card was issued. In the event that a player is issued a red card subsequent to receiving a yellow card(s) in the same match, the yellow card(s) shall not be counted for the purposes of this rule. The failure to suspend a player under this rule will be treated as the playing of an ineligible player. Penalty: 3 points deducted for failing to suspend a player under this rule.

4.14 Player Identification a. If in the opinion of the umpires there is a clash of shirts or of socks then the away team shall change, except that if the home team is wearing shirts and socks different in colour to those declared in the NEHL handbook then its players may be required to change. b. Except in the CDL all players shall wear shirts bearing a different number of at least 9 inches in height and contrasting colour to the shirts. Numbers shall be worn in the centre of the back of the shirt and shall correspond to the numbers on the Result Card. Penalty: Failure to wear appropriate strips and/or numbering – PL & IL only £15 fine

5. General Matters 5.1 Each Club by its entry into the NEHL shall be deemed to have given its consent to the Rules of the NEHL and to any amendments which may from time to time be adopted in proper form and shall be deemed to have agreed to abide by the decision of the NEHL Committee and any penalty or sanction it may from time to time see fit to impose. 5.2 The NEHL Committee shall have the power to determine any matter not covered in these Rules. It shall have the power to impose a financial penalty, deduct League points, relegate any team or expel any Club that, in its opinion, fails to meet the standards demanded for NEHL hockey. As a minimum the NEHL Committee shall apply the sanctions set out within these rules. They can increase these sanctions in cases of repeated or deliberate transgression. All fines imposed must be paid within 30 days of notification. After the AGM any club with outstanding debts from either subscriptions or fines will be expelled from the NEHL. Penalty: Failure to meet the required standards – Max £100 fine together with any other sanctions deemed appropriate by the committee. 5.3 All disputes, other than those falling within the jurisdiction of the match Umpires (whose decision is final) shall be referred to the NEHL Committee. The decision of the NEHL Committee shall be final, subject to any appeal under Rule 5.4, and cannot be revoked retrospectively by the member Clubs meeting at a SGM or at the AGM. 5.4 Clubs shall have the right of appeal in the first instance to their County Secretary (Durham and Northumberland) against a decision of the NEHL Committee. Appeals shall be heard by a Committee consisting of a representative of each of the two Counties plus an additional representative of the “home” County of the appellant Club. Such appeals must be lodged with the appropriate County Secretary in writing and a copy of the appeal must be sent to the Secretary of the NEHL Committee within 14 days of the NEHL Committee’s decision being notified to the Club concerned. A deposit of £50.00 is required. 5.5 Rules may only be changed at the AGM, SGM or GM on a motion submitted in writing by a member Club to the NEHL Secretary 60 days before the meeting, or on a motion from the Committee. Member Clubs shall be informed by the NEHL Secretary of the wording of such a motion at least 14 days before the meeting.

APPENDIX 1 Appendix to section 2.9 of The Rules. Item: Promotion and Relegation. a. One team promoted to the next higher league and none relegated. One additional place available. Two teams to be promoted and one team to be relegated between Divisions. b. One team promoted to the next higher league and one relegated. No additional place available. Two teams to be promoted and two teams to be relegated between the divisions. c. One team promoted to the next higher league and two relegated. One fewer place available. Two teams to be promoted and three teams to be relegated between the divisions. d. One team promoted to the next higher league and three relegated. Two fewer places available. Two teams to be promoted and four teams to be relegated between the Divisions. e. Any other combinations, NEHL Committee to decide and recommend to AGM. Subject to at least two teams being promoted from each Division (excluding Division 1).

APPENDIX 2 Appendix in relation to the operation of the Club Development League. Clubs are reminded that the CDL exists primarily to promote the development of young or inexperienced players and that games must take place in the spirit described in the penultimate paragraph of Rule 4.3e. To ensure that the maximum possible number of CDL games take place, clubs must communicate any player availability concerns to their opposition at the earliest possible stage during the week preceding the game in question. Both clubs must then work together to turn out 2 teams of as near equal numbers as possible [minimum 7]. This can be achieved by the ‘stronger’ club reducing its team size to that achievable by the opposition or by lending players to the ‘weaker’ club to achieve the necessary balance. Other alternatives are for the ‘weaker’ club to borrow players from another club or to field ‘occasional’ players not registered with any club.