Notes from Middlesex pre-season meeting
2009/2010 season
10 September 2009
Notices from Chris Putt (Middlesex Management Committee)
· An Indoor League Secretary is still required further to requests at the AGM. The matches have been arranged and the pitches booked. If anyone is interested in taking responsibility for the Indoor League please contact Sandra Marlow.
· A scrutineer is required for the annual Middlesex accounts. Please contact Chris Putt if any club know of anyone who could assist with this.
· Please check the handbook details carefully, any additions/amendments should be advised to Chris Putt.
· Middlesex affiliation forms have been distributed at this meeting, together with handbooks.
Divisional Secretaries
Divisional secretaries were introduced at the meeting. Lisa Cheung (Div 1) is new for this season. The divisional secretaries will contact their captains prior to the start of the season, giving details of their addresses and will advise if they are happy to received scanned match reports via email.
Division 4 commences on 26 September, the other divisions commence 3 October.
Registration of players
All clubs should send their initial list of players to be registered to the Players’ Registration Secretary, Paula Redpath () by 18 September 09. The form to do this can be downloaded from the Middlesex website (www.middlesexhockeyassociation.co.uk). The list should be alphabetical by surname.
Late registrations maybe added up until midnight on the Thursday before the Saturday a game is due to be played. This continues throughout the season.
Players are not permitted to transfer between clubs after 1 January 2010 unless under exceptional circumstances.
Clubs who have teams in the South League: They must nominate their 11 South League players to the Players’ Registration Secretary. (If clubs have 2 teams playing South League they should nominate 22 etc). The players can be amended up until the slip date (31 October) but after that squads should have settled. However, it is still possible to amend this list for reasons such as injury but players must not move in and out the squads on a weekly basis. Penalties will be applied to clubs who play a regular South league player in the Middlesex League.
The same applies to clubs who have 2 teams in the same division. The squads should be nominated to the Players’ Registration Secretary by the 31 October slip date.. Whilst a player is able to play up they should not play down. Hopping between the teams is not permitted!
Regular goalkeepers should be noted on the registration form.
Bench rule
A player may play in a second game on a Saturday for a team higher than they would normally play up to a maximum of 20 minutes per game. This enables clubs to monitor their players at a higher level. This rule only applies if the team has 11 players at the start of their match. A player may not play as a bench player for a team lower than they would normally play.
Confirmation of fixtures
Fixtures Secretaries must confirm fixtures at least 14 days prior to the match. Information on Fixtures Live is not confirmation. A fixture time and place can be changed up to 8 days prior to the match. This can be less if the two clubs agree.
Teas
The away team must confirm that they will be staying for teas by the Wednesday prior to the match. Homes teams, for the first few weeks please ask your opposition if they intend to come back for tea if they haven’t not confirmed. From the 31 October homes teams do not need to send any reminders. We are trying to ensure clubs are not paying out unnecessary funds to provide teas for teams who do not turn up.
Match start times
Guidelines are as per the handbook. Clubs should attempt to agree this between them and the committee will only step in when absolutely necessary.
Kit/numbering
A new rule, noted in the handbook, which has been requested by Middlesex Hockey Umpires’ Association. A player’s number should be on the back of their shirt, at least 23 cm/9 inches high. Numbers may be pinned on, but not stuck on with tape, or indeed be made of tape!
Match reports
These can be downloaded from the Middlesex website. The form must be completed by the home team captain, signed by both captains and both umpires. The players should be listed alphabetically and the umpire reports completed by both captains. If captains disagree about the umpiring they are entitled to say so on the report. All reports are forwarded to Colin Howard (MHUA).
Match reports should be posted/emailed to the relevant Divisional Secretary to arrive no later than the Wednesday after the match.
Texting results to Fixtures Live
The home team must text the result to Fixtures Live by 8.00 pm on the day of the match. Please make sure captain’s details are up to date. If a captain is unavailable then remember to amend the details on Fixtures Live. The away captain may also text the result if necessary.
Any problems, especially in the first week, please contact the Divisional Secretary.
Goalie Rule!
The Goalie Rule can be found on the Middlesex website. The wording has been slightly amended in the hope that it is easier to understand! It should be remembered that this rule has been implemented in order to assist teams in the lower divisions having a Goalie and not to enable to teams in the higher divisions to strengthen their teams! Any questions should be directed to the Divisional Secretary or the League Secretary.
It was noted that a GK cannot play 2 games on a Saturday in the same division, regardless of the Goalie Rule.
Umpiring
Levels of umpire required in each division are listed in the handbook. Last season clubs were very understanding of providing 2 umpires for a home fixture and the other club returning the favour at the reverse fixture. Please note that only 1 umpire is allowed per team per game (unless an umpire is running late, as per the handbook guidelines).
Trainee umpires will be allowed in Division 4 as long as they are coached. A registered umpire of any level may coach a trainee umpire. All clubs should be encouraged to try and ensure as many players as possible learn to umpire. If a trainee umpire officiates at a match then both the trainee and the coach should sign the match report.
Promotion/Relegation
To bring the Premier Division in line with the other divisions 2 teams will now be relegated from the Premier League and 2 teams promoted from Division 1. However, it is only possible to promote one team out of the Premier Division to South League.
Clubs should contact their Divisional Secretary with any questions. Divisional Secretaries will be as flexible as possible – no-one wants to deduct any points! Here’s to a successful season!