Governing RulesLatest Update: 29/3/12

WESTERN ELECTRIC SPORTING ASSOCIATION INC.

SATURDAY LEAGUE GOVERNING RULES

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Western Electric Sporting Association Incorporated (W.E.S.A) provides the three codes of Electric Wheelchair Sports, Soccer, Hockey and Rugby League. These sports have been specifically developed by the National Electric Wheelchair Sports (N.E.W.S.) governing rules for people who have a form of neuromuscular conditions

The W.E.S.A. committee reserve the right to include or bar players who may not suffer from a neuromuscular condition.

The Western Australian State League (W.A.S.L.) season is played over fifteen rounds and will run from September to April. Players who wish to be eligible for the state team (WESA WASPS) must compete in the W.A.S.L. season. Players wishing to play W.A.S.L. must commit to all three sports.

RULE 1.UNIFORMS

All players must wear their W.E.S.A team shirt or a penalty will occur.

The following penalty will be added to the opposition at the start of the game:

1 goal in Hockey

1 goal in Soccer

6 points in Rugby League

RULE 2.SUBSTITUTIONS

If a team only has three players present, the Captain of that team has the right to ask the opposing Captain to borrow a player or players from another team. The players filling in must be of equal or lesser skill of the players being replaced. If this rule is not applicable, then both team Captains may discuss an alternative. Should there be any dispute with who can play the umpire from that game in consultation with the team captains of the teams to play will by vote decide the outcome. A team cannot play a game without a minimum of four players this means combining the players from the team in question and any fill in players.

RULE 3.FORFEITS

A team must have at least three players to take the court or they will forfeit that game. The four can be made up of three from the team in question and any fill in players.

A forfeit will give the opposition the win of:

4 nil in Hockey

4 nil in Soccer

12 nil in Rugby League

RULE 4.

All replacement players may receive Best and Fairest votes.

RULE 5.

If a player is unable to attend they must inform the W.A.S.L. co-ordinator. If unable to contact co-ordinator they must contact their Captain or one of the W.E.S.A. committee members.

RULE 6.

If a player turns up late and his or her team is on the court playing a game, he or she must wait for the Captain to call a timeout before they can take the court.

RULE 7.PLAYER CONDUCT

No player may confront the umpire (central or sideline) in an aggressive manner if so they may receive a yellow card at umpire’s discretion.

RULE 8.

The Captain of a team may talk to the central umpire during a break in play. i.e. timeout, half time or umpires timeout. The captain must not talk in an aggressive or abusive manner or he or she will be shown a yellow card.

RULE 9.

All players wanting to play must read the code of conduct (see attached code of conduct) which governs player behaviour. If a player is determined by the umpire to have breached the code he or she may receive a yellow card (see yellow cards/red cards). If the breach is a major incident it can be referred directly to the Tribunal

RULE 10.VOTES

At the end of each game the umpires will give Best and Fairest votes for the Smith-Hall award. The votes will be given in a 5-4-3-2-1 system.

5 votes best on court

4 votes second best

3 votes third best

2 votes fourth best

1 vote fifth best

Multiple votes will not be given under any circumstances!

The votes will be counted at the end of the season to find out who is W.A.S.L. Best and Fairest winner (Smith-Hall Award)

RULE 11.

Each game is played over two ten minute halves with two timeouts per half. Grand Finals are played over two twenty minute halves with three timeouts per half.

RULE 12.STATS

At the end of each game points will be given as follows:

3 points for a win

1 point for a draw

0 points for a loss

All points will be recorded on three separate tables, one for Hockey, Soccer and Rugby League.

At the end of the season in each sport, the top two teams will go through to the Grand Finals.

A Premiership table will also be kept combining the points from all three sports, the team with the most combined points from all three sports will be awarded the premiership.

In the event of a points tie between 2nd and 3rd, the team with greater goal difference will advance to the Grand Final. The same rule will apply with the premiership if there is a tie between 1st and 2nd

There will also be player stats, which will include goals and assists

RULE 13.YELLOW CARDS

A yellow card will be shown for the following:

  • Abusive or offensive language at umpires, linespeople, players, coaches or spectators.
  • Rough play.
  • Arguing with umpires.
  • If the umpire sees fit.
  • Deliberately endangering the safety of players or spectators

If a player receives four yellow cards in one season they will automatically miss one game and the player will be ineligible for Best and Fairest awards.

If that same player receives their fifth yellow card in that season they will have to miss two games i.e.

4 yellow cards – one game

5 yellow cards – two games

6 yellow cards – three games, and so on,

RULE 14.RED CARDS

A red card will be shown for the following:

  • 2nd yellow in one game
  • Striking or Charging an umpire.
  • Spitting.
  • If the umpire sees fit.
  • If a player is shown a red card, he or she must leave the court immediately
  • They will sit out the next game they are due to play
  • They will front the tribunal at an advised date.
  • They are automatically ineligible for Best and Fairest awards
  • An automatic $10 dollar fine

Players maybe reported for bad behaviour at W.E.S.A. official functions.

RULE 15.COACHES AND SPECTATORS

Coaches and spectators can be told to leave the sporting arena by the umpire, or be reported to the committee for:

  • Abusive or offensive language to the umpires, linespeople, players or other spectators
  • Violent Behaviour

RULE 16.TRIBUNAL

After a red card has been given the umpire(s) must write a full incident report on the report sheet immediately after the game. The report is to be presented at the Tribunal hearing.

The Tribunal is to be made up of the following people:

  • Umpire who reported the player.
  • Non-playing Captain
  • Two W.E.S.A. committee members

The Tribunal can fine up to a maximum of $50 and suspend a player for as long as they see fit.

The Tribunal’s decision is final

RULE 17.DISCIPLINARY HEARING

On receipt of a written complaint from a tribunal, coach, umpire, player or spectator. The committee can convene a disciplinary hearing into any breach of the code of behaviour by a player, official, coach or spectator. This hearing will have the power to hand out suspensions, any player suspended will be automatically ineligible for Best and Fairest awards

RULE 18.

Fines must be paid to the W.A.S.L. co-ordinator or the treasurer before the next round. Players are banned from W.A.S.L. until all fines are paid.

RULE 19.NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS

All non-essential items will be taken off wheelchairs before a player may play. If this rule is broken a penalty shall be awarded to the opposing team. The team will start the next game a goal down see penalty for Uniforms

Non-essential items may be as follows:

  • Bags
  • Bottle bags
  • Speakers

RULE 20.

All players must get an equal amount of court time throughout the season and Grand Finals. It is up to the team Captain to decide the bench times.

RULE 21.SCOREBOARD/STATS

A player from the team that’s not playing must do the game stats, and work the scoreboard. If the team fails to do so a penalty will occur for their next game. The team will start the next game a goal down.

1 goal in Hockey

1 goal in Soccer

6 points in Rugby League

RULE 22.BEST AND FAIREST AWARDS

The Smith/Hall award is for all players who play Saturday League except those that have received four yellow cards, a red card or who have been suspended. The winner is the player who receives the highest amount of votes as awarded by the umpires during the season. The player who receives the second highest amount of votes will receive a runners-up trophy.

The Steve McCamish award is for those players who are aged 16 and under and those who are competing in their first full season (10 rounds) of Saturday League. Players will be ineligible for this award if they have received four yellow cards, a red card or who have been suspended. The winner is the player who receives the highest amount of votes as awarded by the umpires during the season.

PERSONALPROTECTION FOR PLAYERS DURING SPORT

To define the level of protection required by players at sport to ensure the well being of all players.

To define the level of assistance that WESAI may provide to reduce the financial burden on its members.

Policy:

  1. Foot guards shall be used at Saturday league sport to protect the individual player and other players during sport
  2. Where WESAIowns a wheelchair that is used at they will provide a bulbar and associated brackets for protection from injury to players
  3. For players that provide their own wheelchair they will be responsible for providing the necessary protective equipment to comply with this policy
  4. WESAI will subject to funding provide the bulbar with the players providing the connecting brackets. Should players take the offer of the bulbars provided by WESAI these will remain the property of WESAI

The Bulbars that WESAI are to provide will be removable from the brackets so as to allow for easy maintenance and portability. The bracketing may be fitted to the wheelchair frame or may be attached to the foot guards. The decision is to be the responsibility of the owner/ user. WESAI takes no responsibility for any damage to chairs due to the fixing of the bulbars.

Players Code of Behaviour

  • Play by the rules. If you don’t know the rules ask for a copy of them.
  • Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
  • Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours in any sport.
  • Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team’s performance will benefit, so will you.
  • Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
  • Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
  • Cooperate with your coach, team mates and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
  • Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.

Complaint handling Process

As a club it can be confusing to know what to do when problems arise. WESA's Codes of Behaviour and Governing Rules provide a template for assessing appropriate standards of behaviour and managing breaches of the code.

It is important that WESA respond to all complaints. Where possible, less serious complaints should be resolved informally.. However, the circumstances of some serious complaints may require more formal processes,

Complaint handling principles

It's important WESA handles complaints in a fair, just and transparent manner, and in handling complaints apply the following principles:

Treat complaints seriously

Act promptly

Treat people fairly and listen to both sides of the story

Stay neutral

Keep parties to the complaint informed

Try to Maintain confidentiality if possible

Protect against victimisation

Keep accurate records

Make decisions based only on information gathered not personal views
Disciplinary action should be relative to the breach

Complaint handling procedures

Each complaint is different and the action taken will depend on the breach of the WESA codes the circumstances of the complaint, particularly what the person complaining wants to do.

Most on-field issues can be dealt with by the Umpire , Tribunal or reference to the Committee.

Off-field issues can be dealt with by the Executive Committee or the full Committee.

Outlined in the attached documents are Informal and Formal process of dealing with complaints. A complaint may start with an informal course of action but move to formal process as more information about the complaint becomes available, for example what initially appears less serious may emerge as a more serious issue. Where possible WESA should try resolving complaints informally in the first instance.

Informal process

As a rule of thumb less serious complaints (mild abusive language, cheating) may lend themselves to being resolved quickly and informally. Options include:

Provide more information to the person complaining (e.g., to clarify WESA rules)

Suggest the person complaining talks directly with the person being complained about

Meet with the person being complained about

Hold and informal meeting with those involved in the complaint.

Formal process

Serious complaints, (for example assault on another player, or highly vexatious behaviour) may require more formal action. Options include:

  • Mediation
  • Committee hearing & decision
  • Referral to an external agency (e.g., police ) \

COMPLAINT HANDLING PROCESSES

Dealing with issues through informal processes

Characteristics of less serious complaints Include behaviour or decisions that areout of character for the person about whom the complaint has been made.

one--off

not entrenched

low risk of harm/impact on other people

Examples of less serious Issues that can be dealt with using Informal processes Include:

  • favouritism in team selection
  • mild coarse language, yelling
  • excessive emphasis on winning
  • restriction of access to facilities

Relevant options for resolving less serious complaints include the following (choose the option you believe most appropriate for handling your complaint):

  • provide more information to person complaining
  • suggest person complaining talks directly with person complained about
  • you meet with person complained about
  • informal discussion with all those involved

Option 1: Provide more Information to person complaining

This is a good option when:

  • You have clear guidelines available and it appears to be lack of awareness of these
  • The person complaining is seeking greater understanding
  • The complaint is in the early stages of tile process

Steps to follow:

  • Provide person complaining with copy of Member Protection Policy, Codes of Behaviour and/or relevantguidelines (e,g, selection policy)
  • Explain how these polices relate to the issue/ concern

Option 2: Person complaining talks with person being complained about

This is a good option when:

  • The person complaining requests this option
  • The complaint is in the early stages of the process
  • The focus of the person complaining is to move forward rather than lay blame
  • There isn't a significant power imbalance
  • The person complaining is confident &/or isn't concerned about victimisation
  • The club can protect the person complaining against victimisation (e.g, within club policies)
  • There is little emotion involved

Steps to follow:

  • Consider suggesting to the person complaining that they:
  • Be sensitive about when and where the talk takes place (e,g, don't do it in front of the team or other parents)
  • Avoid being emotional and don't personalise concerns. Provide clear examples (e.g. when, where, who)
  • Focus on the solution rattler than problem (e.g. how to move forward rather than seeking to lay blame)
  • Take responsibility to help move forward (e.g, offering to be a team manager)

Option 3: You meet with the Person being complained about

This is a good option when:

  • The problem can be resolved by clarifying your club's policies or guidelines
  • There is a power imbalance between the parties
  • You yourself have observed the behaviour
  • The person complaining requests this option

Steps to follow:

  • Find a time to talk privately with the person being complained about (e.g. not in front of the team or parents)
  • Let them know that concerns have been expressed but try not to make the discussion personal (e.g. rather than saying the person is alleged to show favouritism and bias towards their own child say there are concerns that children are not getting equal time in the game)
  • Acknowledge their contribution to the club and discuss policies or guidelines that help clarify the club's position on the issue (e.g. junior sports policy and team selection)
  • Ask tor their perspective on the issue and what might have led to this being a concern
  • Ask for their ideas on how to sort out the issue
  • Check what further support might help them in their role (e.g. training)
  • Get back to the person complaining with the outcome and monitor the situation.

Option 4: informal discussion with all those involved

This is a good option when:

  • The issue is not highly emotive or aggression isn't involved
  • It's appropriate for all parties to hear same message at same time (e.g. clarifying roles and responsibilities)
  • The person complaining is open to discussion with other person

Steps to follow:

  • Find a time and place when you can get the parties together.
  • Reassure both parties that the focus is on talking openly to try and move forward rather than laying blame.
  • Make sure both parties have equal air time so they feel heard (e.g the person complaining is concerned about the coach shouting at the players and the coach feels stressed because he has too many responsibilities).
  • Refer to the club's policies and guidelines to clarify and provide direction (e.g. Codes of Behaviour, job descriptions, roles and responsibilities).
  • Identify common ground and build on this for workable solutions (e.g. that the coach needs more support to undertake his/her role).
  • Allow both parties to suggest solutions (e.g. more parents involve themselves with the team as a team manager or scorer.
  • Follow up with both parties to check that the problem is resolved.

COMPLAINT HANDLING PROCESSES