Winter League Rules
2016-2017
Affiliation and Entry
1. England Netball affiliation to be paid for all players, umpires and team officials prior to start of season. Teams and officials cannot participate in the league unless affiliation has been paid.
Penalty: 5-point deduction for each offence and a £25 fine
Note: Affiliation is paid online at www.englandnetball.co.uk and the affiliation period runs from 1st September to 31st August yearly. College, university or school affiliations do not cover individuals who participate in an adult netball league.
County Affiliation Secretary: Julie Tinsley – –
01782 611129
2. League Entry
2.1 The entry fee to the Stoke-on-Trent Area Netball League (SoT League here forward) is a non-refundable deposit of £150. Application form(s) to be returned to the League Treasurer by the dates presented.
Penalty: No team will be entered into the league without the deposit being paid. Forms and deposits received after the final date may not be considered for league re-entry
2.2 The balance of the winter league fees are to be sent to League Treasurer by 31st October each year.
Penalty: If the balance of the winter league fee is not paid by 31st October, £10 will be added to the balance for each week or part week that the payment is delayed. The committee reserve the right to suspend any team who delays payment
2.3 The committee of the SoT League shall endeavour to arrange a summer netball league each year. The required entry form, stating the fee payable, shall be issued to all registered teams each year.
League Treasurer: Janet Chadwick, 52 Old Hall Drive, Bradwell, Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 8RQ – – 01782 620936
3. The financial year for the SoT League is 1st May to 30th April.
Registration of Players and Officials
4. Player Registration
4.1 Each team must e-mail/post a copy of the Club’s Invoice Receipt, sent by the England Netball Membership Department, to their relevant Division Liaison Officer by the first Monday of the winter league.
Penalty: 3-point deduction to the offending team
4.2 Clubs with two or more teams MUST complete a Registration Form for each of their teams and e-mail/post with a copy of the Club’s Invoice Receipt to the relevant Division Liaison Officer by the first Monday of the winter league.
Penalty: 3-point deduction to the offending team
4.3 Players may only register for one team/club.
4.4 After the commencement of the league, any individual registrations should be submitted to the relevant Division Liaison Officer by e-mail, along with a copy of the Club’s Invoice Receipt.
Penalty: 5-point deduction and a £25 fine for the registered team of each non-affiliated player
Division Liaison Officers
Div 1: Sam Oliver, 50 Stoneley Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4NG –
– 07590 385223
Div 2: Pat Arnott, 6 Derwent Close, Alsager, SoT, ST7 2UT – – 07760 197104 / 01270 878906
Div 3: Katrina Simcock, House Farm, Park Lane, Endon, Staffs, ST9 9JD – – 07969 990380
Div 4: Stella Bowyer, 37 Ronaldsway Drive, Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 9HE – – 07788 641903
Div 5: Sam Morton, Bluestone House, Clay Lake, Endon, Staffs, ST9 9DE – – 07725 991586
5. Umpire Registration
5.1 All umpires must be affiliated to England Netball. It is the responsibility of each club/team to ensure that their chosen umpires are affiliated and able to officiate in an Adult League.
Penalty: 5-point deduction and a £25 fine for the registered team/club of each non-affiliated umpire
5.2 Should an umpire (qualified or unqualified) be U18, the league recommends that they SHOULD have an ADULT with them on all occasions to comply with safeguarding requirements.
5.3 An Umpire Registration Form MUST be completed with the names of all umpires who will be officiating in each division and e-mailed to the League Umpiring Secretary by the first date of the winter league.
Penalty: Offending team will be deducted 3 points
League Umpiring Secretary: Angela Nelson – – 07798 615740
6. If a player wishes to change club or team during the winter league, a Player Transfer Request Form must be completed by 1st March each year, following the form’s instructions. Once completed, a copy is to be sent to all parties by the NEW Division Liaison Officer. Only one transfer request can be made per player per season.
Penalty: any team that plays an in eligible player to have 5 points deducted and a £25 fine.
Umpiring & Officiating
7. The SoT League adheres to the umpiring guidelines as per the England Netball Rule Book
8. All Teams MUST provide an umpire to officiate as per the League Umpiring Rota.
Penalty: 5-point deduction from the ‘named team’ total
9. Each umpire should wear appropriate white top and trainers, and will only umpire a maximum of two games per evening.
10. All teams who have participated for three consequective seasons must have a qualified umpire in order to qualify for re-entry.
Penalty: Exclusion from the league
11. Umpire Eligibility
11.1 Division 1 Umpires
11.1.1 All officials who hold a B Award or above can umpire in Division 1. Mentored or league approved C Award officials may also umpire in Division 1. All officials must complete the multi-stage fitness test to a minimum level of 6.1 annually.
Penalty: See rule 11.4
11.1.2 Mentored and C Award umpires MUST inform the Liaison Officer of their first match, giving date, venue and time. The Liaison Officer will then provide a list of mentors/assessors for each official. Mentored umpires will be observed a minimum of three occasions and will then be given league approval, or have the mentoring period extended. The league approved C Award umpires will official for three seasons from the date approved.
11.1.3 The league recommends that all C Award umpire attend a B Award umpires’ course within this time span. The Liaison Officer will provide all umpires with a list of the B Award course dates available and will provide support to enable each umpire to apply for assistance towards the cost, etc.
11.1.4 If a non-approved or non-mentored umpire officiates a Division 1 match then this must be recorded on the results sheets of both teams. The Liaison Officer will then ascertain the reason why and rectify the issue.
Penalty: 5-point deduction and a £25 fine from the team for each offence of a non-approved umpire
11.2 Divisions 2 & 3 Umpires
11.2.1 These two divisions MUST be umpired by qualified neutral C Award or above umpires who have completed the multi-stage fitness test to a minimum level of 4.1 annually.
Penalty: See rule 11.4
11.2.2 Unqualified umpires who wish to obtain the C Award qualification may umpire in these divisions with assessor assistance and MUST request a mentor/assessor prior to their first match, stating date, time and venue. Observations will be carried out for a minimum of three matches. When deemed acceptable, written approval will be given, with re-assessment arranged 8 weeks thereafter.
11.2.3 Should a team’s qualified umpire not be available and only an UNQUALIFIED umpire present, the two match teams shall be given the choice to play the game or ask the league to re-arrange the fixture.
Penalty: 5-point deduction and a £25 fine for the team for each offence of an unqualified umpire
11.3 Divisions 4 & 5 Umpires
11.3.1 These two divisions shall be umpired by neutral qualified or unqualified umpires who are recommended to complete the multi-stage fitness test to a minimum level of 4.1 annually.
11.3.2 To assist with the development of all unqualified umpires in these divisions, the SoT League will arrange a support session at the annual Umpire/Rules Forum (see Rule 23). All unqualified umpires within these divisions will be expected to attend. These sessions will be taken by Accredited Assessors.
11.4 All records of written approval and multi-stage fitness testing will be sent to the League Umpiring Secretary, and will be kept, checked and maintained by the League Umpiring Secretary and Division Liaison Officers.
Penalty: Umpire’s failure to inform the League Umpiring Secretary/Liaison Officer may result in a point deduction in line with the league rules on unqualified and non-approved umpires
Note: As accredited assessors, Norma Ashcroft, Anne Middleton-Hill, Angela Nelson, Pat Arnott and Chris Lowndes can mentor/assess those wishing to umpire in all divisions.
12. Umpire Punctuality
12.1 Should any umpire (qualified or unqualified) arrive late or fail to fulfil their umpiring commitment.
Penalty: 5-point deduction from the umpire’s team
12.2 Should any ‘named team’ organise a replacement neutral umpire (suitably qualified for that fixture) and they are late or fail to attend.
Penalty: 5-point deduction from the ‘named team’
13. Scorers and Scoring
13.1 Scorers MUST be present in Division 1-3 and MUST stand or sit together. In Divisions 4 & 5, if scorers are present they MUST stand or sit together. If scorers are not present then the umpires must score themselves.
Penalty: £5 fine for every instance scorers do not follow the above protocol
13.2 Division 1 teams that play at St Peters shall use an officials table, which will include:
1 x Official Scorer (Official Score Pad)
1 x Caller/Timekeeper (with Score Card)
1 x Flipchart Operator
Penalty: £5 fine for every instance scorers do not follow the above protocol
14. If, in the opinion of either umpire, a player verbally attacks or obviously disputes an umpires decision, their name and team will be noted on the Results Sheet and an official complaint sent to League Umpiring Secretary, as per Rule 26, who will report to the committee.
Penalty: Abuse of umpires will not be tolerated and could result in the suspension of the offending player (See INF/AENA Rules)
Playing Rules
15. The SoT League adheres to the playing guidelines as per the England Netball Rule Book. It is the responsibility of all team personnel to ensure that all are familiar with the rules and regulations and ensure that they are abided.
16. Match Play and Results
16.1 All matches will be played as per the fixture list, with no re-arrangement of matches allowed. Any matches cancelled officially through inclement weather or lack of umpires, etc. may be re arranged by the Committee dependent on the availability of courts.
16.2 Matches will be played as follows:
Four 12-minute quarters
2 minutes at quarter and third-quarter time
3 minutes at half time
5 minutes between games
16.3 A Results Sheet MUST be completed by all teams at the end of each league match. The captain is responsible for ensuring that the two umpires record the correct score, points and sign the sheet. Both team captains must then sign to confirm the result. Results sheets may be posted, emailed, or handed to the appropriate Division Liaison Officer and must be received within 7 days of the completed match.
Penalty: Umpires will not sign without the full names of players recorded. No points awarded for late/not received or unauthorised results sheets. Abuse of this rule will not be tolerated and could result in expulsion from the league.
16.4 Points will be awarded as follows:
5 points for a win
3 points for a draw
2 points to the losing team if the match is lost within five goals, e.g. 26- 30
1 point to the losing team for scoring 50% or more of the opposition’s total
17. Timing
17.1 Games must start promptly and on time (i.e. central bell). Umpires must not delay matches for late players.
17.2 A timekeeping box will be provided at all venues by the SOT League, which must be maintained by teams and all equipment accounted for.
17.3 Central timing will be used for all matches. Each team is to provide a timekeeper as per the Timekeeping Rota.
17.4 In the case of a cancelled match where the opposition was due to timekeep, the cancelling team must provide the timekeeper.
Penalty: £10 fine to the cancelling team who fail to provide a timekeeper
18. Each Team is to provide their own Size 5 match-standard netball for each game. Each ball should be presented to the umpire who will then decide which to use for the whole game.
19. Uniform
19.1 The SoT League follow the England Netball Rules regarding uniform.
19.2 Uniform is predominately the same colour with appropriate dress or shirt/skirt worn for league matches. No tracksuits or trousers shall be worn unless special consideration has been given to the named player by the appropriate Division Liaison Officer. Mid-thigh shorts may be worn under the uniform if the colour matches the predominant colour of the team’s playing kit.
19.3 Appropriate sport footwear must be worn. No spikes allowed.
19.4 Bibs should be worn at all times with playing position initials clearly visible on both the back and front of playing kit.
19.5 Fingernails shall be short and smooth.
19.6 No item of jewellery, except a wedding ring and medical alert bracelet shall be worn. If either are worn then they shall be taped. No adornment that may endanger player safety may be worn.
19.7 In respect of newly pierced ears, the player MUST inform the umpires who will note on this on each Result Sheet. After six weeks, the player MUST remove their piercing.
19.8 If players wear any jewellery for competition (i.e. – dermal anchors) then England netball insurance in invalid. It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that all jewellery in removed.
Penalty: Player(s) will not be allowed on court until these issues have been resolved. The game will not be delayed.
20. Late/Cancelled Games
20.1 If any team fails to attend or is late for the start of play (less than 5 players on court) the points will be awarded to the opposition providing that they have five or more players on court when the bell is rung. A Result Sheet MUST be completed and signed by both umpires with clear indication of which team is awarded the points. Results sheets must be sent to the appropriate Division Liaison Officer within 7 days of the match.
Penalty: No points without a completed result sheet. Abuse of this system will not be tolerated and may result in exclusion from the league.
20.2 If for any reason a team cannot fulfil a fixture then the cancelling team must notify the opposing team, neutral umpires and the Division Liaison Officer prior to the match. All points will be awarded to the opposing team providing that they contact the appropriate Division Liaison Officer within 7 days of the match date (either via email or through completion of a Results Sheet).