The following are guidelines aimed at helping the Divisional Coordinators maintain consistency across the different divisions and to give the clubs some help in understanding how they will be dealt with. The Guidelines haven't attempted to cover all situations, rather only those that seem to be the main cause of problems. However nothing said here supersedes the Rules and Constitution of the League and should there be any dispute in application then it is the Rules and Constitution which will apply.

It is strongly recommended that club officials particularly ensure they are fully aware of the Rules concerning Match Regulations and Player Qualification.

2. Procedures

The initial responsibility for dealing with the organisation of matches (i.e. Match Regulations and Player Qualification) is that of the Divisional Coordinators. All other queries should be directed to the League Secretary.

The Coordinators will deal with match related issues (e.g. cancelled games, rule violations). As necessary they will contact the club(s) concerned and having ascertained the "facts" make a decision on the appropriate course of action. In doing so they may discuss things with their Overall Coordinator and/or the Secretary and Chairman.

If the club accepts this decision then it will be implemented, reported to the next Management Committee meeting and confirmed in writing by the Secretary.

If however the club doesn't agree with the proposed decision then it may appeal to the Management Committee. Initially the club should make their case in writing to the Secretary for consideration at the next Committee meeting. If additionally the club wish to make a personal appearance, then this can be arranged by the Coordinator/Secretary. In this latter case a deposit of £50 will be required; this will be returned if the appeal is upheld. Should it be considered necessary the Committee may ask the club to attend the meeting.

A decision will be made at the meeting.

If the club wishes to appeal further it may do so to the Three Counties as per the Rules.

3. Main responsibilities of Divisional Coordinators:

1. To receive and check the match cards 2. To check that the results on the match cards are the same as those reported by telephone and shown on the website. 3. To keep a record of yellow and red cards by team and individual. 4. To inform the appropriate County Disciplinary Officer of any red cards 5. To check that suspended players do not appear on the match cards 6. To ensure that postponed games are replayed according to the League Rules or to give any dispensation for a different date if considered appropriate 7. To agree any fixture rearrangements 8. To investigate and impose any penalties for Rule violations and to inform the Secretary and Treasurer/Fines Officer of these. 9. Where a club wishes to appeal against a decision, to arrange (with the League Secretary) for them to present their case to the Management Committee. 10. To collect the ratings for umpires and forward 'Unsatisfactory' ratings to the League Secretary monthly 11. For any umpire rating of 'Unsatisfactory'  (ie 1) to ensure that the responsible captain(s) makes contact and provides details of the reasons for the rating. In addition to take any further action as seems appropriate eg requiring a written report.

4. Rearrangement of fixtures

Clubs may only rearrange a fixture with agreement of both clubs and their Coordinator. Clubs are free to arrange friendly fixtures on the 'spare' dates at the end of each part of the season but these are to be regarded as reserve days for the League and any League match arranged for one of these days must take precedence over the friendly. In general rearranged fixtures must be brought forward but if not then: · any game from the first half of the season must be played before the start of the second half · any game from the second half of the season must be rearranged according to the cancellation rule for that game

Rearrangements must be agreed at least 14 days before the game should have been played. Any request to rearrange after that time will be treated as a failure to fulfil.

5. Failure to fulfil fixtures

Any failure to fulfil a fixture will normally incur a deduction of 3 points irrespective of when the game is called off. Note that additional penalties will be imposed for two or more failures

If however the failure was due to an unpredictable and unavoidable cause, then at the Coordinator's discretion, no penalties will be imposed.

If a team arrives late every effort should be made to play the match and the umpires should indicate the actual starting time and duration played on the match card.

On match days teams must carry a mobile phone and ensure they have contact numbers for the opposition and the umpires.

6. Playing of ineligible players

Should an ineligible player be used then normally three (3) points per player per game will be deducted, the game may be declared void and have to be replayed, if for example the offence was considered to have impacted the result. The basic principle to apply is that a player may not play in League games for different teams on the same day ("play" should be taken to mean appear on the match card either as a player or substitute); should a player be due to appear for different teams during the same weekend then the relevant Rule should be studied carefully. If in doubt clubs should discuss the situation with their Coordinator beforehand.

Clubs must operate the player transfer procedures. Once the season has started, for any player transferring between clubs, the move is to be registered with the League using a player transfer form, a copy of which is available on the web site or from the Secretary and is shown in Appendix 4.

Where a club has a higher team in the North Hockey or National League then for the interpretation of the Rules they should be considered as being in a higher NWHL division

7. Start times and playing surfaces.

All clubs are entitled to insist that games are played within the start times and on artificial surfaces (with proper facilities) as specified in the Rules. Clubs, team captains and umpires must take full account of all safety implications and their duty of care and are solely responsible for the decision.