(i) The construction and composition of the League shall be determined from year to year
(i) The Champion of each Division shall be determined:
(ii) The winners of the First Division shall be deemed DISTRICT CHAMPIONS.
(i) The League shall consist of a series of Divisions, with each league ideally consisting of 10 Teams.
(ii) The Divisions shall be called 1st, 2nd, 3rd Division, etc.
(iii) All new Teams shall enter the League in the lowest Division.
(iv) Any teams dropping out of a National or Regional League will usually be allocated a place in Division 1, or if they wish the place of their highest placed team already playing District hockey. Should they choose to enter Division 1 then the lowest ranked team in that league would drop to Division 2.
(v) A maximum of two Teams per Club will be allowed in each Division. This Bylaw shall not apply to the lowest Division.
(vi) The next highest team in the next lower Division shall be promoted when (v) is applied.
(vii) The League Convenor shall have the power to determine the size of all Divisions, after due consideration has been given to the number of Teams competing.
(i) Shall be determined at the end of each season by the League Committee, based primarily on 2 Teams being promoted, and 2 Teams being relegated throughout the Divisions.
(ii) In the event of a Team withdrawing from the League after promotion and relegation have been determined, and before the start of the next season, the next eligible Team from the lower Division shall be promoted, and so on throughout the lower Divisions.
(iii) Points for each fixture shall be awarded thus:
(iv) Where a fixture is conceded, the result shall be recorded as a 5-0 victory to the opposition. If, at the end of the season, the League Convenor considers that the number of fixtures conceded have unduly influenced promotion and/or relegation in any Division, he/she reserve the right to decide the issue by computing goal averages for fixtures played by the Teams in question.
(v) Should any team concede 3 games during a single season they may at the discretion of the League Convenor be automatically relegated at the end of that season.
(i) League dates will be advised in advance of the start of the season and Clubs should not arrange alternative fixtures on these dates without the permission of the League Convenor. Fixtures out with these dates, particularly for Universities and Colleges, will be initially designated, if necessary, by the League Convenor.
(ii) Fixtures should be played on the stipulated dates, but home teams may change dates in agreement with their opposition and the League Convenor to facilitate events such as “Friday Night Lights”, free midweek evenings or if both teams feel they may benefit by playing in better weather.
(iii) In the event that a fixture is postponed for weather or with the agreement of their opposition and the League Convenor, the home club should provide their opposition with 3 possible dates for playing the postponed game. The e-mail with this information should be copied to the League Convenor for his/her approval.
(iv) If the away team don’t agree with these dates but are deemed by the League Convenor to have no valid reason, then the points and a 5-0 walkover will be awarded to the home team.
(v) If the home team fail to supply alternative dates within seven days to their opposition following a postponed game, then the away team may be awarded the points and a 5-0 walkover.
(vi) If the away team don’t reply to any offer of dates within seven days of receipt of said offer, then the home team may be awarded the points and a 5-0 walkover.
(vii) Once a new date has been agreed the League Convenor must be informed via e-mail.
(viii) The League Convenor reserves the right to arrange further League fixtures on other dates where necessary, and in the event of a dispute between clubs the League Convenor reserves the right to stipulate when the postponed fixture shall be played during the League season.
(ix) All League fixtures must be completed by a date specified by the League Convenor.
(x) It is the responsibility of all clubs to ensure the League Convenor has up to date contact information for both the club and those individuals and their deputies responsible for running teams participating in the West District Leagues.
(i) The current Rules of the ‘Game of Hockey’, as published under the authority of the International Hockey Rule Board, shall apply to all fixtures unless advised by the League Convenor. Rules will not generally be changed during the playing season unless there is a specific requirement to do this.
(ii) All matches will consist of 4 x 17.5 minute quarters, with no time stoppages at goals or penalty corners. The break between Quarter 2 and 3 shall be 5 minutes. The break between Quarters 1&2 and 3&4 shall be 2 minutes
(i) Clubs should take all necessary steps to ensure that pitches are clearly marked in accordance with the current Rules.
(ii) All fixtures in Divisions 1 and 2 must be played on Artificial pitches. This means synthetic grass as approved by sportScotland for adult competitive league hockey.
(iii) It shall be the responsibility of the HOME Club to have their pitch inspected in bad weather and, where such inspection is unfavourable, the HOME Club shall confirm the decision in good time to the visiting Club and Umpires. When such advance notification is impossible and the Teams are in attendance, it shall be the responsibility of the Umpires, in consultation with both Team Captains, to decide on the possibility of play, and the validity of the fixture. The final decision will always rest with the umpires as they hold a duty of care for all participants and in the event of failure by the umpires to agree then the final decision will lie with the home umpire. At certain pitches, the grounds person has the power to declare the pitch unplayable at any time and in that case his/her decision will be final.
(i) Shall be no earlier than 10.30am, and no later than 5pm, unless agreed by all parties.
(ii) The HOME Team shall confirm the venue and match start time by email to their opposition no later than nine days in advance with their opposition confirming receipt by return. The home team should also include information regarding the colour of strips and socks they will be wearing. Clubs should hold onto the paper trail until the fixture has been completed.
(iii) Failure to advise their opposition by the prior Monday evening for whatever reason without advising the League Convenor and their opposition for the reason behind any delay may result in the home side conceding the fixture 0-5 to their opposition.
(i) Where two teams have similar colours, it shall be the duty of the HOME Team to change.
(ii) Visiting teams should carry red socks to all matches in case of a clash of colours.
(i) No League player shall play for more than one Club outdoors in a given season, without the permission of the League Convenor and Scottish Hockey.
(ii) All players playing involved in either junior or senior hockey must be registered by their club with both the West District and Scottish Hockey.
(iii) A Team arriving short of players may be loaned players, by the mutual consent of both Captains.
(iv) The minimum number of players on the pitch to start or continue the game shall be eight
(v) All players shall wear a numbered strip with that number corresponding to their name on the team sheet.
(vi) No player in the same team shall wear the same number.
(vii) Players must be in secondary school to play in the West District leagues. The lowest division will allow players in Primary 6 and above to compete, provided clubs have obtained consent from parents/guardians and the child has some hockey experience.
(viii) No player shall be permitted to play in both Scottish Hockey (Premiership, National, or Regional League, National or District Cup/Plate), and West District competition on the same calendar day
(ix) Teams competing in the West District Cup/Plate, shall be made up of players ordinarily playing in the West District League
(x) Players may play a second West District Match on a given calendar day provided:
(xi) Any further exception to the above requires explicit West District authorisation, prior to the match. This is not guaranteed and requests must not be routine
(xii) The maximum squad size shall be as follows:
(xiii) Goalkeepers are exempt provided they are the only listed fully kitted goalkeeper
(xiv) West District Hockey, shall be entitled to review team sheets for player eligibility issues until the conclusion of the Season.
(xv) Clubs may raise suspected eligibility issues with the League Convener and the Discipline Officer within 48 hours of the conclusion of the match only.
(i) If a Team within a Club cancels a fixture, other than with the express permission of the League Convenor as provided for in Bye Law 5ii above, and that Club runs other Teams at a lower level in the West District, then it shall be the responsibility of that Club to fulfil their fixtures in a descending order. If insufficient players are available to fulfil all the fixtures for that Club, then the lowest placed Team(s) should forfeit their fixture(s).
(ii) In the event a higher Team cancels their fixture at short notice, and lower level Teams fulfil their fixtures, then all results involving the lower Team(s) of that Club will be forfeit, with a victory of 5-0 and 3 points being awarded to their opposition(s).
(iii) In all cases, the League Convenor reserves the right to use his/her discretion to determine whether the cancellation of any fixture is allowed.
(iv) In the event of a team calling off an away game, they will be solely responsible for the full amount the home team loses on the pitch hire / let. Home teams should make every effort to get their money back from the pitch owners in the first instance, but if unsuccessful then the full cost shall be the responsibility of the team cancelling the fixture. Home teams must supply copies of any invoice when requesting payment from their opposition.
(v) If the away team refuses to pay for a fixture cancelled at their behest then the League Convenor shall have the power to penalise that Club, by the deduction of League points, the imposition of a good behaviour bond up to £250 and/or review of their status in that Division.
(i) Umpires may not be replaced once a fixture has commenced except by necessity. “Playing” umpires are not permitted
(ii) A fully qualified umpire, is one who holds both a theory and practical pass in assessment set by Scottish Hockey at Level 1/C badge or above
(iii) A theory qualified umpire, is one who holds a valid theory pass at level 1. Valid means, within 18 months of the date of their theory course
(i) All fixtures in Division 1 must be umpired by a fully qualified umpire.
(ii) Fixtures in the lowest 2 divisions may be umpired by a theory qualified umpire.
(iii) In the event the District has more than 3 divisions, all fixtures above the lowest two divisions must be umpired by a fully qualified umpire
(iv) West District Cup and Plate matches from the Quarter Finals onwards, must be umpired by a fully qualified umpire.
(i) The West District Umpires Association (WDUA), or District Umpire Convener, shall be responsible for umpire assessments. These shall only be carried out by WDUA approved assessors, on pre-approved matches.
(ii) Umpire assessments may be carried out in ANY West District Fixture
(iii) For umpire assessments carried out in Division 1 ONLY, consent will be required from both teams prior to the assessment. Consent must not be unduly withheld. In lower divisions, clubs should if possible, be aware but consent is not necessary.
(iv) Coaching of theory qualified umpires in Division 1, is not permitted, except when a club has no teams in lower divisions. Such coaching sessions MUST be carried out by the WDUA
(v) Umpire coaching in lower leagues shall be permitted, provided it complies with WDUA procedures. Coaching feedback shall only be permitted post match.
(i) The HOME Team shall be responsible for providing the official team sheet or in the absence of that, paper clearly recording all information that would be input to an official team sheet.
(ii) The Match Report Form must be correctly filled in, and in the possession of the umpires prior to the match beginning. Correctly filled in means:
(iii) Post match, the umpires shall complete the Match Report Form. The following shall be recorded:
(iv) The following will lead to the deduction of 3 points per team sheet:
(v) All postponed and re-arranged fixtures should be notified to the League Convenor so that an up-to-date picture of the League can be maintained. Any postponed fixture that the League Convenor is not informed of will result in a 3 point deduction to the home team.
(vi) Teams shall update the West District Website with the match result no later than 48 hours after the match. Outstanding results after this time, will result in a 1 point deduction
(i) Breaches of discipline involving yellow cards must be reported on the front of the Match Report Form, and in the disciplinary section on the rear of the form
(ii) Breaches of Discipline involving Red Cards, Match Incidents, After Match Incidents or any other form of indiscipline, must be reported to both the District Discipline Officer and League Convenor within 48 hours of completion of the fixture. Individual reports, completed on the West District Penalties Form, should be sent by email and completed by the following: both Officiating Umpires, both Team Captains and the Recipient. The Discipline Officer shall, if required, be able to seek further reports from others which should be returned within 48 hours of request. Joint reports are not acceptable.
(iii) If an incident is missed by both umpires but spotted by ether captain, or a suitably qualified spectator who holds a minimum C Grade or Level 1 umpiring qualification, that incident should be reported by email to the Discipline Officer within 48 hours of that match. After due deliberation of up to 48 hours the Discipline Officer may choose to instigate a disciplinary case based on said information or not.
(iv) Any decision reached by the Discipline Officer may be appealed to the District Committee, with the exception of decisions that have no right to appeal as determined by the District Discipline Code. The appeal must be made within 5 working days of the Discipline Officers decision. Appeals may only come from the individual liable to sanction, or their affiliated club and contain the reasoning behind the appeal and an appeal fee of £75. Should a disciplinary sanction imposed on a club by the Discipline Officer be appealed, the West District Constitution appeal fee of £150 shall apply.
(v) Should an incident be referred to a discipline panel, in line with discipline code procedures, the panel shall have the following additional abilities;
(vi) The Discipline Officer will have 48 hours from receipt of the Panel’s recommendation, to decide whether to proceed with an investigation in line with the current red card procedures
(vii) Any friendly played where both teams ordinarily compete in West District competition shall be governed by the West District Discipline Code and bylaw 14(iii)
(i) The Organisation and Management of the West District Leagues shall be under the direction of the League Convenor.
(ii) The League Convenor shall have the power to penalise Clubs, by the deduction of League points, imposition of a good behaviour bond, and/or review a teams status in a Division, that has been found to be deliberately strengthening a Team with players from a superior Team, who may be available due to the cancellation, postponement, or early completion of their fixtures.
(iii) All claims, protests, disputes etc. pertaining to District League fixtures and/or players, shall be lodged via email by the Club, or Clubs, concerned to the League Convenor, within a period of 48 hours of the fixture, and shall be supported by a full report of the circumstances, and supported by the governing officials of the Club, or Clubs.
(iv) The decision of the League Convenor in all matters of dispute etc. shall be final.
All such individuals involved in West District hockey will, at all times:
