Hockey

9. All matches will be played at the St Leonards’ Hockey Centre.
10. Players are encouraged to come ready to play due to limited time.
11. First Aid personnel will not be supplied, and schools are expected to have their own first aid supplies on site.

12. Games should start on time.
    1. Games involving city schools should start at 1.10 and no later than 1.20.
    2. Games against Country schools should begin at 1.00 or no later than 1.10.
    3. In the case of a late start, halves and breaks are shortened to ensure the game finishes at an agreed time.
13. Game length:
    1. SENIOR BOYS – Each game consists of 2 x 30 – minute halves with a 5-minute break.
    2. SENIOR GIRLS/MIXED – Each game consists of 2 x 25 – minute halves with a 5-minute break.
    3. JUNIOR – Each game consists of 2 x 25-minute halves with a 5-minute break.
    4. There will be no extra time for injuries.  The injured player is to be substituted as quickly as possible.

14. Teams
    1. are to be school based.
    2. Consist of 11 field players per side (including nominated goalie or kicking back) plus interchange. Kicking back MUST wear a helmet.
    3. Have a minimum of seven players to play a game and a preferred maximum of 16 on the team sheet.
    4. Players may be freely interchanged at any time during the game with permission from the referee. This can occur at any place on the boundary other than stoppage due to the awarding of a corner, short corner or penalty stroke.
    5. Must forfeit the game if it is not ready with a minimum number of 7 players fifteen minutes after the rostered start time. A practice match can then be played if the coaches agree.
15. Home Teams (first listed on roster)
    1. are to supply a match ball in good playing condition.
    2. must supply a competent referee (often the coach) when not supplied. Schools can, however, share the responsibility of refereeing i.e., half a game each.
    3. are to supply a responsible timekeeper. These positions can be held by coaches.

16. In Senior 1sts it is expected that Grade 9/10s are only to play. Special exemption must be given by the Executive Officer if a player from Grade 8 is to play – this would only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.
17. Smaller District High Schools may have combined teams from 7-10 as long as the student is not taking the place of a Grade 9/10 student who may be available.
18. It is assumed that schools who have teams in both the Wednesday 9/10 comp and the Thursday 7/8 comp will only play senior students on the Wednesday and Junior students on the Thursday. i.e. players may only play in one team per round.
19. Where a player has played more than half a roster in a higher division, they shall not continue to play in a lower division.
20. A player must have played at least half the roster games for a team in that season, in that competition, to qualify to play for finals for the same team. *If a school has two or more teams in one Division and one of those teams qualifies for the Grand Final, the players selected for the Grand final team must have played at least half the rostered matches for that team. NB: Players selected for Senior 1sts – must have played half the matches with the school but not necessarily with the Senior 1sts (best team on form , injuries etc.)

21. The finals will have the following structure:

Semi-finals

1. 1v4 and 2v3 play off. The winners play off in the GF.
2. Where two teams are equal on the ladder prior to the semis, then the percentage is calculated in the matches between the teams to determine who goes through to the SF. Obviously if only one match was played between these teams, then the team that won that game goes through.
3. If a SF final is washed out, and no alternative date is available to play the Semis, the teams occupying 1 and 2 on the ladder go through to the GF.
4. If a SF final is drawn the highest placed team goes through.

Grand Final

1. If scores are level at full time in a GF, 3 minutes each way will be played. Teams change straight over after 3 mins, no coaching. If scores still tied then the team reduction rule applies (please consult match manager/umpire)
2. In a GF, the interchange bench shall consist of any players that have qualified for their respective teams.
3. A copy of the team list showing all team members and the number of games they have played in that team must be made available to the opposing team and Executive Officer on request prior to the Grand Final.
4. If a final is washed out, and no alternative date is available, the team occupying the top ladder position will be declared the Premier team.
5. Venues for finals are determined by the team that finishes higher on the ladder.

22. The umpire(s) is in sole control of the game, but coaches are in charge of their team and must accept responsibility for the conduct of their team before, during and after the game, taking appropriate action to ensure proper conduct, especially, as on most occasions, the officiating umpire may be a school representative.
23. Coaches should be prepared to remove and discipline players for inappropriate conduct, regardless of whether the incident was seen by the umpires.
24. Umpires are responsible for reporting players for any misdemeanors.
25. NHSSA will provide an umpire where possible for all senior/mixed games on Wednesday.
26. Schools will need to provide their own umpire for all mixed games on Wednesday and junior games on Thursdays.

27. Both coaches must agree on the scores at the completion of each game.
28. Results are to be emailed to the Executive Officer as soon as practicable after the match.
29. Points for roster games to be allotted as follows:

Win – 5 Points                                                       Wash Out 3 Points

Draw – 3 Points                                                     Forfeit (Win) 5 Points

Loss – 1 Point                                                        Forfeit (Loss) 0 Points

30. Results will be updated to the website prior to next round. If results are not received by schools/coaches a NRR (no result received) will be recorded, and a DRAW awarded.

31. Teams are to wear full playing uniform in school colours, hockey shorts/skirt, socks, and shoes. SHIN PADS and MOUTHGUARDS ARE COMPULSORY and THE GOALIE/KICKING BACK MUST WEAR A HELMET. (Players without these items will not be allowed to take the field)

32. Umpires will be instructed to prevent players from taking the field if they are not correctly attired. Supervising staff should do this anyway.

33. It is vital that all players treat the venues with respect. Any vandalism/smoking/vaping will mean our privileges being withdrawn. Offenders caught will be barred from the venue.

34. All players will line up after the game and shake the hand of every opposition player. Coaches will lead this by shaking hands with each other.

35. Hockey matches will be played under current International Hockey Rules subject to variations listed within.
    1. The “sendoff” rule applies for misdemeanors at the referee’s discretion. No player sent off may be replaced.
    2. Any player that is sent off must result in a report being sent to the NHSSA Executive Officer immediately after the game.
36. Set Penalties
    1. Sent off for repeated swearing or swearing at the umpire – Rest of game plus the next NHSSA game.
    2. Sent off for violence – rest of game plus the next two NHSSA games.
    3. If an umpire considers two weeks is insufficient for the offence, he should recommend a further penalty in his report.

37. Generally, PICs of hockey will be informed if there are cancellations due to weather or forfeits from teams as soon as practicable. It will be PIC’s responsibility to then inform their teams and coaches.

Forfeits

1. Teams must forfeit the game if it is not ready with a minimum of 7 players 15 minutes after the rostered time.
2. If you need to forfeit prior to match day, please notify NHSSA EO as soon as possible to give every opportunity for the opposition to be informed (preferably prior to the end of previous school day).

Cancellations

1. Wednesday and Thursday – if games are to be cancelled schools will be notified by 10.00. If schools need to leave prior to 10.00am an attempt will be made to notify earlier.

2. If games have not been cancelled officially, but heavy rain begins falling during or just before the game, the game can be called off if either team refuses to play due to safety considerations.

3. Common sense must prevail in such a situation. If there is still strong disagreement, then the Executive Officer shall have the final say and both teams then must abide by that ruling. In the case of a match not proceeding because of bad weather 3 pts will be awarded to both teams.

4. If a game is unable to be played on the scheduled day, both schools will make every effort to re-schedule the match within the roster to decide final ladder placing’s.

38. First Aid personnel will not be on site at the St Leonards’ Hockey Centre. Coaches/managers of teams will need to have their own substantial first aid kit for their team/s.
39. It is important that coaches/managers be aware of any specific medical conditions or needs of their players.
40. Students’ safety and wellbeing is always a priority so if you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to call me, Rachel Buck – Executive Officer, on 0407432329.