League Rules

Some rules have recently been amended - they are highlighted in red.

Rules

Listed on this page are the complete rules for the Heritage Netball League. Use the links belowto go to each section.

Sections

1) GOVERNING BODY

The Heritage Netball League is responsible at all time to the Bedfordshire County Committee and therefore governed by the Constitution of the Bedfordshire County Netball Association. Teams in the Heritage League will be governed by the England Netball (EN) Rules as stated in the official Rules Book.
- return to top -

2) THE LEAGUE

a) The League shall be called the Heritage Netball League (HNL)and confined to members of the Engaldn netball (EN) Ltd except as allowed in Section 5 for Guest Players.
b) The League Committee shall consist of elected representatives from the HNL. In the event of committee member resigning throughout the season, the committee members reserve the right to co-opt members to fill the vacancies until the next AGM.
c) The structure of the League is decided by the League Committee.
d) The League Committee reserves the right to amend or incorporate a new rule during that time if it is benefit the game and members of the league. If this does happen, then all teams will be notified in writing of the reason and decision taken by the Commitee.
e) All teams will have the opportunity to submit proposals for League Rules/Amendments at the Annual General Meeting. Any proposal will have to be seconded by another team.

- return to top -

3) TEAMS

a) All teams must be affiliated to the EN except as allowed in Rule 5 (Guest Players). School teams as such are not allowed to enter the League, but young players belonging to a Club may play in league matches. A team must not consist completely of young players, there must be at least one adult affiliated to play - the minimum age to play is 14 years. Any team may apply to enter the League, but their Home Court must be in an area accepted by the Committee.
b) Players may only play for one club participating in the Heritage Netball League. Any players wishing to transfer from one club to another within the League, must notify the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) and her former club, in writing, at least seven days before playing for her new club, in order to obtain Committee approval.
c) Any Team Secretary affiliating a player from another team must advise the League Secretary in writing seven days before the first date of play of the intention to affiliate a player with a copy to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS).
d) Any team joining or re-joining the League after withdrawing will be placed in the appropriate division according to their ability at the Committee's discretion.
e) A team must play at least 75% of their games per season. If this is not done a team wishing to re-affiliate the following season will start in the lowest division.
f) All teams entering the League should have at least two names and telephone numbers for points of contact.
g) At the end of the season teams are promoted and relegated as appropriate.
h) Changes in the Club/Team Secretary/Captain and name change eg marriage, must be made in writing to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) as soon as it is known.
- return to top -

4) MULTI-TEAM CLUBS

4a) All clubs on affiliation must indicate on their Team Sheets which team members are affiliated to. Team must also show which is the highest ranking team. Upon receipt of the forms the Committee will review and confirm placings to clubs The deadline for receipt of these lists is 7 days after ENGLAND NETBALL affiliation deadline. Team Sheets date to be sent in with the Affiliation Sheets

4d) A player may play TWO MATCHES for a higher placed team. If she plays a THIRD time she will be re-registered as a member of the team she will have played twice for. THIS WILL BE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON AND includes ALL League and Cup matches and Tournaments. Players names must be clearly marked on the Match Result Score Cards with "UP" by their name. Players playing up will be regarded as guest players - please refer to rule 5)a).

b)Clubs with more than one team in one division must notify the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) in writing before the beginning of the season, which is the higher-ranking team.
c) No player may play for a lower rated team of her Club, unless she permanently transfers to this team, in which case the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) must be informed seven days prior to her playing a match for that team. SHE MAY NOT PLAY UP DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
d) A player may play TWO MATCHES for a higher placed team. If she plays a THIRD time she will be re-registered as a member of that team (this includes ALL League and Cup matches and Tournaments). Players names must be clearly marked on the Match Result Score Cards with "UP" by their name. Players playing up will we regarded as guest players - please refer to rule 5a)
- return to top -

5) GUEST PLAYERS
(ie a player NOT affiliated to the HNL or to the Club teams - someone who has not played as a guest for any team in the HNL in the current season OR a player from a lower affiliated team playing up)
a) In any one game up to two guest players/players playing up may be used.
b)A player may only guest 3 times within the League, and if she is to play again for any team within the league, regardless of whether it was the team she guested for, she must first be affiliated.
c) To affiliate to the HNL the Winter League Affiliation sheet, team sheet are be completed and along with money required be sent to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary.

To affiliate to England Netball (EN) affiliations are to be completed on line and monies sent to AENA.

Teams who affiliate new players through the season must notify the Heritage Affiliations Secretary in writing – email will be accepted. She in turn will notify the Match Secretary and Beds Affiliation Secretary.

d) Newly affiliated players names must be clearly marked on the Match Result Score Cards with "NA" by their name, only for the first match they play.
e) A team using a guest player must ensure that she is eligible to play i.e. has not played as a guest player in the Heritage League more than twice for any other team(s).
f) Guest Players names must be clearly marked on the Match Result Score Cards with a "GP" by their name.
ILLEGAL PLAYERS
League
Where a team has used an illegal player, the result of the game will stand, but 6 points will be deducted from the offending team's league total.
Cup
Where a team has used an illegal player, the result of the game will stand, but 8 points will be deducted from the offending team's cup total. See Rule 13k).
- return to top -

6) DRESS

a) Club colours and bibs must be worn. If there are two teams from the same club playing against each other in the same division, the team classed as the away team must change colour. This does include bibs.
b) Bib colours should be checked in the Handbook before travelling to a game as it is the responsibility of the AWAY team to change bibs if necessary.
- return to top -

7) UMPIRES

a) Established teams must have a minimum of one qualified umpire registered within their team by 1 September each year, or at the discretion of the League Committee.
b) Thereafter current teams not complying cannot re-enter the League, or at the discretion of the League Committee.
c) New teams/multi-team clubs entering the league will be given one season in which to establish themselves. Thereafter, all the above applies.
d) A fee will be charged which will include rule book, training and testing for beginners.
e) Newly qualified beginner umpires should umpire at least 10 matches per season in their first two years within the Heritage League each winter season. All other beginner umpires should umpire at least 8 matches within the Heritage League each winter season. This is to take effect 2010/11 season.
. Failure to carry out this ruling may result in that person not being able to umpire in the Heritage League and will result in that umpires affiliated team being deducted 6 points
f) All C Award (and all awards above C) umpires affiliated to the Heritage league will be monitored to ensure they are active. Failure to carry out this ruling may result in that umpires affiliated team being deducted 6 points.
g) No person may play and umpire at the same time.
h) The League accepts the Luton and Bedford Netball umpire awards.
i) Any team using an EN qualified umpire from outside the County must provide a copy of the umpire's current award pass certificate to the Umpiring Secretary.
j) Both teams must provide a qualified umpire for League and Cup matches. If either team cannot fulfil these obligations, the match will be classed as a conceded match and rule 11 e) will apply.
k) Once an Umpire has commenced to umpire a match she must umpire the complete match. An Umpire is not permitted to be reserve for a team UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. She must not replace any injured players, nor be replaced by an umpire who arrives late at a match.
l) Umpires who are ill/injured during the course of a match:
i) A team may, if they wish, must drop a player in order that she may umpire PROVIDING she holds a recognised Umpiring Award. If available a reserve may take her place in the game.
ii) With the consent of both teams and the remaining Umpire, the match may continue with only one umpire. The remaining Umpire will make the decision whether she is prepared to continue to umpire the match.
iii) If the teams or Umpire do not agree to continue with one Umpire, the matter MUST be referred to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) within 48 hours of the fixture date. The League Committee will then decide on whether the match will be replayed. If the match is wrongly abandoned, the League Committee may rule that the score at abandonment stands.
In all instances, this situation must be reported by BOTH teams to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) within 48 hours.
NOTE: this is not to be confused with the situation of a team arriving to play with no umpire when Rule 11 e) of the League Rules will apply.
m) Umpires should be offered a flat rate of £10 per match as a contribution towards travelling expenses.
n) No player is allowed to argue with the Umpires or question their decisions at any time. Only the Captains have the right to approach an Umpire during an interval for clarification of a Rule (see EN Rule 3.4.2).
o) THE UMPIRE'S WORD IS FINAL

p) Each team must contact their umpire to confirm the match at least 24 hours prior to the match taking place. If no contact is received the umpire can class the match as cancelled.

q) Umpire assessments.

Regular umpire assessments will be completed on all Heritage League Umpires to ensure a continuous standard of umpiring. Any umpire not completing the assessment and follow up review (if required) may prevent them from umpiring in the HNL in the future until the assessment has been completed.

r) All umpires umpiring in the HNL must be 18years and over.

s) Each umpire can only umpire a maximum of 8 games for any one team

per season this will also include their own team.

- return to top -

8) DISCIPLINE
Player or team violation of any rule pertaining to discipline will be referred to the HNL Committee and if neccessary County Disciplinary Committee. Players/Teams in breach of discipline on the Court will be given a warning (which should be witnessed by the other Umpire) that she/they will be reported if her/their undisciplined behaviour persists.
- return to top -

9) GAMES

a) Matches must be played on hard courts. These courts shall be within the County limits or as agreed by the League Committee.
b) All League games consist of 4 x 15 minutes with breaks of three minutes, five minutes and three minutes.
c) Both teams must provide an umpire for League and Cup matches. If either team cannot provide an umpire the match will be classed a conceded match and Rule 11 e) will apply.
d) Matches may only be postponed in the following circumstances:
i) Ice, snow or fog.
ii) In recognition of the fact that Bedfordshire League Cup fixtures are not published until January, teams have 2 weeks from when they are issued to re-arrange any clashing matches. Games to be replayed only at the agreement of both teams and played within 3 weeks of the original fixture. The team trying to re-arrange the fixture must concede if the opposition do not agree to re-arrange the match.
iii) At all times postponement must be with the agreement of both teams and or the umpires.
The Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) must be notified of these postponed matches and proposed dates for the re-arranged matches. A team unable to play a match for any other reason will forfeit the points. Postponed matches should be played within three playing weeks of the original fixture, on a date to be mutually agreed. This period may include the playing of the match on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday, but only when both teams are in agreement.

iv) In the case of matches being conceded/postponed, Notification of cancellation must be made by 6.00pm on the day of the match.
e) The home team is responsible for the re-arrangement of the postponed match and must give at least three additional dates within the three playing weeks of the original fixture. The three dates offered must not include any dates on which the other team already has a fixture. Where this proves impossible, because either team is already playing two matches in each of the three playing weeks, the matter should be referred to the Match Secretary who in turn may consult the League Committee.
f) Matches may only be abandoned in exceptional circumstances. Score at the time of abandonment stands, unless an appeal is made within 48 hours for a replay, and is upheld by the officers of the League Committee. Any appeal has to be made to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) by telephone within the 48 hour period of the original fixture date. If one team disagrees with an appeal, then that team must also contact the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) within the 48 hour period to state their reasons why an appeal should not be granted.
g) Ten minutes are allowed before the game for late arrivals. Any player arriving after the game has stared may only enter the game with the Umpires' permission AFTER a goal has been scored and ONLY into the vacant position until an interval or stoppage caused by illness or injury when the team may be re-arranged.
h) A team with less than 5 players after the allotted ten minutes forfeits the points.
i) In the event of one team being incomplete because of the late arrival of players, the complete team shall wait a maximum of 10 minutes from the original starting time and may then claim 6 points (8 in the case of a cup match) if the offending team is unready or unwilling to play as an incomplete team.
j) In the event of an umpire arriving late and the match unable to commence at the correct start time, the match may, with the agreement of both teams, be played at the later time when the umpire arrives. If the team with the umpire refuses to play at the later time or court time is unavailable, 6 points (8 in the case of a cup match) will be awarded to the team with the Umpire. The League Committee will adjudicate if there are extenuating circumstances. (AENA Ltd Official Netball Rules - Page 16 Rule 4.4)
k) A completed result card MUST BE SENT to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) informing him/her of any POSTPONED/ABANDONED OR CONCEDED MATCH, by BOTH teams (see also Rule 11 Results). It is the responsibility of BOTH captains to ensure that this is done to guarantee no additional deduction of total league points. The card must be received by the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) within seven days of the original fixture date.

l) The League cannot be held responsible for teams booking the same home night. It is the teams responsibility to re-arrange these fixtures. If no agreement can be made by both teams the match will be declared as null and void.

- return to top -

10) FEES

a) League entry fees must be paid to the League Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.
b) Affiliation fees due to the Engalnd Netball must be paid to the County Treasurer as soon as possible after receipt of the official EN forms and must be paid before commencement of the season.
c) Additional affiliation fees paid on line to England Netball (EN). A copy of this request stating the full name of the player must also be sent to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS).
d) No points will be awarded to a team for any matches played prior to the affiliations being paid. These matches will be classed as conceded matches.
e) The Committee is empowered to decide any alterations in fees arising from any resolution at the Annual General Meetings of the England Netball Ltd and the Bedfordshire County Netball Association Ltd and Eastern region.
- return to top -

11) RESULTS

a) Both teams must send the pre-printed result card to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) to arrive no later than seven days after the game has been played. Score cards not received within seven days will result in a deduction of one point from the offending team's total league/cup points. SCORE CARDS SHOULD BE SENT EVEN WHEN A GAME IS POSTPONED/CONCEDED AND THE POSTPONING/CONCEDING TEAM MUST BE NAMED. In the case of an abandoned match the reason for abandonment must also be stated.
b) Both cards should be fully completed. If the card is incomplete or incorrectly completed in any way, 1 point will be deducted from the team’s total league/cup points. If any team does not submit a card, then 8 points will be deducted from the team’s total league/cup points.
c) If no card is received from either team, the game will be considered null and void, other than in exceptional circumstances at the League Committee's discretion.
d) Points awarded:

Result Points Awarded
Winning Team Losing Team
Win by 50% or more 6 1
Win by less than 50% 6 2
Win by 5 goals or fewer 6 3
Draw 4 4
Conceding 6 0

e) Teams conceding matches will be deemed to have lost that game by 10 goals and awarded no points. Six points and 30 goals will be awarded to the non-offending team. The conceding team will be awarded 20 goals.
f) If an away team concedes a League/Cup match less than 48 hours prior to the fixture, they will become liable to pay any cost of the Home Team's court fee for that evening.
g) The home team is responsible for contacting the caretaker or booking agent to inform him/her of the cancellation of the match.
h) It is the responsibility of both teams to inform their umpire that the game is not taking place. If an umpire is not informed and travels to the fixture the offending team must pay the£7.00 match fee.

- return to top -

12) CUP MATCHES

a) All players taking part in the finals must have been affiliated and played for their affiliated team in Cup prior to taking part in the finals. At least 14 days prior to the final, the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) will send a list of eligible players to each team.
b) In the event of two teams who represent the same club reaching a Final; the players can appear on the squad list for both teams, BUT may play in only one Final.
c) Each team will play all of the teams in the division.
d) The Cup Finals will be played at venues to be decided by the League Committee. The cost of the court fees will be met by the Heritage League. Umpire fees will be met by the teams taking part in the Finals and the HNL.
e) A points system will be used to determine the positions of teams within the Group. The top two teams will play for the Cup and the bottom two teams will play for the plate.
- return to top -

13) CUP REGULATIONS

Teams must read the following Cup regulations very carefully to ensure that they play their matches in the correct manner. Particular note should be made of g) below:
a) All League rules apply, except as stated below.
b) Matches shall be played to the Rules of the England Netball Ltd, except as laid out in these regulations.
c) Matches shall be of four 15 minute periods, each period to be known as a set.
d) Each set must be played as a straight game.
e) Teams will change ends at the completion of a set.
f) The score at the end of each set must be recorded in the Cup Round Section of the result card. Teams will start the next set with zero score.
g) The centre pass will be taken as in a normal game, ie centre passes to be taken alternatively throughout the four sets with the following provision (this will only apply in Cup games)
The team Captain winning the toss shall decide and tell the Umpires, and opposing team, that out of the four (4) sets to be played, her team shall have the choice of Centre Pass or Goal Ends in any two of the four sets. This will mean that the Umpires will mark on their score cards, at the beginning of the Cup match, who will be taking the first Centre Pass in each of the four (4) sets, irrespective of the score.
This rule is not to be confused with the taking of Centre Passes in a normal League game.
h) Points will be awarded as follows:
Two points for a winning set
One point for a drawing set
Zero points for a losing set
Therefore, it is possible for a team winning all four sets of their match to score a maximum of eight points. Should there be a tie on points, to determine the top team of a group, goal difference will be used. See example below to show how the scoring method is to be applied:
EXAMPLE: MATCH A v B
1st set 12 2 2 points to A
2nd set 8 8 1 point to both
3rd set 10 12 2 points to B
4th set 11 12 2 points to B
Therefore the final result is: A=3 points, B=5 points.

i) CUP FINAL & PLATE
j) If at the end of the match, both points and goals are even, there will be an extension of five minutes onto the final quarter. If at the end of that five minutes it is still a draw, it is the next team who scores a goal who is declared the winner.

i) There shall be a two (2) minute interval at the end of full time. Substitutions and or/team changes are permitted

ii) Extra time of two halves of seven (7) minutes each shall be played. Teams change ends at half time without an interval. No substitutions and / or team changes are permitted. The Centre pass is taken by the team entitled to the next centre Pass:

(iii): In the event of a tie remaining at the end of extra time a visual signal shall be used to indicate that play shall continue until one team has a two (2) goal advantage.

k) Illegal Players: where a team has used an illegal player, they will be disqualified and the opposing team will be deemed the winner.

- return to top -

14) VIOLATION OF RULES

At the Committee's discretion, breaking of League and Cup Rules will result in loss of points from the League/Cup Tables. Matters pertaining to discipline - see Rule 8.
- return to top -

15) HEALTH AND SAFETY

a) No jewellery, dangerous clothing, adornment, gloves or medical aids may be worn which in the opinion of the Umpire consists of a danger to other players, see England Netball Rule.
b) Fingernails shall be cut short, see EN Rule 1.4.4. Tape shall NOT be worn to cover long fingernails.
c) Pregnant players must not take part in match play beyond the 12th week of pregnancy.
d) Pregnant Umpires must not take charge of a match beyond the 20th week of pregnancy. If they do so it shall be at their own risk.
e) Umpires are expected to conform to a standard of physical fitness which allows them to keep pace with the speed and variability of the game, if age, injury, illness or pregnancy is likely to affect the umpires movements and positioning to the detriment of the game, she/he is required to withdraw from officiating.
f) All teams entering the League MUST have their own First Aid Kit.

g) Hats maybe be worn must be non-fibrous and not made of wool or any fibrous fabrics.
- return to top -

16) COMPLAINTS

All complaints must be in writing and sent to the Secretary of the League Committee. Complaints regarding discipline during a game must be in writing and received within seven days of the match in question by the League Secretary. Disciplinary matters will be passed on to the County Disciplinary Committee who will decide the course of action
- return to top -

17) CHANGES IN TEAM MAIN CONTACT

The Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) must be informed of any change in the team's main contact.
- return to top -

18) ATTENDANCE AT AGM & FIXTURES MEETING

At least one representative from each Team (Clubs must send a representative from each of their Teams) must be present at the AGM to hand in their affiliation forms and money. One representative from each Team must also attend the fixtures meeting. Failure to attend either meeting will result in a penalty of 6 points being deducted at the beginning of the season from the Team's League score for each meeting missed.
VOTING: in accordance with the EN Constitution and the Bedfordshire County Constitution, each Team will have one vote. Each officer will have one vote.
- return to top -

19) APPEALS COMMITTEE

The League Committee may appoint an Independent Appeals Committee to consist of a Chairman plus two members to adjudicate on any appeal received against a decision taken by the League Committee. Any appeal must be addressed to the Heritage League Affiliations Secretary (HLAS) and received within 28 days of the League decision.
The Appeal Committee may affirm, vary or rescind any decision taken by the League Committee. The decision of the Appeal Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

- return to top -

20) SUMMER LEAGUE

a) i. all players and teams must be affiliated to England Netball except as allowed in Rule 5.

ii. players can play for any team in the summer league.

b) The Summer League is run in accordance with the England Netball & Heritage League Netball Rules.

c) Games will consist of 2 x 20 minutes and are run on a handicap basis. Handicaps are determined by the League Committee.

d) Points will be awarded as follows:

Win = 6 points

Draw = 3 points

Lose = 1 point

e) Conceded Games. Due to the nature of the Summer League, games can not be re-arranged and must be played on the date and time given.

- return to top -

21) COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

1. If possible any Complaint or Grievance should be mentioned at the end of the match to both umpires and Captains.

2. Complete a Complaints/Grievance Form (Annex A) and send to the Match Secretary within 5 working days.

3. The Match Secretary will write to all parties asking for their comments on the Complaint/Grievance within 5 working days.

4. They are requested to complete the Comments on Complaint/Grievance Form (Annex B) and return within 5 working days.

5. Once all forms are received the League Committee will discuss and judge the Complaint/Grievance within 10 working days.

6. Decision will be promulgamated to both Team Captains and Umpires involved.

7. Any Appeals must be made in writing to the League Chairperson within 5 working days of receipt of decision.

8. The Heritage League evokes the right to involve Beds County where applicable.

Complaint Grievance Form Annex A

Comments to Complaint Form Annex B