RULES OF

THE LEINSTER BRANCH

OF THE

IRISH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

September 2007v1

INDEX

PART 1 - BRANCH RULES Rule Number

Establishment 1

General Meetings 7

Management Committee 17

Branch Fixtures Committee 20

Branch Development Committee 24

Branch Grounds Management Committee 28

Youth Committee 30

Indoor Committee 32

Disciplinary Committee 37

Rules Committee 42

Selection Committees 45

Coaches Committee 49

Umpires Association 52

Voting at Meetings 55

Adjournment of Meetings 57

Suspension of Standing Orders or Rules of the Branch 58

Admission of New Clubs 59

Notification of Club Officers 60

Club Colours 61

Change of Grounds 62

Affiliation Fees, Fines, etc 63

Club Subscriptions 66

Alteration of the Rules by the Branch 67

PART 2 - RULES OF BRANCH COMPETITIONS

League Competition/Trophies 71

Cup Competition/Trophies 72

Indoor Competition/Trophies 73

Application for Admission 74

Eligibility of Players 76

Umpiring 78

League Competitions - Rules 79

Grounds 82

Postponement of Fixtures 83

Failure to Fulfil a Fixture 84

Refixing of Postponed or Unfinished Matches 85

Reporting Results of Matches 86

Registration of Players 87

Transfer of Players 93

Times for Starting Matches 96

Cup Competitions - Rules 97

Registration of Players for Cups 118

Receipt for Cups and Trophies 123

RULES OF THE LEINSTER BRANCH OF THE

IRISH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

PART 1 ‑ BRANCH RULES

1. DESIGNATION

This association of clubs shall be called the "Leinster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association" hereinafter referred to as "the Branch".

2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE BRANCH

All clubs situated in Leinster and such other clubs as may be approved by the Branch are eligible for membership of the Branch. They shall be bound by the rules of the Irish Hockey Association and of the Branch.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BRANCH

The Branch shall be responsible for the promotion, government, control and administration of hockey and indoor hockey in Leinster, in accordance with these rules and the rules of the Irish Hockey Association.

The Branch is bound by the Code of Ethics for Young People as published by the Irish Hockey Association, the anti-doping policy of the Irish Hockey Association which includes the Irish Anti-Doping Rules.

4. OFFICERS OF THE BRANCH

The officers of the Branch shall be:

A. A President who shall not hold office for a period longer than two consecutive seasons.

B. A Vice President who shall not hold office for a period longer than two consecutive seasons.

C. An Honorary Secretary.

D. An Honorary Treasurer.

E. An Assistant Honorary Secretary.

A Season shall be deemed to run from 1st July in each year until 30th June in the following year. Unless the appointment is to fill a vacancy which occurs during the year, Officers shall take up their appointments with effect from 1st July each year.

In the event of the death of the President while in Office or his resignation, he shall be succeeded in Office by the Vice-President for the period remaining from the date of death or resignation to the following 30th June. Any such period of service shall be deemed not to contravene Rule 4A.

5. BRANCH PROPERTY VESTING

Subject to the provisions of rule 6.3 all property shall be vested in four trustees elected by the Branch. The trustees shall deal with the property of the Branch as directed by a Resolution at a Branch General Meeting, and in so doing shall be indemnified by the Branch. They shall remain in office until death or resignation or until the Branch in a General Meeting shall think fit to remove them. In the case of a vacancy in the office of trustee the Branch shall at the next General Meeting appoint another trustee, and shall be obliged to ensure that the property is legally transferred. The surviving trustees shall however have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in their number. The trustees shall be entitled to attend, speak and vote at all General Meetings of the Branch.

6. DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF THE BRANCH

6.1 PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

The President shall act as chairman at Branch General Meetings and all meetings of Committees except where the rules specifically provide for the election of a chairman. In his absence the Vice President shall take the chair. In the absence of the President and Vice President the meeting shall elect a chairman.

6.2 HONORARY SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT HONORARY SECRETARY

The Honorary Secretary shall carry out all necessary secretarial duties in connection with the running of the Branch and shall delegate to the Assistant Honorary Secretary such work as the Honorary Secretary, Branch General Meeting or the Management Committee shall from time to time decide.

6.3 HONORARY TREASURER

The Honorary Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all monies received and expended and shall lodge all monies received by him for and on behalf of the Branch in a bank approved by the Management Committee or the Branch at a General Meeting. Such monies shall be lodged in the name of "The Leinster Branch, Irish Hockey Association". Cheques shall be signed by the Honorary Treasurer and any one of the President, Vice President or the Honorary Secretary. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep such accounts as the Branch at a General Meeting or the Management Committee may from time to time direct. He shall arrange for the auditing of accounts annually by the Honorary Auditors. Where the Management Committee or General Meetings decide to take gate receipts the Honorary Treasurer shall make all necessary arrangements.

GENERAL MEETINGS

7. WHEN HELD. DELEGATES TO BE PRESENT

The Branch shall hold General Meetings in the months of January, April and September, at which the following shall be entitled to attend, speak and vote.

A. The Officers of the Branch

B. Remaining members of the Management Committee

C. The Honorary Fixtures Secretary.

D. One delegate from the Committee of every affiliated club

E. Chairman of the Coaches Committee

F. President of the Umpires Association

G. Chairman of the Branch Grounds Management Committee

H. Chairman of the Youth Committee

I. Chairman of the Indoor Committee

J. The Trustees of the Branch

The following shall be entitled to attend and speak, but not vote, at General Meetings of the branch.

K. The Honorary Vice Presidents.

In the event of any of "D" to "I" above being unable to attend a duly authorised deputy may attend and vote on their behalf.

8. QUORUM

Ten of those entitled to attend and vote (exclusive of the Officers of the Branch) must be present in order to constitute a General Meeting.

9. BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED

The following business shall be transacted at General Meetings:

A. Read and confirm minutes of previous General Meeting

B. Matters arising from minutes of previous General Meeting

C. Correspondence

D. Report of the Honorary Secretary (April only)

E. Report of the Honorary Treasurer

F. Presentation and adoption of Statement of Accounts (September only)

G. Fixing of rates for fees, subscriptions etc for the following season (September only)

H. Report of the Fixtures Committee

I. Report of the Fixtures Committee on the League Structure (April only)

J. Report of the Indoor Committee

K. Report of the Youth Committee

L. Report of the Branch Development Committee

M. Report of the Branch Grounds Management Committee

N. Report of the Coaches Committee

O. Report of the Umpires Association

P. Report of the Irish Hockey Association

Q. Report of the Disciplinary Committee (April only)

R. Election of Officers of the Branch (April only)

S. Election of Branch Committees (April only)

- Two members of the Management Committee

- Fixtures Committee

- Chairman

- Honorary Fixtures Secretary

- Honorary Registrations Secretary

- Two ordinary members

- Chairman of the Grounds Management Committee

- Youth Committee

- Chairman

- Honorary Secretary

- Six members – three from Clubs and three from Schools

- Indoor Committee

- Chairman

- Honorary Secretary

- Three members

- Disciplinary Committee (as per Rule 37)

- Rules Committee

- Two members

- Coaches Committee

- Chairman

- Honorary Secretary

- Three members

T. Confirmation of panel Interprovincial Selectors at Senior, U-21, U16/U18

U. Confirmation of representatives to Irish Hockey Association Council (April only)

V. Confirmation of Honorary Vice Presidents (April only)

W. Election of Honorary Auditors (April only)

X Proposed Rule Changes (September only)

Y. General Business

Those elected under sub‑paragraphs "R" to "T" shall take up their duties on 1st July following their election. The number of Honorary Vice Presidents shall not at any time exceed five in number and shall be the immediate Past President and the four preceding Past Presidents.

10. DELEGATES AUTHORITY

At General Meetings, delegates must, if requested to do so, satisfy the chairman as to their authority to act for the club, association or Committee which they claim to represent.

11. NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

At least seven days notice in writing shall be given of the holding of General Meetings to all those entitled to attend and/or vote.

12. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

On the requisition of the Management Committee or of four or more affiliated clubs a special General Meeting shall be convened within fourteen days of the receipt of such requisition. The requisition shall set out the purpose for which the special meeting is to be convened, and when made otherwise than by the Management Committee shall be accompanied by a fee of EUR500, which fee shall be credited to the funds of the Branch unless the special General Meeting shall decide otherwise. The quorum shall be as for a General Meeting. The persons entitled to attend and vote shall be as for a General Meeting.

13. POWERS

Subject to Rule 18, the members at General Meetings shall have the power to deal with all matters connected with the promotion, government, control and administration of hockey and indoor hockey in Leinster and is hereby empowered to do all things necessary toward that end including the suspension and/or fining of clubs or individual members thereof. It may set up Committees additional to those provided for in the rules to deal with matters other than those dealt with by those Committees. It may also co‑opt members to fill vacancies on Branch Committees.

14. NOTICES

Any notice, appeal, or other communication required to be given under these Rules shall be given in writing, unless otherwise indicated, and shall be deemed to have been duly received if delivered by hand against receipt of the addressee or if transmitted by fax or sent by prepaid post addressed to the club or person to whom such notice is to be given at the address notified to the Branch Honorary Secretary for such club or person. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been duly received, if delivered, at the time of delivery; if transmitted by electronic means, at the time of termination; and if sent by prepaid registered post forty eight hours after the same shall have been posted.

15. NOTIFICATION OF DELEGATES

On or before the 1st September in each year the Honorary Secretary of each affiliated club or any other body entitled to be represented by a delegate at Branch General Meetings shall forward to the Branch Honorary Secretary the name of its delegate. Where a delegate so nominated is unable to attend a General Meeting a substitute may be appointed who must be a member of the Committee of that club or other body being represented. Delegates must, if requested to do so, satisfy the chairman as to their authority to act for the club or other body which they claim to represent.

16. NON-ATTENDANCE AT GENERAL MEETINGS

Any member of the Management Committee or any Committee Chairman, or any club whose delegate fails to attend two consecutive General Meetings (including special General Meetings, if called), shall forfeit his/ its right to vote at the next General Meeting of the Branch (including a special General Meeting, if called).

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

17. CONSTITUTION

The Management Committee shall consist of:

A. The Officers of the Branch

B. Two members representing affiliated clubs

The Management Committee shall be entitled to co‑opt should a vacancy occur. The Management Committee shall be entitled to co‑opt extra members as necessary during the course of a season, but such extra members will not be entitled to vote at meetings.

18. POWERS

The affairs of the Branch shall be administered by the Management Committee, who shall have the power to transact the business of the Branch between General Meetings. Its decisions shall be notified to the next General Meeting of the Branch. It shall have power to close grounds on the recommendation of the Umpires Association.

All Branch Committees shall be entitled to co‑opt extra members as required subject to the ratification of the Management Committee.

19. QUORUM

Four shall form a quorum

BRANCH FIXTURES COMMITTEE

20. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of:

A. A Chairman to be elected at the April General Meeting

B. The Honorary Fixtures Secretary

C. The Honorary Registrations Secretary

D. Not more than two other members to be elected at the April General Meeting

Three shall form a quorum.

21. POWERS

The Committee shall meet regularly to consider and deal with all matters relating to fixtures and results of all Branch competitions. It shall report to the Management Committee and to General Meetings. The Honorary Fixtures Secretary shall keep a record of any player who is identified on a match card as having received a Yellow Card. Where the individual player is recorded as having received four Yellow Cards in a season, a nominated member of the Fixtures Committee shall within five working days of the recording of the fourth Yellow Card notify that fact to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and send with the notification copies of the relevant Cards and request that the Disciplinary Committee carry out an investigation. The Fixtures Committee shall delegate such functions as it deems appropriate to the Honorary Fixtures Secretary and the Honorary Registrations Secretary, subject to the Committee being notified, at their next meeting, of any decisions made. The Committee may impose such penalties as it thinks proper. For the avoidance of doubt, such penalties may include, but are not limited to, the imposition of a fine, the awarding or deducting of league points, the re-fixing or replaying of matches and the suspension of teams from Branch Competitions. The Fixtures Committee may impose monetary penalties. The Committee shall from time to time as considered necessary make recommendations to the Management Committee and General Meetings as to the structure and composition of Branch leagues. The Committee shall meet at least once in each season, for this purpose, and report to the April General Meeting. Three shall form a quorum for this purpose.

Copies of the Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Branch within 14 days of the meeting(s).

22. DUTIES OF THE HONORARY FIXTURES SECRETARY

The Honorary Fixtures Secretary shall carry out all secretarial duties in connection with the Branch competitions save as hereinafter provided. The Honorary Fixtures Secretary shall submit to the September General Meeting a record of all winners of the respective Branch competitions during the previous season and the names of the winners shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

23. APPEALS

A right of appeal against a Fixtures Committee decision shall exist to the Management Committee, which will require a two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote, to alter a decision of the Fixtures Committee.

Such appeals shall be submitted by receipted or recorded delivery to the Branch Honorary Secretary in writing accompanied by a fee of EUR200. All appeals must be lodged so as to be received by the Branch Honorary Secretary within seven working days of receipt of written or verbal notification (which ever shall be received first) by the Honorary Secretary of the club involved, of the decision of the Fixtures Committee, which is being appealed against. The appeal fee shall be forfeited to the Branch, unless the appeal shall succeed, or the Management Committee decide otherwise.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

24. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of:

A. The Vice President or the President’s nominee, who shall be Chairman

B. A designated member of the Management Committee, appointed by that Committee

C. A representative of the Indoor Committee

D. A representative of the Youth Committee

E. A representative of the Coaches Committee

F. A representative of the Umpires Association

G. Other members to be co‑opted as necessary by "A" ‑ "F" above.

The representatives of the Indoor, Youth, Coaches and the Umpires Associations shall be appointed by their respective Committees and Associations and shall continue to hold office until their replacement.

The Committee shall appoint a secretary from amongst its members.

Any funding of the activities of the Committee shall be by application to the Management Committee and/or a General Meeting of the Branch

Copies of the Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Branch within 14 days of the meeting(s).

Three shall form a quorum.

25. POWERS

The Committee shall meet regularly to consider all aspects of the development of hockey in Leinster and shall report to the Management Committee. The Committee shall be responsible for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of strategic development plans for hockey in Leinster.

26. SPONSORSHIP

Affiliated clubs, members of the affiliated clubs and associations of the Branch wishing to avail of any proposed sponsorship and/or ground advertising shall furnish all relevant details to the Branch Development Committee for consideration. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Management Committee whose approval must be obtained before the commencement of any such sponsorship and/or ground advertising agreement.

27. GRANTS

The Branch Development Committee shall be responsible for the allocation of any grants received by the Branch subject to ratification by the Management Committee.

BRANCH GROUNDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

28. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of:

A. A Chairman to be elected at the April General Meeting

B. A designated member of the Management Committee, appointed by that Committee

C. The Honorary Treasurer

Additional members may be appointed by the Management Committee from time to time as it sees fit.

Two shall form a quorum.

29. POWERS

The Committee shall be responsible for reviewing applications for pitch development and the making of recommendations in relation to them. Such reports may include recommendations regarding the payment of monies in relation to the grounds as defined in this Rule.

The Committee shall also be responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance and management of the grounds in which the Branch has a legal interest. The Committee shall report to the Management Committee and to General Meetings.

Copies of the Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Branch within 14 days of the meeting(s).

YOUTH COMMITTEE

30. ADMINISTRATION

The Committee shall consist of:

A. A Chairman

B. An Honorary Secretary

C. Six other members, three of whom shall be from affiliated clubs and three from affiliated schools who shall be elected at the April General Meeting

Four shall form a quorum.

31. POWERS

The Committee shall be responsible for the development and the general administration of all hockey at under age level in Leinster.

It shall. inter alia, seek to have all hockey playing schools in Leinster affiliated to the LBIHA, and in consultation with the Management Committee, set an annual affiliation fee to be approved by the September General Meeting.

The Committee shall elect an Honorary Treasurer who shall keep the Committee’s accounts in consultation with the Honorary Treasurer of the Branch whose responsibility will be to ensure that the accounts are audited annually by the Honorary Branch Auditors for a year of account ending on 30^th June each year.

Copies of the Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Branch within 14 days of the meeting(s).

INDOOR COMMITTEE

32. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of:

A. A Chairman

B. An Honorary Indoor Secretary

C. Three members who shall be members of affiliated indoor clubs

D. A representative of the Umpires Association

With the exception of the Umpires Association representative, all members shall be elected at the April General Meeting. The Indoor Committee may co‑opt three other members as required, one of whom may represent teams with special affiliation (see rule 35).

Three shall form a quorum.

33. POWERS

The Committee shall be responsible for the promotion, administration and control of indoor hockey in Leinster, and shall report to the Management Committee and General Meetings. In particular it shall have power:

A. To set fees for entry to indoor competitions

B. To make regulations for the running of indoor competitions and for the registration of players

C. To fine or otherwise penalise clubs who offend against their regulations

D. To set up sub‑Committees for particular purposes

E. To liaise with the Youth Committee in organising indoor hockey competitions at under age level.

34. ADMINISTRATION

The Committee shall elect an Honorary Treasurer from amongst its members who shall keep the Committee's accounts in consultation with the Honorary Treasurer of the Branch and shall ensure that the accounts are audited annually by the Honorary Auditors of the Branch. The Committee shall propose candidates at the April General Meeting for any indoor selection Committee which may be required by the Irish Hockey Association or the Branch.

Copies of the Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Branch within 14 days of the meeting(s).

35. SPECIAL AFFILIATION

The Committee may accept entries to indoor competitions from teams not representing clubs affiliated to the Branch. Such teams shall however pay in addition to the entry fees a special affiliation fee which shall be for such amount as the Committee shall from time to time decide. Teams with special affiliation and their members shall be bound by the rules of the Branch and the regulations of the Leinster indoor hockey Committee as if they were the teams and members of affiliated clubs. They shall however have no right to attend or vote at Branch meetings nor to hold office save as provided for under rule 32. Specially affiliated teams must be ratified by the Management Committee.

36. REGISTRATION AND CONTROL OF PLAYERS

The Committee may make such regulations for the registration of players as it considers necessary for the proper control of indoor hockey.

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

37. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of six members, who shall be elected annually at the April General Meeting. They shall elect one of their number to be Chairman. They shall also elect one of their number to be Honorary Disciplinary Committee Secretary. At least two members of the Committee must resign annually and shall be ineligible to stand for re-election to the Committee for a period of 12 months from the date of their resignation.

The members to resign shall be decided on the following basis

(a) voluntary resignation

(b) failing such voluntary resignation, the two longest serving members of the Committee shall resign

If there are three or more members of equal standing who qualify for resignation under (b) above, they shall agree amongst themselves which members shall resign, or, failing such agreement, the members to resign shall be decided by lots to be drawn by the Chairman.

No member of the Management Committee shall be a member of the Disciplinary Committee.

38. POWERS

The Committee shall deal with alleged playing offences regarding Red Card incidents referred to it by umpires and also deal with Yellow Card referrals made by the nominated member of the Fixtures Committee under the provisions of Rule 21. It shall also deal with alleged playing offences of any nature referred to it by the Management Committee. The Committee may hold hearings in relation to any alleged playing offence at its sole discretion. The Committee may impose such penalties as it thinks proper. Any penalty which it imposes shall take immediate effect from the day on which the decision is made and the penalty imposed. In the event that the player has attended the Hearing or has been represented at the Hearing, he or his representative shall be immediately verbally informed of the decision of the Committee. This requirement applies in addition to the requirement to provide written notice as provided within this rule.

The Committee may not impose monetary penalties on individual players. The Honorary Disciplinary Committee Secretary or his nominee shall keep a record of all of its decisions, and shall notify, by Registered Post, the Secretary of the club or the person concerned (with a copy to his club) of its decisions. Such notification to be issued within three days of the date of the decision. A copy of the report shall, at the same time, be sent to the Honorary Branch Secretary. The Honorary Disciplinary Committee Secretary shall obtain from the Secretary of the Club confirmation and note that the penalty imposed has been served Any case of non-compliance shall be reported to the Management Committee by the Disciplinary Committee.

39. SPECIAL POWERS. BRINGING THE GAME INTO DISREPUTE

The Disciplinary Committee shall have power to conduct investigations into allegations of behaviour, on behalf of Clubs or by players, which, if substantiated, would tend to bring the Branch and/or the game of hockey, into disrepute.

Such investigations may be undertaken at the initiative of the Disciplinary Committee, or as a result of a request from the Management Committee.

The Disciplinary Committee may impose such penalties, as it thinks proper. The Disciplinary Committee may not impose monetary penalties on individual players.

Following upon such an investigation, the Disciplinary Committee shall prepare a full report which shall be sent to the Management Committee.

The original complainant and any person or club affected by a decision of the Disciplinary Committee, shall receive a copy of the report at the same time as it is sent to the Management Committee. Such person or club affected by a decision of the Disciplinary Committee may appeal to the Management Committee, in accordance with Rule 41.

40. QUORUM

Three members shall form a quorum.

41. APPEALS

A right of appeal against a Disciplinary Committee decision shall exist to the Management Committee but the appellant must have attended, or have been represented at the original hearing. The Management Committee may, on appeal, substitute its decisions for those of the Disciplinary Committee. The Management Committee will require a two‑thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote, to alter a Disciplinary Committee decision.

Appeals against a Disciplinary Committee decision shall be submitted by receipted or recorded delivery to the Branch Honorary Secretary in writing accompanied by a fee of EUR100. The appeal fee shall be forfeited to the Branch unless the appeal shall succeed or the Management Committee decides otherwise.

All appeals must be lodged so as to be received by the Branch Honorary Secretary within ten days of receipt of the first or verbal notification (which ever shall be earlier) by the person concerned or the Honorary Secretary of the club involved of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, which is being appealed against.

In the case of an Appeal against a suspension, the Appellant shall not play in any Branch Competition or be selected by his Club to play in any Branch Competition until such time as the Branch honorary Secretary confirms either verbally, by electronic means or in writing to the Appellant and/or his Club representative that a properly constituted Appeal has been received by the Branch Honorary Secretary.

RULES COMMITTEE

42. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of:

A. The President and the Vice President

B. The Honorary Secretary or the Assistant Honorary Secretary

C. Three members of affiliated clubs

D. One delegate nominated by the Umpires Association

43. DUTIES

The Committee will examine all proposals for amendment of the rules of the Branch and will ensure that they are correctly drafted and are not in conflict with any other rules of the Branch or of the Irish Hockey Association. The Committee shall meet annually before 1st July to review the rules and resolutions of the Branch, and shall report to the Management Committee.

44. QUORUM

Three shall constitute a quorum.

SELECTION COMMITTEES

45. ELECTION OF SENIOR INTER-PROVINCIAL SELECTORS:

The Coaches Committee will nominate at least 5 and no more than 12 selectors, one of whom shall be the Leinster Senior Coach whose appointments shall be confirmed at the April General Meeting and they shall form the Branch Senior Provincial Selectors. The Leinster Senior Coach shall act as Convener and shall invite at least 4 selectors to participate in the selection process.

46 ELECTION OF UNDER-21 INTER-PROVINCIAL SELECTORS:

The Coaches Committee will nominate at least 5 and not more than 12 selectors, one of whom shall be the Leinster Under-21 Coach whose appointments shall be confirmed at the April General Meeting and they shall form the Branch under-21 Provincial Selectors. The Provincial Coach shall act as Convener by inviting at least 4 selectors to participate in the selection process. The Leinster Senior Coach may be a selector for the Leinster Under-21 Provincial Team.

47. ELECTION OF UNDER-16 AND UNDER-18 PROVINCIAL SELECTORS AND YOUTH SELECTION COMMITTEES:

The Coaches Committee, in consultation with the Youth Committee where appropriate will nominate at least 5 and no more than 12 selectors for each Provincial team. The Provincial Coaches of the Under-16 and Under-18 Inter-Provincial Teams shall act as Conveners for their respective squads by inviting at least 4 selectors to participate in the selection process. The Under-21 Inter-Provincial Coach may be a selector for the Under-18 Inter-Provincial Team. The Under 18 Inter-Provincial selector may be a selector for the Under-16 Inter-Provincial Team.

The Youth Committee shall propose candidates at the April General Meeting for any Youth selection Committees, which may be required by the Irish Hockey Association or the Branch.

48. BRANCH TEAM COACHES AND SELECTION COMMITTEE

The selectors shall select the players for the panel and for the squad for Interprovincial matches or tournaments. The Branch team coach appointed for the match or tournament shall select the players and substitutes for each game.

COACHES COMMITTEE

49. CONSTITUTION

The Committee shall consist of

A. A Chairman,

B. An Honorary Secretary,

C. Three members

They shall be elected annually at the April General Meeting.

Three shall form a quorum.

50. POWERS

The Committee shall be responsible for all aspects of training and development of hockey coaches in Leinster in conjunction with the Coaching Committee of the Irish Hockey Association. It shall be responsible for the development of coaching as part of the overall process for developing the sport, and shall provide input to any Branch development plans. It shall be solely responsible for nominating to the Management Committee provincial coaches at Senior and Under 21 level, and in conjunction with the Youth Committee, at Under 16 and Under 18 level. Only coaches with a hockey coaching qualification may be nominated as provincial coaches.

Copies of the Minutes of meetings of the Committee shall be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the Branch within 14 days of the meeting(s).

51. REPRESENTATIVE TO IRISH COACHING COMMITTEE

The Committee shall nominate to the Management Committee a representative for appointment to the Irish Coaching Committee.

UMPIRES ASSOCIATION

52. ADMINISTRATION

The association shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Branch. It shall elect its own officers and frame its own rules which shall conform to the rules of the Irish Hockey Association and of the Branch. It shall report to the Management Committee and to Branch General Meetings.

53. APPOINTMENT AND CONTROL OF UMPIRES

The association shall be responsible for the appointment and control of umpires for matches played under the jurisdiction of the Branch.

54. FITNESS OF GROUNDS

The association shall be responsible for the inspection of grounds of affiliated clubs. It shall make such recommendations for their improvement as it shall deem necessary. It shall report as necessary to the Management Committee.

Where a new club is seeking affiliation to the Branch the association shall at the request of the Honorary Secretary inspect the ground of the club seeking affiliation and shall submit a report thereon to the Honorary Secretary.

Where an existing affiliated club wishes to change the location or nature of the playing surface the association shall at the request of the Honorary Secretary of the Branch undertake an inspection of the changed surface and report thereon to the Honorary Secretary.

VOTING AT MEETINGS

55. ENTITLEMENT AND METHOD

Each person present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting of the Branch or of a Branch Committee including the chairman shall have one vote. In the event of a tie in voting the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. At all meetings voting shall normally be by ballot but any other suitable method may with the consent of the meeting be adopted. Each person entitled to vote will be issued with a voting card at the commencement of the meeting or on his/her arrival after the start of the meeting, having signed the attendance record. Only holders of a voting card may vote by whichever means of voting is determined by the meeting.

56. PROPOSITIONS REQUIRING A ONE-THIRD MAJORITY

The following propositions shall require to be passed by a majority of one‑third of the votes of those present and entitled to vote and actually voting:

A. Admission of new clubs

B. Alteration or rescission of resolutions passed at General Meetings of the Branch, or of the Management Committee or of the other Branch Committees

C. Alteration of any rules of the Branch

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS

57. POWER TO ADJOURN

The chairman of any meeting may with the consent of a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote and actually voting adjourn such meeting from time to time and from place to place. No notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted thereat other than that given at the time of adjournment shall be necessary.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

OR RULES OF THE BRANCH

58. POWER TO SUSPEND BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED

In the case of emergency any meeting shall have the power to suspend standing orders or the rules of the Branch on a motion stating the reason for such a suspension, which motion must be passed unanimously by all those present and entitled to vote and actually voting. During such suspension no business other than that stated in the motion to suspend shall be transacted.

ADMISSION OF NEW CLUBS

59. APPLICATION FOR AND CONDITIONS OF

On application to the Branch Honorary Secretary new clubs may, on being proposed and seconded by two affiliated Clubs, be affiliated to the Branch. Such affiliation may take place at a General Meeting or at a meeting of the Management Committee. Applications for affiliation shall state:

A. The situation and nature of the surface of the ground or grounds

B. The colors of shirt, shorts and stockings

C. The names of the officers (or Committee) of the club

Before submitting an application for affiliation to any of the meetings aforementioned the Branch Honorary Secretary shall arrange for the inspection of the ground or grounds of the club seeking affiliation by the Umpires Association and shall submit its report to the meeting which considers the application.

When an application for affiliation is received from a club situated in an area normally administered by another branch of the Irish Hockey Association, the Branch Honorary Secretary shall notify the Honorary Secretary of the branch concerned of the application and shall indicate the date of the meeting which will consider the application.

NOTIFICATION OF CLUB OFFICERS

60. DUTY OF CLUB HONORARY SECRETARIES

The Honorary Secretary of each affiliated club shall annually: -

(a) on or before 30th June inform the Branch Honorary Secretary of the names and addresses, Email address (if any ) and telephone numbers (if any) of their Honorary Secretary, Honorary Match Secretary and Honorary Treasurer for the coming season. Clubs will be responsible for informing the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, the Honorary Secretaries of all other affiliated clubs and the Honorary Appointments Secretary of the Umpires Association of any subsequent alterations to this information.

(b) on or before 1^st October furnish written confirmation that the club has effected and maintains in force a policy of public liability insurance the limit of indemnity under which shall be for not less than EUR3.8 million or such other sum as the Management Committee shall from time to time stipulate. Immediate notice shall be provided by the club in the event that the policy lapses or is cancelled.

For the sake of clarity, compliance with the provisions of this Rule is required irrespective of the date on which an individual Club Policy falls due for renewal. Notification shall include particulars of the date on which this Policy falls due for renewal.

(c) on or before 1^st October confirm in writing to the Branch Honorary Secretary that the club maintains a membership register and that prospective new members are required to complete an application form and pay a subscription prior to acceptance into club membership.

CLUB COLOURS

61. DISTINGUISHING/CHANGING

Every affiliated club shall have distinguishing colours for shirts and stockings. All players except the goalkeeper shall wear club colours while playing. In addition all players playing in the Leinster League Division 1 and 2, the Leinster Senior Cup and in the final of all competitions set out in Rule 72 shall wear separate and distinguishing numbers (1 to 32 only). Change of club colours must have the prior sanction of the Branch in General Meeting, or the Management Committee.

Where undershorts are worn they must be of the same colour as the club shorts.

Where teams with similar colours play one another the away team shall wear different coloured shirts and stockings for that match. Where two such teams meet on neutral ground they shall agree as to the team to wear a different colour. In default of agreement the Branch General Meeting or the Management Committee or the Branch Honorary Secretary shall decide the question. In default of this the umpires shall arrange for the decision to be made prior to the match by the toss of a coin.

CHANGE OF GROUNDS

62. CHANGE OF LOCATION OR SURFACE

Any change in the location or in the nature of the surface of a club's ground or grounds used by a club must be notified immediately to:

A. The Honorary Secretary

B. The Honorary Fixtures Secretary

C. The Honorary Secretary of the Umpires Association.

AFFILIATION FEES, FINES, ETC

63. PAYMENT OF, FIXING

Each affiliated club, Committee and association shall pay to the Branch such annual fee as the Branch shall decide at the September General Meeting of the previous year.

64. DATE OF PAYMENT

Affiliation fees, entrance fees for the league and cup competitions including the Irish Senior and Irish Junior Cup competitions and capitation fees must be paid to the Honorary Treasurer on or before the 1st day of November of the current season. A form to be supplied by the Honorary Treasurer will be completed and forwarded with the fees. Any club whose fees are not paid on or before the date specified may be suspended from participation in the Branch or Irish Hockey Association competitions until such fees are paid and in addition may be fined.

If passed by a majority of the votes cast at a Branch General Meeting, the Management Committee shall have the right to supply clubs with admission tickets which shall be non‑returnable. The price of each ticket shall be determined by the Management Committee. Each club shall receive tickets in proportion to the number of league sides entered in that season and shall within 14 days of the end of the event in question remit in full payment to the Branch for the said tickets. The purpose of this Rule is to assist the funding of special hockey events organised within Leinster on behalf of the Irish Hockey Association.

65. HOW MADE

Payment of affiliation fees, fines and all other monies shall be made by cheque, money order or postal order, crossed and made payable to the Leinster Branch Irish Hockey Association.

CLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS

66. LIST OF MEMBERS IN DEFAULT TO BE FURNISHED

The Honorary Secretary of every affiliated club shall forward to the Branch Honorary Secretary so as to reach him before 1st September of each season a list showing the names and home addresses of playing members of their club whose subscriptions have not been paid in full for the previous season. Such listed defaulting members of affiliated clubs shall not be eligible for membership of any club affiliated to the Branch or to play indoor hockey for any team with special affiliation until their club subscriptions have been so paid. The Branch Honorary Secretary shall be informed immediately of such payment.

ALTERATION OF THE RULES OF THE BRANCH

67. HOW EFFECTED

The rules of the Branch shall not be altered in any way except by a resolution passed (subject to rule 55) at the September General Meeting of the Branch, or at a special General Meeting. Notice of proposed alterations for consideration at the September General Meeting, excepting always proposals for alteration made by the Rules Committee, must be forwarded to the Branch Honorary Secretary by 15^th June immediately preceding the September General Meeting. Proposed alterations for consideration at a special General Meeting shall be forwarded with the requisition for such meeting.

68. EFFECT OF RESOLUTIONS

Any resolution (other than a resolution to alter the rules of the Branch or a resolution under rule 62) passed at a General Meeting or at a meeting of the Management Committee or of a Branch Committee shall be required to be brought forward as an alteration of the rules of the Branch in order that it shall have effect in any subsequent season.

69. NOTICE OF

The notice summoning delegates to a meeting at which proposals for alterations to the rules are to be considered shall contain full details of the changes to be proposed.

PART 2 - RULES OF BRANCH COMPETITIONS

70. SCOPE/LIMITATIONS

The rules in Part 2, other than Rule 73, shall not apply to indoor hockey.

SECTION 1 - GENERAL

71. LEAGUE COMPETITIONS

Division 1

For the Moore Challenge Cup

Presented in 1901

Division 2

For the James McMahon Memorial Cup

Presented by the Leinster Hockey Umpires Association in 1989

Division 3

For the Leinster Hockey Umpires Association Presidents Cup

Presented by the Leinster Hockey Umpires Association in 1949

Division 4

For the Middle League Cup

Division 5

For the Chancellor Hockey Challenge Cup

Presented by the Railway and Steampacket Union in 1908

Division 6

For the Junior League Cup

Division 7

For the Derrick C A Cole Cup

Presented in his memory by his family in 1979

Division 8

For the Des Medcalf Memorial Perpetual Cup

Presented in his memory by Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club in 1979

Division 9

For the Sydney Dagg Memorial Cup

Presented in his memory by Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club in 1979

Division 10

For the Searby Cashel Memorial Cup

Presented in his memory by Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club in 1983

The Under 16 League

For the Eugene Mulligan Cup

72. CUP COMPETITIONS

The Leinster Senior (Mills) Cup

Presented by J E Mills Esq. in 1902

The Railway Challenge Cup

Presented by C H McCallum Esq., Vice‑President of Railway Union Hockey Club in 1923

The Neville Davin Cup

Presented by YMCA Hockey Club

The Intermediate Cup

Presented by Three Rock Rovers Hockey Club in 1928

The Junior Challenge Cup

Presented by Barry Carroll Esq., Honorary Secretary of the Leinster Hockey Umpires Association in 1978

The Minor Cup

Presented by nine members of the Executive Committee in 1910

The Stephen J Doyle Cup

Presented in his memory by Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club in 1970

The Wright‑Carey Memorial Trophy

Presented in memory of H W Wright and J E Carey by Monkstown Hockey Club in 1973

The Neville Cup

Presented in memory of Paddy and John Neville by St Ita’s Hockey Club in 1981

The Galtrim Cup

Presented by Bray Rovers Hockey Club in 1932

The Walters Cup

Presented by J A McGuirk, Patron of Monkstown Hockey Club in 1965

The Meehan Cup

Presented by Mr. Meehan

The Avoca Cup

Presented by Derek G Price of Avoca Hockey Club in 1971

The Under 16 Cup (Benny Atkinson Memorial Cup)

Presented by Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club.

The cup competitions shall be played on the "knock‑out" system. All cups shall be perpetual challenge cups and cannot be won outright.

73. INDOOR COMPETITIONS

The Leinster Indoor Cup

Presented in Memory of R F Browne by Avoca Hockey Club in 1986 for the winners of the indoor hockey championship

The Tony Byrne Cup

Presented in his memory by Glenanne Sports Club in 1981 for the winners of the senior indoor hockey league

The Paul Goode Cup

Presented by Paul Goode of Monkstown Hockey Club in 1978 for the winners of the junior indoor hockey league

The cup competitions shall be played on the "knock‑out" system. All cups shall be perpetual challenge cups and cannot be won outright.

74. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Application on a form to be provided for admission to the branch league and cup competitions (including the Irish Senior and Irish Junior Cups) must be made to the Honorary Fixtures Secretary not later than the 30th April each year. Entrance fees for the foregoing competitions shall be of such amount as shall be fixed at the September General Meeting in respect of the season commencing in the following year. These fees shall be paid as provided for in rules 63 and 64.

75. CONSTITUTION OF COMPETITIONS

The Management Committee shall, on the recommendation of the Fixtures Committee, as soon as possible after the April General Meeting determine the teams which shall constitute each league and the sub‑divisions thereof and the teams which shall be permitted to play in the various cup competitions.

76. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

No player shall play for more than one club during the same season in the Branch competitions unless and until his transfer to another club has been sanctioned in accordance with rule 91, with the exception of Under-16 competitions if the players own club does not have an Under-16 section. No player under the age of fifteen years shall be eligible to play in the competitions set out in rules 71 and 72 above with the exception of the under 16 leagues and cup.

77. CONDUCT OF PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS

The general Committee of every affiliated club shall be responsible for the good conduct of players and spectators who are members of the club at all matches in connection with the Branch competitions and the Irish cup competitions played on the club's ground or ground used by the club. Similarly the general Committee of the visiting club shall be responsible for the conduct of its players and spectators who are members of the club while on the grounds or premises of the home club. Where matches are played on a neutral ground the general Committee of each participating club shall be responsible for the conduct of its players and such spectators who are members of the club while on the grounds or premises of the host club or grounds used by the host club, association or other body at which such matches are played. In the above circumstances the general Committee of a club shall also be responsible for the general behaviour of supporters who are clearly identified with the club even though they may not be members of the club.

General Committees of affiliated clubs shall take reasonable steps to ensure that this rule is observed and the rule shall remain in operation for a period commencing fifteen minutes prior to the official time of starting the match and terminating forty‑five minutes after the conclusion thereof.

78. UMPIRING

(a) In the event of there being no officially appointed umpires, each team shall provide an umpire, if necessary by removing a player from the team to umpire. If both captains agree, one team may provide both umpires.

(b) In the event that only one official umpire is present, both captains shall agree on a second umpire. In the event of disagreement, the officially appointed umpire shall withdraw and rule 78 (a) above shall apply

(c) All red card incidents must be reported to the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, with a copy to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, by the umpires involved, in writing, in such form as may be prescribed from time to time, within 96 hours of the incident, or following a request from the Honorary Secretary, within 7 days of such a request. No such request can be made by the Honorary Secretary after the expiry of 30 days after the date of the incident.

SECTION 2 - LEAGUE COMPETITIONS

79. HOW DECIDED

The league competitions shall be decided by points. Each team shall play home and away matches with each other team in the same league or division thereof, unless by mutual consent one or both matches are fixed for the ground of either club or for a neutral ground. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions Branch General Meetings shall have the power to determine the number of matches to be played in any league or division thereof and the venues at which such matches shall be played.

Three points shall be awarded to the winning team for each match won, one point to each team for each match drawn, and no points to the losing team.

(a) Winners

The team having the greatest number of points to its credit at the end of the season or when the competition is finished shall be declared the winner for that season.

If two or more teams in a division of a league finish the season or competition with an equal number of points at the top of that division, they shall play a test match, or test matches, on a format to be decided by the Fixtures Committee, to decide the winner of the division. Extra time shall where necessary be played. In the event of a test match remaining undecided after extra time the result shall be decided by the tiebreak system as hereinafter provided for in rule 109.

(b) Other positions (except bottom teams)

Teams will be ranked according to the number of points each has accumulated in the competition.

If at the end of the league matches, two or more teams have the same number of points these teams will be ranked according to their respective number of matches won.

If there remains equality among two or more teams, then these teams will be ranked according to their respective goal difference (which means Goals for less Goals against) with a positive goal difference always taking precedence over a negative one.

If there still remains equality between two or more teams, then these teams will be ranked according to their respective number of goals for.

Should there still remain equality between two or more teams, then the results of the matches played between (only) those teams involved will be taken into consideration to determine the ranking of the tied teams.

If two or more teams in a division of a league finish the season or competition with an equal number of points at the bottom of that division, they shall, if relegation is an issue, play a test match, or test matches, on a format to be decided by the Fixtures Committee, to decide the loser, and in the case of Division 1, the second last team, of the division. Extra time shall where necessary be played. In the event of a test match remaining undecided after extra time the result shall be decided by the tiebreak system as hereinafter provided for in rule 109.

80. DATES OF MATCHES

The dates on which matches in these competitions shall be played shall be arranged by the Fixtures Committee. Honorary Secretaries of all affiliated clubs shall notify the Honorary Appointments Secretary of the Umpires Association of the times and venues of all home matches to be played at weekends not later than 9pm on the previous Monday. Similar notification of all other matches shall be given at least five days before the match is to be played.

81. DURATION OF MATCHES

In all matches thirty‑five minutes each way shall be played unless agreed upon mutually prior to the commencement of the game by the two captains. The umpires may however stop the match or suspend play for a period no longer than twenty minutes at any time if in their opinion the light, state of weather or ground, or other good and sufficient reason renders such action necessary.

82. GROUNDS

(a) If in the opinion of the umpires at the time fixed for the starting of the match, the ground is in such a condition as to be unfit for play they shall be entitled to declare the match off. At their sole discretion, the umpires may allow a period of time for a pitch to be made ready for play, but in all such circumstances, the question of the fitness of a pitch for play shall rest solely with the umpires whose decision is final.

(b) All Division 1 games shall be played on synthetic turf surfaces.

(c) All Division 2 games shall be played on synthetic turf surfaces, except where there is no available pitch within 50 kilometres of the home pitch of the club concerned.

83. POSTPONEMENT OR ALTERATION OF FIXTURES

Postponement or Alteration of fixtures shall not be permitted without the prior sanction of the Fixtures Committee. Applications for such postponements or alterations shall be made in writing to the Honorary Fixtures Secretary and must state:

A. The reasons which necessitate the application for postponement or alteration

B. The fixtures of the other teams of the club on the date in respect of which the application for postponement or alteration is submitted.

Applications for such postponements or alterations must be made a minimum of four days prior to the date for which the fixture has been arranged.

Notwithstanding the foregoing the Honorary Fixtures Secretary may in exceptional circumstances grant postponements or alterations.

All postponements or alterations shall be notified by the Honorary Secretary of the club whose team has been granted the postponement or alteration to the Honorary Secretary of the Club to which the opposing team belongs and to the Honorary Appointments Secretary of the Umpires Association

All league fixtures which have been postponed or altered for any reason must be played within 15 days of the scheduled date of the fixture save by right of appeal to the Honorary Fixtures Secretary.

No club may cancel a fixture of a team where there are fixtures scheduled in lower divisions for teams of the said club.

2^nd XI teams shall, if requested, be granted deferments where their 1^st XI is playing an Irish Senior Cup fixture. Any such deferred match must be re-fixed and played within 30 days of the scheduled date of the deferred match.

84. FAILURE TO FULFILL A FIXTURE

Where a team has been unable for any reason to fulfill a fixture the Honorary Secretary of the club to which the team belongs shall within 48 hours of the scheduled match time notify:

A. The Honorary Fixtures Secretary

B. The Honorary Appointments Secretary of the Umpires Association

C. The Honorary Secretary of the club to which the opposing team belongs

The notification in writing shall state the reasons for inability to fulfill the fixture.

Only the Fixtures Committee shall have the power to decide the future status of the fixture.

85. REFIXING OF UNFINISHED MATCHES

In the case of unfinished matches, the Fixtures Committee may either:

A. Refix the match

B. Regard the result as per the score at the time the match was stopped

C. Regard the result as a draw

D. Regard the match as forfeited by either or both teams

E. Resume the match at the point at which play was stopped.

86. REPORTING RESULTS OF MATCHES

The Honorary Secretary of the home club shall send the result of every match in writing to the Honorary Fixtures Secretary not later than 72 hours after the match. The Honorary Secretaries of both home and away Clubs shall ensure that the result is entered and completed on the website within the same time limit. The report of the results shall include matches not finished stating reasons for the failure to finish the match. The report shall also include unplayed matches stating reasons for the failure to play the match. Reports shall be sent on such a form as shall be prescribed by the Fixtures Committee at that time, and shall include team sheets and shirt numbers.

Division 1 and 2 match results must be reported by phone, by the home club to the Honorary Fixtures Secretary or appointee within one hour of the completion of the game. This report shall include the scores and scorers of both the home and away teams. Notification of results to the Branch Website shall be made in accordance with the requirements set out by the Fixtures Committee from time to time.

Failure to comply with the above rules will incur a fine on the home club. The level of such fines to be decided by the Fixtures Committee.

REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS

87. APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY REGISTRATIONS SECRETARY

The Branch shall annually elect an Honorary Registrations Secretary, who shall be responsible for all matters relating to the registration of players. He shall be a member of the Fixtures Committee. He shall have power to impose penalties in accordance with the provisions of Rule 21 for breaches of registration regulations.

88. LIST OF PLAYERS TO BE FURNISHED/REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Clubs entering League or Cup competitions shall forward, to the Honorary Registrations Secretary, so as to reach him not later than seven days before the day on which the relevant League or Cup competition is fixed to commence, a list containing the names (with forenames or initials sufficient for identification purposes) of:

(a) All playing members of the club. New members shall be registered at least seven days before playing for the club. New members, who have not previously played competition matches for a club, shall not be eligible to play for that club in any of its teams last three league matches or subsequent play‑offs.

New members who have joined after November 1st may not play in any Branch league matches which qualify a club to participate in the Irish Club Championships, without the prior sanction of the Irish Hockey Association.

(b.1) Eleven bona‑fide regular playing members of the relevant team, except the most junior eleven, arranged in order of merit and numbered. Of those so registered the first nine of the first eleven shall not be eligible to play for any other eleven. The first eight of the second eleven and any subsequent eleven shall not be eligible to play for any lower eleven than that on which they have been registered.

(b.2) Players registered but not restricted by subsection (b.1) of this rule shall be eligible to play on the next lower eleven than that on which their names appear, but for no other eleven.

(b.3). All players will be eligible to play for higher elevens than that for which they are registered.

(b.4) In the case of players who do not regularly represent their club by reason of being registered with another Branch or hockey association, such players shall not be included in the team registrations but will be notified separately to the Honorary Registrations Secretary together with their bona‑fide team standard in their club. Such players shall then be eligible to play only for that eleven or a higher eleven.

89. REGISTRATION CONTINUATION

The last team registration of any player at the end of any one season shall be deemed to be his registration until the first registrations of the club to which he belongs have been received and approved by the Honorary Registrations Secretary in the season next following.

90. ALTERATION OF REGISTRATION

For permission to alter the registration of up to four players in each eleven in the months of October and November and up to two members in each eleven in subsequent months, applications must be with the Honorary Registrations Secretary on or before the 23rd day of the preceding month to be effective for the month following (i.e., in by the 23rd February to be effective for the 1st March). For the purposes of this rule, the exchange in the order of two players of the same eleven shall constitute only one alteration in that eleven. However, the exchange of a player of one eleven with another eleven shall constitute an alteration on each eleven.

Any player who is suspended may not play for his Club until the team on which he is registered at the date of the suspension has completed a number of matches equivalent to the term(s) of the suspension.

91. LIST OF REGISTERED PLAYERS

A list of the registered players of each affiliated club shall be available for inspection at the Branch General Meeting next after the deadline for their receipt as provided for in rule 88. A list of the registered players on any or all of the affiliated clubs may be obtained from the Honorary Registrations Secretary at any reasonable time on payment of an appropriate fee, which may be refunded by a Branch General Meeting.

92. PROTESTS REGARDING THE ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS

If a club wishes to challenge the playing of a player by an opposing team on the grounds of improper registration or other ineligibility, it shall have the right to lodge a protest in writing to the Honorary Registrations Secretary for consideration by the Fixtures Committee who shall investigate and, if considered necessary, impose an appropriate penalty as provided for in Branch Rules.

Such protests must be lodged so as to be received by the Honorary Registrations Secretary within 72 hours of the end of the match concerned and shall be accompanied by a fee of EUR50 which shall be returned in the event that the protest is upheld.

A right of appeal to the Management Committee against a decision of the Fixtures Committee shall exist in accordance with Rule 23.

TRANSFER OF PLAYERS

93. HOW EFFECTED

When a player wishes at any time to transfer from one affiliated club to another, application in writing shall be made by the Honorary Secretary of the transferee club to the Honorary Registrations Secretary of the Branch and a copy shall at the same time be sent to the Branch Honorary secretary. Such application shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by the Honorary Secretary of the transferor club showing that the player has discharged all his liabilities to that club. The Fixtures Committee shall consider applications for transfer at the meeting next following the date of their receipt. The Honorary Registrations Secretary shall have power to sanction a transfer prior to ratification by the Management Committee at the meeting next following the date of such sanction. The Branch Honorary Secretary or the Honorary Registrations Secretary shall make his decision on sanction for the transfer within 48 hours of receipt of the application for transfer and will notify the decision to the transferee club. Any club playing a player before his transfer is sanctioned as aforesaid shall forfeit all matches in which he has taken part, to their opponents.

94. STATUS OF PLAYERS TRANSFERRED

If a player whose transfer has been sanctioned has played in a Branch cup competition during the hockey season in which the transfer has taken place, he shall not be eligible to play for his new club in that Competition any in or any lower ranked Cup competition during that season.

AWARDS

95. AUTHORITY TO MAKE

Medals or other awards as agreed to by a General Meeting may be awarded to the winning team in Branch competitions.

TIMES FOR STARTING MATCHES

96. SCHEDULE OF

The times for starting matches in the league and cup competitions shall be contained in a "Schedule of Starting Times" and shall be as decided from time to time by a General Meeting of the Branch. A copy of this schedule shall be published in the Branch handbook and on the Branch Website. These times may be altered by a Branch General Meeting or the Management Committee if considered necessary in particular cases.

97. PRIORITY OF MATCHES

Division 1 league matches shall take precedence over all non‑senior matches with the exception of the Irish Senior Cup or Irish Junior Cup. Otherwise where two or more matches are due to be played and one or more of these matches is a cup match the cup match or matches shall be played first. All cup matches shall start thirty minutes earlier than the times contained in the schedule, provided that no cup match shall be required to start earlier than 1.00 p.m. without the consent of the clubs concerned.

98. PUNCTUAL STARTS

The clubs whose teams may be deemed responsible for unreasonable delay in starting matches may be subject to fines or such other penalties as Branch General Meetings may decide.

SECTION 3 - CUP COMPETITIONS

99. RULES GOVERNING

Save as hereinafter provided the rules governing the Branch cup competitions shall be the rules governing the Irish Senior and Junior Cups.

Any Branch Cup Match involving a Division 1 or a Division 2 Team shall be played on synthetic surfaces except where there is no available pitch within 50 kilometres of the home pitch of the Club concerned.

100. LEINSTER SENIOR (MILLS) CUP

The Leinster Senior (Mills) Cup shall be confined to teams playing in the Division 1 and 2 Leagues and such other teams of affiliated clubs as may be decided by a General Meeting.

101. NEVILLE DAVIN CUP

The Neville Davin Cup shall be confined to teams playing in Division 2 and such other teams of affiliated clubs as may be decided by a General Meeting.

102. RAILWAY CHALLENGE CUP

The Railway Challenge Cup shall be confined to teams playing in the Division 3 and 4 Leagues and such other teams of affiliated clubs as may be decided by a General Meeting.

103. INTERMEDIATE CUP

The Intermediate Cup shall be confined to teams playing in the Division 5 and 6 Leagues and such other teams of affiliated clubs as may be decided by a General Meeting.

104. JUNIOR CHALLENGE TROPHY

The Junior Challenge Trophy shall be confined to teams playing in the Division 7 and 8 Leagues and such other teams of affiliated clubs as may be decided by a General Meeting.

105. THE MINOR CUP

The Minor Cup shall be confined to teams playing in the Division 9 and 10 Leagues and such other teams of affiliated clubs as may be decided by a General Meeting.

106. STEPHEN J DOYLE CUP

The Stephen J Doyle Cup shall be presented to the team which wins the Division 1 League Top Four competition to be held in accordance with such detailed regulations as a General Meeting shall from time to time decide.

107. WRIGHT-CAREY MEMORIAL TROPHY

The Wright‑Carey Memorial Trophy shall be presented to the team which wins the Division 3 League Top Four competition to be held in accordance with such detailed regulations as a General Meeting shall from time to time decide.

108. NEVILLE TROPHY

The Neville Trophy shall be competed for by the first elevens of all affiliated clubs in accordance with such detailed regulations as a General Meeting shall from time to time decide.

109. GALTRIM CUP/WALTERS CUP/MEEHAN CUP

These cups shall be played for annually in accordance with such detailed regulations as a General Meeting shall from time to time decide.

110. THE AVOCA CUP

The Avoca Cup shall be confined to players under the age of twenty‑one years on 1st January in each season and shall be held in accordance with such detailed regulations as a General Meeting shall from time to time decide.

111. THE BENNY ATKINSON MEMORIAL CUP

The Benny Atkinson Memorial Cup shall be confined to players under the age of sixteen years on the 30th June preceding the start of the season and shall be held in accordance with such detailed regulations as a General Meeting shall from time to time decide.

112. LIMITATIONS ON CUP ENTRIES

(a) Subject to (b) below, no team may enter for more than one of the following Branch cup competitions:

The Senior (Mills) Cup The Railway Challenge Cup

The Intermediate Cup The Junior Challenge Cup

The Minor Cup The Neville Davin Cup

(b) Teams playing in the Neville Davin Cup may also enter such other Cup competitions as their League status would allow.

113. TIE-BREAK

All cup matches referred to in Rules 100 to 111 shall be played to a conclusion on the date appointed, or at any later date appointed arising from postponement or abandonment of the fixture.

In the event of the score of each team being equal at the conclusion of the match, up to two periods of extra time of 7½ minutes each shall be played under the Golden Goal Rule. The first team to score in such extra time shall thereupon be declared the winner.

If the score of each side remains equal after the finish of extra time, a decision as to the winner shall be reached in the following manner: -

1. Five players from each of the two teams shall be chosen by their respective captain from the players listed on the team sheet, but excluding any player who has been excluded permanently (red card) from the field of play for that given match by the umpires, shall take a penalty stroke alternately against one and the same goalkeeper of the other team, unless he has been incapacitated and replaced, making a total of ten penalty strokes, five from each team. The players must take the penalty strokes in the same sequence as the list of five players nominated by the team managers to the umpires prior to the start of the competition.

2. The umpires shall choose the goal to be used, and the umpires shall toss with the captains to decide which team shall take the first penalty stroke. The team having been awarded the highest number of goals shall be the winner, and the match will cease once an outright winner has been established.

3. In the event of an equal number of goals having been awarded, another series of penalty strokes shall be started with the same players, subject to incapacitated players being replaced and shall feature “sudden death” which shall mean that the winner shall be the first team to have been awarded more goals than the opposing team after an equal number of strokes (no minimum) have been taken by each team. If necessary, this “sudden death” series may exceed ten penalty strokes. The sequence need not be the same as in the previous series and the team manager has the freedom of choice at the time of each stroke as to which of the five nominated players will take the stroke using all five nominated players per round.

4. The team whose player has taken the first penalty stroke of the first series shall not take the first penalty stroke of the “sudden death” series.

REFIXING OF POSTPONED/UNFINISHED CUP MATCHES

114. HOW EFFECTED

Rule 85 shall apply.

PLAYING FOR LEAGUE POINTS

115. CONDITIONS GOVERNING

Cup matches shall not be played for league points without the prior sanction of a General Meeting or of the Management Committee. Where extra time is played the league points shall be divided.

CUP FINALS

116. VENUES

The final round in all Branch cup competitions shall be played on a ground and on a date to be decided by the Management Committee.

REPORTING RESULTS

117. HOW EFFECTED

Rule 86 shall apply.

REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS

118. HOW EFFECTED

Where a club enters more than one team in the various Branch cup competitions as listed in rule 112, the cup registration will be taken as the league registration applying at the date for which the first round of the first Branch competition, as listed in rule 112, is fixed. Players registered for Branch cup competitions shall normally be bona‑fide regular playing members of the club at the time of registration. A bona‑fide regular playing member is one who has already played for the club during the season. A club wishing to register or play a player who has not so played must request the prior permission of the Fixtures Committee.

In the case of the Stephen J Doyle Cup and Wright‑Carey Memorial Trophy, the league registrations in force at the time the first matches of these competitions are fixed to commence shall apply. Their eligibility shall be in accordance with rule 119.

In the case of players who do not regularly represent their club by reason of being registered with another Branch or hockey association, such players shall not be included in the team registrations but will be notified separately to the Honorary Registrations Secretary together with their bona‑fide team standard in their club. Such players shall then be eligible to play only for that eleven or a higher eleven.

119. ELIGIBILITY OF REGISTERED PLAYERS

The first ten players in each eleven registered in accordance with rule 118 shall not be eligible to play for any eleven lower than that for which they have been registered in any Branch cup competition. The eleventh shall be eligible to play for the next eleven lower than the team on which he is registered and for no eleven lower than that.

120. LISTS OF REGISTERED PLAYERS

A list of the registered players of each affiliated club shall be available for inspection at the Branch General Meeting next after the deadline for their receipt as provided for in rule 118. A list of the registered players on any or all of the affiliated clubs may be obtained from the Honorary Registrations Secretary at any reasonable time on payment of an appropriate fee, which may be refunded by a Branch General Meeting.

121. STATUS OF PLAYERS TRANSFERRED

Rule 94 shall apply. Any club playing a player before his transfer is sanctioned as aforesaid shall forfeit all matches in which he has taken part to their opponents.

AWARDS

122. AUTHORITY TO MAKE

Rule 95 shall apply

123. RECEIPT FOR CUPS AND TROPHIES

(a). The captain of the winning team shall receive the cup or trophy. The club to which the winning team belongs shall sign a receipt in the form prescribed in Appendix 1 of these rules.

(b). The club shall record their victory as appropriate on the cup or trophy and bear the cost of the recording.

(c). The club shall return the said cup or trophy to the Honorary Secretary of the Leinster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association on the first day of February the following season or on such other date as may be decided by a Branch General Meeting.

(d). In the event of the said cup or trophy being lost, stolen, destroyed or otherwise made away with, the club shall replace the said cup or trophy by one of similar design and value.

(e). In the event of the said cup or trophy being lost or damaged the club shall make good such damage to the satisfaction of a General Meeting of the Leinster Branch of the Irish Hockey Association.

(f). Failure to comply with this rule may make the club liable to a fine.

APPENDIX 1 – CUP / TROPHY RECEIPT FORM

LEINSTER BRANCH IRISH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Cup/Trophy Receipt Form

I hereby confirm receipt of

_______________________________________________________________Cup/Trophy

I note that the Leinster Branch has effected “All Risks” cover for this Cup/Trophy, but I confirm that while the Cup/Trophy is in our Club’s possession, we shall take due care to ensure that it is kept in safe custody and shall indemnify the Branch in accordance with Rule 123, paragraphs (d) and (e).

It is acknowledged that the Cup/Trophy is received in good condition.

Signed: ____________________________________________________

On behalf of

___________________________________________________HC

Date: ____________________________________________________

Witnessed By

___________________________________________________

APPENDIX 2 – CODE OF ETHICS FOR HOCKEY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – IRISH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION