Stamford Youth
Netball League

All matches will be played in accordance with England Netball Rules and guidance. Rotation sheets must be used for U8, U9 and U10; the first rotation may be made at quarter-time or half-time.

Player safety and equipment

• No jewellery, except a covered Medi-Alert bracelet.
• Taped earrings are not permitted.
• Friendship bracelets are not permitted.
• Nails must be short and smooth.
• In cold weather, plain non-fibrous gloves may be worn. They must be soft leather or microfibre (for example, neoprene), with no abrasive materials, zips, Velcro, metallic or plastic fasteners, or rubberised grip embellishments.
• A player may wear a hat, head covering, scarf or suitable headband, provided the material is soft and has no embellishments or loose fibres.

Mixed participation and substitutions

Bee Netball is open to girls and boys. Boys who have previously played Bee Netball may play in U12, U14 and U16 with agreement from the league organisers.

• A maximum of two boys may be on court for one team at any time.
• The two boys must not play within the same third of the court together (for example, GS and GA, or GK and GD).
• Rolling substitutions may be made at any time in any age group, provided they do not interrupt the flow of play.

A league entry fee is payable at the start of each season, as communicated in advance. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid within 7 days of the invoice.

All matches will be played at Stamford Junior School. The league is responsible for booking the courts.

All matches are centrally timed.

Umpires must ensure that teams adhere to the stated interval times: 1 minute after Q1/Q3 and 2 minutes at half-time.

Late start penalty: After the first minute following the horn to start play, the offending team will be penalised one goal for every additional minute late.

Persistent lateness should be reported to the league organiser and will be dealt with accordingly.

Stoppages for illness, injury or blood are limited to 30 seconds and the affected player must leave the court. For a more serious injury, the umpires may extend the time needed for the player to leave the court.

League age groups follow the school year, running from 1 September to 31 August. Players may play in an age group for which they meet the school-year criteria shown in the Quick Reference table.

All players must be listed on the team registration form. A minimum of five players must be registered for each U9/U10/U11 team and seven players for each U12+ team. Registration forms must be given to the event organiser before the team's first match of the season.

A player may be registered in two age groups for one club. Players may also play up into another age group within their club as a guest player any number of times, provided age eligibility is met.

Players who are part of the SR Performance programme may play for both their own club and an SR Performance team in different age groups, while still meeting the relevant age qualifications.

Every team must provide a suitably qualified umpire for all matches. Clubs are responsible for allocating their own umpires unless a different arrangement has been agreed in advance with the league organiser.

Penalty: Failure to provide a suitably qualified umpire: £10 fine to the offending team.

Umpire support: If you are having difficulty finding an umpire on a one-off occasion, please contact Meg and we will do our best to help source one. The cost is £12 per 7-a-side game and £8 per 5-a-side game, payable directly to the umpire on the day.

Each club is responsible for ensuring its result card is completed accurately. The card must then be placed in the results box on the front desk.

The winning team must also send the result in the results WhatsApp group using the following format:

• Date (e.g. 17 May)
• Age category (e.g. U11)
• Team 1 and score (e.g. Kites – 21)
• Team 2 and score (e.g. Hawks – 20)
• Name and team of the person submitting the result

The event organiser will treat the information recorded on the result card as correct. A score will only be amended where there is a discrepancy between the two result cards, or where both umpires confirm in writing that an error was made and state the correct score.

If one team does not attend, the non-offending team must complete its result card and write “opposing team did not attend” in place of the score, then place the card in the results box.

Rearrangements should only be requested as a last resort.

• A rearrangement request must be made to the other team at least five days before the scheduled match.
• The two teams are responsible for arranging the alternative fixture directly.
• The rearranged match must be played within the week of the original fixture, including the Sunday before or after where a court is available.
• If a new date cannot be agreed, the team that was unable to field a team for the original fixture will concede the match.

League positions are decided on points. Where teams are tied on points, goal average will be used (goals for ÷ goals against).

If a team cannot fulfil a fixture, it must first inform the league organiser and then the relevant opposition Team Manager.

Conceded matches: If a team concedes two or more matches during the season, a £20 fine will be applied to that team.

If a team withdraws from the league, all of that team's results will be declared null and void.

Clubs are expected to follow England Netball child protection procedures and policies, Codes of Conduct and disciplinary procedures. In addition, clubs must:

• Ensure all players fielded are eligible under these league rules.
• Provide an appropriate match ball: size 4 for primary age groups and size 5 for secondary age groups.
• Wear clearly marked bibs and have an alternative set available in case of a colour clash.
• Have a First Aid Kit available.
• Ensure players wear suitable footwear.
• Ensure players and spectators are familiar with England Netball Rules.
• Make any contact with teams or league organisers, including match cancellations, no later than 8.00 pm on the evening before the match.

Team Managers may stand at either end of the court to support their team, provided they do not obstruct the umpires.

• Respect Team Managers, umpires and players from both teams.
• No offensive language, remarks or behaviour.
• Dogs must not be brought to any league-designated venue.
• Follow the venue's no-smoking policy around the courts.
• Remove all litter and lost property, including water bottles.

Clubs are encouraged to register all players at the start of the season to support smooth administration.

Unregistered players

If a team fields an unregistered player, the non-offending team will receive the match points plus the greater of either the actual goal difference or 10 goals. If both teams field unregistered players, the match will be declared void and neither team will receive points or goals.

Non-payment of fines

The league organiser may consider suspending a team where fines remain unpaid.

Other breaches

Any breach of the rules that does not carry a specific penalty will be dealt with at the discretion of the league organiser.

Official complaints regarding another club, team or official should be sent to:

megan@reactivesportscoaching.com

A response outlining the action to be taken will be provided within seven days.